Texas Instruments-acer Incorporated

Shye Lin Wu

This invention describes a method to form shallow trench isolation with global planarization. The process steps consist of depositing the etching-resistant masked layers stacked on silicon substrate, where the isolated area region is defined; then the isolated area region is dryly etched and is to be deposited oxidation-resistant thin films and form oxidation-resistant spacers around the side walls of the isolated region with the deposited thin films. Because the thin films and spacers are oxidation resistant, during growth of an oxide film within the isolated area, the bird's beak lateral encroachment can be prevented. This results in nearly abrupt interfaces at the sides of the isolated area. In addition, a high temperature oxidation process is employed to produce a high quality of oxide film and simultaneously recover the possible damages from dry etching. This method for forming shallow trench isolation provides a better global planarization, providing a smoother platform on which further circuit elements can be built.

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Hu-Ko Shang, Taiwan

Shye Lin Wu