Abstract: In the process of sidewall image transfer, a vertical step is etched in some material and then a conformal layer of some other material is deposited over the step. By reactive ion etching the conformal material can be anisotropically etched which results in a sidewall spacer of the second material on the vertical surfaces of the step material. By removing the step material, the free standing spacer can then be used as a mask. One area in which improvement is desired is in the selectivity of the etch of the spacer to the material immediately below it. Because of the limited number of materials and reactive ion etching gases it is difficult to avoid an etch in the underlying layer as the sidewall spacer is formed. A suitable etch stop is employed beneath the step material to avoid the problem. Because of the usual technology, the spacer material is plasma deposited silicon nitride and the step material is photoresist. Polysilicon, aluminum or similar metal is employed as an etch stop, since it is not by a CF.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure which includes small area lateral bipolar and method for making the same is described. A semiconductor body, such as a monocrystalline silicon wafer, having surface regions thereof isolated from other such regions by a pattern of dielectric isolation is provided. At least two narrow widths PN junction regions are located within at least one of the surface regions. Each PN junction has a width dimension substantially that of its electrical contact. Substantially vertical conformal conductive layers electrically ohmic contact each of the PN junction regions. The PN junction regions are the emitter and collector regions for a lateral bipolar transistor. A base PN junction base region of an opposite conductivity is located between and contiguous to the emitter and the collector junctions.

Abstract: A semiconductor body having surface regions thereof isolated from other such regions by a pattern of dielectric isolation is provided. At least two narrow widths PN junction regions are located within at least one of the surface regions. Each PN junction has a width dimension substantially that of its electrical contact. Substantially vertical conformal conductive layers electrically ohmic contact each of the PN junction regions. The PN junction regions are the emitter and collector regions for a lateral bipolar transistor. A base PN junction region of an opposite conductivity is located between and contiguous to the emitter and the collector junctions. Substantially horizontal conductive layers are in electrical contact with an edge of each of the vertical conductive layers and separated from the surface regions by a first electrical insulating layer. A second insulating layer covers the conformal conductive layers.