Abstract: A method is provided for forming multi-layer spacer (MLS) for flash EEPROM devices. A composite tetraethyl orthosilicate-silicon nitride (TEOS/Si3N4) layer is deposited over the floating gate and anisotropically etched to form the MLS. The resulting MLS is better controlled dimensionally with the attendant advantage, therefore, of better definition of gate and channel lengths in the memory cell for more predictable and better programming and erase performance of EEPROMs.

Abstract: Within a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) method there is first provided a first control substrate, a first series of product substrates and a second control substrate. There is then sequentially chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarized, while employing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method, the first control substrate to provide a planarized first control substrate, the first series of product substrates to provide a planarized first series of product substrates and the second control substrate to provide a planarized second control substrate. There is then determined, for the planarized first control substrate and the planarized second control substrate, a corresponding first value of a parameter within the chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method and a corresponding second value of the parameter within the chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing method.

Abstract: A method for forming an IPO between two polysilicon layers that produces an oxide of superior uniformity and eliminates undercutting, stringer formation, fringe electric fields and plasma damage. The method modifies the prior art by using a densified TEOS mask to allow etching away of the substrate oxide and allow the selective etch of a subsequent non-densified TEOS layer. A high temperature thermal oxide (HTO) then covers the resulting formation. The thickness of the second TEOS layer can be controlled to prevent field fringing and the underlying HTO layer prevents undercutting and stringer formation.

Abstract: A plasma etch method for forming a patterned layer first employs a substrate having formed therover a blanket microelectronic layer. There is also formed over the blanket microelectronic layer a patterned mask layer. There is then etched, while employing a first plasma etch method which employs the patterned mask layer as an etch mask layer, the blanket microelectronic layer to form a partially etched blanket microelectronic layer. There is then etched, while employing a second plasma etch method which employs the patterned mask layer as an etch mask layer, the partially etched blanket microelectronic layer to form a patterned microelectronic layer. Within the present invention, the first plasma etch method employs a higher bias voltage than the second plasma etch method.

Abstract: A method of forming a layer of top level metal within a semiconductor bonding pad that eliminates the formation of surface pitting and surface corrosion that using Prior Art occur due to the presence of minor traces of copper or silicon in that surface. A layer of pure aluminum is deposited on top of the first level metal surface, this level of pure aluminum prevents the occurrence of surface pitting and surface corrosion.

Abstract: A method for eliminating metal line corrosion for semiconductor packages where exposed metal lines are exposed to the atmosphere for an extended period of time. A passivation layer is deposited over the active die of the semiconductor package, a layer of polymer film is deposited over the passivation layer and over the exposed conducting lines. At the time that the semiconductor package must be tested, including testing for corrosion of the exposed metal lines, the polymer layer is removed and the molding compound is applied. The semiconductor package is now tested. The added step of depositing a layer of polymer film has protected the interconnecting conducting lines from corrosion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring bubble formation in and over a spin-on glass(SOG) layer during the CVD deposition of a superjacent insulative layer is described wherein a monitor wafer is processed either with or without a metal pattern. After a SOG layer has been deposited and cured, a layer of silicon oxide is deposited over it by CVD. If bubbles are formed during the silicon oxide deposition step as a result of out-gassing of the SOG layer, they are entrapped at or near the SOG/silicon oxide interface. The silicon oxide layer is then subjected to a buffered HF etch which exposes the bubbles either by opening them up by eroding the SOG layer underneath the oxide layer or by bringing the surface of the silicon oxide layer closer to the entrapped bubbles, thereby decorating them to make them visible to a white light scanning tool. The monitor wafer is initially scanned just prior to the SOG deposition to obtain a reference scan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of semiconductor devices and more particularly to a new method for avoiding abnormal via holes when Spin On Glass, SOG, is used as a means of planarizing an interlevel metal interconnect structure. The invention addresses the problem of locations of micro bubbles in a SOG layer that can lead to seams, voids and a ragged surface topology which, in turn, can make it very difficult to eventually etch well formed via holes at such locations. The invention details a new etch back method that solves the above problem by properly smoothing the micro bubble locations. This new method includes a sequence of anisotropic and isotropic etching steps that are used to partially etch back the cured SOG layer in order to achieve a planarized surface while also smoothing the micro bubble locations in the cured SOG layer.

Abstract: A method for forming a CMOS image sensor spacer structure. A polysilicon gate electrode is formed on a substrate; a thin layer of first dielectric is deposited over the exposed surfaces of the gate electrode and the top of the substrate. Next a second layer of dielectric is deposited after which etching is performed to create the electrode spacer. The deposited second layer of dielectric serves as an etch stop and prevents damage to the substrate surface between spacers of the gate electrodes. An alternate method uses a thin ply layer as the stop layer and, in so doing, source/drain damage caused by the white pixel problem.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming multi-layer spacer GELS) for flash EEPROM devices. A composite tetraethyl orthosilicate-silicon nitride (TEOS/Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) layer is deposited over the floating gate and anisotropically etched to form the MLS. The resulting MLS is better controlled dimensionally with the attendant advantage, therefore, of better definition of gate and channel lengths in the memory cell for more predictable and better programming and erase performance of EEPROMS.

Abstract: A flash EPROM device includes a floating gate electrode with a top surface and sidewalls is formed on a gate oxide layer covering a semiconductor substrate. A polyoxide cap layer is formed on the top surface of the floating gate electrode. A blanket tunnel oxide layer covers the cap layer, the sidewalls of the floating gate electrode, and the exposed surfaces of the gate oxide layer. A spacer structure is formed on the surface of the tunnel oxide layer adjacent to the sidewalls of the floating gate electrode and above the gate oxide layer. A dielectric, silicon nitride inner spacer, having an annular or an L-shaped cross section, is formed on the blanket tunnel oxide layer adjacent to the sidewalls of the floating gate electrode. In the case of the L-shaped cross section inner spacer, an outer dielectric, spacer is formed over the inner dielectric, spacer. A blanket interelectrode dielectric layer covers the blanket tunnel oxide layer, and the spacer structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming nitride spacers for flash EEPROM devices. A silicon nitride layer is formed over the floating gate in a memory cell. Unlike in conventional methods where the nitride layer is usually subjected to anisotropic etching, it is disclosed in this invention that when partial isotropic/anisotropic etching of a particular recipe is performed, the resulting nitride spacers are better controlled dimensionally with the attendant advantage, therefore, of better definition of gate and channel lengths during subsequent implantations. In a second embodiment, the partial isotropic/anisotropic etching is followed by full anisotropic etching of another recipe with even better defined parameters for the flash EEPROMS.

Abstract: A method of forming a spacer structure adjacent to the sidewall of a floating gate electrode with a top surface and sidewalls, the floating gate electrode being formed on a silicon oxide dielectric layer, and the silicon oxide dielectric layer being formed on the top surface of a semiconductor substrate include the following steps. Form a cap layer on the floating gate electrode, and a blanket tunnel oxide on the device. Form an inner dielectric, spacer layer over the device including the cap layer and the sidewalls thereby with conforming sidewalls, and an outer dielectric, spacer layer over the inner dielectric, spacer layer including the conforming sidewalls. Partially etch away the outer dielectric, spacer layer with a dry etch to form a outer dielectric spacer adjacent to the conforming sidewalls. Then partially etch away more of the outer dielectric, spacer layer with a wet etch to expose a portion of the conforming sidewalls of the inner dielectric, spacer layer.