Abstract: A method for forming metal interconnection structure is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate is provided, the substrate has a first silicon nitride layer formed thereon, and a first inter-metal layer formed on the surface of the first stop layer. The first inter-metal layer is etched to form an opening in the inter-metal layer using the first photoresist. A second silicon nitride layer is formed. A dielectric layer is formed. A second inter-metal layer is formed. The second inter-metal layer is etched using the second photoresist. The third silicon nitride layer is formed. The third layer is etched back. The dielectric layer is removed. The third stop layer, the second silicon, nitride layer and the first stop layer are etched. The barrier layer is deposited into a via trench. The trenches are filled by a metal layer. Finally, the metal layer is planarized.

Abstract: A method for reducing salicide lateral growth. A substrate having a gate structure and an anti-reflection layer on the gate structure is provided. A spacer is formed on the side wall of the gate structure and the anti-reflection layer. Then, the anti-reflection layer is removed to expose the gate structure; wherein the gate structure and the spacers together form a recess structure. A salicide layer is formed on the gate structure in the recess structure and on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure includes a pad oxide layer and a hard masking layer are sequentially formed over a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate by patterning over the substrate. Then, the hard masking layer is removed to expose the pad oxide layer. An insulating layer is formed over the substrate to fill the trench. Using the pad oxide layer as a polishing stop, a CMP process is performed to polish the insulating layer until the pad oxide layer is exposed. The remained pad oxide within the trench is simultaneously planarized to have a planar top surface without dishing and microscratch. After the pad oxide is removed, the STI structure is accomplished.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a STI structure includes a pad oxide layer and a hard masking layer are sequentially formed over a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate by patterning over the substrate. A liner oxide layer is formed over a side-wall of the trench in the substrate. An isolating layer by APCVD and an isolating layer by HDPCVD are sequentially formed over the substrate, in which the height of the CVD isolating layer within the trench is lower than the height of the hard masking layer. A CMP process is performed, using the hard masking layer as a polishing stop. The hard masking layer and the pad oxide layer are removed to accomplish the STI structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a via that uses a hard etching mask for etching the via. A photoresist layer used to pattern the hard etching mask is removed before starting the via etching. The hard etching mask includes a TiN etching mask, a silicon nitride etching mask, and a oxide/TiN etching mask. For each different etching mass, the TiN etching mask is not necessarily removed after etching; the silicon nitride etching mask is removed after etching; the oxide layer in the oxide/TiN etching mask is sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a STI structure includes a pad oxide layer and a hard masking layer first formed over a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate. A first insulating layer is formed over the substrate. The surface of the first insulating layer within the trench is be between the hard masking layer surface and the semiconductor substrate surface. An insulating cap layer is formed over the first insulating layer with a hardness at least about as large as the hard masking layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the insulating cap layer. A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is performed, using the hard masking layer as a polishing stop, to planarize over the substrate. A process of dipping the substrate into a HF acid solution is performed to remove the hard masking layer and the pad oxide layer, in which the process also simultaneously removes the remaining second insulating layer and the remaining insulating cap layer.

Abstract: A method for etching metal which can increase the metal-to-photoresist etching selectivity of a metal layer aimed to be etched with respect to a photoresist layer overlaying the metal layer. The method includes a first step of forming a cap oxide layer over the metal layer; a second step of forming a photoresist layer with a desired pattern over the cap oxide layer; a third step of conducting an ion implantation process on the photoresist layer; and a final step of conducting an etching process on the semiconductor wafer by using the photoresist layer as a mask so as to etch away exposed portions of the metal layer that are uncovered by the photoresist layer. Through experiments, it is found that the invention provides a significantly improved etching selectivity over the prior art.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a CMOS. A substrate is provided, wherein the substrate has a first conductive-type well, a second conductive-type well, an isolation structure formed therein, a first gate electrode on the second conductive-type well and a second gate electrode on the first conductive-type well. The first conductive-type well and the second conductive-type well are partly isolated from each other by the isolation structure. A first offset spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first and the second gate electrodes and a second offset spacer on a sidewall of the first offset spacer, wherein a portion of the first offset spacer extends on a surface of the substrate and the second offset spacer is on the portion of the first offset spacer. A first LDD region having the first conductive type is formed in a portion of the second conductive-type well exposed by the first gate electrode, the first offset spacer and the second offset spacer.

Abstract: A method for forming electrostatic discharge protection devices that includes the steps of forming a transistor, which comprises a gate, a source region, a drain region, on a semiconductor substrate. Then, an insulating layer is formed over the transistor. Next, the insulating layer above the gate is removed, which represents one characteristic of this invention. Subsequently, a photolithographic processing operation is performed to form a photoresist layer over the substrate. The photoresist layer covers the insulating layer above the gate and the drain region while exposing the insulating layer above the source region. Thereafter, using the photoresist layer as a mask, the exposed insulating layer above the source region is removed. Next, the photoresist layer is removed. Finally, a self-aligned silicide processing operation is performed to form a silicide layer over the gate and the source region.