The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 24, 1978
Filed:
Oct. 28, 1976
Vivian Ruth Corbin, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
James Edward Hitchner, Poughkeepsie, NY (US);
Bisweswar Patnaik, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
Chung-Yu Ting, Wappingers Falls, NY (US);
IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method for forming self-aligned via holes which are used to interconnect levels of thin films atop substrates. A first level thin film pattern, typically comprising raised metallic stripes, is formed atop the substrate. A first level dielectric material is then deposited in blanket fashion so that the topology of the insulator conforms to the topology of the pattern. Next, a material such as polymer is deposited which tends to form a planar surface, with a greater thickness of polymer accumulating between the protuberances of the insulator than atop said protuberances. A mask is then applied, exposed and developed at selected regions where via holes are to be formed in the dielectric. A small amount of the polymer is etched, preferably in a plasma, to expose the insulator. Then the latter is etched to form the via holes. Accurately located via holes are formed, even if the mask is misaligned.