US5960313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal wire of semiconductor device and method for forming the same
Assignee: SK Hynix Inc
•
Filing: 1997-05-07
•
Granted: 1999-09-28
•
Expires: 2017-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A metal wire and a method for forming a metal wire of a semiconductor device, including the steps of forming an insulating layer and first etch-stop layer on a substrate forming a first trench having sidewalls and a bottom by selectively removing portions of said first etch-stop layer forming a second etch-stop layer on the insulating layer, including the first trench, and first-etch stop layer etching back said second etch-stop layer from within the trench to form a mask from said first and second etch-layers exposing a portion of the trench bottom, wherein the width of the mask has a width of less than the width of the trench bottom etching the insulating layer using said first and second etch-stop layers mask to form a second trench extending through the insulating layer for holding a contact plug removing said first and second etch-stop layers and forming a contact plug and conductive layer in said first and second trenches.
Inventors
- 👤 Young Kwon Jun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:28
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D64/00; H10D64/01; H10D64/011; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; H10W20/41; H10W20/435; H10W20/01; H10W20/071; H10W20/081; H10W20/084; H10W20/085; H10W20/43; H10W20/074; H10W20/076; H10W20/0765
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for forming a metal wire of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming an insulating layer and a first etch-stop layer on a substrate; forming a first trench having sidewalls and a bottom by selectively removing portions of said first etch-stop layer; forming a second etch-stop layer on the insulating layer, including the first trench, and on the first-etch stop layer; etching back said second etch-stop layer from within the first trench to form a mask from said first and second etch-stop layers exposing a portion of the bottom of the first trench, wherein the width of the mask has a width less than the width of the bottom of the first trench; etching the insulating layer using said first and second etch-stop layers as a mask to form a second trench extending through the insulating layer; removing said first and second etch-stop layers; and forming a contact plug and a conductive layer in said first and second trenches.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for forming a metal wire of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming an insulating layer and a first etch-stop layer on a substrate; forming a first trench having sidewalls and a bottom by selectively removing portions of said first etch-stop layer; forming a second etch-stop layer on the insulating layer, including the first trench, and on the first-etch stop layer; etching back said second etch-stop layer from within the first trench to form a mask from said first and second etch-stop layers exposing a portion of the bottom of the first trench, wherein the width of the mask has a width less than the width of the bottom of the first trench; etching the insulating layer using said first and second etch-stop layers as a mask to form a second trench extending through the insulating layer; removing said first and second etch-stop layers; and forming a contact plug and a conductive layer in said first and second trenches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of forming a first trench includes forming the first trench with a conductive line portion and a plug portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: forming a plurality of auxiliary pattern layers in the conductive line portion of the first trench.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first etch-stop layer is formed of a material having an etch selectivity with respect to said insulating layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second etch-stop layer is formed of a material having an etch selectivity with said insulating layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said step of etching back said second etch-stop layer includes etching only the plug portion, so that said insulating layer in the conductive line portion is not etched during the etching process of the insulating layer for forming said second trench.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: forming at least one auxiliary pattern layer in the conductive line portion of the first trench.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interval between auxiliary pattern layers is equal to or less than the difference in width between the first and second trenches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary pattern layer is formed by etching said insulating layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductive layer is formed of a metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein in said step of forming a first trench, only the plug portion is etched back to form the second trench and the conductive line portion is not etched-back.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of forming the said conductive layer contact plug includes forming the conductive layer and contact plug to a height equal to or greater than the height of the insulating layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step of forming the conductive layer and contact plug includes planarizing said conductive and insulating layers by dry etching using chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the polishing agent used in the CMP process is a polishing particle slurry including silica, alumina, acid, and an oxidizing agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the acid includes one of H 3 PO 4 , H 2 SO 4 , and AgNO 3 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the oxidizing agent for the CMP process includes one of H 2 O 2 and HOCL.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first etch-stop layer is one of an oxide layer, a nitride film and a polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first etch-step layer is formed of an oxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said metal is one of Al, Ag, Cu and their alloys.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step of forming the conductive layer and plug includes planarizing said conductive and insulating layers by dry etching using chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |