Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and forming a first nitride film on a surface of the first oxide film, the first nitride film having a predetermined pattern; isotropically etching the first oxide film, with the first nitride film as a mask, to partially expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate and form a hollow just under an end portion of the first nitride film; forming a second oxide film, thinner than the first oxide film, at least on the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed at the outside of the first nitride film and on a inner surface of the hollow; depositing a second silicon nitride film on at least the second oxide film, the second silicon nitride film being more liable to oxidation than the first silicon nitride film; and oxidizing a region where the first silicon nitride film is absent, with the first silicon nitride film as a mask, to form a device isolation film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and forming a first nitride film on a surface of the first oxide film, the first nitride film having a predetermined pattern; isotropically etching the first oxide film, with the first nitride film as a mask, to partially expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate and form a hollow just under an end portion of the first nitride film; forming a second oxide film, thinner than the first oxide film, at least on the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed at the outside of the first nitride film and on a inner surface of the hollow; depositing a second silicon nitride film on at least the second oxide film, the second silicon nitride film being more liable to oxidation than the first silicon nitride film; and oxidizing a region where the first silicon nitride film is absent, with the first silicon nitride film as a mask, to form a device isolation film.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and forming a first nitride film on a surface of the first oxide film, the first nitride film having a predetermined pattern; isotropically etching the first oxide film, with the first nitride film as a mask, to partially expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate and form a hollow just under an end portion of the first nitride film; forming a second oxide film, thinner than the first oxide film, at least on the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed at the outside of the first nitride film and on a inner surface of the hollow; depositing a second silicon nitride film on at least the second oxide film; removing that portion of the second silicon nitride film that is deposited on a region for a device isolation film to be formed in; and oxidizing a region where the first silicon nitride film is absent, with the first silicon nitride film as a mask, to form the device isolation film.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and forming a first nitride film on a surface of the first oxide film, the first nitride film having a predetermined pattern; isotropically etching the first oxide film, with the first nitride film as a mask, to partially expose the surface of the semiconductor substrate and form a hollow just under an end portion of the first nitride film; forming a second oxide film, thinner than the first oxide film, at least on the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed at the outside of the first nitride film and on a inner surface of the hollow; depositing a second silicon nitride film on at least the second oxide film; removing that portion of the second silicon nitride film that is deposited on a region for a device isolation film to be formed in; and oxidizing a region where the first silicon nitride film is absent, with the first silicon nitride film as a mask, to form the device isolation film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first oxide film has a film thickness of below about 20 nm; and the first silicon nitride film has a film thickness of below about 130 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the first oxide film has a film thickness of below about 20 nm; and the first silicon nitride film has a film thickness of below about 130 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first silicon nitride film is deposited by chemical vapor deposition using SiH 2 Cl 2 gas as a silicon source; and, the second silicon nitride film is deposited by chemical vapor deposition using SiHCl 3 gas as a silicon source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the second silicon nitride film is deposited at a higher temperature than a temperature for the deposition of the first silicon nitride film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 6, wherein the first silicon nitride film is deposited at a film forming temperature lower than 750° C.; and the second silicon nitride film is deposited at a film forming temperature higher than 750° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 6, wherein the device isolation film is formed by thermal oxidation at a temperature above 950° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 6, wherein the step of forming the device isolation film includes a rapid thermal oxidation which can occur at a high temperature and in a short period of time.