Patent · US Expired

Method of forming shallow trench isolation structure

US6261921A · kind A · utility

78Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 14, 1999
Grant dateJul 17, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76232
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of forming a shallow trench isolation structure is described. A mask layer and a photoresist layer with an opening are formed on a substrate in sequence. The photoresist layer serves as an etching mask, and then a portion of the mask layer and a portion of the substrate are etched to form a trench in the substrate. A portion of the photoresist layer is removed, and the opening is in-situ widened. Then, a portion of the mask layer exposed by the widened opening is removed. In addition, a top corner of the trench is rounded after removing the portion of the mask layer. Finally, the trench is filled with an insulation material to form a shallow trench isolation structure.

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