Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of fabricating an inter-layer interconnection on a semiconductor substrate, said method comprising: forming a first dielectric layer on said semiconductor substrate; forming a first conductive layer on said first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on said first conductive layer; forming a buffer layer on said second dielectric layer; forming a second conductive layer on said buffer layer; patterning said second conductive layer; forming a third dielectric layer on said second conductive layer and on said buffer layer; patterning a photoresist on said third dielectric layer; etching said third dielectric layer to form a hole exposing at least a portion of said second conductive layer; and forming a third conductive layer on said third dielectric layer, on said second conductive layer and on the side wall of said hole, wherein said buffer layer has a slower etch rate than said third dielectric layer during said etching of said third dielectric layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of fabricating an inter-layer interconnection on a semiconductor substrate, said method comprising: forming a first dielectric layer on said semiconductor substrate; forming a first conductive layer on said first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on said first conductive layer; forming a buffer layer on said second dielectric layer; forming a second conductive layer on said buffer layer; patterning said second conductive layer; forming a third dielectric layer on said second conductive layer and on said buffer layer; patterning a photoresist on said third dielectric layer; etching said third dielectric layer to form a hole exposing at least a portion of said second conductive layer; and forming a third conductive layer on said third dielectric layer, on said second conductive layer and on the side wall of said hole, wherein said buffer layer has a slower etch rate than said third dielectric layer during said etching of said third dielectric layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said dielectric layer comprises BPSG (borophosphosilicate glass).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first conductive layer, said second conductive layer said third conductive layer each comprise a metal layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said metal layer is aluminum layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer comprise doped polysilicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer comprise in-situ doped polysilicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second dielectric layer comprises silicon dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said third dielectric layer comprises silicon dioxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said buffer layer comprises an amorphous silicon layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said buffer layer comprises a nitride layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said etching said third dielectric layer comprises using an etchant comprising CF 4 and CHF 3 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said etching of said third layer forms a trench at the bottom surface of said hole, said trench exposing a sidewall of said second conductive layer and extending partially into said buffer layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said trench is filled with said third conductive layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming an inter-layer interconnection in a multi-layer integrated circuit, said method comprising: forming a first dielectric layer; forming a buffer layer above said first dielectric layer; forming a first conductive region above said buffer layer, said first conductive region having a width; forming a second dielectric layer over said first conductive region and said buffer layer; anisotropically etching a hole, whereby a portion of said first conductive region is exposed, said hole not extending into said first dielectric layer; and forming said inter-layer interconnection of a conductive material said inter-layer interconnection extending to said hole so as to make electrical contact with said first conductive region and extending out of said hole so as to be accessible from a top surface of said second dielectric layer.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming an inter-layer interconnection in a multi-layer integrated circuit, said method comprising: forming a first dielectric layer; forming a buffer layer above said first dielectric layer; forming a first conductive region above said buffer layer, said first conductive region having a width; forming a second dielectric layer over said first conductive region and said buffer layer; anisotropically etching a hole, whereby a portion of said first conductive region is exposed, said hole not extending into said first dielectric layer; and forming said inter-layer interconnection of a conductive material said inter-layer interconnection extending to said hole so as to make electrical contact with said first conductive region and extending out of said hole so as to be accessible from a top surface of said second dielectric layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said hole includes a trench exposing a sidewall of said first conductive region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said trench partially extends into said buffer layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said forming of said buffer layer comprises depositing a nitride layer on said dielectric layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said forming of said buffer layer comprises depositing an amorphous silicon layer on said dielectric layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said forming of said second dielectric layer comprises depositing an oxide layer on said buffer layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said forming of said inter-layer interconnection comprises depositing a metal layer on said second dielectric layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said forming of said inter-layer interconnection comprises depositing a polysilicon layer on said second dielectric layer.