Patent ID: 7879683
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming trenches in the first dielectric layer; filling the trenches with a conductive material; planarizing the conductive material to expose the first dielectric layer; depositing a dielectric barrier film on the conductive material and exposed first dielectric layer; depositing a hard mask layer over the dielectric barrier film; forming a pattern in the dielectric barrier film and the hard mask layer to expose selected regions of the substrate; oxidizing at least a portion of the first dielectric layer in the selected region of the substrate; removing the oxidized portion of the first dielectric layer to form reversed trenches around the conductive material; and forming air gaps in the reversed trenches while depositing a second dielectric material in the reversed trenches.