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:
May. 22, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1999
Hung-Ju Chien, Hsin-Chu, TW;
Yuan-Hung Chiu, Taipei, TW;
Wen-Kung Cheng, Foufen, TW;
Yin-Lang Wang, Tai chung, TW;
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Hsin-Chu, TW;
Abstract
A new method of forming a plasma-enhanced silicon-rich oxynitride layer having improved uniformity across the wafer in terms of layer thickness, refractivity, and reflectivity by using argon as the inert carrier gas is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided which may include semiconductor device structures. An Argon-based silicon-rich oxynitride etch stop layer is deposited overlying the semiconductor substrate. An oxide layer is deposited overlying the Argon-based silicon-rich oxynitride etch stop layer. An opening is etched through the oxide layer stopping at the Argon-based silicon-rich oxynitride etch stop layer. Thereafter, the Argon-based silicon-rich oxynitride etch stop layer within the opening is removed. The opening is filled with a conducting layer. This Argon-based silicon-rich oxynitride layer has improved uniformity across the wafer in terms of layer thickness, refractivity, and reflectivity as compared with a helium-based silicon-rich oxynitride layer.