Abstract: A process for forming a capacitive structure that includes an upper layer having a first capacitor electrode section therein. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed adjacent the upper layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the first capacitor electrode section. A second capacitor electrode layer is formed adjacent the capacitor dielectric layer. The second capacitor electrode layer includes a second capacitor electrode section that at least partially covers the first capacitor electrode section, and which has an edge portion that extends beyond the underlying first capacitor electrode section. The capacitor dielectric layer being disposed between the first capacitor electrode section and the second capacitor electrode section. An upper dielectric layer is formed adjacent the second capacitor electrode section.

Abstract: A process for forming a capacitive structure that includes an upper layer having a first capacitor electrode section therein. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed adjacent the upper layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the first capacitor electrode section. A second capacitor electrode layer is formed adjacent the capacitor dielectric layer. The second capacitor electrode layer includes a second capacitor electrode section that at least partially covers the first capacitor electrode section, and which has an edge portion that extends beyond the underlying first capacitor electrode section. The capacitor dielectric layer being disposed between the first capacitor electrode section and the second capacitor electrode section. An upper dielectric layer is formed adjacent the second capacitor electrode section.

Abstract: A process for forming a capacitive structure that includes an upper layer having a first capacitor electrode section therein. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed adjacent the upper layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the first capacitor electrode section. A second capacitor electrode layer is formed adjacent the capacitor dielectric layer. The second capacitor electrode layer includes a second capacitor electrode section that at least partially covers the first capacitor electrode section, and which has an edge portion that extends beyond the underlying first capacitor electrode section. The capacitor dielectric layer being disposed between the first capacitor electrode section and the second capacitor electrode section. An upper dielectric layer is formed adjacent the second capacitor electrode section.

Abstract: A process for forming a capacitive structure that includes an upper layer having a first capacitor electrode section therein. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed adjacent the upper layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the first capacitor electrode section. A second capacitor electrode layer is formed adjacent the capacitor dielectric layer. The second capacitor electrode layer includes a second capacitor electrode section that at least partially covers the first capacitor electrode section, and which has an edge portion that extends beyond the underlying first capacitor electrode section. The capacitor dielectric layer being disposed between the first capacitor electrode section and the second capacitor electrode section. An upper dielectric layer is formed adjacent the second capacitor electrode section.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A vertically oriented metal circuit element is electrically connected and isolated between vertically separated conductors of interconnect layers in an integrated circuit. The methodology involves connecting a lower end of the metal element to the lower interconnect layer at the lower end of an opening in an inter-layer dielectric, preferably by simultaneously forming the metal element and connecting it to the conductor by vapor deposition. An upper end of the metal element initially extends above an upper surface of the inter-layer dielectric, and chemical mechanical polishing is employed to reduce the upper end to a level flush with the upper surface of the inter-layer dielectric. The flush upper end of the metal element allows it to be precisely spaced and covered with dielectric material to obtain predictable and reliable electrical isolation characteristics.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: The present invention applies a silicon nitride or the like as a mask over portions of a substrate, such as an active region, where oxide growth is undesired. Thereafter, without the formation of a recess in the substrate, a high pressure oxidation process is used to grow an oxide, preferably in a furnace. The oxide thus grows into the non-masked areas of the substrate, as well as over the silicon nitride used as a mask. Thereafter, a chemical-mechanical polish is used to etch away undesired oxide, with the silicon nitride being used as an endpoint to terminate the polish operation.

Abstract: A linear capacitor formed in an IC which has horizontally oriented interconnect layers that are vertically separated by dielectric material. Two separated metal plates of the capacitor are electrically connected to the conductors of different vertically-separated metal interconnect layers. The metal plates extend substantially vertically through the thicker dielectric material separating the interconnect layers, to provide a relatively high capacitance per unit of surface consumed. The interconnect layers to which the plates are connected are separated from a substrate of the IC by at least one layer of dielectric, to reduce parasitic effects. Forming the capacitor plates and the interconnect layers from at least some of the same metals simplifies construction and reduces cost, while providing linear response characteristics. Placing the capacitor between the interconnect layers avoids consuming space on the substrate to construct the capacitor.

Abstract: A method for planarizing the surface of a semiconductor device which employs spin on glass (SOG) and an etching operation to remove high portions of the SOG prior to a chemical metal polish (CMP) operation. The SOG is baked and cured before etching. Additional layers of SOG and etching operations may be employed as necessary. A thick encapsulating oxide layer is deposited over the SOG layer. For surface irregularities caused by metal lines, an insulating layer may be deposited over the surface before the SOG. Where an additional metal line is to be deposited on the surface, an additional insulating layer is deposited after the CMP operation. In the case of metal lines made of aluminum, provision is also made for preventing Hillock formations on the metal lines.

Abstract: A process for forming a titanium silicide local interconnect between electrodes separated by a dielectric insulator on an integrated circuit. A first layer of titanium is formed on the insulator, and a layer of silicon is formed on the titanium. The silicon layer is masked and etched to form a silicon strip connecting the electrodes, and an overlying second layer of titanium is formed over the silicon strip. The titanium and silicon are heated to form nonsilicidized titanium over a strip of titanium silicide, and the nonsilicidized titanium is removed.

Abstract: A method for forming an amorphous silicon programable element which requires less than about one square micron of area. The method includes the steps of forming a bottom conductor, depositing an interlayer dielectric above the bottom conductor, forming a via in the interlayer dielectric, depositing an anti-fuse layer above the bottom conductor within the via, and chemical vapor depositing a conductive plug above the anti-fuse layer and within the via. The method may additionally include the step of chemical vapor depositing a top conductor above the conductive plug.

Abstract: A process for forming a titanium silicide local interconnect between electrodes separated by a dielectric insulator on an integrated circuit. A first layer of titanium is formed on the insulator, and a layer of silicon is formed on the titanium. The silicon layer is masked and etched to form a silicon strip connecting the electrodes, and an overlying second layer of titanium is formed over the silicon strip. The titanium and silicon are heated to form nonsilicidized titanium over a strip of titanium silicide, and the nonsilicidized titanium is removed.

Abstract: A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

Abstract: A method for planarizing the surface of a semiconductor device which employs spin on glass (SOG) and an etching operation to remove high portions of the SOG prior to a chemical metal polish (CMP) operation. The SOG is baked and cured before etching. Additional layers of SOG and etching operations may be employed as necessary. A thick encapsulating oxide layer is deposited over the SOG layer. For surface irregularities caused by metal lines, an insulating layer may be deposited over the surface before the SOG. Where an additional metal line is to be deposited on the surface, an additional insulating layer is deposited after the CMP operation. In the case of metal lines made of aluminum, provision is also made for preventing Hillock formations on the metal lines.