Abstract: A new process for creating a transistor in an integrated circuit provides for two suicide formations, each independent of the other, from two metal depositions and formations steps. The process produces a sufficiently low resistance silicide layer over the source/drain region surfaces of the transistor while also creating a lower resistance silicide over the gate interconnects. In an example embodiment of the invention a near-planar isolation process is used applied such that the gate interconnect surfaces are co-planar. A first silicide layer is formed over the source/drain regions. A dielectric gap-fill material is applied. A planarization method such as chemical mechanical polishing is used to remove the gap fill material down to the top surface of the gate interconnect. A relatively thick suicide is then formed over the top surface of the gate interconnect.

Abstract: In a semiconductor substrate, a method of forming a shallow isolation trench having a doped sidewall is disclosed. A shallow trench having nearly vertical walls is formed in the semiconductor substrate. A doped silicon layer is selectively grown on a sidewall and a portion of the bottom of the trench. The dopant from the silicon layer is then driven into the substrate by a suitable method such as annealing. The trench is subsequently filled with a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of planarizing the surface of a silicon wafer of the type employing trench isolation is disclosed where the trenches and active areas of wafer surface may be of varying widths. The trenches and active areas are covered with a conformal coating of silicon oxide, and, according to one embodiment, this coating is subjected to an etch to leave sidewall spacers of oxide at the sidewalls of the trenches, then a second conformal coating of oxide is applied. A first layer of photoresist is applied to the face and patterned to leave photoresist only in the wider trenches. According to another embodiment the remaining photoresist of the first layer is reflowed by a heat treatment to account for any misalignment or the like. A second layer of photoresist is applied, then etched back to the conformal coating on the active areas, leaving some resist in narrow trenches.

Abstract: A planarization method utilizing three resist layers is disclosed. In a substrate where the surface geometry contains trenches or steps of constant height separated by varying distances, after a CVD oxidation layer is formed, a first resist layer (plugs) is formed in wide trenches. A second resist layer is formed on the substrate to provide a gross global planarization of the substrate, which is etched back until all of the resist is removed from the active areas. A third resist layer is then formed on the substrate to provide a near planar surface. All of the resist and CVD oxide is removed from the active areas.