Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Viktor Zekeriya

Alexander Kalnitsky

Jonathan Herman

Glenn Nobinger

Larry Lingjer Wang

Joseph P Ellul

Khanh Tran

Ralph N Wall

Robert F Scheer

Sang Hoon Park

Melvin Schmidt

Daniel Henry Rosenblatt

Vijaykumar Ullal

Joseph Paul Elull

A method of removing a sacrificial emitter feature in a bipolar complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BICMOS) process with a super self-aligned bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is disclosed. According to the new method, a mask layer, such as an oxide deposited using high density plasma (HDP) techniques, is deposited over an extrinsic base layer and over a sacrificial emitter structure. Because of the particular characteristic of the HDP oxide, the deposition of HDP oxide forms a triangular-like structure over the sacrificial emitter structure having a maximum thickness less than the thickness of the HDP oxide over the extrinsic base layer. This facilitates the complete removal of the HDP oxide above the sacrificial emitter layer without the complete removal of the HDP oxide above the extrinsic base layer. This allows the removal of the sacrificial emitter structure while the remaining HDP oxide, serving as a mask, protects the underlying extrinsic base layer.

Method of removing a sacrificial emitter feature in a BICMOS process with a super self-aligned BJT

A method for forming multiple resistors on a substrate. The method initially includes providing a first resistor on the substrate. A first dielectric layer is deposited, patterned, and selectively etched over the first resistor. Second resistor material is provided over the first dielectric layer. Furthermore, landing pad material is provided over the second resistor material. The landing pad material and the second resistor material are then selectively etched. The selective etching forms contacts for the first resistor in a first region, and forms a second resistor and associated contacts in a second region.

Integrating multiple thin film resistors

A method of forming a thin film resistor contact incorporates an etch-stop material to protect the underlying thin film resistor from a subsequent dry etching process to form a contact opening to the thin film resistor. More specifically, the method includes forming a thin film resistor, forming a first dielectric layer over the thin film resistor, forming a first opening through the first dielectric layer to expose an underlying portion of the thin film resistor, forming an etch-stop within the first opening of the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the etch-stop and the first dielectric layer, forming a second opening through the second dielectric layer to expose the underlying portion of the etch-stop, and forming a metal plug within the second contact opening, wherein the metal plug is in electrical contact with the thin film resistor by way of the etch-stop. Alternatively, in the case of an insulating etch-stop, the second opening through the dielectric layer is through the etch-stop, and forming a metal plug within the second contact opening, wherein the metal plug is in direct electrical contact with the thin film resistor.

Globally planarized backend compatible thin film resistor contact/interconnect process

A method of modifying a layer of thin film composite material to achieve one or more desired properties for the thin film layer which cannot be achieved by heat treatment at all practical temperatures of operation allowable by particular integrated circuit processes. In particular, the thin film composite material is subjected to an ion implantation process. Depending on the doping species, the doping concentration, the doping energy, and other ion implantation parameters, one or more properties of the deposited thin film resistive layer can be modified. Such properties may include electrical, optical, thermal and physical properties. For instance, the sheet resistance and/or the temperature coefficient of resistance of the thin film composite material may be increased or decreased by appropriately implanting ions into the material. The ion implantation can be applied globally in order to modify one or more properties of the entire deposited thin film composite layer. Alternatively, the ion implantation can be applied regionally in order to modify the thin film composite material at a first region, not modify the thin film composite material at a second region, and/or modify the thin film composite material in another way at a third region.

Method of modifying properties of deposited thin film material

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Atherton, CA, United States of America

Viktor Zekeriya