A method of forming an air gap within a semiconductor structure by the
steps of: (a) using a sacrificial polymer to occupy a space in a
semiconductor structure; and (b) heating the semiconductor structure to
decompose the sacrificial polymer leaving an air gap within the
semiconductor structure, wherein the sacrificial polymer of step (a) is:
(a) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene
(or a vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of
5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or
(c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene. In addition, a
semiconductor structure, having a sacrificial polymer positioned between
conductor lines, wherein the sacrificial polymer is: (a) a copolymer of
5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene (or a
vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of
5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or
(c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene.