Patent ID: 6121150
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of forming a layer of an electrically conductive material filling at least one high aspect ratio recess formed in a surface of a workpiece, which method comprises the sequential steps of:providing a workpiece having a surface;forming a sputter-resistant hardmask layer on said workpiece surface;forming at least one opening in said hardmask layer, said opening having a position and a critical dimension (CD) corresponding to that of said at least one high aspect ratio recess to be formed in said workpiece surface;forming said at least one high aspect ratio recess in said workpiece surface by a reactive ion etching process utilizing said hardmask layer for determining the position and dimensions of said at least one recess, said critical opening dimension of said hardmask remaining substantially constant during said reactive ion etching process;filling said at least one recess with a layer of an electrically conductive material, said layer of electrically conductive material overfilling said at least one recess and forming a blanket layer covering the adjacent, non-recessed portions of said workpiece surface having said hardmask layer thereon; andplanarizing the recess-filled surface to remove said blanket layer of electrically conductive material together with the underlying hardmask layer from said non-recessed portions of said workpiece surface.