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:
Apr. 29, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2002
Ailian Zhao, Austin, TX (US);
John A. Iacoponi, Austin, TX (US);
Thomas E. Spikes, Jr., Round Rock, TX (US);
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A method is provided to enhance endpoint detection during via etching in the processing of a semiconductor wafer. The method includes forming a first process layer and a second process layer above the first process layer. A first masking layer is formed above at least a portion of the second process layer, leaving an outer edge portion of at least the second process layer exposed. Thereafter, an etching process is used to remove the outer edge portion of the first and second layers. Once the etching is complete, the first masking layer is removed, and a second masking layer is formed above the second process layer. The second masking layer is patterned to expose portions of the first process layer, and then an etching process substantially removes the exposed portions of the first process layer to form the vias.