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US5344797A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of forming interlevel dielectric for integrated circuits

Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1992-10-30
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2012-10-30
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Abstract

Abstract A method of forming an interlevel dielectric suitable for use with semiconductor integrated circuits is disclosed. The dielectric illustratively includes a triple layer sandwich of ozone-TEOS formed between two layers of plasma-enhanced TEOS. The dielectric is capable of filling high-aspect ratio trenches between runners. The ozone-TEOS is formed at a high pressure (approximately 90 Torr) to reduce hydrogen absorption. The reduced-hydrogen content ozone-TEOS is less susceptible to moisture formation and, therefore, presents less risk of degrading subsequently formed aluminum runners.

Inventors

  • 👤 Chien-Shing Pai
  • 👤 Yih-Cheng Shih

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 15:23
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P95/00; H10P95/06; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/071; H10W20/098; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/118

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 86 words
A method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication comprising: forming a first dielectric overlying a substrate, said dielectric being formed in a reactor having a total chamber pressure and utilizing a TEOS precursor gas containing hydrogen and utilizing ozone; said reactor having a pressure of approximately 90 Torr and an ozone concentration of 8-12 weight percent, a TEOS flow rate of approximately 1000 sccm and an oxygen flow rate of 1500-2500 sccm whereby the hydrogen content of said dielectric after formation is less than 10 atomic percent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 86 words
A method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication comprising: forming a first dielectric overlying a substrate, said dielectric being formed in a reactor having a total chamber pressure and utilizing a TEOS precursor gas containing hydrogen and utilizing ozone; said reactor having a pressure of approximately 90 Torr and an ozone concentration of 8-12 weight percent, a TEOS flow rate of approximately 1000 sccm and an oxygen flow rate of 1500-2500 sccm whereby the hydrogen content of said dielectric after formation is less than 10 atomic percent.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 132 words
A method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication comprising: forming a first silicon dioxide dielectric overlying a substrate in a reactor chamber; forming a second silicon dioxide dielectric upon said first dielectric, said formation taking place in the same said reactor chamber and utilizing ozone and a precursor gas containing hydrogen; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the total chamber pressure of said reactor during formation of said second dielectric is chosen at a sufficiently high value so that the hydrogen content of said second dielectric after formation is less than 10 atomic percent; etching back said second dielectric in said reactor to expose portions of said first dielectric; and then forming a third dielectric in said same reaction chamber, said third dielectric covering said second dielectric and the said exposed portions of said first dielectric.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 132 words
A method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication comprising: forming a first silicon dioxide dielectric overlying a substrate in a reactor chamber; forming a second silicon dioxide dielectric upon said first dielectric, said formation taking place in the same said reactor chamber and utilizing ozone and a precursor gas containing hydrogen; CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the total chamber pressure of said reactor during formation of said second dielectric is chosen at a sufficiently high value so that the hydrogen content of said second dielectric after formation is less than 10 atomic percent; etching back said second dielectric in said reactor to expose portions of said first dielectric; and then forming a third dielectric in said same reaction chamber, said third dielectric covering said second dielectric and the said exposed portions of said first dielectric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 2 in which the pressure of said precursor gas is approximately 90 Torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 2 in which the precursor gas is TEOS.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4872947A Cited
EP0388862A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-09-05 1998-03-07 1998-09-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-09-05 2002-03-07 2002-09-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-09-05 2006-03-07 2006-09-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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