Low dielectric materials and films comprising same have been identified
for improved performance when used as interlevel dielectrics in
integrated circuits as well as methods for making same. In one aspect of
the present invention, an organosilicate glass film is exposed to an
ultraviolet light source wherein the film after exposure has an at least
10% or greater improvement in its mechanical properties (i.e., material
hardness and elastic modulus) compared to the as-deposited film.