Patent · US Active

Methods of forming silicon nitride spacers

US9257293B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 2014
Grant dateFeb 9, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/3105
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of methods of forming silicon nitride spacers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming silicon nitride spacers atop a substrate includes: depositing a silicon nitride layer atop an exposed silicon containing layer and an at least partially formed gate stack disposed atop a substrate; modifying a portion of the silicon nitride layer by exposing the silicon nitride layer to a hydrogen or helium containing plasma that is substantially free of fluorine; and removing the modified portion of the silicon nitride layer by performing a wet cleaning process to form the silicon nitride spacers, wherein the wet cleaning process removes the modified portion of the silicon nitride layer selectively to the silicon containing layer.

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