Patent · US Expired

Method for fabricating shallow trenches

US7045437B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 27, 2005
Grant dateMay 16, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/76237
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of forming shallow trenches used, for example, in shallow trench isolation includes the steps of providing a p-type silicon substrate, forming a layer in the p-type silicon substrate, wherein the layer includes p-type silicon interposed between n-type silicon. The p-type silicon layer interposed between the n-type silicon is then subject to an anodization process to form porous silicon. The porous silicon regions are then oxidized. The porosity of the silicon layer may be controlled to create an isolation region that is either substantially flush with, above, or below an upper surface of the n-type top layer. For example, by adjusting the anodization time, a retrograde cross-sectional profile of the shallow trench can be obtained that leads to improved isolation between adjacent devices.

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