An extrusion-free wet cleaning process for post-etch Cu-dual damascene
structures is developed. The process includes the following steps: (1).
providing a wafer having a silicon substrate and at least one post-etch
Cu-dual damascene structure, the post-etch Cu-dual damascene structure
having a via structure exposing a portion of a Cu wiring line
electrically connected with an N.sup.+ diffusion region of the silicon
substrate, and a trench structure formed on the via structure; (2).
applying a diluted H.sub.2O.sub.2 solution on the wafer to slightly
oxidize the surface of the exposed Cu wiring line; (3). washing away
cupric oxide generated in the oxidation step by means of an acidic cupric
oxide cleaning solution containing diluted HF, NH.sub.4F or NH.sub.2OH;
and (4). providing means for preventing Cu reduction reactions on the Cu
wiring line.