Patent ID: 6444404
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of using a single photolithographic mask to define an implanted, electrostatic discharge, (ESD), region, and metal silicide blocking regions, and to self-align a metal silicide shape to an implanted ESD region, on a semiconductor substrate, comprising the steps of:forming gate structures, on a gate insulator layer, on said semiconductor substrate; forming a lightly doped source/drain, (LDD), region, in an area of said semiconductor substrate, located between said gate structures; using said photolithographic mask to define implanted ESD regions in said semiconductor substrate, with each implanted ESD region comprised of implanted ESD sub-regions, each located at the periphery of a gate structure, with each implanted ESD sub-region deeper than said LDD region consuming a portion of underlying said LDD region, and with a center portion of said LDD region, located between said implanted ESD sub-regions, not occupied by said implanted ESD regions; forming insulator spacers on the sides of said gate structures; forming a heavily doped source/drain region in an area of said semiconductor substrate not covered by said gate structures or by said insulator spacers, and with first portions of said heavily doped source/drain region located in top portions of said implanted ESD sub-regions, and with a second portion of said heavily doped source/drain region located between said implanted ESD sub-regions, consuming said center portion of said LDD region; using said photolithographic mask to define forming an opening in an insulator layer, exposing a portion of the top surface of said second portion of said heavily doped source/drain region; forming said metal silicide shape on said portion of the top surface of said second portion of said heavily doped source/drain region exposed in said opening in said insulator layer, with said metal silicide shape self-aligned to said ESD region; and forming a metal contact and interconnect structure, on said metal silicide shape located on said second portion of said heavily doped source/drain region.