Patent ID: 7964508
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for removing at least a portion of a first layer in a structure, the first layer having a planar top surface, the method comprising: (1) forming a second layer over the first layer, the first layer comprising a first portion and a second portion whose top surfaces are each part of the planar top surface, the second layer being formed as a mask to protect the second portion but not the first portion from being removed in the following operation (2); (2) removing the first portion of the first layer but not the second portion of the first layer as the second layer protects the second portion from being removed, the second portion protruding upward when the first portion has been removed; (3) after the operation (2), applying chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) to remove the second layer and the second portion of the first layer; wherein the CMP removes the second la er and the second portion of the first layer in less time than needed for the CMP to remove the first and second portions when the CMP is applied to the first layer having the planar top surface as existing before the operation (1).