Patent · US Expired

Method for forming dual damascene structure

US6521542B1 · kind B1 · utility

15Cited by
11References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 2000
Grant dateFeb 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76808
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for forming a step in a layer of material. The method includes forming the layer over a substrate. A cavity is formed in a portion of an upper surface of the layer. The formed cavity is filled with a filler material to provide a substantially planar surface over the substrate. A photoresist layer is formed over the substantially planar surface over the substrate. An aperture is formed in the photoresist layer in registration with the formed cavity. The aperture exposes a portion of the filler material. The exposed portion of the filler material is removed along with a contiguous portion of the layer to form the step in the indentation. The cavity may be either a trench or a via. A “Trench First” approach and a “Via First” approach are described.

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