Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2011
Thin film properties of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) cured at different temperature under N2 and H2/N2 ambients have been studied. In this study, it was found that compared to an N2 ambient, film curing in an H2/N2 ambient will impact HSQ properties when the temperature is 400°C – 500°C. H2/N2 ambient can be used to minimize the dielectric constant while increasing modulus of the films. The data indicates that H2 can minimize the oxidation of the HSQ films and maintain the dielectric properties.