Intel Corporation

Robert J Patterson

Seiichi Morimoto

Ebrahim Andideh

A process for filling submicron, high aspect ratio gaps, that may have reentrant angles, with a high quality ILD. A first ILD layer is deposited using PECVD to partially fill the gap. Medium-pressure sputter etching is then used to remove the bread-loaf edges and redeposit the etched material in the gaps, thereby allowing small gaps with high aspect ratios and reentrant angles to be completely filled. Finally, a second ILD layer that completely fills the gap is deposited using PECVD.

Process for filling submicron spaces with dielectric

An improved method for planarizing the surface of an dielectric deposited over a semiconductor substrate. The substrate is pressed face down against a table which has been coated with an abrasive material. In this way, the upper surface of the interlayer dielectric contacts the abrasive. Rotational movement of the wafer relative to the table facilitates removal of the protruding portions of the interlayer dielectric by the abrasive. Post-planarization step height variation is minimized by simultaneously cooling the table and the abrasive material during the abrasive or polishing process. By maintaining the table and the abrasive at about 10 degrees Celcius the step height variation is reduced by a factor of 2 over that normally realized in the prior art.

Apparatus for planarizing a dielectric formed over a semiconductor

An improved method for planarizing the surface of an dielectric deposited over a semiconductor substrate. The substrate is pressed face down against a table which has been coated with an abrasive material. In this way, the upper surface of the interlayer dielectric contacts the abrasive. Rotational movement of the wafer relative to the table facilitates removal of the protruding portions of the interlayer dielectric by the abrasive. Post-planarization step height variation is minimized by simultaneously cooling the table and the abrasive material during the abrasive or polishing process. By maintaining the table and the abrasive at about 10 degrees Celsius the step height variation is reduced by a factor of 2 over that normally realized in the prior art.

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Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Robert J Patterson