Abstract: A method of forming a shadow layer on a wafer bevel region is provided. First, a substrate having the wafer bevel region and a central region is provided. Thereafter, an upper insulator and a lower insulator are provided. The upper insulator is disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. The lower insulator is disposed on a lower surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. A shadow layer is then formed on the upper surface which is not covered by the upper insulator and on the lower surface which is not covered by the lower insulator. Next, the upper insulator and the lower insulator are removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a shadow layer on a wafer bevel region is provided. First, a substrate having the wafer bevel region and a central region is provided. Thereafter, an upper insulator and a lower insulator are provided. The upper insulator is disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. The lower insulator is disposed on a lower surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. A shadow layer is then formed on the upper surface which is not covered by the upper insulator and on the lower surface which is not covered by the lower insulator. Next, the upper insulator and the lower insulator are removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure. First, a substrate is provided, and a gate oxide layer, a polysilicon layer, a silicide layer, and a cap layer are consecutively formed onto the substrate. Then, an etching process is performed to etch a portion of the cap layer, the silicide layer, and the polysilicon layer and stop on the polysilicon layer for forming a stacked gate. Thereafter, a portion of the silicide layer exposed on sidewalls of the stacked gate is removed to form a recess. A passivation layer is deposited to fill the recess. The remaining polysilicon layer and the gate oxide layer outside the sidewalls of the stacked gate structure are removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure. First, a substrate is provided, and a gate oxide layer, a polysilicon layer, a suicide layer, and a cap layer are consecutively formed onto the substrate. Then, an etching process is performed to etch a portion of the cap layer, the silicide layer, and the polysilicon layer and stop on the polysilicon layer for forming a stacked gate. Thereafter, a portion of the silicide layer exposed on sidewalls of the stacked gate is removed to form a recess. A passivation layer is deposited to fill the recess. The remaining polysilicon layer and the gate oxide layer outside the sidewalls of the stacked gate structure are removed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating interconnects is provided. First, a substrate having a dielectric layer and silicon-containing mask layer on the dielectric layer is provided. The dielectric layer is patterned to form an opening. Thereafter, a metallic glue layer is formed over the silicon-containing mask layer and the interior surfaces of the opening. A metallic layer is formed over the substrate to fill the opening and cover the metallic glue layer. A thermal treatment process is next carried out so that the metallic glue layer reacts with the silicon-containing mask layer to form a metal silicide layer. A portion of the metallic layer is removed to expose the metal silicide layer. A solution mixture containing hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, water and hydrofluoric acid is used to remove the metal silicide layer. The silicon-containing mask layer is also removed to expose the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating interconnects is provided. First, a substrate having a dielectric layer and silicon-containing mask layer on the dielectric layer is provided. The dielectric layer is patterned to form an opening. Thereafter, a metallic glue layer is formed over the silicon-containing mask layer and the interior surfaces of the opening. A metallic layer is formed over the substrate to fill the opening and cover the metallic glue layer. A thermal treatment process is next carried out so that the metallic glue layer reacts with the silicon-containing mask layer to form a metal silicide layer. A portion of the metallic layer is removed to expose the metal silicide layer. A solution mixture containing hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, water and hydrofluoric acid is used to remove the metal silicide layer. The silicon-containing mask layer is also removed to expose the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A cleaning method used in the fabrication of metallic interconnects is provided. A substrate having a conductive layer and a dielectric layer on the conductive layer is provided. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer. The opening exposes a portion of the conductive layer. The opening is cleaned using a mixture containing sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. In this invention, the mixture containing sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide provides an effective means of removing the residues within the opening so that the electrical conductivity of a subsequently formed contact is improved.