Low dielectric constant STI with SOI devices
First Claim
1. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
- forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a polymeric material; and
foaming the polymeric material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques of shallow trench isolation and devices produced therefrom are shown. The techniques of shallow trench isolation utilize foamed polymers, cured aerogels or air gaps as the insulation medium. Such techniques facilitate lower dielectric constants than the standard silicon dioxide due to the cells of gaseous components inherent in foamed polymers, cured aerogels or air gaps. Lower dielectric constants reduce capacitive coupling concerns and thus permit higher device density in an integrated circuit device. The shallow trench isolation structures are used on a variety of substrates including silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates and silicon-on-nothing (SON) substrates.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a polymeric material; and
foaming the polymeric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
exposing the polymeric material to a supercritical fluid, thereby forming a saturated polymeric material; and
depressurizing the saturated polymeric material, thereby forming cells.
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9. The method of claim 8, wherein exposing the polymeric material to the supercritical fluid includes exposing the polymeric material to supercritical carbon dioxide.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed in the order presented.
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11. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with an aerogel material; and
curing the aerogel material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer, wherein forming the dielectric layer includes forming an air gap;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a polymeric material;
defining additional structures in the integrated circuit device; and
removing the polymeric material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer, wherein forming the dielectric layer includes forming an air gap;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a first fill material;
defining additional structures in the integrated circuit device;
removing the first fill material; and
filling the trench with a second fill material. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a first polymeric material;
defining additional structures in the integrated circuit device;
removing the first polymeric material;
filling the trench with a second polymeric material; and
foaming the second polymeric material. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of isolating a first active region from a second active region in an integrated circuit device, comprising:
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forming a substrate, including;
forming a dielectric layer;
forming a semiconductor layer coupled to the dielectric layer;
forming a trench in the substrate, wherein the first active region is on a first side of the trench and the second active region is on a second side of the trench;
filling the trench with a polymeric material;
defining additional structures in the integrated circuit device;
removing the polymeric material;
filling the trench with an aerogel material; and
curing the aerogel material. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification