Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate; forming a first spacer and a second spacer on the first dielectric layer, wherein a gate region is defined between the first spacer and the second spacer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a source region and a drain region after the step of forming the first spacer and the second spacer; forming a second dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate and overlying the first spacer and the second spacer, including the gate region; removing portions of the second dielectric layer from the gate region; and forming a gate structure in the gate region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate; forming a first spacer and a second spacer on the first dielectric layer, wherein a gate region is defined between the first spacer and the second spacer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a source region and a drain region after the step of forming the first spacer and the second spacer; forming a second dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate and overlying the first spacer and the second spacer, including the gate region; removing portions of the second dielectric layer from the gate region; and forming a gate structure in the gate region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the first spacer and the second spacer further comprises the steps of: forming a sacrificial structure overlying the first dielectric layer; forming a third dielectric layer overlying the sacrificial structure; and removing portions of the third dielectric layer, and wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are formed juxtaposed to the sacrificial structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 2 further comprising the step of removing the sacrificial structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the first spacer and the second spacer further comprises the steps of: forming a third dielectric layer overlying the first dielectric layer; forming an etch block layer overlying the third dielectric layer, wherein the etch block layer forms exposed portions of the third dielectric layer; and removing exposed portions of the third dielectric layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 4, wherein the step of forming an etch block layer overlying the third dielectric layer comprises the step of forming a photoresist layer which has been exposed and developed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a gate structure in the gate region further comprises the steps of: forming a conductive layer overlying the semiconductor substrate; patterning the conductive layer with an etch block layer such that there are exposed portions of the conductive layer; and removing the exposed portions of the conductive layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a gate structure in the gate region further comprises the steps of: forming a lift-off layer overlying the second dielectric layer including in the gate region; removing the lift-off layer in the gate region; forming a conductive layer overlying the lift-off layer including in the gate region; and removing the lift-off layer such that the conductive layer is removed except in the gate region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the first dielectric layer uses a material selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for forming a self-aligned semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric layer is 100 angstroms to 1000 angstroms thick.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer overlying a body of semiconductor material; forming a sacrificial structure having a first side and a second side on the first dielectric layer; forming a first spacer adjacent to the first side and a second spacer adjacent to the second side; removing the sacrificial structure; forming a second dielectric layer overlying the body of semiconductor material including the first spacer and the second spacer and a region between the first spacer and the second spacer; removing a portion of the second dielectric layer from the region between the first spacer and the second spacer; and forming a gate structure in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer overlying a body of semiconductor material; forming a sacrificial structure having a first side and a second side on the first dielectric layer; forming a first spacer adjacent to the first side and a second spacer adjacent to the second side; removing the sacrificial structure; forming a second dielectric layer overlying the body of semiconductor material including the first spacer and the second spacer and a region between the first spacer and the second spacer; removing a portion of the second dielectric layer from the region between the first spacer and the second spacer; and forming a gate structure in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the first dielectric layer is 100 angstroms to 1000 angstroms thick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the step of forming the first dielectric layer uses a material selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the step of forming a gate structure in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer further comprises the steps of: forming a lift off layer overlying the second dielectric layer; removing the lift off layer in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer; forming a conductive layer overlying the lift off layer; and removing the lift off layer such that the conductive layer is removed except a portion in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 10, wherein the step of forming a gate structure in the region between the first spacer and the second spacer further comprises the steps of: forming a conductive layer overlying the body of semiconductor material; patterning the conductive layer with an etch block layer such that there are exposed portions of the conductive layer; and removing the exposed portions of the conductive layer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a first dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first dielectric layer is about 100 angstroms to 1000 angstroms thick; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second dielectric layer; forming a third dielectric layer on remaining portions of the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer is an inorganic material; and removing portions of the third dielectric layer to form spacers.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a first dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first dielectric layer is about 100 angstroms to 1000 angstroms thick; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second dielectric layer; forming a third dielectric layer on remaining portions of the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer is an inorganic material; and removing portions of the third dielectric layer to form spacers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the step of forming the first dielectric layer uses a material selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: forming a fourth dielectric layer overlying the spacers and between the spacers; removing a portion of the fourth dielectric layer between the spacers; forming a conductive layer overlying the fourth dielectric layer; patterning the conductive layer with an etch block layer such that there are exposed portions of the conductive layer; and removing the exposed portions of the conductive layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method for forming a semiconductor device of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: forming a fourth dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate including overlying the spacers and a region between the spacers; removing a portion of the fourth dielectric layer from the region between the spacers; forming a lift off layer overlying the fourth dielectric layer and in the region between the spacers; removing the lift off layer from the region between the spacers; forming a conductive layer overlying the lift off layer; and removing the lift off layer such that the conductive layer is removed except the portion in the region between the spacers.