Patent ID: 6306701
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A self-aligned contact process for formation of a contact opening on a semiconductor substrate comprising:at least providing the semiconductor substrate with a gate structure thereon, wherein a cap layer is formed on the gate structure;forming a first insulating layer on the substrate;removing a part of the first insulating layer to form a first spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure and the cap layer;performing a first ion implantation to form lightly doped regions in the substrate using the gate structure and the first spacer as a mask;forming a liner layer on the substrate, the cap layer and the first spacer; forming a second insulating layer on the liner layer;removing a part of the second insulating layer and a part of the liner layer until exposing the cap layer to form a second spacer and leave another part of the liner layer on the first spacer;performing a second ion implantation to form source/drain regions in the substrate;forming a metal salicide layer on the source/drain regions;forming an inter-layer dielectric layer on the cap layer, the second spacer and the metal salicide layer; andremoving a part of the inter-dielectric layer to form a contact opening exposing a part of the source/drain regions.