Patent · US Expired

Method of producing an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit

US6548396B2 · kind B2 · utility

174Cited by
18References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 2001
Grant dateApr 15, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 11, 2021

Classification

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

Abstract

A dual damascene technique that forms a complete via in a single step. Specifically, the method deposits a first insulator layer upon a substrate, an etch stop layer over the first insulator layer, and a second insulator layer atop the etch stop layer. A via mask is then formed by applying a photoresist which is developed and patterned according to the locations of the dimensions of the ultimate via or vias. Thereafter, the first insulator layer, the etch stop layer and the second insulator layer may be etched in a single step, for example, using a reactive ion etch. The hole that is formed through these three layers has the diameter of the ultimate via. Thereafter, a trench is masked and etched into the second insulator layer. The trench etch is stopped by the etch stop layer. The via and trench are metallized to form an interconnect structure. The technique can be repeated to create a multi-level interconnect structure.

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