Forming a protective layer to prevent formation of leakage paths
First Claim
1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
- receiving a semiconductor device that includes a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) and a second ILD disposed over the first ILD, wherein a first via is disposed in the first ILD, and wherein spacers are disposed on sidewalls of the first via, the spacers comprising a first dielectric material;
forming a via hole in the second ILD, the via hole exposing the first via;
forming a protective layer in the via hole; and
performing an etching process after the forming of the protective layer, wherein the etching process is configured to etch away the first dielectric material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gate structure is formed over a substrate. The gate structure includes a gate electrode and a hard mask located over the gate electrode. The hard mask comprises a first dielectric material. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) is formed over the gate structure. The first ILD comprises a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material. A first via is formed in the first ILD. Sidewalls of the first via are surrounded by spacers that comprise the first dielectric material. A second ILD is formed over the first ILD. A via hole is formed in the second ILD. The via hole exposes the first via. A protective layer is formed in the via hole. A bottom segment of the protective layer is removed. Thereafter, an etching process is performed. A remaining segment of the protective layer prevents an etching of the spacers during the etching process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
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receiving a semiconductor device that includes a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) and a second ILD disposed over the first ILD, wherein a first via is disposed in the first ILD, and wherein spacers are disposed on sidewalls of the first via, the spacers comprising a first dielectric material; forming a via hole in the second ILD, the via hole exposing the first via; forming a protective layer in the via hole; and performing an etching process after the forming of the protective layer, wherein the etching process is configured to etch away the first dielectric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
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forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure including a gate electrode and a hard mask located over the gate electrode, wherein the hard mask comprises a first dielectric material; forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the gate structure, wherein the first ILD comprises a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material; forming a first via in the first ILD, wherein sidewalls of the first via are surrounded by spacers, the spacers comprising the first dielectric material; forming a second ILD over the first ILD; forming a via hole in the second ILD, the via hole exposing the first via; forming a protective layer in the via hole; removing a bottom segment of the protective layer; and thereafter performing an etching process, wherein a remaining segment of the protective layer prevents an etching of the spacers during the etching process. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising:
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forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure including a gate electrode and a hard mask located over the gate electrode, wherein the hard mask comprises silicon nitride; forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) over the gate structure, wherein the first ILD comprises silicon oxide; forming a first via in the first ILD, wherein sidewalls of the first via are surrounded by spacers that comprise silicon nitride; forming a second ILD over the first ILD, wherein the second ILD comprises silicon nitride; forming a via hole in the second ILD, wherein the via hole exposes the via and exposes a first portion of the spacers; forming a protective layer in the via hole, wherein the protective layer comprises a polymer; removing a bottom segment of the protective layer, wherein a remaining segment of the protective layer still covers the first portion of the spacers; and performing an etching process to remove a portion of the hard mask so that a portion of the gate electrode becomes exposed, wherein the polymer has an etching selectivity with the silicon nitride such that the remaining segment of the protective layer prevents the spacers from being inadvertently etched during the etching process. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification