Patent ID: 6582974
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for forming a dual damascene aperture comprising:providing a substrate having an active product region adjacent a non active product region; forming over the substrate a first dielectric layer in turn having formed thereover a second dielectric layer; forming over the substrate and interposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer an etch stop layer formed in the non active product region, but not in the active product region; forming through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer in the active product region a dual damascene aperture comprising a trench contiguous with a via wherein the trench's width is greater than the via's width, wherein when forming the trench within the dual damascene aperture there is employed an etch method which forms a dummy trench within the non active product region, further where the dummy trench reaches the etch stop layer and the etch method is terminated upon sensing the etch stop layer for end point detection when forming the trench within the dual damascene aperture within the active product region.