Stress relaxation in dielectric before metallization
US5640041A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S438/938
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A new method of trench isolation incorporating thermal stress releasing voids is described. Two sets of narrow trenches are etched into the silicon substrate not covered by a photoresist mask wherein the second set of trenches alternate with the first set of trenches. The first set of trenches is filled with an insulating layer. A second insulating layer is deposited over the surface of the substrate and within the second set of trenches wherein said insulating layer has step coverage such that voids are formed and are completely enclosed within the second set of trenches completing the thermal stress releasing device isolation of the integrated circuit. The method of forming thermal stress released polysilicon gate spacers in an integrated circuit is described. Polysilicon gate electrodes are formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Sucessive sidewalls are formed on the gate electrodes of thin silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and silicon dioxide. The silicon nitride spacers are removed leaving trenches between the thin silicon dioxide sidewalls and the silicon dioxide spacers. A thin insulating material is deposited over the surface of the gate electrodes and the sid…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.