Methods for the production of airgaps in semiconductor devices and devices
produced using such methods are disclosed. An example semiconductor
device includes a damascene stack formed using such methods. The
damascene stack includes a patterned dielectric layer including an
interconnect structure, where the dielectric layer is formed of a
dielectric material including Si, C and O. The damascene stack also
includes a converted portion of the dielectric layer, where the converted
portion is adjacent to the at least one interconnect structure and has a
lower carbon content than the dielectric material. The damascene stack
also includes an airgap formed adjacent to the interconnect structure,
the airgap being formed by removing at least part of the converted
portion using an etch compound.