Patent ID: 7381638
Filing Date: 2008-06-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: providing an initial structure in which (a) a layer of first material is situated on, and in direct contact with, a primary surface of a substructure and in a principal opening, constituted as a trench, that extends from the primary surface partway through the substructure and (b) a region of second material different from the first material is situated on, and in direct contact with, the first material in the opening, the providing act comprising (i) forming the opening partway through the substructure, (ii) depositing the layer of first material on the primary surface and into the opening, and (iii) depositing the region of second material on the first material in the opening; performing a physical sputter etch while the initial structure is in a sputter etch module to remove substantially all of the first material overlying the primary surface and above the opening and to remove part of the second material overlying the first material in the opening such that the initial structure is converted into a further structure in which remaining parts of the first and second materials are situated in the opening; transferring the further structure from the sputter etch module to a deposition module under a substantial vacuum; and depositing a layer of third material over the primary surface and over the parts of the first and second materials in the opening while the further structure is in the deposition module.