Abstract: A method for planarizing a polycrystalline silicon layer deposited on a trench, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, comprises the following steps. First, a polycrystalline silicon layer with an enough thickness is deposited on the surface of the semiconductor substrate to overfill the trench. At least one dimple is undesirably developed on the polycrystalline silicon layer during the polycrystalline silicon deposition. Then, an oxide layer with an enough thickness is formed on the polycrystalline silicon layer to overfill the at least one dimple. Next, the polycrystalline silicon layer is partially oxidized so as to transform the upper portion thereof into a polysilicon oxide layer. As a result of a non-uniform distribution of the oxidization rate, the bottom surface of the polysilicon oxide layer, i.e. the interface between the polysilicon oxide layer and the non-oxidized portion of the polycrystalline silicon layer, is substantially planar.

Abstract: A trench isolation structure in a semiconductor substrate includes a trench opening in the surface of the substrate and a seamless oxide layer filling the trench. The seamless oxide layer is formed by forming a first oxide layer in the trench, adding a silicon material overlying the first oxide layer and within a gap on the first oxide layer between the trench sidewalls that tend to be produced in the preceding step, and oxidizing the silicon material to form a second oxide layer. The deposited silicon material expands during oxidation, filling the trench opening to produce a seamless oxide fill of the trench. This seamless trench isolation structure prevents accumulation of materials that reduce the yield of the finished semiconductor product.

Abstract: A method of forming an improved isolation trench between active regions within the semiconductor substrate involves oxidizing unmasked portions of a semiconductor substrate prior to etching an isolation trench into the semiconductor substrate. By oxidizing the unmasked portions of the semiconductor prior to etching, an isolation trench with rounded corners may be formed.

Abstract: In an NPN transistor of this invention having a trench isolation structure, for example, an N.sup.+ -type buried layer and an N.sup.- -type epitaxial layer are stacked on an element forming region of a P.sup.+ -type substrate, and a trench having polysilicon filled therein is formed in a portion adjacent to the element forming region. Further, a field oxide film is formed to extend from the trench having polysilicon filled therein over to the adjacent element isolation region without extending into the element forming region. Thus, a distance from the front end portion of the field oxide film on the element forming region side to the trench is reduced to reduce the element area. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance can be reduced and the power consumption of a circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of fabricating shallow trench isolation structures. A substrate is provided and a masking layer and an oxide layer are formed respectively on the substrate. The masking layer, the oxide layer and the substrate are defined and an opening is formed within the substrate. A portion of masking layer and the oxide layer are removed and an insulating material is later formed to fill with the opening. The masking layer is removed and the shallow trench isolation structure of this invention is therefore achieved.

Abstract: A method for fabricating LOCOS isolation having a planar surface. The method utilizes a polysilicon spacer to prevent bird beak. The method adds the steps of forming a polishing stop layer and removing said edge-protrusion portion of the local oxide by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: A method of forming a trench isolation on a semiconductor substrate comprising the steps of forming a trench in the substrate, partially filling the trench with a first layer of polysilicon, oxidizing the first layer of polysilicon, partially filling the trench with at least a second layer of polysilicon, and oxidizing the second layer of polysilicon. By utilizing the method of the present invention, formation of voids and defects in a trench isolation having a high aspect ratio can be prevented.

Abstract: A polysilicon film is deposited in a trench formed in a silicon element substrate. The polysilicon film in the trench and on the silicon element substrate is anisotropically etched, so that the film remains on the side wall of the trench. The polysilicon film on the side wall is oxidized to obtain an insulating film, which buries the trench. At the same time, an oxidized film is formed on the surface of the silicon element substrate to complete a trench-mold separation area.

Abstract: A method to form a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure includes forming a trench on a semiconductor substrate. Then a channel stop is formed under the trench. A pad oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. A side-wall spacer is formed over the silicon nitride layer on each side of the trench. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize the side-wall spacer. Another side-wall spacer and oxidation are repeatedly performed until the trench is filled with oxide. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate. Then an active ion etching process is performed to remove the layers above the substrate other than the trench region. The STI structure then is formed.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces, the second surface having an inferior plane with respect to the first surface. An oxidizing-resistant layer such as nitride is formed on the first surface, and an oxidizable material is formed over the first and second surfaces. A protective material is formed over the first and second surfaces, which is then removed from the first surface. Subsequent to the step of removing the protective material from the first surface, the oxidizable material is removed from the first surface and is left over the second surface. Subsequent to the step of removing the oxidizable material from the first surface, the protective material is removed from the second surface and the oxidizable material remains over the second surface. Subsequent to removing the protective material from the second surface, the oxidizable material on the second surface is oxidized.

Abstract: An isolation method in the fabrication process of a semiconductor device is provided. The method forms an oxide layer as a buffer layer for reducing stress through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By the method, a first pad oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and then an silicon nitride layer pattern is formed by patterning, and undercuts are formed in the first pad oxide layer pattern. Subsequently, a second pad oxide layer is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate through CVD, and then spacers are formed on the sidewalls of both the patterned first pad oxide layer and silicon nitride layer and a field oxide layer is formed through thermal oxidation. Alternatively, a silicon layer is deposited without the spacers to form the field oxide layer. The second pad oxide layer is a buffer layer for buffering stress during formation of the field oxide layer.

Abstract: A method for forming trench isolation in the silicon substrate is disclosed. This method allows for an improved bonding force between the sidewall silicon dioxide layer and the sidewall of the trench. After a trench is formed, sidewall silicon dioxide is grown on the sidewall of the trench by a first oxidation process. Then, PE-TEOS is deposited on the silicon substrate and the sidewall of the trench. The PE-TEOS layer around the entrance of the trench is then etched back using argon gas. The second oxidation process or the first annealing proceeds to enhance the bonding force between the sidewall silicon dioxide layer and the sidewall of the trench. After the second oxidation process or the annealing, the trench is filled with O.sub.3 -TEOS, and then PE-TEOS is deposited over the O.sub.3 -TEOS layer. Finally, the second annealing process follows.

Abstract: The present invention applies a silicon nitride or the like as a mask over portions of a substrate, such as an active region, where oxide growth is undesired. Thereafter, without the formation of a recess in the substrate, a high pressure oxidation process is used to grow an oxide, preferably in a furnace. The oxide thus grows into the non-masked areas of the substrate, as well as over the silicon nitride used as a mask. Thereafter, a chemical-mechanical polish is used to etch away undesired oxide, with the silicon nitride being used as an endpoint to terminate the polish operation.

Abstract: A novel design of an oxidation mask for improved control of birds beak and more specifically for tailoring and smoothing the field oxide isolation profile in the vicinity of the birds beak. The mask design is particularly advantageous for narrow field isolation spacings found in sub half-micron integrated circuit technology. The mask uses a thin tapered silicon nitride foot along its lower edge to allow nominal expansion of the oxide during the early stages of oxidation, thereby permitting in-situ stress relief as well as a smoothing of the oxide profile. The taper of the foot provides a gradual increase in mask stiffness as oxidation proceeds under the mask edge, allowing greatest flexibility during the early rapid growth period followed by increasing stiffness during the later stages when the growth rate has slowed, thereby inhibiting the penetration of birds beak. Shear stresses responsible for dislocation generation are reduced by as much as fifty fold.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an oxidation barrier for a thin film is provided. The method may include forming a thin film (10) outwardly from a semiconductor substrate (12) and separated from the semiconductor substrate (12) by a primary insulator layer (14). A reactive layer (16) may be formed in-situ adjacent to the thin film (10). An oxidation barrier (20) may be formed by a chemical reaction between the thin film (10) and the reactive layer (16). The oxidation barrier (20) may comprise a silicide alloy that operates to reduce oxidation of the thin film (10).

Abstract: An STI fabrication method for a semiconductor device is disclosed, which includes the steps of forming a trench on a semiconductor substrate, forming a conductive film on the trench, ion-implanting a germanium into the conductive film, and oxidizing the conductive film.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type disposed on a surface thereof and a dielectric layer including silicon nitride disposed on the surface. The dielectric layer includes openings at least partially disposed on the p-wells. The dielectric layer also includes a top latter comprising silicon dioxide having a thickness of less than ten angstroms. Trenches having a depth comparable to or greater than a depth of the wells extend into the substrate surface within the openings. A nonconductive material is disposed within the trenches and has an upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are used as gate dielectrics for transistors.

Abstract: On an entire surface of a substrate of sapphire having a projection with a width in the lateral direction of approximately 10 .mu.m thereon, a first semiconductor layer of Al.sub.y Ga.sub.1-y N and a second semiconductor layer of In.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x N are successively grown by MOVPE. In this manner, an island-like stacked substance including the isolated first semiconductor layer and the isolated second semiconductor layer can be formed on the top surface of the projection of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of selective oxidation includes forming a mask layer which includes a silicon oxide film pattern and a silicon nitride film pattern on an active region defined on silicon substrate, a forming a trench using the mask layer in an isolation region defined in the silicon substrate adjoining the active region, forming a buried silicon oxide film in the trench, forming a buried poly-silicon film on the buried silicon oxide film in the trench, converting the buried poly-silicon film to a field oxide film, and removing the mask layer. The occurrence of a bird's beak during selective oxidation of the silicon can be prevented.

Abstract: A new method for planarization of shallow trench isolation is disclosed by using a polysilicon layer to prevent trench formed in a silicon nitride layer. The formation of the shallow trench isolation described herein includes a pad layer and a silicon nitride layer formed on a semiconductor wafer. A polysilicon layer is subsequently formed on the silicon nitride layer. A shallow trench is then created by photolithography and dry etching processes. The photoresist is subsequently removed in which an oxide layer is form in the shallow trench and on polysilicon layer for the purpose of isolation. A selective etching is used to etch the oxide layer. A CMP is performed to produce a planarized surface on a silicon wafer.

Abstract: A process for forming, on a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure between two zones of an integrated circuit wherein active regions of electronic components integrated thereto have already been defined, comprises the steps of:defining an isolation region on a layer of silicon oxide overlying a silicon layer;selectively etching the silicon to provide the isolation region;growing thermal oxide over the interior surfaces of the isolation structure;depositing dielectric conformingly; andoxidizing the deposited dielectric.

Abstract: A method of fabricating shallow trench isolation structures. A substrate over which a polysilicon layer and a masking layer are formed is provided. An opening is formed within the polysilicon layer and the masking layer. A trench is then formed within the substrate. An oxide layer is formed within the trench, and the surface of the oxide layer has a same level as the surface of the masking layer. The masking layer is removed and a thermal process is performed to transform the polysilicon layer to a silicon oxide layer. The silicon oxide layer is removed by an wet etching process and a shallow trench isolation structure is accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for fabricating shallow trench regions for isolation. An oxide hard mask is utilized for the silicon etching. A thick thermal oxide film is created at and near the trench corners to prevent the gate wrap-around and corner parasitic leakage. Forming trench regions on a semiconductor substrate by using a thick pad oxide layer as an etching hard mask. A thermal oxide film is grown to recover the etching damages. An undoped LPCVD amorphous silicon film is then deposited on entire surface of the semiconductor substrate. A high temperature/pressure oxidation process follows to convert the undoped amorphous silicon film into thermal oxide. A thick CVD oxide layer is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. The oxide film outside the trench regions is removed by using a CMP process. Finally, the MOS devices are fabricated on the semiconductor substrate by standard processes, and thus complete the present invention.

Abstract: A method used during the formation of a semiconductor device comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate assembly having at least one recess therein then forming a first dielectric layer within the recess. The first dielectric layer is formed with a thickness that will prevent the first dielectric layer from impinging on itself in the recess, for example with a thickness less than half a width of the trench. The dielectric layer is then annealed in a manner that will increase the volume of the first dielectric layer. After annealing the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer within the recess. The second dielectric layer is formed with a sufficient thickness such that it impinges on itself in the recess. The second dielectric layer is then annealed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a trench isolation structure includes forming an isolation region including a trench and a trench plug for filling the trench so as to define active regions on a substrate, a part of the trench plug projecting upward from the surface of the substrate, forming sidewall spacers from an oxidative material on the sidewalls of the projecting portion of the trench plug, and oxidating the surface of the active region of the substrate and the sidewall spacers so as to form a gate insulating layer extending to the upper part of the active region of the substrate and the side surfaces of the trench plug.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation process provides a high quality oxide on the substrate adjacent the trench and on the upper part of the trench. This process avoids the formation of poor quality oxide on the substrate adjacent the upper edge of the trench that is believed to cause MOS transistors to exhibit the undesirable subthreshold current flow known as the "kink" effect. A pad oxide layer is grown on the surface of a silicon substrate and then a layer of silicon nitride is formed on the surface of the pad oxide. A photoresist mask is formed over the silicon nitride and the silicon nitride and pad oxide are etched, and then the substrate is etched to form a trench. The photoresist mask is removed, a layer of polysilicon is deposited over the silicon nitride layer and within the trench and the polysilicon layer is oxidized. CVD oxide is deposited to overfill the trench and then the excess CVD oxide and polysilicon oxide is removed by CMP, using the silicon nitride layer as an polish stop.

Abstract: The invention is an improved process for forming isolations of uniform thickness in narrow and wide trenches. The process begins by forming a pad layer on a semiconductor substrate. A first barrier layer is formed on the pad layer. The first barrier layer and pad layer are patterned forming openings, thereby exposing the substrate surface. The substrate is then etched through the openings to form shallow trenches in the substrate. The trenches generally falling into two ranges of width: narrow trenches having widths in the range between 0.3 .mu.m and 1.0 .mu.m; and wide trenches having widths greater than 1.0 .mu.m. A thin oxide film is grown on the sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches. A gap-fill dielectric layer is formed on the thin oxide film. A polysilicon layer is grown on the gap-fill dielectric layer. The polysilicon layer acts as a stop during CMP, providing additional protection of the gap-fill dielectric layer in the wide trenches. A planarizing material layer is formed on the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method for isolating a first active region from a second active region, both of which are configured within a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate between said first active region and said second active region. A first dielectric layer is then formed on said trench and a polysilicon layer is deposited on said first dielectric layer. The polysilicon layer is then thermally oxidized to form a second dielectric layer. Preferably the first dielectric is a thermal oxide 40 to 500 angstroms in thickness consuming less than 200 angstroms of said first active region and said second active region. The polysilicon layer is preferably between 1000 to 2000 angstroms.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a semiconductor device is characterized by a series of steps comprising successively forming a trench in a field region of monosilicon substrate and forming an oxidation-preventive layer and a silicon layer in the trench, and oxidizing the silicon layer into a field oxide film to produce a channel stop region beneath the trench in the substrate. The method alternatively comprises forming a trench having a small pattern in a field region of a monosilicon substrate, sequentially forming an oxidation-preventive layer and a silicon layer on the surface of the trench, and oxidizing the silicon layer and the substrate of a field region having a large pattern size, at the same time, to produce a field oxide film and channel stop diffusion regions below both the trench and the field oxide film having a large pattern.

Abstract: A method for forming shallow trench isolation comprising the steps of providing a substrate having a mask layer formed thereon. Next, the mask layer is patterned to form a first trench in the substrate. Then, dielectric spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the first trench. After that, a second trench is formed in the substrate by an etching operation following the profile of the dielectric spacers. Next, a second dielectric layer is formed filling the second trench, wherein the second dielectric layer and the dielectric spacers are formed from different materials. Thereafter, the dielectric spacers are removed to form recess cavities, and then a filler material is deposited into the recess cavities. Subsequently, a gate oxide layer is formed over the filler material and the substrate. Finally, a polysilicon gate layer is formed over the gate oxide layer.

Abstract: A trench 13 is formed to isolate a first region 11a and a second region 11b where elements of a semiconductor substrate 11 such as a silicon substrate are formed, and a lamination layer of a first silicon oxide layer 14 having a silicon excess stoichiometry (SiO.sub.x ; 2<x) and a second silicon oxide layer 15 (SiO.sub.2) having an equilibrium composition is filled in the trench 13. The second silicon oxide layer is hydrated. In addition, by heating the semiconductor substrate 11, the first silicon oxide layer 14 is oxidized into the second silicon oxide layer 15 (SiO.sub.2) having an equilibrium composition. At this time, the first silicon oxide layer 14 has its volume expanded while it is oxidized into the second silicon oxide layer 15 having an equilibrium composition, while the second silicon oxide layer 15 is contracted due to dehydration by the heating treatment and removal of a defective lattice.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit utilizing a trench isolated region to control the occurrence of parasitic transistors without narrowing the element region by forming first and second openings 4A, 4B on a silicon substrate for the purpose of element isolation, forming an amorphous silicon film thereon, then leaving the amorphous silicon film behind only a surface of a side wall of the opening by performing anisotropy etching. After oxidizing the surface of the amorphous silicon film and inside base, the opening is filled with a silicon oxide film.

Abstract: The present invention is an isolation trench with an insulator, and a method of forming the same using self-aligned processing techniques. The method is implemented with a single mask. A shallow trench is first formed with the mask. Subsequently, the deep trench is formed in self-alignment to the shallow trench. The shallow and deep trenches are filled with insulators. The deep trench diminishes the effects of undesirable inter-device affects, such as leakage current and latch-up. As a result, substrates can be fabricated with high device density.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a recessed field oxide area comprises providing a substrate having isolation stacks and first and second recesses having openings therein, the first recesses being wider than the second recesses. The recesses can have a depth in the approximate range of 200.ANG.-3000.ANG.. Next, the first and second recesses are lined with nitride, and the substrate is blanketed with a conformal material which bridges the openings of the second recesses but not the openings of the first recesses. The conformal material and the nitride is removed from horizontal surfaces of the isolation stacks, and essentially all of the conformal material is removed from the first recesses. At least a portion of the conformal material is left in the second recesses. Subsequent to the step of removing the conformal material, the substrate and the conformal material is oxidized to create field oxide areas at the first and second recesses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device to prevent the generation of crystalline defects due to shorting between interconnects resulting from etch residue as a result of the generation of vertical bird's beaks on top of the trench during field oxidation layer formation. The method includes forming an epitaxial layer over a semiconductor substrate, depositing a first SiO.sub.2 layer, an SiN layer and a second SiO.sub.2 layer in that order upon said epitaxial layer and forming a trench from the second SiO.sub.2 layer extending into the semiconductor substrate. A third SiO.sub.2 layer is formed coating said trench with a region of said third Si0.sub.2 layer removed adjacent to said first SiO.sub.2 layer to expose a portion of said epitaxial layer within said trench. The trench is then filled with a first polysilicon layer to coat the third SiO.sub.2 layer and the first SiO.sub.2 layer followed by removal of the second SiO.sub.

Abstract: A method for filling a trench within a substrate. There is first provided a substrate having a trench formed within the substrate. There is then formed over the substrate and within the trench a silicon layer. The silicon layer has an aperture formed therein where the silicon layer is formed within the trench. There is then formed upon the silicon layer and filling the aperture a gap filling silicon oxide trench fill layer. The gap filling silicon oxide trench fill layer is formed through an ozone assisted sub-atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (SACVD) method. Finally, the substrate is annealed thermally in an oxygen containing atmosphere to form within the trench an oxidized silicon layer from the silicon layer, where the oxidized silicon layer is contiguous with a densified gap filling silicon oxide trench fill layer simultaneously formed from the gap filling silicon oxide trench fill layer.

Abstract: A polysilicon film is deposited in a trench formed in a silicon element substrate. The polysilicon film in the trench and on the silicon element substrate is anisotropically etched, so that the film remains on the side wall of the trench. The polysilicon film on the side wall is oxidized to obtain an insulating film, which buries the trench. At the same time, an oxidized film is formed on the surface of the silicon element substrate to complete a trench-mold separation area.

Abstract: The reliability of integrated circuits fabricated with trench isolation is improved by forming a trench isolation structure with a void-free trench plug (36). In one embodiment, a polysilicon layer (28) is formed within a trench (22) and then subsequently oxidized to form a first dielectric layer (30). The first dielectric layer (30) is then etched and a second dielectric layer (34) is subsequently formed over the etched dielectric layer (32). A portion of the second dielectric layer (34) is then removed using chemical-mechanical polishing to form a void-free trench plug (36) within the trench (22). In addition, reliability is also improved by minimizing subsequent etching of trench plug (36) after it has been formed.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces, the second surface having an inferior plane with respect to the first surface. An oxidizing-resistant layer such as nitride is formed on the first surface, and an oxidizable material is formed over the first and second surfaces. A protective material is formed over the first and second surfaces, which is then removed from the first surface. Subsequent to the step of removing the protective material from the first surface, the oxidizable material is removed from the first surface and is left over the second surface. Subsequent to the step of removing the oxidizable material from the first surface, the protective material is removed from the second surface and the oxidizable material remains over the second surface. Subsequent to removing the protective material from the second surface, the oxidizable material on the second surface is oxidized.