Abstract: A resist mark comprising two layers of resist, one of which is saturated with a diluant which does not dissolve the other. In one embodiment, the two layers of resist are applied upon a substrate, the first layer of which is more soluble in a developer. The second layer is said saturated resist and the first layer is non-saturated. This composite is preferably used to form a relief mask with recessed sidewalls used in lift-off processes.

Abstract: An etchant comprising a solution of hydrogen fluoride dissolved in an organic solvent such as glycerine. The solution is substantially free of unbound water and ammonium fluoride. The etchant is particularly suitable for removing silicon dioxide disposed atop a metallic silicide formed in a silicon semiconductor where the silicon may be exposed.

Abstract: A differential reactive ion etching process significantly reduces the reflectivity of silicon. The process takes place in a reactive ion etching tool, typically a diode-configured system employing ambient gases which react with the silicon.

Abstract: A silicon semiconductor device having contacts which include tantalum. The tantalum is useful in particular for fabricating Schottky barrier diodes having a low barrier height. The method includes: precleaning the silicon substrate prior to depositing the tantalum; depositing the tantalum at low pressure and low substrate temperature to avoid oxidation of the tantalum; and sintering the contact to reduce any interfacial charges and films remaining between the silicon and tantalum. When a metal which reacts with silicon during processing, such as aluminum, is used as interconnection metallurgy, a layer of chrome must be deposited between the tantalum and aluminum.

Abstract: A silicon semiconductor device having contacts which include tantalum. The tantalum is useful in particular for fabricating Schottky barrier diodes having a low barrier height. The method includes: precleaning the silicon substrate prior to depositing the tantalum; depositing the tantalum at low pressure and low substrate temperature to avoid oxidation of the tantalum; and sintering the contact to reduce any interfacial charges and films remaining between the silicon and tantalum. When a metal which reacts with silicon during processing, such as aluminum, is used as interconnection metallurgy, a layer of chrome must be deposited between the tantalum and aluminum.

Abstract: A resist mask comprising two layers of resist, one of which is saturated with a dilutant which does not dissolve the other. In one embodiment, the two layers of resist are applied upon a substrate, the first layer of which is more soluble in a developer. The second layer is said saturated resist and the first layer is non-saturated. This composite is preferably used to form a relief mask with recessed sidewalls used in lift-off processes.

Abstract: A method for forming thin film interconnection patterns atop substrates, particularly semiconductor substrates. It features the use of the passivation layer itself, typically glass, as a stable masking material to etch the conductive lines. Conversely, the metal conductor is used as a stable mask in etching the glass to form via holes. The process provides a practical resist system which is compatible with reactive ion etching or other dry etching process.

Abstract: A resist mask comprising two layers of resist, one of which is saturated with a dilutant which does not dissolve the other. In one embodiment, the two layers of resist are applied upon a substrate, the first layer of which is more soluble in a developer. The second layer is said saturated resist and the first layer is non-saturated. This composite is preferaly used to form a relief mask with recessed sidewalls used in lift-off processes.

Abstract: A method for making ion implanted resistors in conjunction with transistors and other devices within an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate. The implantation of the resistors is done after a predeposition diffusion of the base region of the transistors but prior to the base drive-in step. The subsequent emitter thermal diffusion, or annealing step in the case of ion implanted emitters, consitutes the annealing step for the ion implanted resistor regions.

Abstract: A method for forming adjacent impurity regions of differing conductivities in a semiconductor substrate without using lithography. N type impurities of a first conductivity are introduced into the substrate to form first impurity regions. The substrate is then oxidized to create a mask having a thickness which is greater over the N type impurity regions than over the remainder of the substrate. A portion of the masking layer is then removed, preferably by dip-etching, to a depth which is sufficient to re-expose the substrate only. Impurities of a second conductivity are then introduced in the substrate adjacent the N type impurity regions, with the remaining portion of the mask protecting the N type impurity regions from introduction of the second impurities therein.

Abstract: A complex test structure for integrated, semiconductor circuits in which the impurity regions of the test device are elongated, preferably in serpentine fashion. The elongated impurity regions emulate corresponding regions in regular integrated circuit devices. Additional regions are provided, each in elongated form, which, when impressed with appropriate voltages or currents, provide indications of defect levels and product yield in the regular devices. Advantageously, the serpentine test structure is fabricated on the same wafer and with the same process steps as the regular integrated circuit chips. In one embodiment, a plurality of such monitors are provided adjacent each other in the same test site. Regions in one monitor are selectively connected to regions in another monitor and to external contact pads by contact stations disposed between each monitor.

Abstract: A method for fabricating self-aligned regions of semiconductor devices such as bipolar or field effect transistors using three masking layers which are selectively etchable with respect to each other on the surface of the semiconductor body. A dimensional mask is deposited over the three layers so that the set of all of the self-aligned impurity regions to be formed through the surface of the body are defined by etching the upper masking layer, with the intermediate layer acting as an etch-stop. Using conventional wet or dry resist processes, each subset of similar impurity regions may then be formed selectively through the intermediate and lower layers without the need for precisely aligning any subsequent mask.

Abstract: A method of forming extremely small impurity regions within other impurity regions without the need for providing critical masks. In the preferred embodiment this is achieved by forming an undercut band within masking layers atop a substrate to define a first impurity region, such as the base region of a bipolar transistor. After this region is formed by the introduction of impurities, the undercut is filled-in by a chemical vapor deposition process. A blocking mask may then be used for the formation of the second impurity region, in this case the emitter, within the first region. The window of the second region is defined by the filled-in band, thereby insuring a selected distance between the peripheries of said first and second impurity regions. The same mask may also be used to form other self-aligned regions with the first region.

Abstract: Isolating the anode shield of RF sputtering apparatus from the ground potential reduces the grounded surfaces to which the plasma is exposed and thereby increases the impedance between the plasma and the grounded surfaces. This improvement increases the resputtering rate significantly before the operating point of instability in the system is reached.

Abstract: A method for fabricating microminiature, planar semiconductor devices in which the number of defects, in particular, pipes, is minimized. The thicknesses of the thermally grown silicon dioxide and of the silicon nitride masking layers which are used for the formation of limited impurity regions by high temperature diffusion processes within the semiconductor substrate have a specified, limited range. The thickness of the silicon dioxide is between 800A - 3000A and the thickness of the silicon nitride is between around 250A and 600A, preferably 500A. The method is particularly useful in forming extremely small emitter regions in bipolar transistors.

Abstract: A polyimide mask is used as an undercoat for a standard resist material during the patterning of an underlying thin film layer by plasma etching. The polyimide mask can withstand the conditions of reactive ion (plasma) etching so that it can be used as a protective coating when the thin film is subtractively etched by the plasma etching. The polyimide is particularly useful in processes using either positive or negative electron beam lithography which require sensitive resists.

Abstract: A method for forming coplanar thin films, particularly conductor-insulator patterns, on a substrate. A pattern which includes a first thin film and an expendable material deposited thereon is formed on the substrate. The expendable material is selected so that it can be selectively removed by an etchant which does not attack the first thin film or an insulator which is to be deposited. The second thin film is deposited by RF sputtering at a bias which is sufficiently high to cause substantial reemission of the second film. This results in the covering of the exposed substrate surfaces and the upper surface of the material with the second film but leaving the side surfaces of the material exposed. The expendable material is then chemically etched so as to lift-off both the material and the second film deposited thereon, thereby leaving a coplanar pattern of first and second thin films.

Abstract: A circuit package exhibiting an excellent heat transfer path from a semiconductor chip or other heat-generating device to the heat-sink can or cover of the package. A heat-conducting pad is metallurgically bonded to either said cover or a surface of said device; the pad is also separably attached, but metallurgically unbonded, to the other. In one preferred embodiment, a readily deformable metal or alloy, such as indium, is metallurgically bonded to a limited central region of the heat sink cover. The deformable metal is separably attached to a major surface of the chip so that there is no stress between the chip or its joints and the solder during the electrical operation of the chip when it generates heat. The preferred method of fabrication involves the mechanical deformation of a mass of solder against the back side of the chip, after the solder has been metallurgically bonded to heat sink.

Abstract: An integrated logic circuit having a novel layout in a semiconductor substrate. The area required for the circuits within the substrate is substantially less than that of prior layouts. Each circuit includes a first device including an elongated impurity region and a set of other impurity regions either in, or in contiguous relationship with, the elongated region; to form a set of diode junctions. The elongated region is capable of containing a predetermined maximum number of the other impurity regions. A second device is located adjacent the narrow side of said first device. A first set of first level conductors extends over the elongated region orthogonally with respect to the elongated direction and are interconnected to selected ones of the other impurity regions. Another conductor is a second level atop the substrate is connected to an impurity region of the second device and extends substantially parallel to the elongated direction.

Abstract: A method for forming self-aligned via holes which are used to interconnect levels of thin films atop substrates. A first level thin film pattern, typically comprising raised metallic stripes, is formed atop the substrate. A first level dielectric material is then deposited in blanket fashion so that the topology of the insulator conforms to the topology of the pattern. Next, a material such as polymer is deposited which tends to form a planar surface, with a greater thickness of polymer accumulating between the protuberances of the insulator than atop said protuberances. A mask is then applied, exposed and developed at selected regions where via holes are to be formed in the dielectric. A small amount of the polymer is etched, preferably in a plasma, to expose the insulator. Then the latter is etched to form the via holes. Accurately located via holes are formed, even if the mask is misaligned.