US5523255A — Method for forming a device isolation film of a s…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for forming a device isolation film of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming a pad oxide film on a semiconductor substrate; forming an oxidation buffer layer on said pad oxide film; forming an oxidation prevention film on said oxidation buffer layer; forming an aperture in said oxidation prevention film and a longitudinally co-extensive recess in said oxidation buffer layer, to thereby expose a portion of said oxidation buffer layer; forming a cap oxide film on said exposed portion of said oxidation buffer layer by subjecting a first resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process; forming an oxynitride film at an interface between said cap oxide film and said oxidation buffer layer by heat-treating a second resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps in a nitrogen atmosphere; and, forming said device isolation film by subjecting a third resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 157 words

A method for forming a device isolation film of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming a pad oxide film on a semiconductor substrate; forming an oxidation buffer layer on said pad oxide film; forming an oxidation prevention film on said oxidation buffer layer; forming an aperture in said oxidation prevention film and a longitudinally co-extensive recess in said oxidation buffer layer, to thereby expose a portion of said oxidation buffer layer; forming a cap oxide film on said exposed portion of said oxidation buffer layer by subjecting a first resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process; forming an oxynitride film at an interface between said cap oxide film and said oxidation buffer layer by heat-treating a second resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps in a nitrogen atmosphere; and, forming said device isolation film by subjecting a third resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of forming said cap oxide film is carried out by filling said recess in said oxidation buffer layer with an oxide material.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of forming a cap oxide film is carried out in such a manner as to render an upper surface of said cap oxide film co-planar with an upper surface of Said oxidation buffer layer adjacent to said recess.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the steps of forming a cap oxide film, forming an oxynitride film, and forming said device isolation film, are performed in-situ.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of forming an oxynitride film is performed in such a manner as to additionally form said oxynitride film at an interface between said oxidation prevention film and said oxidation buffer layer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cap oxide film is formed to a thickness no greater than 300 angstroms.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of forming an oxynitride film is carried out at a temperature of at least 1,100° C.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said oxynitride film is formed to a thickness of no greater than 30 angstroms.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of forming an aperture in said oxidation prevention film and a co-extensive recess in said oxidation buffer layer is carried out by means of a photolithographic etching process.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 103 words

A method for forming a device isolation film of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming a pad oxide film on a semiconductor substrate; forming an oxidation buffer layer on said pad oxide film; forming a first oxidation prevention film on said oxidation buffer layer; heat-treating a first resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps; forming a second oxidation prevention film on said first oxidation prevention film; forming a longitudinally co-extensive aperture in said first and second oxidation prevention films; and, forming said device isolation film by subjecting a second resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 103 words

A method for forming a device isolation film of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming a pad oxide film on a semiconductor substrate; forming an oxidation buffer layer on said pad oxide film; forming a first oxidation prevention film on said oxidation buffer layer; heat-treating a first resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps; forming a second oxidation prevention film on said first oxidation prevention film; forming a longitudinally co-extensive aperture in said first and second oxidation prevention films; and, forming said device isolation film by subjecting a second resultant structure obtained by the preceding steps to a thermal oxidation process.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said pad oxide film is formed to a thickness of 110-500 angstroms, and said oxidation buffer layer is formed to a thickness of 500-2,000 angstroms.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising, after the step of forming an oxidation buffer layer, the step of nitrating a native oxide film formed on said oxidation buffer layer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the step of nitrating is carried out at a temperature of 850° C., using NH 4 gas.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said oxidation buffer layer is formed of polysilicon.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second oxidation prevention films are formed of silicon nitride.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first oxidation prevention film is formed to a thickness of 100-500 angstroms, and the total thickness of said first and second oxidation prevention films is 1,000-3,000 angstroms.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein said first oxidation prevention film is formed to a thickness of about 200 angstroms.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of heat-treating a first resultant structure is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of heat-treating a first resultant structure is performed at a temperature of 1,050° C.-1,150° C., for 1-4 hours.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the step of heat-treating a first resultant structure is performed at a temperature of 1,150° C. for about eight hours.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-06-04	1999-12-04	2000-06-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-06-04	2003-12-04	2004-06-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-06-04	2007-12-04	2008-06-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method for forming a device isolation film of a semiconductor device

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