← Back to Patent Explorer
US6333256B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Semiconductor processing method of forming openings in a material

Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1998-12-22
•
Granted: 2001-12-25
•
Expires: 2018-12-22
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The invention includes a semiconductor processing method which comprises forming a first material layer over a substrate. A second material layer is formed over the first material layer. Photoresist is deposited over the second material layer, and an opening is formed within the photoresist to the second material layer. The second material layer is etched through the photoresist opening to a degree insufficient to outwardly expose the first material layer. The photoresist is then stripped from the substrate. Subsequently, the second material layer and the first material layer are blanket etched.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • 👤 Shubneesh Batra

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 04:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/071; H10W20/081; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/942; Y10S438/948; Y10S438/95

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 212 words
A semiconductor processing method comprising: forming a first material layer over a substrate; forming a second material layer on and in direct physical contact with the first material layer; depositing photoresist over the second material layer and forming an opening within the photoresist to the second material layer, the photoresist defining a periphery of the opening and being a same thickness on one peripheral side of the opening as on an other peripheral side of the opening; first etching into the second material layer through the photoresist opening to a degree insufficient to outwardly expose the first material layer, the first etching forming an opening in the second material; after the first etching, the photoresist on the one peripheral side of the photoresist opening still being a same thickness as the photoresist on the other peripheral side of the photoresist opening; after the first etching, stripping the photoresist from the substrate; and after the stripping, blanket etching the second material layer and the first material layer to extend the opening through the second material and into the first material; the portion of the opening in the first material being defined as a first material opening, and the portion of the opening in the second material being defined as a second material opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 212 words
A semiconductor processing method comprising: forming a first material layer over a substrate; forming a second material layer on and in direct physical contact with the first material layer; depositing photoresist over the second material layer and forming an opening within the photoresist to the second material layer, the photoresist defining a periphery of the opening and being a same thickness on one peripheral side of the opening as on an other peripheral side of the opening; first etching into the second material layer through the photoresist opening to a degree insufficient to outwardly expose the first material layer, the first etching forming an opening in the second material; after the first etching, the photoresist on the one peripheral side of the photoresist opening still being a same thickness as the photoresist on the other peripheral side of the photoresist opening; after the first etching, stripping the photoresist from the substrate; and after the stripping, blanket etching the second material layer and the first material layer to extend the opening through the second material and into the first material; the portion of the opening in the first material being defined as a first material opening, and the portion of the opening in the second material being defined as a second material opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blanket etching extends the first material opening to outwardly expose the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blanket etching leaves some remaining second material layer over the first material layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blanket etching extends the first material opening to outwardly expose the substrate, and leaves some remaining second material layer over the first material layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second materials are different materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first material is a material from which photoresist cannot be substantially selectively removed and the second material is a material from which photoresist can be substantially selectively chemically removed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the photoresist opening, the second material opening, and the first material opening are in the shape of an elongated line; and further comprising after the blanket etching, plugging the first material opening with electrically conductive material to form an electrically conductive line within the first material.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-12-24 2005-06-25 2005-12-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-12-24 2009-06-25 2009-12-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-12-24 2013-06-25 2013-12-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag