Abstract: Fabrication of copper damascene interconnects includes depositing an oxide layer atop an underlying conductive layer such as a substrate or a metal layer, which is then patterned and etched. A barrier layer having an optional copper seed layer is then deposited atop the patterned oxide layer. The barrier layer is patterned and etched to remove some of the barrier material. Copper is plated atop the barrier layer. CMP polishing is performed to bring the copper layer to the level of the barrier layer. Polishing is continued to further polish down the barrier layer and any remaining copper to the level of the oxide layer. The result is a dishing-free copper damascene structure.

Abstract: An etch stop layer (22) for permitting distinguishing between two similar layers (20, 24), such as two oxide layers, during etching is provided. The etch stop layer comprises a silicon-oxyhalide polymer, preferably a silicon-oxyfluoride polymer. Use of the polymer as an etch stop layer permits closer placement of metal conductor surfaces (12, 12') and contacts (14').

Abstract: An etch stop player (22) for permitting distinguishing between two similar layers (20, 24), such as two oxide layers, during etching is provided. The etch stop layer comprises a silicon-oxyhalide polymer, preferably a silicon-oxyfluoride polymer. Use of the polymer as an etch stop layer permits closer placement of metal conductor surfaces (12, 12') and contacts (14').

Abstract: A low resistance interconnect structure for integrated circuits formed by a composite layer of aluminum below and an amorphous compound of refractory metal and silicon above. In the process of manufacturing the interconnect structure, care must be taken so that an aluminum oxide layer is not formed between the aluminum and compound layers.

Abstract: A process is provided for doping both sidewalls (26, 28) of isolation trenches (24, 26, 28) and connector regions (46, 48) between sources (58) and gate areas (62) and between drains (60) and gate areas in silicon CMOS devices. Appropriately doped glasses (16, 18, 30) formed on the silicon substrate (14) serve as the source of doping.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned, planarized configuration for EPROM elements (66). The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower. The EPROM element comprises source (18) and drain (20) regions separated by a gate region (22) and is characterized by the gate region comprising two separate gates, a floating gate (40g) and a control gate (58), capacitively coupled together. The floating gate is formed on a gate oxide (38) over the substrate (16) and the gates are separated from each other and from the source and drain contacts by a dielectric (56). The EPROM element has two threshold voltages, one related to the operation of a "normal" MOS transistor and the other related to a "programmed" threshold, following programming of the transistor. Sensing the threshold voltage of the device permits a determination to be made whether the device is programmed.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned, planarized configuration for transistors (14), with self-aligned interconnections (46c). The process of the invention permits high packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower. A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defines the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each other and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating transistors (14), contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) and interconnections (46c) in a novel self-aligned configuration. The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration is also planarized. A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defined the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each to each and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided to fabricate interconnections (46c) in transistors (14) having self-aligned, planarized contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned configuration. The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.n and lower.A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defines the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each other and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating transistors (14), contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) and interconnections (46c) in a novel self-aligned configuration. The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower. In a preferred embodiment, the configuration is also planarized.A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defines the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each other and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned, planarized configuration for transistors (14), with self-aligned interconnections (46c). The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower.A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defines the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each other and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided to fabricate interconnections (46c) in transistors (14) having self-aligned, planarized contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned configuration. The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower.A unique combination of masks in conjunction with a multi-layer structure (28) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer (16), the multi-layer structure including a buried etch-stop layer therein (28b), defines the source (18), gate (22), and drain (20) elements and their geometry relative to each other and to interconnects. Polysilicon plug (40, 46) contacts through slots in the multi-structure layer permit vertical contact to be made to the various elements. Silicidation (56) of the polysilicon plugs reduces series resistance in the vertical direction and permits strapping of N.sup.+ and p.sup.+ polysilicon plugs.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for fabricating contacts (46s, 40g, 46d) in a novel, completely self-aligned, planarized configuration for EPROM elements (66). The process of the invention permits higher packing densities, and allows feature distances to approach 0.5 .mu.m and lower. The EPROM element comprises source (18) and drain (20) regions separated by a gate region (22) and is characterized by the gate region comprising two separate gates, a floating gate (40g) and a control gate (58), capacitively coupled together. The floating gate is formed on a gate oxide (38) over the substrate (16) and the gates are separated from each other and from the source and drain contacts by a dielectric (56). The EPROM element has two threshold voltages, one related to the operation of a "normal" MOS transistor and the other related to a "programmed" threshold, following programming of the transistor. Sensing the threshold voltage of the device permits a determination to be made whether the device is programmed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a highly planarized integrated circuit structure having deposited oxide portions planarized to the level of adjacent portions of the integrated circuit structure which comprises: deposition, over an integrated circuit structure having first portions at a height higher than the remainder of the integrated circuit structure, a conformal oxide layer; depositing a layer of a planarizing material such as polysilicon over the conformal oxide layer; polishing the structure a first time to expose the highest portions of the underlying conformal oxide layer; etching the structure a first time with an etchant system capable of removing the conformal oxide preferentially to the planarizing material; further polishing the structure a second time to remove planarizing material left from the first etching step; and then optionally etching the remainder of the structure to remove any remaining planarizing material and the remaining conformal oxide over the raised portions of the underlying i

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a highly planarized integrated circuit structure having deposited oxide portions planarized to the level of adjacent portions of the integrated circuit structure which comprises: depositing, over an integrated circuit structure having first portions at a height higher than the remainder of the integrated circuit structure, a conformal oxide layer having a thickness which exceeds the height of said first portions above the remainder of the integrated circuit structure; forming a patterned mask layer over said deposited oxide layer with one or more openings therein in registry with the higher height first portions of the integrated circuit structure; etching exposed portions of said conformal oxide layer through the mask openings down to a level approximately equal to the level of the unexposed portion of the conformal oxide layer; removing the mask layer; and polishing the oxide layer to remove raised portions of the conformal oxide layer remaining after the etching step to for

Abstract: An MOS structure and a method for making same, including the formation of el-shaped shielding members used to form one or more lightly doped drain regions to avoid short channel and punch-through problems is disclosed which comprises forming a shielding layer of an insulating material over a gate electrode on a substrate; forming another layer of a dissimilar material over the shielding layer; anisotropically etching the layer of dissimilar material to form spacer portions adjacent the sidewalls of the gate electrode; removing the portions of the shielding layer not masked by the spacer portions, leaving one or more el-shaped shielding members; removing the spacer portions; N+ or P+ implanting the substrate at a sufficiently low energy to prevent penetration of the dopant through the el-shaped shielding member to form a highly doped source/drain region in the substrate not shielded by the el-shaped shielding member or the gate electrode; N- or P- implanting the substrate at a sufficiently high energy to penet

Abstract: An improved short-channel field effect transistor including a standard tip implant type of source and drain each disposed in the surface of a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode positioned upon the substrate between the source and drain and control plugs disposed in the substrate and associated with and contiguous to the source and drain for eliminating substrate punch-through currents without substantially increasing the device junction capacitance.

Abstract: An improved topside sealing of integrated circuit devices is disclosed which provided for hermetically sealing the top surface of the device comprising depositing a sealing layer of a nitride compound directly on the surface to be sealed. In a preferred embodiment, a protective layer may then be deposited over the nitride layer without any intervening masking steps being necessary.

Abstract: An improved dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell circuit (46) having a charge amplifier is presented. The improvement comprises a bipolar amplification means (64) for amplifying a charge as it is read out of the memory cell (46). According to one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to a standard charge storage capacitor (50) and MOS transistor (48), the memory cell (46) also includes a write control line (60) and a second MOS transistor (62) for writing a "1" bit of information into the memory cell (46). These improvements require little or no additional space when used in a DRAM circuit and allow a reduction in the required capacitor area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having grooves of different depths for improved device isolation is presented. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first groove and a second groove provide isolation of devices within regions of different conductivity type. The first and second grooves are each shallower than the conductivity type region in which they reside. A third groove is formed between adjacent regions of different conductivity type. The third groove is deeper than both the first groove and the second groove and extends to a depth sufficient to penetrate the substrate of the semiconductor device. The third groove operates to prevent latch-up between devices in the adjacent well regions. Filler materials are used to fill the first, second and third grooves to improve their respective isolating characteristics.