This article presents the oxidation kinetics of Cu thin films in dry and we
t oxygen at temperatures from 100 to 600 degrees C. Spectroscopic ellipsome
try and reflectometry, which yield refractive index and thickness of the Cu
oxide, were used in kinetic study of Cu film oxidation. Cabrera-Mott (C-M)
theory was used for the calculation of oxidation activation energies, yiel
ding 0.68 eV for dry oxidation and 0.43 eV for wet oxidation. The scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry were u
sed to investigate the cross-sectional profile, grain size, and chemical co
mposition of the Cu oxides. A formula for Cu oxide thickness calculation wa
s derived from the C-M theory and experimental data: Good agreement has bee
n observed in thickness values from formula calculation, spectroscopic refl
ectance and SEM has been confirmed. A study of the effect of trace O-2 on C
u film anneal is also presented. (C) 2000 American Vacuum Society. .[S0734-
2101(00)05705-5].