Electrode passivation layer of semiconductor device and method for forming the same

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same and, more particularly, to an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device having improved corrosion-resistance and oxidation-resistance and a method for forming the same.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Electrode wiring technology in a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) device is divided into aluminum wires connecting gate electrodes, source/drain impurity diffusion regions, contact holes, and cells.

[0006] In scaling, the characteristic of electrode wires is affected by the sizes of devices and the 1/K reduction of power supply voltage. Regarding gate electrodes, increasing a resistance by K times results in the increase of signal transmission delay time, thereby decreasing the speed of device operation. Regarding contact holes, resistance is increased by K²times and current density is increased by K times, thereby deteriorating the reliability of wires. Regarding wires, resistance is increased by K times and current density is increased by K times, thereby deteriorating the reliability of wiring by electromigration.

[0007] Since the material for a gate electrode is used for both the gate electrode and identical wires forming word lines of a memory, the material should have a low resistivity. In particular, as design is being submicronized, RC delays are being increased based on increases in wiring resistance R caused by miniaturization and increases in capacitance caused by reduction in wire pitch.

[0008] For instance, if the polysilicon used as gate electrode is also used for a design standard with lines that are less than 1 μm wide, the reliability and operation speed become inferior. These effects follow because resistivity of doped polysilicon is bigger than 200 μΩ/cm. Therefore, in order to reduce the resistance, a WSi_xfilm (refracting silicide) having a good step coverage and a resistivity of about 100 μΩ/cm is deposited on polysilicon to be used as an electrode. That is, polysilicide (polysilicon+refractory silicide) is used as an electrode. However, as described previously, it is known that a WSi_xhaving a resistivity of about 100 μΩ/cm loses its effectiveness if the electrode is designed with lines having a width of less than 0.5 μm.

[0009] In order to solve this problem, active research and development has been conducted using tungsten W having a resistivity of less than 10 μΩ/cm, TiSi₂having a resistivity of less than 20 μΩ/cm, COSi₂having a resistivity of less than 20 μΩ/cm, and TiN having a resistivity of 30 μΩ/cm. In addition, a process for forming a passivation film corresponding to the process for forming an electrode using the aforementioned material of wires is essential. That is, the technology for forming a passivation film is necessary to achieve the improved characteristic of a device by subjecting the surface of a semiconductor device to a certain type of treatment and high reliability by restraining the fluctuation for a long term. As it were, this technology is a defensive one. But recently, it is necessitated to positively improve the total level of process.

[0010] The technology necessary to form a passivation film is subdivided into three classifications: interfacial protection, wire protection, and pad protection. Silicon oxide and silicon nitride are mainly used to form various insulating film and glass layers in their temperature ranges.

[0011] In particular, a wire passivation film should experience limited reactions to metal, adhere well to surface, block the effects of moisture and contamination, experience few mechanical flaws such as cracks or pinholes, be resilient to damage, and have good processing characteristics. Above all, it should have a good stability and no deformation.

[0012] A conventional method for forming an electrode of a semiconductor device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIGS. 1A to 1D are cross-sectional views showing process steps of a conventional method for forming an electrode of a semiconductor device.

[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1A, a gate oxide film 2, a doped polysilicon layer 3, and a WSi_xfilm 4 are successively formed on a semiconductor substrate 1. The polysilicon layer 3 is doped with B, P, As, and so forth. After forming the doped polysilicon layer 3, a cleaning process using HF is performed over the entire surface and then a chemical reaction using WF₆+SiH₂Cl₂, thereby forming a silicide film.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1B, a cap oxide film 5 is formed on the WSi_xfilm 4. Next, a photoresist film PR is coated on the entire surface of the cap oxide film 5. The photoresist film PR is subjected to an exposure and development process to define a gate electrode region over only the gate electrodes.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1C, using the patterned photoresist film PR as a mask, the cap oxide film 5, the WSi_xfilm 4, the doped polysilicon layer 3 and the gate oxide film 2 are successively etched, thus forming a gate electrode 3a. Thereafter, an annealing process is performed on the entire surface to achieve stabilization of the surface of the substrate and silicide reaction. That is, right after the etch process using the photoresist film PR as a mask, the structure is put into a furnace to perform the annealing process.

[0017] The annealing process is performed in the presence of O₂and N₂to restore damage of gate oxide film 2 caused by the etching process used to pattern the gate electrode 3a. More specifically, if an oxide film is used as the gate insulating film between the gate electrode 3aand the substrate 1, the annealing process is performed in the presence of O₂. Otherwise, if a nitride film is used as the gate insulating film, it is performed in the presence of N₂.

[0018] That is, an oxide film or a nitride film (not shown) is formed between the gate electrode 3aand the WSi_xfilm 4 by bonding silicon atoms of the gate electrode 3awith O₂or N₂passing through the grain boundary of the WSi_xfilm 4 while the annealing process is being performed in the presence of O or N, or while the WSi_xfilm 4, which is a refractory metal, and the cap oxide film 5 are being formed.

[0019] The above described silicide reaction process is performed to form the polycide, thereby realizing a low resistance of the gate electrode 3aby improving the adhesion of gate electrode 3aand the WSi_xfilm 4.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1D, a CVD oxide film is deposited by a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) process on the entire surface including the cap oxide film 5. The CVD oxide film is then etched-back by an RIE (reactive ion etch) process, thereby forming sidewall spacers 6 on both sides of the cap oxide film 5, the WSi_xfilm 4, the gate electrode 3a, and the gate oxide film 2.

[0021] As described above, the conventional electrode having a polycide structure (gate electrode 3a+WSi_xfilm 4) is protected by the cap oxide film 5 and the sidewall spacers 6 made of a CVD oxide film.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a structure showing abnormal oxidation in forming an electrode of a conventional semiconductor device.

[0023] The abnormal oxidation is generated when an etch process to form the gate electrode 3ais performed using the patterned photoresist film PR as a mask to selectively remove the cap oxide film 5, the WSi_xfilm 4, the doped polysilicon layer 3, and the gate oxide film 2, or when the whole structure is being moved to a furnace for silicide reaction.

[0024] To etch using the photoresist film PR as a mask, a liquid etchant such as H2PO₂or H₂O₂is used. A cleaning process is then performed to clean the etchant. A presence of O₂is generated around the WSi_xfilm 4 because the etchant contains O₂. Because of this O₂presence, a material having O₂is produced on sides; of the WSi_xfilm 4.

[0025] Also, while the whole structure is being moved to the furnace to improve the adhesion of the WSi_xfilm 4 and the gate electrode 3avia annealing, it is exposed to the O2 presence so that a material including O₂is formed on sides of the WSi_xfilm 4. This material, including O₂, is bonded to tungsten in WSi_xfilm 4 during the annealing process for silicide reaction so that an abnormal oxide film 7, including tungsten atoms, is generated on sides of the WSi_xfilm 4. This is generated during the annealing process using the O₂presence for recovering the damage of the gate oxide film 2.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a structure showing a peeling 8 in forming an electrode of a conventional semiconductor device. This peeling 8 is generated at the interface of gate electrode 3aand WSi_x4, which is a refractory metal silicide.

[0027] This peeling 8 is generated by bonding silicon atoms in the gate electrode 3aand nitride atoms or oxygen atoms passing through the grain boundary of the WSi_xfilm 4 during the annealing process in the presence of N₂or O₂. That is, since a thin nitride or oxide film is formed at the interface of the WSi_xfilm 4 and the gate electrode 3aby bonding silicon atoms and either nitrogen atoms or oxygen atoms, the bond between the WSi_xfilm 4 and the gate electrode 3abecomes weakened, thereby generating the peeling 8 at that interface.

[0028] As described in FIGS. 2 and 3, an abnormal oxide film is generated on sides of the WSi_xfilm and the peeling is generated at the interface of the WSi_xfilm and the gate electrode when a WSi_xfilm is formed on a gate electrode to improve the performance of an electrode, or when a refractory metal layer such as W, a refractory silicide such as TiSi₂or COSi₂, or a refractory nitride metal layer such as TiN is used to form an electrode.

[0029] The conventional method for forming an electrode passivation film of a semiconductor device has the following problems.

[0030] First, though a polycide structure is adopted to improve the performance of an electrode, silicide reaction on the side of a silicide film formed on a gate electrode is generated and an abnormal oxide film is formed by bondage with oxygen atoms in an etching process, thereby damaging the silicide film. Thus, the reliability is deteriorated. Further, since the abnormal oxide film is used as a mask in an ion-implanting process, this process may be inexactly performed and the reliability may become inferior.

[0031] Furthermore, since the silicide film is formed on the gate electrode, silicon atoms in the gate electrode and either oxygen or nitrogen are bonded in an annealing process in the presence of N₂or O₂to form a cap oxide film on the silicide film. As a result, peeling at the interface of the silicide film and the gate electrode is generated, and thus the yield and reliability of semiconductor device are deteriorated.

[0032] The present invention is directed to an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same that substantially obviates one or more of problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0033] An object of the invention is to provide an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same in which a diffusion preventing film and a passivation layer are formed at the interface of a gate electrode and a silicide film, on the silicide film, and on the sides of the silicide film to prevent abnormal oxidation or peeling, thereby improving the characteristics of oxidation-resistance and etch-resistance.

[0034] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0035] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the electrode passivation film of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a conductive layer pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate; and an amorphous passivation film formed on the conductive layer pattern.

[0036] In another aspect of the invention, a method for forming an electrode passivation film of a semiconductor device includes the steps of preparing a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive layer pattern on the semiconductor substrate; and forming an amorphous passivation film on the conductive layer pattern.

[0037] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

[0038] These and various other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood with reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIGS. 1A to 1D are cross-sectional views showing process steps of a conventional method for forming an electrode of a semiconductor device;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a structure showing abnormal oxidation in forming an electrode of a conventional semiconductor device;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a structure showing a peeling in forming an electrode of a conventional semiconductor device;

[0042] FIGS. 4A to 4H are cross-sectional views showing process steps of a method for forming an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F according to a second embodiment of the present: invention;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing at structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0046] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer showing in FIG. 4F, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0048] FIGS. 4A to 4H are cross-sectional views showing process steps of a method for forming an electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4A, a gate insulating film 11, a doped polysilicon layer 12, a diffusion preventing layer 13, and a tungsten film 14 are successively formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. The doped polysilicon layer 12 is doped with B, As, or P. The diffusion preventing film 13 is used to prevent chemical bonding between silicon atoms in the doped polysilicon layer 12 and the tungsten atoms in the tungsten film 14 at the interface. The diffusion preventing film 13 is formed of a conductive material, preferably of a WSiN film. The WSiN film is formed with a sputtering method to have a thickness of 40-60 Angstroms by using W₅Si₃as a target, in the presence of Ar containing 20% of N₂a refractory metal silicide layer such as TiSi₅, CoSi₅, or TaSi₅, or a refractory nitride metal layer such as TiN, ZrN, HfN, or TaN.

[0050] The film 14 is formed of a refractory metal such as Tungsten to have a thickness of 800-1200 Angstroms. Film 14 may also be formed.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4B, first and second insulating films 15 and 16 are successively formed on the tungsten film 14 with a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. The first insulating film 15 is made of a nitride film and has a thickness of 200-400 Angstroms, and the second insulating film 16 is made of an oxide film and has a thickness of 1200-1800 Angstroms. Low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) equipment is used to form the first and second insulating films 15 and 16. When a wafer, loaded to CVD equipment, is being moved to a place where a temperature is set to be about 800° C., or when being unloaded after an annealing process, the contact with O₂is blocked. Oxidation reaction with the tungsten film 14 is blocked so that the generation of an abnormal oxide film can be prevented.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 4C, a photoresist film PR is coated on the second insulating film 16. The photoresist film PR is then subjected to an exposure and development process to define an electrode region so that the photoresist film PR remains over only the electrode region.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4D, the second and first insulating films 16 and 15 are selectively removed with the patterned photoresist film PR serving as a mask.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 4E, the remaining photoresist film PR is removed. Then, the first and second insulating films 15 and 16 serve as masks to selectively remove the tungsten film 14, the diffusion preventing film 13, the doped polysilicon layer 12, and the gate insulating film 11, thereby successively forming gate insulating film 11, gate electrode 12a, diffusion preventing film 13, and tungsten film 14, where electrode 12aand film 13 and 14 constitute a conductive layer pattern 19. The tungsten film 14 and the doped polysilicon layer 12 are removed in the presence of, e.g., SF₆containing fluorine gas. That is, the conductive layer pattern 19 is formed including one of a polysilicon layer, a refractory metal layer and at least one of a refractory metal silicide layer and a refractory nitride metal layer.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 4F, the whole substrate is annealed at a temperature of lower than 300° C. in the presence of N₂for 80-120 seconds using ECR (electron-cyclotron-resonance) equipment. Thus, a passivation film 17 is formed at the interface of the first insulating film 15 and the tungsten film 14 and on the sides of the tungsten film 14 and the gate electrode 12a. The passivation film 17 is also formed on the substrate 10. The passivation film 17 is formed of amorphous nitride to have a thickness of 20-50 Angstroms.

[0056] The ECR equipment for accelerating ions to destroy ions is a kind of CVD equipment combining high activation of plasma and shocking effects of ions and electrons for promoting low temperature deposition.

[0057] The passivation film 17 is an amorphous WNx film 17a, which is formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15 by bonding tungsten of the film 14 and N₂of the first insulating film 15. The WNx film 17ais also formed on the sides of the tungsten film 14 by annealing the tungsten film 14 in the presence of N₂.

[0058] In addition, an amorphous Si₃N₄film 17bis formed on sides of the gate electrode 12aby a chemical reaction between silicon of the gate electrode 12amade of polysilicon and N₂. At this time, x in WN_xfilm 17ais 0<x<1.

[0059] Instead of the tungsten film 14, a refractory metal silicide such as TiSi₂, CoSi₂, or TaSi₂, or a refractory nitride metal such as TiN, ZrN, HfN, or TaN may be formed on the gate electrode 12aas a polycide. In case it is used as a material for wires, a passivation film 17 having identical characteristics can be formed under identical conditions of processing. If a refractory metal silicide or a refractory nitride metal is formed instead of tungsten, a metal nitride film such as MN_x(metal nitride film) is formed on sides of the refractory metal silicide or the refractory nitride metal and at the interface of the first insulating film 15 and either of them. x in MN_xfilm is 0<x<1.

[0060] The nitride film (MN_x, Si₃N₄film) has the amorphous characteristic and thus has chemical corrosion-resistance and oxidation-resistance so that it stands at a temperature of up to 750° C. in the presence of O₂.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4G, a third insulating film 18 is formed on the entire surface of the passivation film 17 and the second insulating film 16. The third film 18 is made of either a nitride film or an oxide film. If it is made to be an oxide film, TEOS (tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate) is used.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4H, the third insulating film 18 is etched-back with an RIE (reactive ion etch) process so that sidewall spacers 18aare formed on the sides of the second and first insulating films 16 and 15 and the passivation film 17. At this time, the passivation film 17 is partially removed that the passivation film 17 below the sidewall spacers 18aremains.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 4F, a cross-sectional view of an electrode passivation layer is shown according to a first embodiment of the present invention. An electrode passivation film of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate 10, a conductive layer pattern 19 formed on the semiconductor substrate 10, and an amorphous passivation film 17 formed on the conductive layer pattern 19.

[0064] At this time, the conductive layer pattern 19 is formed including any one of a refractory silicon layer, a refractory metal layer, a refractory metal silicide layer, and a refractory nitride metal layer. It is preferable that a gate electrode 12a, a diffusion preventing film 13, a refractory metal film 14 made of, e.g. tungsten are successively formed to form the conductive layer pattern 19. The polysilicon layer is doped with any one of boron, phosphor, and arsenic. A gate insulating film 11 is formed between the conductive layer pattern 19 and the substrate 10.

[0065] The refractory metal layer is made of, e.g., tungsten to have a thickness of 800-1200 Angstroms. The refractory metal silicide layer is formed of TiSi₂, CoSi₂or Tasi₂. The refractory nitride metal layer is formed of TiN, ZrN, HfN, or TaN.

[0066] The diffusion preventing film 13 is formed of a conductive material, preferably having a thickness of 40-60 Angstroms. Diffusion preventing film 13 is used to prevent silicon atoms in the gate electrode 12aand tungsten atoms in the tungsten film 14 at the interface when the tungsten film 14 from chemically bonding is formed right on the gate electrode 12a.

[0067] The amorphous passivation film 17 is formed of one or more than one of MN_x(metal nitride), MO_x(metal oxide), Si₃N₄, an amorphous oxide film, and an amorphous doped oxide film. x in MN_xis in a range of 0<x<1. x in MO_xis in a range of 0<x<1. The amorphous oxide film is SiO₂. The amorphous doped oxide film is formed of B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃. The amorphous passivation film 17 can prevent the formation of an abnormal oxide film because it blocks the direct contact of O₂and the conductive layer pattern 19.

[0068] The amorphous passivation film 17 is formed on the conductive layer pattern 19. First and second insulating films 15 and 16 are additionally formed of a nitride film and an oxide film, respectively. They are used to protect and insulate the conductive layer pattern 19.

[0069] Another insulating film is additionally formed on the amorphous passivation film 17 and the first and second insulating films 15 and 16. Sidewall spacers 18aare additionally formed on both sides of the first and second insulating films and the amorphous passivation film 17 formed on both sides of the conductive layer pattern 19. The insulating film forming the sidewall spacer 18ais formed of TEOS (tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate).

[0070] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The steps leading to the structure shown by FIG. 5 and the steps performed on the structure shown by FIG. 5 are identical with those of FIGS. 4A through 4E and FIGS. 4G through 4F, respectively.

[0071] According to the second embodiment, the whole structure is annealed in of O₂for 120 seconds at a temperature of lower than 300° C. using ECR equipment after completing the patterning process for a conductive pattern layer 19. Consequently, a passivation film 17 is formed at the interface of a tungsten film 14 and a first insulating film 15, and on the sides of the tungsten film 14 and the gate electrode 12a. The passivation film 17 is also formed on a semiconductor substrate 10.

[0072] At this time, the passivation film 17 formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15 is an amorphous WN_xfilm 17a. The passivation film 17 formed on the sides of the tungsten film 14 is a WO_xfilm 17c. The passivation film 17 formed on the semiconductor substrate 10 is an amorphous oxide film (SiO₂) 17dif the substrate 10 is made of silicon. The passivation film 17 formed on the sides of the gate electrode 12ais an amorphous doped oxide film (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) 17eincluding the impurity doped in the polysilicon layer.

[0073] The WN_xfilm 17a, the WO_xfilm 17c, the amorphous oxide film 17d,and the amorphous doped oxide film 17eall have good protecting characteristics with regard to corrosion-resistance and oxidation-resistance. The amorphous doped oxide film (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) 17eserves as a blocking layer concerning the diffusion of O₂. Accordingly, in the following process of annealing including oxygen, the tungsten film 14 is protected from oxidation.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The steps leading to the structure shown by FIG. 6 and the steps performed on the structure shown by FIG. 6 are identical with those of FIGS. 4A through 4E and FIGS. 4G through 4H, respectively.

[0075] According to the third embodiment, after finishing the patterning process for forming the conductive layer pattern 19, the whole substrate is subjected to an RTA (rapid thermal annealing) process in the presence of N₂containing 10% of O₂, at a temperature of lower than 500° C. Thus, a passivation film 17 is formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15, and on the sides of the tungsten film 14 and the gate electrode 12a. The passivation film 17 is also formed on the semiconductor substrate 10.

[0076] At this time, the passivation film 17 positioned at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15 is a WN_xfilm 17a. The passivation film 17eformed on the sides of the tungsten film 14 is WOx film 17c. The passivation film 17 formed on the semiconductor substrate 10 is an amorphous oxide film (SiO₂) 17dif the substrate 10 is made of silicon. The passivation film 17 formed on the sides of the gate electrode 12ais a doped oxide film (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) 17eincluding the impurity doped in the polysilicon layer.

[0077] Although the passivation film 17 is formed in the presence of 90% of N₂and 10% of O₂, it reacts with O₂more easily than N₂. Thus, the insulating film 17 such as the WN_xfilm 17a, the WO_xfilm 17c, the amorphous oxide film (SiO₂) 17d,or the amorphous doped oxide film (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) 17eis formed.

[0078] The doped oxide film (B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) 17eis amorphous and functions as a blocking layer with regard to the diffusion of O₂and protects the tungsten film 14 well. At this time, if a refractory metal silicide (e.g. TiSi₂, CoSi₂, or TaSi₂) is used instead of the tungsten film 14, MO_x(metal oxide) is generated by bonding the refractory metal silicide and O₂. x in the MO_xis 0<X<1.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer shown in FIG. 4F according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The steps leading to the structure shown by of FIG. 7 and the steps performed on the structure shown by FIG. 7 are identical with those of FIGS. 4A through 4E and FIGS. 4G through 4H, respectively.

[0081] According to the fourth embodiment, after finishing the patterning process for forming the conductive layer pattern 19, the whole substrate is subjected to an annealing process in NH₃at a temperature of 400-1000° C. for 25-35 minutes, so that a passivation film 17 is formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15 and on the sides of the tungsten film 14 and the gate electrode 12a. The passivation film 17 is also formed on the semiconductor substrate 10.

[0082] At this time, the passivation film 17 formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first nitride film 15 and on the sides of the tungsten film 14 is a WN_xfilm 17a. The passivation film 17 formed on the semiconductor substrate 10 and on the sides of the gate electrode 12ais an amorphous Si₃N₄film 17b.

[0083] When a passivation film 17 is formed in the presence of NH₃at a temperature of lower than 800° C., a WN_xfilm 17aformed on the tungsten film 14 is amorphous. This is detected by analyzing the passivation film 17 with a TEM (transmission electron microscope). On the contrary, when the passivation film 17 is formed at a temperature of higher than 800° C., the WN_xfilm formed on the tungsten film 14 is crystal.

[0084] The crystal WN_xfilm 17ais brittle. Therefore, its interface is cracked if exposed to high heat in the heat cycle, causing its characteristics as a passivation film to be deteriorated. To avoid such problems, the annealing process in a furnace must be performed at a temperature of lower than 800° C. The crystal WN_xfilm analyzed with an XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), where x in the amorphous WN_xfilm 17ais 0<x<1.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the electrode passivation layer showing in FIG. 4F according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The steps leading to the structure shown by of FIG. 8 and the steps performed on the structure shown by FIG. 8 are identical with those of FIGS. 4A through 4E and FIGS. 4G through 4H, respectively.

[0086] According to the fifth embodiment, after finishing the patterning process for forming the conductive layer pattern 19, the whole substrate is subjected to an RTA (rapid thermal annealing) process in NH₃. Thus, a passivation film 17 is formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15, and on the sides of the gate electrode 12a. The passivation film 17 is also formed on the semiconductor substrate 10.

[0087] The passivation film 17 formed at the interface of the tungsten film 14 and the first insulating film 15, and on the sides of the gate electrode 12a, is a WN_xfilm 17a. The passivation film 17 formed on the semiconductor substrate 10 is a Si₃N₄film 17b. The WN_xfilm 17aremains amorphous at a temperature of up to 1000° C. and thus has its corrosion-resistance and oxidation-resistance as a passivation film.

[0088] Instead of a tungsten film 14, a refractory metal silicide such as TiSi₂, CoSi₂, or TaSi₂, or a refractory nitride metal such as TiN, ZrN, HfN, or TaN, which is all used as a passivation film 17, has identical characteristics as a passivation film.

[0089] Thus, an MN_x(metal nitride) film 17ais formed at the interface of the first insulating film 15 and the refractory metal silicide or the refractory nitride metal and on the sides of the refractory metal silicide or the refractory nitride metal. x in the MN_xis 0<X<1.

[0090] The nitride film (MN_x(metal nitride), Si₃N₄film) and the oxide film (MO_x(metal oxide), SiO₂, B₂O₃, P₂O₅, or As₂O₃) have the amorphous characteristic and thus have chemical corrosion-resistance and oxidation resistance.

[0091] According to the present invention, a refractory metal layer is formed on a polysilicon layer, and a diffusion-preventing layer is formed at their interface. If the electrode is formed of a polysilicon layer, and the refractory metal layer is a conductive layer such as a refractory metal silicide layer or a refractory nitride metal layer, the passivation film shown in FIGS. 4A to 4H, 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be formed.

[0092] An electrode passivation film of a semiconductor device and a forming method thereof have at least the following advantages. Since a diffusion-preventing film is formed at the interface of a gate electrode and a refractory metal (or, a refractory silicide, or a refractory metal nitride), generation of oxide films can be prevented. As a result, peeling can be prevented at the interface, enabling an electrode of a semiconductor device achieve enhanced productivity yield and reliability. Further, since an amorphous insulating film is formed as a passivation film covering a conductive layer pattern including a gate electrode, a diffusion-preventing film, and a refractory metal layer, the generation of an abnormal oxide film on the sides of the refractory metal layer can be prevented, enabling a semiconductor device to achieve good reliability. Furthermore, since an insulating film made of nitride is formed with LPCVD equipment on the tungsten film positioned on the diffusion-preventing film, the contact of oxygen and a refractory metal such as tungsten can be prevented during loading or unloading. Still further, since a patterning process for patterning a conductive layer pattern is performed in the presence of fluorine, oxygen does not contact the refractory metal and a passivation film is formed on the side of both the gate electrode and the refractory metal before an annealing process such as silicide reaction is performed, enabling an electrode of a semiconductor device with good corrosion-resistance and oxidation-resistance to achieve regard to oxygen.

[0093] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the electrode passivation layer of a semiconductor device and the method for forming the same of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.