Method for minimizing product turn-around time for making semiconductor permanent store rom cell

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a ROM device includes a semiconductor substrate having an array of field-effect transistors within a ROM region. A first dielectric layer covers the array of field-effect transistors. All of the field-effect transistors are initially in an “ON” state having a threshold voltage at a first value. At least one layer of metal interconnection is formed over the first dielectric layer within the ROM region and Is covered by a second dielectric layer. A coding photoresist layer is formed on the second dielectric layer and patterned to form a plurality of apertures defining exposure windows. Using the patterning coding photoresist layer as a dielectric etching and implantation hard mask, the underlying field-effect transistors to be coded permanently to a logic “OFF” state through the apertures, thereby raising the threshold voltage of the field-effect transistors to a second value.