| abstract |
A method and apparatus for forming thin copolymer layers having low dielectric constants on semiconductor substrates includes in situ formation of p-xylylenes, or derivatives thereof, from solid or liquid precursors such as cyclic p-xylylene dimer, p-xylene, 1,4-bis(formatomethyl)benzene, or 1,4-bis(N-methyl-aminomethyl)benzene. P-xylylene is copolymerized with a comonomer having labile groups that are converted to dispersed gas bubbles after the copolymer layer is deposited on the substrate. Preferred comonomers comprise diazocyclopentadienyl, diazoquinoyl, formyloxy, or glyoxyloyloxy groups. |