Method for forming a sublithographic opening in a semiconductor process
US6756284B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10B69/00
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A first method of forming a sublithographic opening in a first layer of a first material begins by creating a lithographic opening on the first layer with the lithographic opening being over the location of the desired sublithographic opening. The first material in the first layer is partially removed from the lithographic opening. A sacrificial layer of the same material as the first layer is conformally deposited to fit the contour of the first layer, including over the lithographic opening. The resultant structure is anisotropically etched to etch the sacrificial layer as well as the first layer to form the sublithographic opening within the lithographic opening. A second method to form a sublithographic opening is to deposit a sacrificial layer such as polysilicon. A lithographic opening is created in the sacrificial layer with the lithographic opening being positioned over the location of the desired sublithographic opening. The sacrificial material is removed from the lithographic opening. The sacrificial material is then laterally expanded by converting the sacrificial material to a second sacrificial material, thereby decreasing the size of the lithographic opening to a sub…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.