Abstract:
A fabrication method for reducing the critical dimension of the conductive line and the space is described in which a conductive layer and a mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A taper etching is conducted to form a plurality of first openings with the cross-sections of the openings being tapered off from top to bottom and exposing the surface of the conductive layer. A planarized sacrificial layer at a similar height as the mask layer is formed covering the exposed surface of the conductive layer. A second taper etching is further conducted on the exposed mask layer to form a plurality of second openings with the cross-sections of the openings being tapered off from top to bottom. The sacrificial layer is then removed. Thereafter, an anisotropic etching is conducted on the exposed conductive layer, using the mask layer as a hard mask, to form a plurality of conductive lines followed by a removal of the mask layer.
Abstract:
A method for forming a pullback opening above a shallow trench isolation structure. A patterned mask layer is formed over a substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the sidewalls of the mask layer. The exposed portion of the substrate is etched to form a trench in the substrate. The sacrificial layer is removed to increase the width of the opening above the trench.
Abstract:
A double recess crown-shaped DRAM capacitor is formed in a simplified process. A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. Using photolithographic and etching techniques, a contact opening is formed in the dielectric layer. A conductive layer is formed over the dielectric layer filling the contact opening to form a conductive plug. A second dielectric layer is formed over the conductive layer. Again using photolithographic and etching techniques, the second dielectric layer is patterned to form a trapezoidal-shaped dielectric layer. An organic bottom anti-reflective coating (organic BARC) is coated over the trapezoidal-shaped dielectric layer and the conductive layer. Organic BARC above the trapezoidal-shaped dielectric layer is removed. Using the organic BARC as an etching mask, the trapezoidal-shaped dielectric layer is etched to form triangular-shaped dielectric layers and a trench in the conductive layer. The residual organic BARC is completely removed. Using the triangular-shaped dielectric layers as a hard etching mask, two types of trenches each having a different depth are formed in the conductive layer. The triangular-shaped dielectric layers are removed to form a double-recess lower electrode. Hemispherical silicon grains are grown over the interior surface of the double-recess lower electrode as well as the external sidewalls. Finally, a conformal dielectric layer and a conformal conductive layer are sequentially formed over the surface of the double-recess lower electrode.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a borderless via is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate having a first dielectric layer thereon is provided. Next, a first conductive structure and a second conductive structure whose area is much smaller than said first conductive structure are formed on said first dielectric layer. After that, a second dielectric layer with an uneven surface is formed. Then, a planarizing layer is coated over said second dielectric layer to fill said uneven surface. Next, an etch back process is used to create a etching stop layer consisting of a portion of second dielectric layer. Subsequently, a third dielectric layer is formed over said second dielectric layer followed by selectively etching said third dielectric layer until said second dielectric layer is exposed to create a borderless via.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a DRAM capacitor is described. A silicon substrate structure includes an oxide layer over a substrate and a polysilicon layer over the oxide layer. The polysilicon layer also includes a plug that penetrates the oxide layer. A patterned photoresist layer is next formed over the polysilicon layer. Spacers having a low etching rate are formed on the sidewalls of the photoresist layer by carrying out a chemical reaction next to the sidewall of the photoresist layer. A dry etching operation is carried out to etch the unreacted photoresist layer and the polysilicon layer exposed by the openings in the photoresist layer. Using the spacers as an etching mask, a portion of the polysilicon layer under the photoresist layer is removed by continuing the dry etching operation. Lastly, the spacers are removed to form a crown-shaped capacitor.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. At least one conductive structure continuously extends through the substrate. At least one sidewall of the at least one conductive structure is spaced from a sidewall of the substrate by an air gap.
Abstract:
A system and method for image sensing is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a substrate with a pixel region and a logic region. A first resist protect oxide (RPO) is formed over the pixel region, but not over the logic region. Silicide contacts are formed on the top of active devices formed in the pixel region, but not on the surface of the substrate in the pixel region, and silicide contacts are formed both on the top of active devices and on the surface of the substrate in the logic region. A second RPO is formed over the pixel region and the logic region, and a contact etch stop layer is formed over the second RPO. These layers help to reflect light back to the image sensor when light impinges the sensor from the backside of the substrate, and also helps prevent damage that occurs from overetching.
Abstract:
A capacitor and methods for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode; treating the bottom electrode in an oxygen-containing environment to convert a top layer of the bottom electrode into a buffer layer; forming an insulating layer on the buffer layer; and forming a top electrode over the insulating layer.
Abstract:
An improved magnetoresistive memory device has a reduced distance between the magnetic memory element and a conductive memory line used for writing to the magnetic memory element. The reduced distance is facilitated by forming the improved magnetoresistive memory device according to a method that includes forming a mask over the magnetoresistive memory element and forming an insulating layer over the mask layer, then removing portions of the insulating layer using a planarization process. A conductive via can then be formed in the mask layer, for example using a damascene process. The conductive memory line can then be formed over the mask layer and conductive via.
Abstract:
An EEPROM flash memory device having a floating gate electrode enabling a reduced erase voltage and method for forming the same, the floating gate electrode including an outer edge portion comprising multiple charge transfer pointed tips.