Patent ID: 6486039
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a trench isolation structure having at least two isolation trenches, comprising:(a) forming a first trench having two sidewalls in a first isolation area on a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a second trench having two sidewalls in a second isolation area, the second isolation area being separated from the first isolation area; (c) forming a nitrogen (N)-rich silicon layer on the sidewall surfaces of the second trench by implanting nitrogen into the second trench; (d) forming, using an oxidation process, a first sidewall oxide layer having a first thickness in the first trench and a second sidewall oxide layer having a second thickness in the second trench; (e) forming a stress relief liner on the surfaces of the first and second sidewall oxide layers; and (f) filling the first and second trenches with a dielectric material.