Patent ID: 7358145
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a shallow trench isolation structure, comprising: providing a substrate with a patterned pad oxide layer and a patterned mask layer thereon; patterning the substrate to form at least a trench in the substrate, using the patterned mask layer as a mask; forming a liner oxide layer on a surface of the substrate in the trench; forming a silicon nitride layer over the substrate, covering the liner oxide layer and the patterned mask layer; forming a developable material layer on the silicon nitride layer to fill the trench; performing a baking process; removing a portion of the developable material layer until a top surface of the remained developable material layer is lower than that of the substrate; removing the silicon nitride layer that is exposed by the remained developable material layer, exposing a portion of the substrate; removing the remained developable material layer; performing a thermal process to oxidize an exposed surface of the substrate; forming an insulating layer over the substrate and filling the trench; and performing a planarization process to the insulating layer and removing the patterned mask layer to form the shallow trench isolation structure.