Patent · US Expired

Sidewall silicidation for improved reliability and conductivity

US5306951A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 14, 1992
Grant dateApr 26, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 14, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D64/663
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A process and structure for improving the conductive capacity of a polycrystalline silicon (poly) structure, such as a bit line. The inventive process allows for the formation of a refractory metal silicide layer on the top and sidewalls of a poly structure, thereby increasing the conductive capacity. To form the titanium silicide layer over the poly feature, the refractory metal is sputtered on the poly, which reacts to form the refractory metal silicide. A second embodiment is described whereby an isotropic etch of the poly feature slopes the sidewalls; then, the refractory metal is sputtered onto the polycrystalline silicon. This allows for the formation of a thicker layer of refractory metal silicide on the sidewalls, thereby further increasing the conductive capacitance of the poly structure. Suggested refractory metals include titanium, cobalt, tungsten, and tantalum.

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