Patent ID: 6399470
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
In manufacturing a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate, a conductor formed on said semiconductor substrate and covered with a protective film, and an insulating film deposited above said semiconductor substrate to cover said conductor, a method for forming a first contact hole running through said insulating film and opening to the surface of the semiconductor substrate or to an electric connection member buried in said insulating film, and a second contact hole running through both said insulating film and said protective film and opening to said conductor under said protective film, said contact-hole forming method comprising the steps of:forming an etched-away opening running from a upper surface of said insulating film to expose the top portion of said conductor at a bottom of said opening by using an etching medium exhibiting a higher etching rate to said protective film than to said insulating film to partially remove by etching said protective film on said conductor thereby defining the location of said second contact hole; refilling said etched-away opening with a material of a same etch characteristic as said insulating film; and etching the insulating film that has been refilled with a single etching medium to thereby simultaneously form said first contact hole opening to said semiconductor substrate or to the electric connection member buried in said insulating film, and said second contact hole opening to said conductor wherein said first and second contact holes are laterally positioned relative to each other.