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Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an improved apparatus and process for providing uniform step coverage on a substrate and planarization of conducting layers to form continuous, void-free interconnects in sub-half micron, high aspect ratio aperture width applications and highly oriented conducting layers. In one aspect of the invention, a dielectric layer is formed over a conducting or semiconducting layer and etched to form an aperture exposing the underlying conducting or semiconducting layer on the aperture floor. An ultra-thin nucleation layer is then deposited by physical vapor deposition onto the field of the dielectric layer. A CVD metal layer is then deposited onto the structure to achieve selective deposition on the floor of the aperture, while preferably also forming a highly oriented blanket layer on the field. The present apparatus and process reduce the number of steps necessary to fabricate CVD metal interconnects and layers that are substantially void-free and planarized. The metallization process is preferably carried out in an integrated processing system that includes both a PVD and CVD processing chamber so that once the substrate is introduced into a vacuum environment, the metallization of the apertures to form vias and contacts occurs without the formation of oxides between the layers.

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First Claim