Comparing PVD Titanium Nitride Film Properties and their Effect on Beyond 7 nm EUV Patterning

Two sources of physical vapor deposition (PVD) titanium nitride (TiN) are compared for beyond 7 nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV) single expose patterning applications. The film density, stress, and grain size affect etch characteristics and refractive index affects lithography and overlay. It was learned that tuning and controlling the film characteristics using radio frequency physical vapor deposition (RFPVD) is critical to patterning applications beyond the 7 nm node.