Patent ID: 6596468
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A process for filling a trench, comprising:providing a substrate on which is a layer having an upper surface; on said upper surface, depositing a layer of light sensitive material that is easily etched; on said light sensitive layer, depositing a layer of photoresist; patterning the photoresist and the light sensitive layer to form a liftoff mask that defines the trench; using said liftoff mask, forming the trench by etching to a preset depth below the upper surface; with the mask still in place, depositing a layer of filler material to a thickness that equals said preset depth; and removing the light sensitive layer, thereby lifting off the photoresist layer and all filler material that is on the photoresist layer, whereby said upper surface is not disturbed and said trench depth is unchanged.