High step process for manufacturing alignment marks for twin-well integrated circuit devices
US5814552A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S438/975
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of fabricating high step alignment marks on a twin-well integrated circuit. An alignment mark photoresist pattern is formed overlaying the nitride layer using lithography technique. The nitride layer is partially etched to form a nitride alignment pattern using the alignment mark photoresist pattern as a mask. After the formation of N-well and P-well regions using lithography technique, the N-doped and P-doped impurities are subject to a thermally drive in process to activate and form N-well and P-well regions, respectively. At the same time, the pad oxide layer overlaying the N-well and P-well regions and the region not covered by the nitride alignment pattern is converted to a thermal oxide layer. The thermal oxide layer can be removed to reveal a recessed portion on the surface of the P-type silicon substrate, whereby the thickness of the nitride layer plus the depth of the recessed portion causes high step alignment marks to be formed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.