Patent · US Active

Method for forming stair-step structures

US9646844B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
24References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 2016
Grant dateMay 9, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10B41/27
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for forming a stair-step structure in a substrate is provided. An organic mask is formed over the substrate. A hardmask with a top layer and sidewall layer is formed over the organic mask. The sidewall layer of the hard mask is removed while leaving the top layer of the hardmask. The organic mask is trimmed. The substrate is etched. The forming the hardmask, removing the sidewall layer, trimming the organic mask, and etching the substrate are repeated a plurality of times.

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