Abstract: A new method of local oxidation using an additional source/drain implantation to protect the area from crystalline defects and thereby reduce junction leakage is achieved. A pad silicon oxide layer is provided over the surface of a silicon substrate. A silicon nitride layer followed by a silicon dioxide layer is deposited overlying the pad silicon oxide layer. Portions of the silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and pad silicon oxide layers not covered by a mask are etched away to provide an opening to the silicon substrate where the field oxidation region is to be formed. Silicon nitride spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the opening. Channel-stop ions are selectively implanted through the opening into the substrate underneath the opening. The silicon substrate is oxidized within the opening to form the field oxidation region. Stress-generated crystalline defects are formed underlying the field oxidation region at the edges of the opening. The silicon nitride spacers are removed.

Abstract: A new method of metal deposition in an integrated circuit is described. Semiconductor device structures are provided in and on a semiconductor substrate. At least one patterned conductive layer is provided for contacting the active elements of the device structures. The surface of the patterned conductive layer structure is irregular with horizontal and vertical components. An insulating layer is provided over the irregular structure patterned conductive layer. The insulator layer is covered with at least one spin-on-glass layer to fill the valleys of the irregular structure. The spin-on-glass layer is baked and cured, then covered with a second insulator layer. The spin-on-glass and two insulator layers are etched to provide openings to the patterned conductive layer wherein the etching is performed at low temperature so as to decrease the possibility of device degradation. The exposed spin-on-glass layer within the openings is degassed at a high temperature.

Abstract: This invention deals with the formation of the multi-level electrode metal structure and the interconnecting inter-level metal studs used in the fabrication of VLSI circuits. After the metal layers have been formed the inter-level dielectric material used in forming the structure is etched away leaving an air dielectric between the levels. The electrode metal and the inter-level metal studs are coated with a thin envelope oxide and the entire structure is covered with a passivation layer using material with a poor step coverage. The structure of this invention provides reduced parasitic capacitance, better step coverage in interconnecting layers, and improved circuit performance.

Abstract: A first thin silicon oxide layer is formed the surface of a silicon substrate. A silicon nitride layer is deposited overlying said first thin silicon oxide layer. Portions of the silicon nitride layer and the first thin silicon oxide layer not covered by a mask pattern are etched through to the silicon substrate to provide a plurality of wide and narrow openings exposing portions of the silicon substrate that will form the device isolation regions. A layer of aluminum is deposited overlying the patterned nitride and first thin silicon oxide layers. A first layer of silicon oxide is deposited overlying the aluminum layer. The substrate is annealed whereby the aluminum layer reacts with the exposed portions of the silicon substrate within the openings to form an aluminum-silicon alloy wherein the alloy forms trenches into the surface of said substrate.

Abstract: A first insulating layer is deposited over the surface of a silicon substrate. Those portions of the first insulating layers not covered by a mask pattern are etched through to the silicon substrate so as to provide a plurality of wide and narrow openings exposing portions of the silicon substrate that will form the device isolation regions. A second insulating layer is deposited overlying the patterned first insulating layer. A layer of an aluminum-silicon alloy is deposited overlying the second insulating layer. The aluminum-silicon layer is etched away whereby silicon nodules are formed on the surface of the second insulating layer. The second insulating layer is etched through to the first insulating layer where it exists and to the silicon substrate surface where the substrate is exposed within the wide and narrow openings. A first set of narrow trenches is etched into the exposed portions of the silicon substrate within the wide and narrow openings using the silicon nodules as a mask.