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US6207510B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for making an integrated circuit including high and low voltage transistors

Assignee: Bell Semiconductor LLC
•
Filing: 1999-07-29
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Granted: 2001-03-27
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Expires: 2019-07-29
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Abstract

Abstract A method for making an integrated circuit includes the steps of forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions therebetween, forming a first mask, and using the first mask for performing at least one implant in the active regions for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors. The method further includes the steps of removing the first mask and forming a second mask, and using the second mask for performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor. All of the implants needed to define the high voltage transistors are first performed throughout the active regions using the first mask. A separate single implant is then performed using the second mask to convert at least one of the high voltage active regions to a low voltage active region. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the high and low voltage active regions for corresponding high and low voltage transistors, and gates are formed on the gate dielectric layers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Glenn C. Abeln
  • 👤 Robert Alan Ashton
  • 👤 Samir Chaudhry
  • 👤 Alan R. Massengale
  • 👤 Jinghui Ning

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 20:21
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/01; H10D84/0123; H10D84/0126; H10D84/0165; H10D84/0167; H10D84/0181; H10D84/02; H10D84/03; H10D84/038

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim 141 words
A method for making an integrated circuit including high and low voltage transistors comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor; forming gate dielectric layers on the high and low voltage active regions for corresponding high and low voltage transistors, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the high and low voltage active regions have been defined; and forming gates on the gate dielectric layers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 141 words
A method for making an integrated circuit including high and low voltage transistors comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor; forming gate dielectric layers on the high and low voltage active regions for corresponding high and low voltage transistors, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the high and low voltage active regions have been defined; and forming gates on the gate dielectric layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity into the substrate defining a first well of a first conductivity type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to suppress punch-through of the high and low voltage transistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a voltage threshold level of the high and low voltage transistors to a first voltage threshold level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 39 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a first voltage threshold level of the low voltage transistor to a second voltage threshold level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises performing at least one implant using at least one of boron, phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises performing only one implant using at least one of boron, phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the high and low voltage transistors are n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETS).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the high and low voltage transistors are p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETS).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein forming the gate dielectric layers comprises forming first gate dielectric layers having a first thickness for the high voltage transistors and second gate dielectric layers for the low voltage transistors having a second thickness less than the first thickness.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 292 words
A method for making a CMOS integrated circuit including high and low voltage transistors of a first conductivity type and high and low voltage transistors of a second conductivity type, the method comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions of a first conductivity type and active regions of a second conductivity type therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions of the first conductivity type for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors of the first conductivity type; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region of the first conductivity type into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor of the first conductivity type; removing the second mask and forming a third mask; using the third mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions of the second conductivity type for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors of the second conductivity type; removing the third mask and forming a fourth mask; using the fourth mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region of the second conductivity type into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor of the second conductivity type; forming gate dielectric layers on the high and low voltage active regions for corresponding high and low voltage transistors of the first and second conductivity types, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the high and low voltage active regions have been defined; and forming gates on the gate dielectric layers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 292 words
A method for making a CMOS integrated circuit including high and low voltage transistors of a first conductivity type and high and low voltage transistors of a second conductivity type, the method comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions of a first conductivity type and active regions of a second conductivity type therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions of the first conductivity type for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors of the first conductivity type; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region of the first conductivity type into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor of the first conductivity type; removing the second mask and forming a third mask; using the third mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions of the second conductivity type for defining high voltage active regions for the high voltage transistors of the second conductivity type; removing the third mask and forming a fourth mask; using the fourth mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one high voltage active region of the second conductivity type into a low voltage active region for a low voltage transistor of the second conductivity type; forming gate dielectric layers on the high and low voltage active regions for corresponding high and low voltage transistors of the first and second conductivity types, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the high and low voltage active regions have been defined; and forming gates on the gate dielectric layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity into the substrate defining a first well of a first conductivity type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 37 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to suppress punch-through of the high and low voltage transistors of the first conductivity type.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a voltage threshold level of the high and low voltage transistors of the first conductivity type to a first voltage threshold level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a first voltage threshold level of the low voltage transistor of the first conductivity type to a second voltage threshold level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises performing at least one implant using boron.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises performing only one implant using boron.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the third mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity into the substrate defining a well of a second conductivity type.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 37 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the third mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to suppress punch-through of the high and low voltage transistors of the second conductivity type.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the third mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a voltage threshold level of the high and low voltage transistors of the second conductivity type to a first voltage threshold level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the fourth mask and performing only one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a first voltage threshold level of the low voltage transistor of the second conductivity type to a second voltage threshold level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the third mask and performing at least one implant comprises performing at least one implant using at least one of phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein using the fourth mask and performing only one implant comprises performing only one implant using at least one of phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 65 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of forming the gate dielectric layers comprises forming first gate dielectric layers having a first thickness for the high voltage transistors of the first and second conductivity types, and forming second gate dielectric layers for the low voltage transistors of the first and second conductivity types having a second thickness less than the first thickness.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 134 words
A method for making an integrated circuit including first and second transistors respectively operating at first and second voltages, the method comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions for defining first active regions for the first transistors; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one first active region into a second active region for a second transistor; and forming gate dielectric layers on the first and second active regions for corresponding first and second transistors, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the first and second active regions have been defined.
Claim 28
Independent Claim 134 words
A method for making an integrated circuit including first and second transistors respectively operating at first and second voltages, the method comprising: forming a plurality of spaced apart isolation regions in a substrate to define active regions therebetween; forming a first mask; using the first mask and performing at least one implant in the active regions for defining first active regions for the first transistors; removing the first mask and forming a second mask; using the second mask and performing only one implant for converting at least one first active region into a second active region for a second transistor; and forming gate dielectric layers on the first and second active regions for corresponding first and second transistors, the gate dielectric layers being formed after the first and second active regions have been defined.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity into the substrate defining a first well of a first conductivity type.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to suppress punch-through of the first and second transistors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 40 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a voltage threshold level of the first and second transistors to a first voltage threshold level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 38 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises implanting an impurity to adjust a first voltage threshold level of the second transistor to a second voltage threshold level.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the first mask and performing at least one implant comprises performing at least one implant using at least one of boron, phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein using the second mask and performing only one implant comprises performing only one implant using at least one of boron, phosphorous, arsenic and antimony.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5403764A Cited
US6043128A Cited
US5903493A Cited
US6030862A Cited

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