Patent ID: 9437550
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a device comprising: providing a substrate; forming a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, the dielectric layer serves as an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer which comprises an upper and lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the dielectric layer corresponds to a first metal level and the lower portion of the dielectric layer corresponds to a premetal dielectric (PMD) level; patterning the upper portion of the dielectric layer to form at least first and second trench openings and alignment mark openings, wherein one of the first and second trench openings serve as a through via (TV) trench while another trench opening serves as an interconnect trench, and wherein the PMD level separates the first and second trench openings and alignment mark openings in the first metal level from the substrate; forming a TV opening aligned to the TV trench, wherein the TV opening extends through the PMD level and partially into the substrate; and forming a conductive layer over the substrate to fill the trenches and the openings.