Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including the steps of providing a metal component having a top surface, and providing a passivation layer over the metal component such that an outer layer of the passivation layer is substantially planar and does not extend below the top surface of the metal component.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method including the steps of providing a metal component having a top surface, and providing a passivation layer over the metal component such that an outer layer of the passivation layer is substantially planar and does not extend below the top surface of the metal component.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal component covered by a passivation layer, wherein the metal component has a top surface and the passivation layer includes an outer layer which is substantially planar. The outer layer of the passivation layer does not extend below the top surface of the metal component.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, including performing the following steps in the following sequence: providing a substrate including first and second gate regions separated by a trench formed in the substrate and growing a thin oxide layer on each of the first and second gate regions. The method further includes removing the thin oxide layer from the second gate region, and growing a thick oxide layer on the second gate region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device with Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) includes performing the following steps in the following sequence: providing a substrate comprising first and second gate regions separated by a trench formed in the substrate, wherein the trench is filled with an STI material. The method further includes depositing a sacrificial polysilicon layer covering the STI material; growing a thick oxide layer on the first and second gate regions; removing the thick oxide layer from the first gate region while leaving the thick oxide layer in the second gate region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a metal component covered by a passivation layer, wherein the metal component has a top surface and the passivation layer includes an outer layer which is substantially planar. The outer layer of the passivation layer does not extend below the top surface of the metal component.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device with Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) includes performing the following steps in the following sequence: providing a substrate comprising first and second gate regions separated by a trench formed in the substrate, wherein the trench is filled with an STI material. The method further includes depositing a sacrificial polysilicon layer covering the STI material; growing a thick oxide layer on the first and second gate regions; removing the thick oxide layer from the first gate region while leaving the thick oxide layer in the second gate region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, including performing the following steps in the following sequence: providing a substrate including first and second gate regions separated by a trench formed in the substrate and growing a thin oxide layer on each of the first and second gate regions. The method further includes removing the thin oxide layer from the second gate region, and growing a thick oxide layer on the second gate region.