Contact fill in an integrated circuit
US9691658B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L23/53266
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of forming an electrical contact in an integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit are disclosed. In an embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a substrate, an insulating layer, and a metal layer. An opening is formed through the insulating layer to expose an active area of the substrate. The metal layer forms a cusp at a top end of the opening, narrowing this end of the opening. In embodiments, the method comprises depositing a conductive layer in the opening to form a liner, applying a filler material inside the opening to protect a portion of the liner, removing the cusp to widen the top of the opening while the filler material protects the portion of the liner covered by this material, removing the filler material from the opening, re-lining the opening, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a contact through the insulating layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.