Patent · US Expired

Method of forming shallow trench isolation

US6277710A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 1999
Grant dateAug 21, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76224
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of forming shallow trench isolations wherein trench oxide grooving due to etch stop layer etching is eliminated by the formation of a liner oxidation overlying a polysilicon layer. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A pad oxide layer is grown. A polysilicon layer is deposited. Optionally, the polysilicon layer may be ion implanted to increase the oxidation rate. A silicon nitride layer is deposited. The silicon nitride layer, the polysilicon layer, the pad oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate are patterned to form trenches for planned shallow trench isolations. A liner oxidation layer is grown overlying the semiconductor substrate, the pad oxide layer, and the polysilicon layer inside the trenches. A trench oxide layer is deposited overlying said silicon nitride layer and filling said trenches. The trench oxide layer is polished down to the silicon nitride layer. The silicon nitride layer, the polysilicon layer, the pad oxide layer are etched away. The presence of the liner oxidation layer and the oxidized polysilicon layer protect the trench oxide layer during the etching of the silicon nitride layer, the polysilicon layer, and the pad oxide layer. The integrat…

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