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US5915192A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for forming shallow trench isolation

Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Ltd
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Filing: 1997-09-12
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Granted: 1999-06-22
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Expires: 2017-09-12
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Abstract

Abstract A method of forming a trench isolation is disclosed. The initial step includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate of a transistor followed by a second dielectric layer formed on the first dielectric layer. Next, the substrate, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer is patterned and etched to form a trench in the substrate, the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. Next, a third dielectric layer is formed on the surface of the side wall of the trench followed by isotropically etching the bottom of the trench. Finally, a fourth dielectric layer on the surface of the trench is formed and the trench is filled with a dielectric material.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jhon-Jhy Liaw
  • 👤 Jin-Yuan Lee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 02:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W10/00; H10W10/01; H10W10/011; H10W10/014; H10W10/0145; H10W10/10; H10W10/17; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/05

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
A method of forming a trench isolation comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate of a transistor; forming a second dielectric layer on said first dielectric layer; patterning and etching said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer to form a trench in said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer; forming a third dielectric layer on the surface of the side wall of said trench; isotropically etching the bottom of said trench to expand a portion of said trench; forming a fourth dielectric layer on the surface of said trench and said expanded portion; and refilling said trench with a dielectric material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 114 words
A method of forming a trench isolation comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate of a transistor; forming a second dielectric layer on said first dielectric layer; patterning and etching said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer to form a trench in said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer; forming a third dielectric layer on the surface of the side wall of said trench; isotropically etching the bottom of said trench to expand a portion of said trench; forming a fourth dielectric layer on the surface of said trench and said expanded portion; and refilling said trench with a dielectric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said first dielectric layer is a silicon dioxide layer of 30˜200 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said second dielectric layer is a silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) layer of 1500˜3000 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said trench is 1500˜3000 angstroms in depth in the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said third dielectric layer is formed comprising the following steps: forming a silicon dioxide layer on the surface of said trench; and removing the portion of said silicon layer on the bottom of said trench.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method as claim 5, wherein said silicon dioxide layer is 110˜350 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as claim 1, wherein the bottom of said trench is isotropically etched by the etchant of SF 6 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method as claim 7, wherein the bottom of said trench is isotropically etched for 1000˜3000 angstroms in depth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said method for trench isolation further comprises the step of removing said third dielectric layer before said fourth dielectric layer is formed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said fourth dielectric layer is formed by thermal oxidation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said fourth dielectric layer is 1000˜3000 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method as claim 1, wherein said dielectric material is polysilicon.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 136 words
A method of forming a trench isolation comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate of a transistor; forming a second dielectric layer on said first dielectric layer; patterning and etching said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer to form a trench in said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer, said trench extending into said substrate by 1500˜3000 angstroms in depth; forming a third dielectric layer on the surface of the side wall of said trench; isotropically etching the bottom of said trench for 1000˜3000 angstroms in depth; removing said third dielectric layer; forming a fourth dielectric layer on the surface of said trench being isotropically etched, said fourth dielectric layer is formed by thermal oxidation; and refilling said trench with a dielectric material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 136 words
A method of forming a trench isolation comprising the steps of: forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate of a transistor; forming a second dielectric layer on said first dielectric layer; patterning and etching said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer to form a trench in said substrate, said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer, said trench extending into said substrate by 1500˜3000 angstroms in depth; forming a third dielectric layer on the surface of the side wall of said trench; isotropically etching the bottom of said trench for 1000˜3000 angstroms in depth; removing said third dielectric layer; forming a fourth dielectric layer on the surface of said trench being isotropically etched, said fourth dielectric layer is formed by thermal oxidation; and refilling said trench with a dielectric material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said first dielectric layer is a silicon dioxide layer of 30˜200 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said second dielectric layer is a silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) layer of 1500˜3000 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said third dielectric layer is formed comprising the following steps: forming a silicon dioxide layer on the surface of said trench; and removing the portion of said silicon layer on the bottom of said trench.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said silicon dioxide layer is 110˜350 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as claim 13, wherein the bottom of said trench is isotropically etched by the etchant SF 6 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said fourth dielectric layer is 1000˜3000 angstroms in thickness.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method as claim 13, wherein said dielectric material is polysilicon.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4604162A Cited
US4615746A Cited
US4685198A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-06-21 2002-12-21 2003-06-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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