Patent ID: 6039621
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method for forming a gate electrode, said method comprising the steps of:a) depositing a gate metal over an underlying substrate such that a layer of said gate metal is formed above said underlying substrate, said layer of said gate metal deposited to a thickness approximately the same as a desired thickness of said gate electrode;b) depositing polymer particles onto said layer of gate metal;c) depositing a hard mask layer over said polymer particles and said layer of said gate metal, wherein step c) comprises depositing a hard mask layer of nickel over said polymer particles and said layer of said gate metal is comprised of aluminum;d) removing said polymer particles and portions of said hard mask layer which overlie said polymer particles such that first regions of said layer of said gate metal are exposed, and such that second regions of said layer of said gate metal remain covered by said hard mask layer;e) etching into said first regions of said layer of said gate metal such that openings are formed into said layer of said gate metal at said first regions, said second regions of said layer of said gate metal protected from said etching by said hard mask layer; andf) removing remaining portions of said hard mask layer which overlie said second regions of said layer of said gate metal.