Patent ID: 6974774
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming self-aligning contact openings for a semiconductor assembly comprising the following sequence of steps: patterning exposed regions and non-exposed regions of a multi-layered resist material comprising a photoresist layer overlying an anti-reflective layer, the multi-layered resist overlying a hard mask material; removing the photoresist layer and the anti-reflective layer in the exposed regions to expose an underlying area of the hard mask material; partially removing the hard mask material in the exposed underlying area such that at least half the thickness of the hard mask material is removed; removing the photoresist layer and the anti-reflective layer in the non-exposed regions; further removing the hard mask material in the exposed underlying area until an underlying isolation material is encountered and the hard mask material is completely cleared from the underlying isolation material; and removing the underlying isolation material at the exposed regions to form the self-aligning contact openings.