Patent · US Expired

Chemical mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation structure

US6838357B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
32References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 26, 2002
Grant dateJan 4, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S438/942
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number of relative large active regions and a number of relative small active regions, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer on the substrate is first formed A number of shallow trenches are formed between the active regions An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed on the oxide layer. The partial rever active mask has an opening at a central part of each relative large active region. The opening exposes a portion of the oxide layer. The opening has at least a dummy pattern. The oxide layer on the central part of each large active region is removed to expose the silicon nitride layer. The partial reverse active mask is removed The oxide layer is planarized to expose the silicon nitride layer.

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