Abstract: A reduction in defects and lateral encroachment is obtained by utilizing a high pressure oxidation in conjunction with an oxidizable layer conformally deposited over an oxidation mask. The use of high pressure oxidation provides for the formation of LOCOS oxide without the formation of defects. Any native oxide present on the substrate surface is removed by using a ramped temperature deposition process to form oxidizable layer and/or a high temperature anneal is performed to remove the native oxide at the substrate surface. In this embodiment, any oxide which can act as a pipe for oxygen diffusion is removed. Therefore, nominal or no lateral encroachment is exhibited.

Abstract: A method for forming an electron emitter layer wherein the electron emitter layer comprises a plurality of elemental conductive materials that etch at dis-similar rates to provide a structure with an edge exhibiting a geometric discontinuity of small radius of curvature.

Abstract: A method for forming a field emission device. The method includes steps which utilize sidewall spacer formation techniques. The sidewall spacer(s) are employed to properly orient the various conductive elements of the field emission device.

Abstract: A method of forming planar isolation regions in semiconductor structures includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming a semiconductor layer thereon. A dielectric layer comprising at least two different dielectric materials is disposed on the semiconductor layer and a trench is etched therethrough and into the semiconductor layer. Dielectric sidewalls are formed in the trench which is then filled by selectively forming depositing polycrystalline silicon therein. The semiconductor material is then at least partially oxidized to form the planar isolation region. The isolation regions disclosed herein may be used for both intradevice and interdevice isolation.

Abstract: A method is described for planarizing isolated regions (12) and active regions (22) of a semiconductor wafer (10). Semiconductor wafer (10) is provided with islands of dielectric (12) that cover portions of the semiconductor wafer (10), while leaving other portions of the semiconductor wafer (10) exposed. The dielectric islands (12) have a polysilicon layer (13) that covers the dielectric islands' (12) top surface. A blanket layer of silicon is deposited on the polysilicon layer (13) that covers the top surface of the dielectric islands and is deposited between the dielectric islands (12). Planarizing the blanket layer of epitaxial silicon is achieved by a chemical-mechanical means, thereby producing a planar surface of isolated areas (12) and active areas (22).

Abstract: A method of fabrication of a device having laterally isolated semiconductor regions. In a preferred embodiment, laterally isolated polysilicon features are created with vertical, nitride-sealed sidewalls. The nitride-sealed sidewalls formed using sidewall spacer technology eliminate oxide encroachment while further preventing the loss of dopant laterally during thermal processing. The final structure comprises polysilicon features flanked by either oxide isolation or additional polysilicon features and is planar without requiring a planarization etchback. The process is applicable to polysilicon electrodes over active areas as well as polysilicon resistors over isolation oxide.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure having self-aligned diffused junctions is provided wherein a first dielectric layer, a doped semiconductor layer and a second dielectric layer are formed on a semiconductor substrate. An opening extending to the semiconductor substrate is then formed through these layers. Undoped semiconductor spacers are formed in the opening adjacent to the exposed ends of the doped semiconductor layer and dopant is diffused from the doped semiconductor layer through the undoped semiconductor spacers and into the semiconductor substrate to form junctions therein. This provides for integrated contacts through the doped semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating multiple trench semiconductor structures wherein a preferred embodiment includes forming an epitaxial silicon layer on a silicon substrate and a dielectric layer on the epitaxial silicon layer. An opening is then formed which extends through the dielectric layer and into the epitaxial silicon layer. Sidewall spacers are formed in the opening and an oxide lens is formed in the opening between the sidewall spacers. The sidewall spacers are then removed and trenches are formed in the opening where the sidewall spacers were formerly disposed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming a thermal oxide layer, a polysilicon layer and a first dielectric layer on a substrate and using a mask to form at least one opening therein. Dielectric spacers are then formed in the opening and a trench having a self-aligned reduction in width due to the dielectric spacers is etched into the substrate beneath the opening. A dielectric trench liner is then formed prior to filling the trench with polysilicon. A second mask is then used to form isolation element openings in the first dielectric layer in which shallow isolation elements are formed.