Electromigration performance of vias filled with high temperature (480 degr
ees C) sputtered Al alloys on Ti glue layers was investigated in comparison
with W-stud vias. Electromigration lifetime and failure mode are quite dif
ferent according to via structures and kinds of Al alloys used. Electromigr
ation lifetime of W-stud via chain and Al-Cu filled via chain depends on th
e via to via distances, while that of Al-Si-Cu filled via chain does not de
pend on the via to via distances. Failure mode observations revealed that v
oids were formed only at a few locations in the test structure in Al-Si-Cu
filled via chain while voids were formed at every via in W-stud via chains
and Al-Cu filled via chains. It is supposed that Al moves through the Al-Si
-Cu filled vias during electromigration test in spite of the existence of t
he Ti glue layer at the via bottom. The Al transportation, however, was pro
hibited at W-stud vias and Al-Cu filled vias. Glue Ti deposited at via bott
om was converted to Al-Ti-Si alloy in Al-Si-Cu filled vias, while Al3Ti all
oy was formed at AI-Cu filled via bottom. It is speculated that Al transpor
tation occurs through via bottom Al-Ti-Si alloy layer during electromigrati
on test in the case of Al-Si-Cu filled vias. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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