Patent ID: 6913978
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a shallow trench isolation structure, comprising: providing a substrate; forming a pad oxide layer and a mask layer successively on the substrate; patterning the pad oxide layer and the mask layer; patterning the substrate to form at least a trench in the substrate, using the patterned mask layer as a mask; forming a first insulating layer over the substrate and filling the trench; performing an etching back step to remove a portion of the first insulating layer until top comers of the trench are exposed and a top surface of the remained first insulating layer is lower than the pad oxide layer; performing a rapid thermal process to form an oxide liner layer on an exposed surface of the substrate, including the exposed top corners of the trench; forming a second insulating layer over the trench and the substrate and filling the trench, after performing the rapid thermal process; performing a planarization process to the second insulating layer until the mask layer is exposed; and removing the mask layer and the pad oxide layer to form the shallow trench isolation structure.