Patent ID: 6165913
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming spacers, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a gate oxide layer and a gate electrode formed thereon;(b) forming a stack including a first oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer and a second oxide layer over the gate electrode and the substrate;(c) etching the second oxide layer to form an oxide spacer over the silicon nitride layer, wherein a bottom surface of the oxide spacer is placed substantially at a level equal with a top surface of the gate electrode;(d) using the oxide spacer as a mask, etching the silicon nitride layer to form a silicon nitride spacer over the first oxide layer and around the gate electrode to expose the first oxide layer, wherein the silicon nitride spacer is not removed in any subsequent step; and(e) removing the oxide spacer and the exposed first oxide layer.