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:
Feb. 23, 1993
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1992
Applicant:
Inventors:
John E Cronin, Milton, VT (US);
Carter W Kaanta, Colchester, VT (US);
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
257752 ; 257758 ; 257774 ;
Abstract
A process is described which eliminates the need to account for mask alignment tolerances in forming vias for metallurgy by the use of a common vertical edge or common plane defined by a first mask representing a first level of interconnect. Subsequent masks for defining interconnecting vias and a second level of interconnect utilize at least one edge of the first mask pattern as a common element to define subsequent metal levels. The combination of an etch stop layer and an oversized second level mask enable the mask overlay to be eliminated.