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:
Aug. 19, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2001
Viktor Zekeriya, Atherton, CA (US);
Khanh Tran, Milpitas, CA (US);
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A method of forming a thin film resistor contact incorporates an etch-stop material to protect the underlying thin film resistor from a subsequent dry etching process to form a contact opening to the thin film resistor. More specifically, the method includes forming a thin film resistor, forming a first dielectric layer over the thin film resistor, forming a first opening through the first dielectric layer to expose an underlying portion of the thin film resistor, forming an etch-stop within the first opening of the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the etch-stop and the first dielectric layer, forming a second opening through the second dielectric layer to expose the underlying portion of the etch-stop, and forming a metal plug within the second contact opening, wherein the metal plug is in electrical contact with the thin film resistor by way of the etch-stop. Alternatively, in the case of an insulating etch-stop, the second opening through the dielectric layer is through the etch-stop, and forming a metal plug within the second contact opening, wherein the metal plug is in direct electrical contact with the thin film resistor.