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:
Jun. 12, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 01, 1999
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
A semiconductor processing method of forming an electrically conductive contact plug relative to a wafer includes, a) providing a substrate to which electrical connection is to be made; b) depositing a layer of first material atop the substrate to a selected thickness; c) pattern masking the first material layer for formation of a desired contact opening therethrough; d) etching through the first material layer to form a contact opening therethrough for making electrical connection with the substrate, the contact opening having an outermost region; e) after etching to form the contact opening, removing the masking from the first material layer; f) after removing the masking from the first material layer, facet sputter etching into the first material layer relative to the contact opening to provide outwardly angled sidewalls which effectively widen the contact opening outermost region, the outwardly angled sidewalls having an inner base where they join with the original contact opening; g) depositing a layer of conductive material atop the wafer and to within the facet etched contact opening to fill the contact opening; and h) etching the conductive material and first material layer inwardly to at least the angled sidewalls' inner base to define an electrically conductive contact plug which electrically connects with the substrate.