Patent ID: 8658494
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming contact elements in a semiconductor device, the method comprising: forming a first contact opening in an interlayer dielectric material, said first contact opening connecting to an electrode material formed adjacent to a first semiconductor region; filling a first metal into said first contact opening so as to form a first contact element; after forming said first contact element, forming a dielectric material layer having a first thickness above said interlayer dielectric material; forming an opening in said dielectric material layer; while using said dielectric material layer as an etch mask, performing an etching process on said interlayer dielectric material through said opening in said dielectric material layer so as to form a second contact opening in said interlayer dielectric material, said second contact opening connecting to one of a drain region and a source region formed in a second semiconductor region, wherein performing said etching process so as to form said second contact opening consumes a portion of said dielectric material layer such that it has a second thickness that is less than said first thickness; and filling a second metal into said second contact opening so as to form a second contact element.