Spacer process for on pitch contacts and related structures
US8772166B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S438/942
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods are disclosed, including for increasing the density of isolated features in an integrated circuit. Also disclosed are associated structures. In some embodiments, contacts are formed on pitch with other structures, such as conductive interconnects that may be formed by pitch multiplication. To form the contacts, in some embodiments, a pattern corresponding to some of the contacts is formed in a selectively definable material such as photoresist. Features in the selectively definable material are trimmed, and spacer material is blanket deposited over the features and the deposited material is then etched to leave spacers on sides of the features. The selectively definable material is removed, leaving a mask defined by the spacer material. The pattern defined by the spacer material may be transferred to a substrate, to form on pitch contacts. In some embodiments, the on pitch contacts may be used to electrically contact conductive interconnects in the substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.