Patent ID: 6387774
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for patterning a layer of a microelectronic device, said method comprising the steps of:forming a layer of a material to be patterned on a microelectronic substrate; forming an etching mask on said material layer opposite said microelectronic substrate wherein said etching mask defines exposed portions of said material layer and wherein said etching mask has a notch in a sidewall thereof adjacent said material layer wherein said step of forming said etching mask comprises the steps of, forming a first patterned mask layer comprising a first mask material on said material layer, and forming a second patterned mask layer comprising a second mask material on said first patterned mask layer wherein said first and second mask materials are different and wherein said second patterned mask layer extends beyond said first patterned mask layer thereby defining said notch in said sidewall of said etching mask adjacent said material layer; and etching said exposed portions of said material layer defined by said etching mask.