Patent ID: 6613684
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming contact holes comprising:providing a substrate where a semiconductor element is formed; forming first, second and third conductors on said substrate, located apart from one another; forming a first protective film on top surfaces of said conductors; forming a second protective film on side surfaces of said conductors and said first protective films; forming a coating film on said substrate, which has a thickness approximately equal to or smaller than a sum of a thickness of said conductors and a thickness of said first protective film and has an etching rate lower than an etching rate of said first and second protective films; forming a resist mask on said coating film which covers said protective films formed on said first and second conductors and which exposes said protective films formed on said third conductors; exposing said top surface of said third conductor by performing etching using said resist mask; removing said resist mask and said coating film; forming an insulating film on said substrate including said conductors after removing said resist mask and said coating film; and forming, in said insulating film, a first contact hole which exposes said semiconductor element located between said first and second conductors, and a second contact hole which exposes said top surface of said third conductor.