Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structures are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of patterned said conducting layer wherein a gap remains between portions of said first TEOS oxide layer covering said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first oxide layer with HF vapor whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first oxide layer; depositing a second TEOS oxide layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structures are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of patterned said conducting layer wherein a gap remains between portions of said first TEOS oxide layer covering said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first oxide layer with HF vapor whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first oxide layer; depositing a second TEOS oxide layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first TEOS oxide layer comprises plasma enhanced TEOS oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said gap is between about 1800 to 2500 Angstroms wide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said treating said surface with HF vapor comprises an HF vapor flow rate of between about 0.5 to 5 slm under a pressure of between about 150 to 500 Torr for a duration of between about 10 to 25 seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said SiOF molecules improve the step coverage of subsequent said second TEOS oxide layer deposition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second TEOS oxide layer comprises atmospheric pressure deposited O 3 -TEOS.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structure are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of patterned said conducting layer wherein a gap of greater than 1800 Angstroms remains between portions of said first TEOS oxide layer covering said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer with HF vapor whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first oxide layer; depositing a second oxide TEOS layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein the presence of said SiOF molecules improves the step coverage of said second TEOS oxide layer so that said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structure are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of patterned said conducting layer wherein a gap of greater than 1800 Angstroms remains between portions of said first TEOS oxide layer covering said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer with HF vapor whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first oxide layer; depositing a second oxide TEOS layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein the presence of said SiOF molecules improves the step coverage of said second TEOS oxide layer so that said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said first TEOS oxide layer comprises plasma enhanced TEOS oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said treating said surface with HF vapor comprises an HF vapor flow rate of between about 0.5 to 5 slm under a pressure of between about 150 to 500 Torr for a duration of between about 10 to 25 seconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said second TEOS oxide layer comprises atmospheric pressure deposited O 3 -TEOS.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structures are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of said conducting layer wherein a gap is formed between portions of said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer with HF vapor at a flow rate of between about 0.5 to 5 slm under a pressure of between about 150 to 500 Torr for a duration of between about 10 to 50 seconds whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer; depositing a second TEOS oxide layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein the presence of said SiOF molecules improves the step coverage of said second TEOS oxide layer so that said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit comprising: providing semiconductor device structures in and on a semiconductor substrate wherein the top surfaces of said semiconductor device structures are planarized; depositing a conducting layer overlying the surfaces of said semiconductor device structures and patterning said conducting layer; conformally depositing a first TEOS oxide layer over the surfaces of said conducting layer wherein a gap is formed between portions of said patterned conducting layer; treating the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer with HF vapor at a flow rate of between about 0.5 to 5 slm under a pressure of between about 150 to 500 Torr for a duration of between about 10 to 50 seconds whereby SiOF molecules are formed on the surface of said first TEOS oxide layer; depositing a second TEOS oxide layer over said first TEOS oxide layer wherein the presence of said SiOF molecules improves the step coverage of said second TEOS oxide layer so that said gap is filled by said second TEOS oxide layer; and completing the fabrication of said integrated circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said first TEOS oxide layer comprises plasma enhanced TEOS oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said gap is between about 1800 to 2500 Angstroms wide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said second TEOS oxide layer comprises atmospheric pressure deposited O 3 -TEOS.