Patent · US Active

Integrated circuit devices including air spacers separating conductive structures and contact plugs and methods of fabricating the same

US8344517B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
1References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 11, 2012
Grant dateJan 1, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 11, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An integrated circuit device includes first and second conductive structures spaced apart from one another on a substrate along a first direction. The first and second conductive structures extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A contact plug is interposed between the first and second conductive structures and is separated therefrom along the first direction by respective air gaps on opposite sides of the contact plug. The air gaps define first and second air spacers that electrically insulate the contact plug from the first and second conductive structures, respectively. An upper insulation layer covers the first and second air spacers and the first and second conductive structures. The air spacers may sufficiently reduce the loading capacitance between the conductive structures. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

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