Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080261349 | PROTECTIVE COATING FOR PLANARIZATION - Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used to create features. Conventional photolithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form superimposed, pitch-reduced patterns of crossing elongate features that can be consolidated into a single layer. Planarizing techniques using a filler layer and a protective layer are disclosed. Portions of an integrated circuit having different heights can be etched to a common plane. | 10-23-2008 |
20080290527 | METHODS FOR FORMING ARRAYS OF SMALL, CLOSELY SPACED FEATURES - Methods of forming arrays of small, densely spaced holes or pillars for use in integrated circuits are disclosed. Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used, in combination with pitch-reduction techniques, to create densely-packed features. Conventional photolithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form superimposed, pitch-reduced patterns of crossing elongate features that can be consolidated into a single layer. | 11-27-2008 |
20100144132 | METHODS FOR FORMING NANODOTS AND/OR A PATTERNED MATERIAL DURING THE FORMATION OF A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - Methods for forming nanodots and/or a patterned material are provided. One such method involves forming a first patterning material over a base. Blades of a nanoimprint lithography template are placed within the first patterning material, wherein the blades extend along the base in a first direction. With the blades within the first patterning material, the first patterning material are cured. The blades are removed from the first patterning material to form a patterned first patterning material. The base is etched using the patterned first patterning material as a pattern to form openings in the base. The patterned first patterning material is removed from the base. A second patterning material is formed over the base and within the openings in the base. Blades of a nanoimprint lithography template are placed within the second patterning material, wherein the blades extend along the base in a second direction, which is generally perpendicular with respect to the first direction. With the blades within the second patterning material, the second patterning material is cured. The blades are removed from the second patterning material to form a patterned second patterning material. The base is etched using the patterned second patterning material as a pattern to form openings in the base. The patterned second patterning material is removed from the base. | 06-10-2010 |
20120228742 | METHODS FOR FORMING ARRAYS OF SMALL, CLOSELY SPACED FEATURES - Methods of forming arrays of small, densely spaced holes or pillars for use in integrated circuits are disclosed. Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used, in combination with pitch-reduction techniques, to create densely-packed features. Conventional photolithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form superimposed, pitch-reduced patterns of crossing elongate features that can be consolidated into a single layer. | 09-13-2012 |
20120244244 | NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY TEMPLATES - Nanoimprint lithography templates are provided. One such template includes a template base and a plurality of pattern layers of a first material. Each pattern layer is separated from an adjacent pattern layer by a spacing layer of a second material that is different from the first material. Such a template also includes a plurality of pillars of a third material that is different from the first material. Each of the pillars separates two adjacent pattern layers, and each of the pattern layers has a respective portion which protrudes from the spacing layers and from the pillars. | 09-27-2012 |
20130295770 | METHODS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FABRICATION WITH PROTECTIVE COATING FOR PLANARIZATION - Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used to create features. Conventional photolithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form superimposed, pitch-reduced patterns of crossing elongate features that can be consolidated into a single layer. Planarizing techniques using a filler layer and a protective layer are disclosed. Portions of an integrated circuit having different heights can be etched to a common plane. | 11-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100029081 | SINGLE SPACER PROCESS FOR MULTIPLYING PITCH BY A FACTOR GREATER THAN TWO AND RELATED INTERMEDIATE IC STRUCTURES - Single spacer processes for multiplying pitch by a factor greater than two are provided. In one embodiment, n, where n≧2, tiers of stacked mandrels are formed over a substrate, each of the n tiers comprising a plurality of mandrels substantially parallel to one another. Mandrels at tier n are over and parallel to mandrels at tier n−1, and the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n is greater than the distance between adjoining mandrels at tier n−1. Spacers are simultaneously formed on sidewalls of the mandrels. Exposed portions of the mandrels are etched away and a pattern of lines defined by the spacers is transferred to the substrate. | 02-04-2010 |
20100092891 | PITCH REDUCED PATTERNS RELATIVE TO PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY FEATURES - Differently-sized features of an integrated circuit are formed by etching a substrate using a mask which is formed by combining two separately formed patterns. Pitch multiplication is used to form the relatively small features of the first pattern and conventional photolithography used to form the relatively large features of the second pattern. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning a photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are then formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers, which define the first mask pattern. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is then deposited around the spacers to form a planar surface and a photoresist layer is formed over the BARC. The photoresist is next patterned by conventional photolithography to form the second pattern, which is then is transferred to the BARC. The combined pattern made out by the first pattern and the second pattern is transferred to an underlying amorphous silicon layer and the pattern is subjected to a carbon strip to remove BARC and photoresist material. The combined pattern is then transferred to the silicon oxide layer and then to an amorphous carbon mask layer. The combined mask pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then etched into the underlying substrate through the amorphous carbon hard mask layer. | 04-15-2010 |
20100173498 | TRIM PROCESS FOR CRITICAL DIMENSION CONTROL FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Methods of etching substrates employing a trim process for critical dimension control for integrated circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method of etching includes providing a first hard mask layer over a target layer; providing a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer; providing a photoresist layer over the second hard mask layer; forming a pattern in the photoresist layer; transferring the pattern into the second hard mask layer; and trimming the second hard mask layer with the photoresist layer on top of the second hard mask layer. The top surface of the second hard mask layer is protected by the photoresist and the substrate is protected by the overlying first hard mask layer during the trim etch, which can therefore be aggressive. | 07-08-2010 |
20100203727 | METHOD FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FABRICATION USING PITCH MULTIPLICATION - Different sized features in the array and in the periphery of an integrated circuit are patterned on a substrate in a single step. In particular, a mixed pattern, combining two separately formed patterns, is formed on a single mask layer and then transferred to the underlying substrate. The first of the separately formed patterns is formed by pitch multiplication and the second of the separately formed patterns is formed by conventional photolithography. The first of the separately formed patterns includes lines that are below the resolution of the photolithographic process used to form the second of the separately formed patterns. These lines are made by forming a pattern on photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall pacers having widths less than the widths of the un-etched parts of the amorphous carbon are formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is then removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers as a mask pattern. Thus, the spacers form a mask having feature sizes less than the resolution of the photolithography process used to form the pattern on the photoresist. A protective material is deposited around the spacers. The spacers are further protected using a hard mask and then photoresist is formed and patterned over the hard mask. The photoresist pattern is transferred through the hard mask to the protective material. The pattern made out by the spacers and the temporary material is then transferred to an underlying amorphous carbon hard mask layer. The pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then transferred to the underlying substrate. | 08-12-2010 |
20100210111 | PITCH REDUCED PATTERNS RELATIVE TOPHOTOLITHOGRAPHY FEATURES - Differently-sized features of an integrated circuit are formed by etching a substrate using a mask which is formed by combining two separately formed patterns. Pitch multiplication is used to form the relatively small features of the first pattern. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are then formed on the amorphous carbon sidewalls which are then removed; the sidewall spacers defining the first mask pattern. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is then deposited to form a planar surface and a photoresist layer is formed over the BARC. The photoresist is next patterned by conventional photolithography to form the second pattern, which is transferred to the BARC. The combined pattern is transferred to an underlying amorphous silicon layer. The combined pattern is then transferred to the silicon oxide layer and then to an amorphous carbon mask layer. The combined mask pattern, is then etched into the underlying substrate. | 08-19-2010 |
20110130006 | MASK MATERIAL CONVERSION - The dimensions of mask patterns, such as pitch-multiplied spacers, are controlled by controlled growth of features in the patterns after they are formed. To form a pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers, a pattern of mandrels is first formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. Spacers are then formed on sidewalls of the mandrels by depositing a blanket layer of material over the mandrels and preferentially removing spacer material from horizontal surfaces. The mandrels are then selectively removed, leaving behind a pattern of freestanding spacers. The spacers comprise a material, such as polysilicon and amorphous silicon, known to increase in size upon being oxidized. The spacers are oxidized to grow them to a desired width. After reaching the desired width, the spacers can be used as a mask to pattern underlying layers and the substrate. Advantageously, because the spacers are grown by oxidation, thinner blanket layers can be deposited over the mandrels, thereby allowing the deposition of more conformal blanket layers and widening the process window for spacer formation. | 06-02-2011 |
20120256309 | Integrated Circuit Having Pitch Reduced Patterns Relative To Photolithography Features - An integrated circuit having differently-sized features wherein the smaller features have a pitch multiplied relationship with the larger features, which are of such size as to be formed by conventional lithography. | 10-11-2012 |
20130302987 | MASK MATERIAL CONVERSION - The dimensions of mask patterns, such as pitch-multiplied spacers, are controlled by controlled growth of features in the patterns after they are formed. A pattern of mandrels is formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. Spacers are then formed on sidewalls of the mandrels by depositing a blanket layer of material over the mandrels and preferentially removing spacer material from horizontal surfaces. The mandrels are selectively removed, leaving behind a pattern of freestanding spacers. The spacers comprise a material, such as polysilicon and amorphous silicon, known to increase in size upon being oxidized. The spacers are oxidized and grown to a desired width. The spacers can then be used as a mask to pattern underlying layers and the substrate. Advantageously, because the spacers are grown by oxidation, thinner blanket layers can be deposited over the mandrels, allowing the deposition of more conformal blanket layers and widening the process window for spacer formation. | 11-14-2013 |