• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 1998

Tungsten nitride is very attractive as absorber for X-ray lithographic mask and as a diffusion barrier for interconnecting metallization in Si VLSI technology. Microstructure of tungsten nitride films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering has been investigated as a function of deposition parameter. The crystal structure of sputtered films on silicon nitride membrane depends strongly on the NJAr gas flow ratio(0~18%1, gas pressure(l0~43mTorr). RF power (60~150W), target-substrate distance(4~8cm). Tungsten nitride films deposited at the $N_2/Ar$ gas flow ratio(- 10%). gas pressure(~10mmTorr), RF power(~150W) and target-substrate distance(6cm) are amorphous, but at other conditions are almost rough -surfaced polycrystalline. Amorphous films are very smooth($3.1\AA$ rms) and expected to be excellent absorber for X-ray mask.