Process of eliminating a shallow trench isolation divot
US6391739B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L21/76224
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A process of fabricating a shallow trench isolation structure includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a first insulating layer over the substrate; forming a nitride masking layer over the first insulating layer; patterning and etching the nitride masking layer, the first insulating layer and the substrate to remove portions of the nitride masking layer, the first insulating layer and the substrate thereby forming an exposed trench in the substrate, the trench substantially defining boundaries of the isolation structure; depositing a second insulating layer into the trench and over the nitride masking layer; planarizing the second insulating layer to expose the nitride masking layer; removing the nitride masking layer to expose the first insulating layer, and forming a divot proximate an edge of the trench; depositing a silicon layer into the divot, and over the first insulating later and the second insulating layer; etching the silicon layer to expose the first insulating layer, a central portion of the second insulating layer, and leaving a remaining portion of the silicon layer filling the divot; and oxidizing the remaining portion of the silicon layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.