Transistor contacts self-aligned two dimensions

US9660040B2 · US · B2

Patent metadata
FieldValue
Publication numberUS-9660040-B2
Application numberUS-201514926657-A
CountryUS
Kind codeB2
Filing dateOct 29, 2015
Priority dateApr 7, 2014
Publication dateMay 23, 2017
Grant dateMay 23, 2017

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  1. Title

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  2. Abstract

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  3. Assignees and inventors

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  4. Key dates

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  5. First independent claim

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  6. CPC / IPC classifications

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  7. Citations and related patents

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Abstract

Official abstract text for this publication.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved semiconductor structure and methods of fabrication that provide transistor contacts that are self-aligned in two dimensions. Two different capping layers are used, each being comprised of a different material. The two capping layers are selectively etchable to each other. One capping layer is used for gate coverage while the other capping layer is used for source/drain coverage. Selective etch processes open the desired gates and source/drains, while block masks are used to cover elements that are not part of the connection scheme. A metallization line (layer) is deposited, making contact with the open elements to provide electrical connectivity between them.

First claim

Opening claim text (preview).

What is claimed is: 1. A semiconductor structure comprising: a plurality of transistor gates; a plurality of transistor source/drain contact areas; a first capping layer disposed on a subset of the plurality of transistor gates; a second capping layer disposed on a subset of the plurality of transistor source/drain contact areas; and a metallization layer disposed on the first capping layer and second capping layer. 2. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the metallization layer is in electrical contact with at least one transistor gate of the plurality of transistor gates. 3. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , wherein the metallization layer is in electrical contact with at least one source/drain contact area of the plurality of transistor source/drain contact areas. 4. The semiconductor structure of claim 1 , further comprising a dielectric region bounding the metallization layer. 5. The semiconductor structure of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of spacers adjacent to each transistor gate of the plurality of transistor gates. 6. The semiconductor structure of claim 5 , wherein the first capping layer is comprised of silicon nitride, the second capping layer is comprised of silicon oxide, the dielectric region is comprised of silicon oxycarbide, and the plurality of spacers are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon oxycarbide and silicon oxycarbonitride.

Assignees

Inventors

Classifications

  • the material being a silicon nitride not containing oxygen, e.g. SixNy or SixByNz · CPC title

  • the material being a silicon oxide, e.g. SiO2 · CPC title

  • the conductive layers comprising transition metals · CPC title

  • the principal metal being a refractory metal · CPC title

  • the principal metal being copper · CPC title

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Frequently asked questions

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What does patent US9660040B2 cover?
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved semiconductor structure and methods of fabrication that provide transistor contacts that are self-aligned in two dimensions. Two different capping layers are used, each being comprised of a different material. The two capping layers are selectively etchable to each other. One capping layer is used for gate coverage while the other capping…
Who is the assignee on this patent?
Globalfoundries Inc
What technology area does this patent fall under?
Primary CPC classification H01L29/41758. Mapped technology areas include Electricity.
When was this patent published?
Publication date Tue May 23 2017 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
What related patents are in patentsdb?
We list 8 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).