Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an integrated circuit comprising the following steps: preparing a semi-conductor substrate (1) with a contacting circuit area (SS); providing an insulating layer (IS) on the surface of the semi-conductor substrate (1): providing a contact hole (KL) in the insulating layer (IS) for making contacting the circuit area (SS); providing an insulating spacer area (10?) in at least the area above the contact hole (KL); providing at least three trenches (BG1; BG2; BG3), the first (BG1) of which is arranged next to the contact hole (KL), a second (BG2) is disposed across the contact hole (KL) and a third (BG3) is next to the contact hole (KL). The spacer area (10?) is placed between the first and the second trench (BG1; BG2) and the second and the third trench (BG2; BG3); filling the trenches (BG1; BG2; BG3) with a conductive material; and chemical-mechanical polishing of conductive material for producing three separated trenches (BL1; BL2; BL3).

Abstract: A method for reducing polymer deposition on vertical surfaces of metal lines etched from a metallization layer disposed above a substrate. The method includes forming a hard mask layer above the metallization layer and providing a photoresist mask above the hard mask layer. The method further includes employing the photoresist mask to form a hard mask from the hard mask layer. The hard mask has patterns therein configured to form the metal lines in a subsequent plasma-enhanced metallization etch. There is also included removing the photoresist mask. Additionally, there is included performing the plasma-enhanced metallization etch employing the hard mask and an etchant source gas that includes Cl2 and at least one passivation-forming chemical, wherein the plasma-enhanced metallization etch is performed without employing photoresist to reduce the polymer deposition during the plasma-enhanced metallization etch.