| abstract |
An interconnects forming method and an interconnects forming apparatus are useful for embedding a conductive material (interconnect material), such as copper or silver, into interconnect recesses provided in a surface of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, to thereby form embedded interconnects, and selectively covering the surfaces of embedded interconnects with a metal film (protective film) to provide a multi-level structure. The interconnects forming method comprises: providing a substrate which has been prepared by forming a barrier layer over a substrate surface having interconnect recesses formed in an insulating film, and then forming a film of an interconnect material in the interconnect recesses and over the substrate surface; removing extra interconnect material formed over the substrate surface, thereby forming interconnects with the interconnect material embedded in the interconnect recesses and making the barrier layer present in the other portion than the interconnect-formed portion exposed; and forming a metal film selectively on surfaces of interconnects. |