Patent · US Expired

Means of planarizing integrated circuits with fully recessed isolation dielectric

US5094972A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
13References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 1990
Grant dateMar 10, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 14, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/959
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit device is fabricated upon a semiconductor wafer by first forming a stop layer upon the surface of the wafer. Holes are formed through the stop layer and wells are formed in the semiconductor material of the semiconductor wafer below the openings. A dielectric layer is formed over the the surface of the device substantially filling the wells and covering the stop layer. The dielectric layer is then planarized to substantially the level of the stop layer. A PAD oxide layer is provided between the stop layer and the surface of the semiconductor device. Conventional thin film oxidation of the wells and implants into the side walls of the wells are performed. An abrasive mechanical polisher is used to perform the planarization wherein the mechanical polisher is provided with the self-stopping feature when it encounters the stop layer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.