Semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass

Claim 2

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass and to expose the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive masking layer comprises polysilicon.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive masking layer comprises a composite of polysilicon and an etch stop material atop the polysilicon.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall comprises the steps of: depositing an etch stop material over the substrate and the exposed isolation mass sidewall; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the etch stop material to a degree sufficient to leave a sidewall spacer over the isolation mass sidewall.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1, wherein the patterning step exposes a device component sidewall which faces the isolation mass sidewall, and the step of forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall comprises the steps of: depositing an etch stop material over the substrate and the exposed isolation mass sidewall; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the etch stop material to a degree sufficient to leave sidewall spacers over the isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 further comprising after the patterning step, providing conductivity-enhancing impurity into the substrate generally between the isolation mass and the device component portion.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1, wherein the device component is a conductive line.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1, wherein the etch stop cap and etch stop cover are the same material.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1, wherein the etch stop cap and etch stop cover are Si 3 N 4 .

Claim 11

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer; removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 12

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer; removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10, wherein the step of forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall comprises the steps of: depositing an etch stop material over the substrate and the exposed isolation mass sidewall; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the etch stop material to a degree sufficient to leave a sidewall spacer over the isolation mass sidewall.

Claim 14

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; after said forming, removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; after said forming of said etch stop cap, patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap.

Claim 15

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; after said forming, removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; after said forming of said etch stop cap, patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap.

Claim 16

The method of claim 12, wherein the patterning of the substrate masking layer exposes the isolation mass sidewall, and further comprising prior to the etching of the contact opening, forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall.

Claim 17

The method of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive masking layer comprises a composite of a conductive layer and an etch stop material atop the conductive layer.

Claim 18

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and substrate masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 19

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and substrate masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 20

The method of claim 15, wherein the masking layer comprises an etch stop top layer defining a portion of the planar first surface, and the planarizing step includes planarizing the etch stop material formed over the first and second surfaces inwardly to at least the etch stop top layer.

Claim 21

The method of claim 15, wherein the masking layer comprises an etch stop top layer defining a portion of the planar first surface, the removing step defines a recess relative to the first surface, the step of forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces completely fills the recess, and the planarizing step includes planarizing the etch stop material formed over the first and second surfaces inwardly to at least the etch stop top layer.

Claim 22

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; forming a conductive layer over the first surface; patterning the conductive layer and masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass and to expose the isolation mass sidewall and a device component sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover and the device component sidewall cover.

Claim 23

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; forming a conductive layer over the first surface; patterning the conductive layer and masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass and to expose the isolation mass sidewall and a device component sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover and the device component sidewall cover.

Claim 24

The method of claim 18, wherein the etch stop cap and the etch stop covers are formed from a nitride material.

Claim 25

The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall comprise the steps of: depositing an etch stop material over the substrate; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the etch stop material sufficient to leave sidewall spacers over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall.

Claim 26

The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall comprise the steps of: depositing an etch stop material over the substrate; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the etch stop material sufficient to leave sidewall spacers over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall, the etch stop cap and etch stop covers being formed from a nitride material.

Claim 27

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; forming a conductive layer over the first surface; patterning the conductive layer and substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass and to expose the isolation mass sidewall and a device component sidewall; providing a conductivity enhancing impurity to a first concentration into the substrate between the isolation mass and device component portion; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall; providing a conductivity enhancing impurity to a second concentration into the substrate between the isolation mass and device component portion, the second concentration being greater than the first, the first and second concentrations defining a source/drain region; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover and the device component etch stop cover.

Claim 28

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar first surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass to define a second surface below the first surface; forming a layer of etch stop material over the first and second surfaces; planarizing the etch stop material to at least the first surface to define an etch stop cap on the field isolation mass; forming a conductive layer over the first surface; patterning the conductive layer and substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass and to expose the isolation mass sidewall and a device component sidewall; providing a conductivity enhancing impurity to a first concentration into the substrate between the isolation mass and device component portion; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall and the device component sidewall; providing a conductivity enhancing impurity to a second concentration into the substrate between the isolation mass and device component portion, the second concentration being greater than the first, the first and second concentrations defining a source/drain region; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover and the device component etch stop cover.

Claim 29

The method of claim 22, wherein the patterned-away conductive layer defines a conductive line.

Claim 30

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate, the field isolation mass having a substantially vertical sidewall, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass sidewall being covered by the masking layer; after said forming and with said field isolation mass being capped, removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 31

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate, the field isolation mass having a substantially vertical sidewall, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass sidewall being covered by the masking layer; after said forming and with said field isolation mass being capped, removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 32

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate and forming substrate active area adjacent thereto, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a substantially vertical sidewall covered by an etch stop cover which is separately formed relative to the etch stop cap; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and adjacent active area; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to the active area adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 33

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising the following steps: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate and forming substrate active area adjacent thereto, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a substantially vertical sidewall covered by an etch stop cover which is separately formed relative to the etch stop cap; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and adjacent active area; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to the active area adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover.

Claim 34

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer; removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover, wherein the formed field isolation mass and masking layer adjacent the field isolation mass define a generally planar outer surface, and the field isolation mass is capped with the etch stop cap by: etching an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface below the masking layer planar outer surface; depositing an etch stop material atop the field isolation mass surface and the masking layer planar outer surface; and planarizing the etch stop material inwardly to at least the masking layer to form the etch stop cap.

Claim 35

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and a substrate masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass being capped with an etch stop cap, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the masking layer; removing the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to expose at least a portion of the isolation mass sidewall; forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and substrate area adjacent the isolation mass; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to adjacent the isolation mass selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap and cover, wherein the formed field isolation mass and masking layer adjacent the field isolation mass define a generally planar outer surface, and the field isolation mass is capped with the etch stop cap by: etching an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface below the masking layer planar outer surface; depositing an etch stop material atop the field isolation mass surface and the masking layer planar outer surface; and planarizing the etch stop material inwardly to at least the masking layer to form the etch stop cap.

Claim 36

The semiconductor processing method of claim 26, wherein the forming an etch stop cover over the exposed isolation mass sidewall comprises: depositing a second etch stop material over the substrate and the exposed isolation mass sidewall; and conducting an anisotropic etch of the second etch stop material to a degree sufficient to leave a sidewall spacer over the exposed isolation mass sidewall, the etch stop cap and etch stop cover being formed from the same material.

Claim 37

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface, and said forming an etch stop cap includes forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation mass surface and filling the recess.

Claim 38

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface, and said forming an etch stop cap includes forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation mass surface and filling the recess.

Claim 39

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface and said forming the etch stop cap comprises: forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation surface and filling the recess; and planarizing the formed etch stop layer inwardly to at least the masking layer.

Claim 40

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface and said forming the etch stop cap comprises: forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation surface and filling the recess; and planarizing the formed etch stop layer inwardly to at least the masking layer.

Claim 41

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein the electrically conductive masking layer comprises a composite of a conductive layer and an etch stop material atop the conductive layer, said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface, and said forming an etch stop cap comprises: forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation surface and filling the recess; and planarizing the formed etch stop layer inwardly to at least the masking layer's etch stop material.

Claim 42

A semiconductor processing method of forming a contact opening to a region adjacent a field isolation mass comprising: forming a field isolation mass within a semiconductor substrate by a trench and refill technique, and an electrically conductive masking layer over the substrate adjacent the field isolation mass, the field isolation mass having a sidewall covered by the substrate masking layer, the field isolation mass and masking layer defining a generally planar outer surface; removing an amount of the field isolation mass sufficient to define a field isolation mass surface spaced inwardly from the masking layer planar outer surface; forming an etch stop cap atop the field isolation mass surface; patterning the substrate masking layer away from the isolation mass to form at least a portion of a device component spaced from the isolation mass; forming an insulating layer over the isolation mass and device component; and etching a contact opening through the insulating layer to between the isolation mass sidewall and device component selectively relative to the isolation mass etch stop cap, wherein the electrically conductive masking layer comprises a composite of a conductive layer and an etch stop material atop the conductive layer, said removing defines a recess in the field isolation mass relative to the outer surface, and said forming an etch stop cap comprises: forming an etch stop layer over the field isolation surface and filling the recess; and planarizing the formed etch stop layer inwardly to at least the masking layer's etch stop material.