Semiconductor apparatus having wiring groove and contact hole formed in self-alignment manner and method of fabricating the same

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus and a process for fabricating the same according to the invention permit reduction in width of a wiring pattern of the semiconductor apparatus and in distance between wiring elements. A stopper film (13a) and an insulating film (13b) are provided on a substrate (11). The etching rate of RIE for the insulating film (13b) is greater than that for the stopper film (13a). The stopper film (14a) and insulating film (14b) are formed on the insulating film (13b). A pattern of the contact hole (32) is formed in the stopper film (14a). A wiring pattern is formed on the resist film (35). The insulating films (13b,14b) are etched by RIE with the resist film (35) and stopper film (14a) used as masks. Thus, a groove (31) for formation of wiring and a contact hole (32) for formation of a contact plug are simultaneously formed in a self-alignment manner.

Description: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a multi-layer wiring structure and a method of fabricating the same. In particular, this invention relates to a semiconductor device having fine wiring and a contact plug between wiring layers formed by means of lithographical techniques and to a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. In a currently prevailing method of forming wiring, a conductor film deposited uniformly on an insulating film is processed by means of lithography and etching and then insulating films are formed between and over wiring elements by means of CVD. In this method, however, it becomes difficult to achieve an exact wiring process or fill insulating films among wiring elements as the width of each wiring element and the pitch of wiring elements decrease due to higher integration density of semiconductor integrated circuits. To solve this problem, attention has been paid to a so-called Damascene method in which wiring is formed by burying conductor elements in grooves formed in insulating films. FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the steps of a wiring forming process to which the Damascene method is applied. As is shown in FIG. 1, a field oxide film 12 is formed on a silicon substrate 11. For example, a MOS transistor is formed in a device region surrounded by the field oxide film. Silicon oxide films 13 and 14 are formed over the entire surface of the silicon substrate 11. The silicon oxide film 14 is processed by a photolithographical step and an etching step to form grooves 31 in which wiring is formed (hereinafter referred to as "wiring grooves 31"). Subsequently, the silicon oxide film 13 is processed by a photolithographical step and an etching step to form contact holes 32 extending downward from the bottoms of the wiring grooves 31 to a gate electrode 21 and source/drain regions 22a and 22b of the MOS transistor. As is shown in FIG. 2, a conductor film 16 is formed over the entire surface of the resultant structure. The conductor film 16 is polished by means of CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) until the conductor film 16 is left only within the wiring grooves 31 and contact holes 32. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, silicon oxide films 17 and 18 are formed on the silicon oxide film 14 and conductor film 16. The silicon oxide film 18 is processed by a photolithographical step and an etching step to form grooves 33 in which wiring is formed (hereinafter referred to as "wiring grooves 33"). Subsequently, the silicon oxide film 17 is processed by a photolithographical step and an etching step to form contact holes 34 extending downward from the bottoms of the wiring grooves 33 to the conductor film 16. Then, a conductor film 20 is formed over the entire surface of the resultant structure. The conductor film 20 is polished by means of CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) until the conductor film 16 is left only within the wiring grooves 33 and contact holes 34. A wiring protection film 19 is formed on the silicon oxide film 18 and conductor film 20. In the above wiring forming process, the photolithographical and etching steps are carried out to form the wiring grooves 31 and 33 for the formation of wiring and the contact holes 32 and 34 formed in the bottoms of wiring grooves 31 and 33 for contact between the lower wiring layer and the upper wiring layer. In the photolithographical steps of forming the contact holes 32 and 34, as shown in FIG. 4, formation of a resist film 25 with high resolution is difficult due to the presence of stepped portions of the wiring grooves 31 and 33. In addition, the bottom face of side face of each groove 31, 33 formed in the silicon oxide film 14, 18 are perpendicular to each other, and also the bottom face and side face of each contact hole 32, 34 formed in the silicon oxide film 13, 17 are perpendicular to each other. As a result, coverage of the conductor film 16 and 20 is degraded. The problem illustrated in FIG. 4, i.e. the difficulty in obtaining resist film 35 with high resolution, will now be described in greater detail with reference to other FIGURES. FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional perspective views illustrating in succession the steps of a conventional process for forming a contact hole. As is shown in FIG. 5, a lower wiring element 42 is formed in an insulating film 41 provided on a semiconductor substrate. An insulating film 43, an etching stopper film 44 and an insulating film 44 are laminated in succession on the insulating film 41 including the lower wiring element 42. A groove 46 for formation of an upper wiring element is formed in a predetermined region of the insulating film 45. The wiring groove 46 is located above the lower wiring element 42. Anisotropical etching for forming the groove 46 is stopped by the etching stopper film 44. The exposed etching stopper film 44 is removed. Then, a photolithographical step is initiated, as shown in FIG. 6. A resist film 47 is applied to the insulating film 45 with the groove 46. That portion of the resist film 47, which is located in a predetermined region of the groove 46, needs to be removed by exposing and developing the resist film 47 with use of a patterning mask (not shown). In this case, the thickness of the applied resist film 47 is inevitably non-uniform due to the presence of stepped portions of the groove 46. That is, the resist film 47 formed in the groove 46 is thicker than the resist film 47 formed on the insulating film 45. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 6, when the resist film 47 is patterned, an exact resist pattern is not obtained due to a deficient exposure time on a thick portion of the resist film 47 and a focus error resulting from a difference in distance between a stepper lens (not shown) and the resist film 47. Thus, the lithographical resolution may deteriorate. As is shown in FIG. 7, with the resist film 47 used as mask, a contact hole 48 extending to the lower wiring element 42 is formed by subjecting the insulating film 43 to anisotropical etching. Since the resist pattern is not precise, the area of contact with the lower wiring element 42, which is provided by the contact hole 48, decreases. Furthermore, if the pattern on the resist film for forming the wiring groove or contact hole is displaced, the area of contact with the upper wiring element will considerably decrease. Another problem in the prior art will now be described. FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views showing a first relationship between the wiring groove 46 and the contact hole 48. In the first relationship, the length of one side of the contact hole 48 is substantially equal to the width of the wiring element formed in the wiring groove 46. FIG. 8A shows a normal position of the contact hole 48, and FIG. 8B shows an abnormal position thereof due to a lithographical alignment error. In FIG. 8B, the contact area between a contact plug (buried in the contact hole) and the wiring element decreases, as compared to the design pattern (FIG. 8A). According to the above structure, the decrease in contact area between the upper wiring element and the contact plug due to the lithographical alignment error results in an increase in resistance in the circuit operation of the semiconductor apparatus. Consequently, the performance of the semiconductor apparatus deteriorates and the reliability of the device lowers due to an increase in current density. FIGS. 9A and 9B are plan views showing a second relationship between the wiring groove 46 and the contact hole 48. In the second relationship, the length of one side of the contact hole 48 is greater than the width of the wiring element formed in the wiring groove 46. FIG. 9A shows a normal position of the contact hole 48, and FIG. 9B shows an abnormal position thereof due to a lithographical alignment error. In FIG. 9B, even if an alignment error occurs to some degree in the lithographical step, the width of the contact hole has a tolerance and the contact area according to the design pattern is obtained between the contact plug and the wiring element. In the case of FIGS. 9A and 9B, if mutually opposed contact plugs are provided on juxtaposed wiring elements, the interval of the wiring elements must be increased because of the limit of lithographical resolution. This problem will now be explained with reference FIGS. 10 and 11. In an ideal state as shown in FIG. 10, the contact holes 48 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B can be arranged at an interval of a lithographic resolution limit space L1 for the wiring grooves (or contact holes). In fact, however, the structure shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B which can cancel the alignment error is adopted. In this case, in consideration of the lithographical alignment error, the transverse length of each contact plug is made greater than the width of the wiring element. Thus, the space between the wiring grooves must be set at space L2 which is greater than space L1, with the result that the integration density of semiconductor devices decreases. The problems of the prior art will now be summarized. In general, in the prior art, when the contact hole for contact between the upper wiring groove for formation of the upper wiring element and the lower wiring element is formed in the interlayer insulating film, all insulating films are deposited and then the resist patterning for forming the groove and the resist patterning for forming the contact hole are carried out. Since the photoresist film is applied to the stepped portion of the groove, the thickness of the resist becomes non-uniform. In the photolithographing step, the precision of the resist pattern deteriorates. Furthermore, if a mask alignment error occurs, the area of contact between the contact plug and upper wiring decreases. In addition, the bottom and side wall of the contact hole, as well as the bottom and side wall of the wiring groove, are perpendicular to each other, and the coverage of the buried conductor member deteriorates and the lifetime of wiring decreases. In the case where mutually opposed plugs are provided on juxtaposed wiring elements, if the width of each plug is made greater than that of the wiring element in order to cancel the mask alignment error in the photolithographing step, the space between the wiring elements must be increased because of the limit of lithographical resolution. Consequently, the integration density will decrease. Further, in EP 0 224 013 A2 there is described a method for producing coplanar multi-level metal/insulator films on a substrate. The method is especially suitable for application in manufacturing of high-performance VLSI semiconductor chips. Further, in EP 0 435 187 A2 there is described a method for fabricating a semiconductor device which is capable of easily and accurately controlling the depth of a groove in which a wiring layer is buried. Further, in DE 43 19 070 A1 there is described a semiconductor device and a related manufacturing method adapted to avoid a recess in a lower isolation layer generated during the etching of a contact opening to connect different conducting layers. Further, in EP 0 263 220 A1 there is described a method of forming a via having a desired slope in a photoresist mask composite insulating layer. Still further, in EP 0 496 443 A1 there is described a semiconductor device and related manufacturing method having an interconnection pattern which is recessed in the insulating layer, e.g., an oxide layer. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device and a process for fabricating the same, wherein a conductor member can be reliably buried in a contact hole or a wiring groove even if the width of a wiring element and the distance between wiring elements is reduced due to higher integration density of semiconductor integrated circuits, and thus high precision, high integration density, high yield and low cost can be achieved and a multi-layer wiring structure of the next generation can be realized. The object can be achieved by a semiconductor device having the features of claim 1. The object of the invention can also be achieved by a process for fabricating a semiconductor device having the features of claim 10. According to the present invention, the contact hole is formed in a self-alignment manner through an opening in the protection film overlapping the formed first conductive region. A lithographing step for forming the second conductive region can be performed on a surface with little stepped portion. Thus, a high-precision resist pattern is formed and the integration density of semiconductor devices can be increased. This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 to 3 are cross-sectional views generally illustrating in succession the steps of a process for fabricating a conventional semiconductor apparatus; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an intermediate step in the process illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which a problem arises; FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional perspective views illustrating in succession the steps of forming a contact hole in the conventional process; FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a relationship between a wiring groove and a contact hole; FIGS. 9A and 9B are plan views illustrating another relationship between a wiring groove and a contact hole; FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a relationship between wiring grooves and contact holes formed in a lithographing step with a resolution limit space provided between the wiring grooves; FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a relationship between wiring grooves and contact holes formed in a lithographing step, the contact holes being designed to cancel a lithographic alignment error; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 16 to 22 are cross-sectional views illustrating in succession the steps of a process for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a step of a process for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. A field oxide film 12 is formed on a silicon substrate 11. For example, a MOS transistor is formed in a device region surrounded by the field oxide film 12. In Fig. 12, a gate electrode 21 of the MOS transistor extends over the field oxide film 12. Conductor members for electrical contact are connected to the gate electrode 21 and source/drain regions 22a and 22b. A stopper or additional protection film 13a about 0.2 µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the resultant structure. An insulating film 13b about 1.2 µm thick is provided on the stopper film 13a. The stopper film 13a is a protection film against etching. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 13a be lower than that for the insulating film 13b. The surface of the insulating film 13b is flattened. A stopper or protection film 14a about 0.2 µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the insulating film 13. An insulating film 14b about 1.5 µm thick is provided on the stopper film 14a. The stopper film 14a is a protection film against etching. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 14a be lower than that for the insulating film 14b. The surface of the insulating film 14b is flattened. Wiring grooves 31 for formation of wiring elements are formed in the insulating film 14b and stopper film 14a. The stopper film 14a has tapered portions 24 at corners defined by bottom faces and side faces of the grooves 31, thereby removing rectangular portions from the corners. Specifically, the tapered surface of each tapered portion 24 intersects with the bottom face and side face of the associated groove 31 at an obtuse angle. Contact holes 32 are formed in the insulating film 13b and stopper film 13a. The contact holes 32 extend downward from the bottoms of the wiring grooves 31 to the gate electrode 21 and source/drain regions 22a and 22b. The stopper film 13a has tapered portions 23 at corners defined by bottom faces and side faces of the contact holes 32, thereby removing rectangular portions from the corners. Specifically, the tapered surface of each tapered portion 23 intersects with the bottom face and side face of the associated contact hole 32 at an obtuse angle. Underlayer films 16a (formed of, e.g. Ti, Co, W, or SiN) having a thickness of about 0.1µm is formed on the inner walls of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. The underlayer films 16a are formed on the inner walls of grooves 31 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) and the inner walls of contact holes 32 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 13a) with good coverage. Conductor members 16b (formed of, e.g. Al-Cu-Si, Al-Cu, Cu, etc.) are formed on the underlayer films 16a and filled in the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. Wiring elements and contact plugs are formed of the underlayer films 16a and conductor members 16b. An insulating film 19 for protecting wiring is provided over the insulating film 14b, conductor members 16b and exposed portions of the underlayer films 16a. According to the semiconductor apparatus having the above structure, the upper-side wiring elements and lower-side contact plugs can be integrally formed through the same steps, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition, the stopper films 13a and 14a have the tapered portions at the corner regions of the wiring grooves and contact holes. Specifically, the bottom face and side face of each of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 intersect with the tapered surface of the tapered portion of the associated stopper film 13a, 14a at an obtuse angle. Accordingly, the wiring underlayer films 16a can be formed on the inner walls of grooves 31 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) and the inner walls of contact holes 32 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 13a) with good coverage. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 13 shows a part of the semiconductor apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 12. A field oxide film 12 is formed on a silicon substrate 11. For example, a MOS transistor is formed in a device region surrounded by the field oxide film 12. A stopper film 13a about 0.2µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the resultant structure. An insulating film 13b about 1.2µm thick is provided on the stopper film 13a. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 13a be lower than that for the insulating film 13b. The surface of the insulating film 13b is flattened. A stopper film 14a about 0.2µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the insulating film 13b. An insulating film 14b about 1.5µm thick is provided on the stopper film 14a. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 14a be lower than that for the insulating film 14b. The surface of the insulating film 14b is flattened. Wiring grooves 31 for formation of wiring elements are formed in the insulating film 14b and stopper film 14a. The stopper film 14a has tapered portions 24 at corners defined by bottom faces and side faces of the grooves 31, thereby removing rectangular portions from the corners. Specifically, the tapered surface of each tapered portion 24 intersects with the bottom face and side face of the associated groove 31 at an obtuse angle. Contact holes 32 are formed in the insulating film 13b and stopper film 13a. The contact holes 32 extend downward from the bottoms of the wiring grooves 31 to the gate electrode 21 and source/drain regions 22a and 22b. The stopper film 13a has tapered portions 23 at corners defined by bottom faces and side faces of the contact holes 32, thereby removing rectangular portions from the corners. Specifically, the tapered surface of each tapered portion 23 intersects with the bottom face and side face of the associated contact hole 32 at an obtuse angle. Conductor members 16c (formed of, e.g. W) are filled in the contact holes 32 formed in the insulating film 13. Silicide layers (of, e.g. titanium silicide) 25 are formed in the source/drain regions 22a and 22b just under the conductor members 16c. Underlayer films 16a (formed of, e.g. Ti, Co, W, or SiN) having a thickness of about 0.1µm is provided on the inner walls of the grooves 31 formed in the insulating film 14 and contact holes 32. The underlayer films 16a are formed on the inner walls of grooves 31 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) and the inner walls of contact holes 32 with good coverage. Conductor members 16b (formed of, e.g. Al-Cu-Si, Al-Cu, Cu, etc.) are formed on the underlayer films 16a and filled in the grooves 31. Wiring elements are formed of the underlayer films 16a and conductor members 16b. An insulating film 19 for protecting wiring is provided over the insulating film 14b, conductor members 16b and exposed portions of the underlayer films 16a. According to the semiconductor apparatus having the above structure, the stopper films 13a and 14a have the tapered portions at the corner regions of the wiring grooves and contact holes. Specifically, the bottom face and side face of each of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 intersect with the tapered surface of the tapered portion of the associated stopper film 13a, 14a at an obtuse angle. Accordingly, the wiring underlayer films 16a can be formed on the inner walls of grooves 31 (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) with good coverage, and the conductor members 16b and 16c can be completely filled in the grooves 31 and contact hole 32. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. This apparatus is a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 12 (first embodiment). The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the field oxide film 12 is replaced with a buried oxide film 121 buried in the silicon substrate 11. With the structure in FIG. 14, the same advantages as with the semiconductor apparatus according to the first embodiment can be obtained. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a semiconductor apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. This apparatus is a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 13 (second embodiment). The fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in that the field oxide film 12 is replaced with a buried oxide film 121 buried in the silicon substrate 11. With the structure in FIG. 15, the same advantages as with the semiconductor apparatus according to the second embodiment can be obtained. A process for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described. The semiconductor apparatus as shown in FIG. 12 will be fabricated by the process according to the fifth embodiment. As is shown in FIG. 16, a field oxide film 12 is formed on a silicon substrate 11 by means of LOCOS (Local Oxidation of Silicon). For example, a MOS transistor is to be formed in a device region surrounded by the field oxide film 12. Reference numeral 21 denotes a gate electrode of the MOS transistor extending over the field oxide film 12. Numerals 22a and 22b denote sour/drain regions of the MOS transistor. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, a stopper film 13a about 0.2µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the resultant structure by means of plasma CVD. An insulating film 13b of, e.g. SiO 2 , which is about 1.2µm thick, is provided on the stopper film 13a by means of plasma CVD. The upper surface of the insulating film 13b is flattened by means of flattening techniques such as CMP (chemical mechanical polishing), a resist etch-back method, etc. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 13a be lower than that for the insulating film 13b. If the insulating film 13b is sufficiently thick, the step of flatting the insulating film 13b is not necessarily required. As is shown in FIG. 18, a stopper film 14a about 0.2µm thick, which is formed of, e.g. SiN, SiON or SiO 2 containing impurities, is provided over the entire surface of the insulating film 13b by means of plasma CVD. Contact holes 32 are formed in the stopper film 14a by means of techniques of lithography and RIE. As is shown in FIG. 19, an insulating film 14b of, e.g. SiO 2 , which is about 1.5µm thick, is provided on the stopper film 14a by means of plasma CVD. Subsequently, the upper surface of the insulating film 14b is flattened by means of flattening techniques such as CMP (chemical mechanical polishing), a resist etch-back method, etc. It is necessary that the etching rate of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper film 14a be lower than that for the insulating film 14b. If the insulating film 14b is sufficiently thick, the step of flatting the insulating film 14b is not necessarily required. As is shown in FIG. 20, a resist film 35 is provided over the insulating film 14b and the resist film 25 is patterned by means of lithography, thereby forming a wiring pattern on the resist film 35. Using RIE, the insulating film 14b and insulating film 13b are simultaneously etched. Thus, grooves 31 having the same pattern as a wiring pattern are formed in the insulating film 14b, and contact holes 32 for formation of contact plugs are formed in the insulating film 13b. In this case, the etching rates of RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) for the stopper films 13a and 14a are lower than those for the insulating films 13b and 14b, respectively. Thus, the stopper films 13a and 14a serve as stoppers for RIE, and the stopper film 14a serves as etching mask for forming contact holes 32. Accordingly, the wiring grooves 31 and the contact holes 32 for formation of the contact plugs for connecting the upper and lower wiring elements (or the wiring element and the substrate) can be simultaneously formed. Since the contact holes 32 can be formed in a self-alignment manner, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Since the resist film 35 is provided on the flat insulating film 14b, a precise wiring pattern (or groove) pattern) can be formed on the insulating film 14b. Specifically, the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 can be formed according to predetermined design dimensions, and miniaturization of devices can be achieved. In FIG. 21, those portions of the stopper films 13a and 14a, which are located on the bottoms of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 are etched away by RIE. In this case, the RIE is performed under conditions necessary for forming side-wall protection films during the etching. For example, one condition for forming the side-wall protection films during the etching is that RIE is performed in an atmosphere of carbon fluoride (CFx). As a result, the stopper film 14a has tapered portions at the corners defined between the bottom faces and side faces of the grooves 31. In other words, the bottom face and side face of each of the grooves 31 intersect with the tapered surface of the associated tapered portion of the stopper film 14a at an obtuse angle. Similarly, the stopper film 13a has tapered portions at the corners defined between the bottom faces and side faces of the contact holes 32. In other words, the bottom face and side face of each of the contact holes 32 intersect with the tapered surface of the associated tapered portion of the stopper film 13a at an obtuse angle. Thereafter, the resist film 35 is removed. Underlayer 16a about 0.1µm thick (formed of, e.g. Ti, Co, W, or SiN) for wiring elements and contact plugs are formed by means of sputtering or CVD, as shown in FIG. 22. In this case, since the stopper films 13a and 14a have the tapered portions at the corners of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32, the underlayer films 16a are provided on the inner walls of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 with good coverage. Then, conductor members 16b about 2.0µm thick (formed of, e.g. Al-Cu-Si, Al-Cu, or Cu) are formed on the underlayer films 16a by means of sputtering or CVD. Excess portions of the conductor members 16b are removed by means of CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) and the conductor members 16b are left only in the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. Thus, wiring elements and contact plugs are simultaneously formed. A wiring protection film (formed of, e.g. SiO 2 ) about 0.3µm thick is then formed by means of plasma CVD. According to the above-described process for fabricating the semiconductor apparatus, the wiring grooves 31 are formed by using the resist film 35 as mask. The contact holes 32 in which the contact plugs are to be formed in a self-alignment manner in relation to the grooves 31 are formed by using the resist film 35 and stopper film 14a as masks. Thus, the wiring pattern (grooves) and contact plug pattern (contact holes) are formed at the same time, and the number of the manufacturing steps is reduced, thus reducing the manufacturing cost. In addition, the stopper films 13a and 14a are provided with the tapered portions at the corners of the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. Specifically, the bottom face and side face of each of the contact holes 32 intersect with the tapered surface of the associated tapered portion of the stopper film 13a at an obtuse angle. Thus, the underlayer films 16a can be provided on the inner walls (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) of the grooves 31 and the inner walls (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 13a) of the contact holes 32 with good coverage. As a result, the conductor members 16b and 16c can be completely filled in the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. A process for fabricating a semiconductor apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention will now be described. The semiconductor apparatus as shown in FIG. 13 will be fabricated by the process according to the sixth embodiment. In this process, the grooves 31 and contact holes 32 are formed through the same steps as those in the process for fabricating the semiconductor apparatus according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the steps of FIGS. 16 to 21 are commonly carried out. As is shown in FIG. 23, a film of a high-melting-point metal (e.g. Ti, Co or W) is formed at least in the contact holes 32 by means of sputtering or CVD. The resultant structure is annealed, for example, for about 30 minutes at about 600°C, thereby forming silicide layers 25 in the gate electrode 21 and source/drain regions 22a and 22b at the bottoms of contact holes 32. Then, using a mixture liquid of H 2 SO 4 and H 2 O 2 , the remaining high-melting-point metal film, which has not reacted with the silicon substrate 11, is completely removed. Subsequently, conductor members 16c (of, e.g. tungsten) are selectively formed only within the contact holes 32 by means of plasma CVD. As a result, contact plugs are formed within the contact holes 32. In this embodiment, no underlayer film for the conductor members 16c is needed. Underlayer films 16a (of, e.g. Ti, Co, W, or SiN) for the wiring elements are formed to a thickness of about 0.1µm by means of sputter or CVD. In this case, since the stopper film 14a has the tapered portion at the corners of the grooves 31, the underlayer films 16a are provided on the inner walls of the grooves 31 with good coverage. Then, using a sputtering method and a CVD method, conductor members 16b about 2.0µm thick (formed of, e.g. Al-Cu-Si, Al-Cu, or Cu) are formed on the underlayer films 16a. Excess portions of the conductor members 16b are removed by means of CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) and the conductor members 16b are left only in the grooves 31. A wiring protection film (formed of, e.g. SiO 2 ) about 0.3µm thick is then formed by means of plasma CVD. According to the above-described process for fabricating the semiconductor apparatus, the wiring grooves 31 are formed by using the resist film 35 as mask. The contact holes 32 in which the contact plugs are to be formed in a self-alignment manner in relation to the grooves 31 are formed by using the resist film 35 and stopper film 14a as masks. Thus, the wiring pattern (grooves) and contact plug pattern (contact holes) are formed at the same time, and the number of the manufacturing steps is reduced, thus reducing the manufacturing cost. In addition, the stopper films 13a and 14a are provided with the tapered portions at the corners of the contact holes 32 and grooves 31. Specifically, the bottom face and side face of each of the contact holes 32 or grooves 31 intersect with the tapered surface of the associated tapered portion of the stopper film 13a or 14a at an obtuse angle. Thus, the underlayer films 16a can be provided on the inner walls (including the tapered surfaces of stopper film 14a) of the grooves 31 with good coverage. As a result, the conductor members 16b and 16c can be completely filled in the grooves 31 and contact holes 32. As has been described in reference to figures 12-23, the following advantages can be obtained by the semiconductor apparatuses and the manufacturing processes therefor according to the present invention: (1) A wiring groove is formed with a resist film used as mask, and a contact hole is formed with the resist film and a stopper film used as masks, in a self-alignment manner in relation to the wiring groove. Accordingly, a wiring pattern (groove) and a contact plug pattern (contact hole) are formed at the same time, and the number of manufacturing steps is reduced, thus contributing to reduction in manufacturing cost. (2) Since resist films for forming the stopper film and wiring groove are uniform in thickness, the precision of patterning is good and the resolution hardly deteriorates. (3) A slit region having a greater width than the wiring groove is formed in the stopper film below the wiring groove, it is possible to prevent reduction in contact area between the contact plug and the upper wiring even if misalignment occurs in a lithographing step. (4) When mutually opposed contact holes are formed below parallel wiring elements, a slit region is formed to cross the two wiring elements. Thus, the distance between the mutually opposed contact holes becomes equal to that between the wiring grooves without fail. Thus, even if contact holes are formed to face parallel wiring elements by the process of above (3), the distance between the wiring grooves can be set at the resolution limit space. As a result, the integration density of semiconductor devices can be increased. (5) The stopper film is provided with tapered portions at the corners of the groove and contact holes. Specifically, the bottom face and side face of each of the groove and contact hole intersect with the tapered surface of the tapered portion of the stopper film at an obtuse angle. Thus, an underlayer film for wiring can be provided on the inner walls of the groove and contact hole with uniform thickness and good coverage.

Claims: Semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate having thereon: a first conductive region (21, 22a); an interlayer insulating film (13, 14) provided on the first conductive region, said interlayer insulating film comprising a laminate of a first insulating layer (13b) over said first conductive region, an insulating protection layer (14a) on said first insulating layer and a second insulating layer (14b) on said insulating protection layer; said insulating protection layer (14a) having an etching rate different from that of the first and second insulating layers, the protection layer having an opening (36); a contact hole (32) penetrating the first insulating layer and located under the opening (36); a groove (31) in said second insulating layer (14b) on said opening; a second conductive region (16) provided within said groove; a conductor member (16, 16c) for electrically connecting the first conductive region and the second conductive region via the contact hole, characterized in that said opening has a tapered side wall, the bottom dimensions of said opening being smaller than its upper dimensions, and the contact hole (32) penetrates from the opening (36) of the insulating protection layer (14a) to the first conductive region (21, 22a) substantially vertically with respect to the semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor device according to claim 1, characterized by an additional protection film (13a) provided on the first conductive region (21, 22a). Semiconductor device according to claim 2, characterized in that a further opening is provided through the additional protection film (13a), said further opening being under the contact hole (32) said further opening having a tapered wall, whereby the bottom dimensions of said further opening is smaller than its upper dimensions. Semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said conductor member (16) and said second conductive region constitute a single conductive region (16). Semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said conductor member (16) is surrounded by an underlayer film (16a). Semiconductor device according to claim 5, characterized in that said underlayer film (16a) is formed of a conductor consisting substantially of one of Ti, W and Co. Semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the opening (36) of the protection layer (14a) has an area greater than the dimensions of the contact hole (32). Semiconductor device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said protection layer (14a) is in contact with the second conductive region (16). Semiconductor device according to claim 2, characterized in that said additional protection film (13a) is in contact with the first conductive region (21, 22a), and a side face of the further opening in the additional protection film (13a) is in contact with the conductor member (16a, 16c). Process for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate having thereon a first conductive region (21, 22a) and a second conductive region (16) provided above said first conductive region, said process comprising the steps of: forming on the first conductive region a first insulating layer (13b) constituting a part of an interlayer insulating film (13, 14); providing an insulating protection layer (14a) on the first insulating film (13b), said insulating protection film having an etching rate different from that of the first insulating layer; forming an opening (36) in said insulating protection layer; forming a second insulating layer (14b) constituting a part of the interlayer insulating film and covering the protection film (14a) and the opening (36); etching the second insulating film (14b), thereby forming a groove (31), and exposing at the bottom of said groove the protection film (14a) and said opening, and etching the first insulating film (13b) through the opening (36) of the protection film (14a) , thereby forming a contact hole (32) reaching the first conductive region (21, 22a); forming a conductor member (16, 16c) in said contact hole (32); and forming a second conductive region (16) in said groove (31); characterized by etching the opening with a tapered side wall, the bottom dimensions of the opening being smaller than its upper dimensions, and the contact hole (32) extending from the opening (36) to the first conductive region (21, 22a) substantially vertically with respect to the semiconductor substrate. Process according to claim 10, characterized by further comprising a step of forming the conductor member (16) and the second conductive region simultaneously in the contact hole (32) and the groove (31), respectively. Process according to claim 10, characterized by further comprising a step of forming separately said conductor member (16c, 16) in the contact hole (32) and said second conductive region in the groove (31). Process according to claim 10, characterized by further comprising the steps of: providing an additional protection film (13a) having the same properties as said insulating protection layer on the first conductive region (21, 22a) prior to the step of forming the first insulating layer (13b); and forming a further opening with the same dimensions as the contact hole (32) in the additional protection film (13a) and under said contact hole. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that said opening and the further opening are formed in the insulating protection layer (14a) and the additional protection film (13a), respectively, by reactive ion etching, the side wall of the opening and of the further opening being tapered, so that the bottom dimensions of said opening and of said further opening is smaller than the upper dimensions. Process according to any one of claims 10, 13 and 14, characterized by further comprising a step of simultaneously forming a conductor member (16) in the contact hole (32) and the groove (31), after having formed an underlayer film (16a) on the bottom and side faces of the contact hole (32) and on the bottom and side faces of the groove (31). Process according to claim 15, characterized in that said underlayer film (16a) is formed of a conductor consisting substantially of one of Ti, W and Co. Process according to claim 10, characterized in that the opening (36) in the insulating protection layer (14a) has dimensions greater than that of the contact hole (32). Process according to claim 10, characterized in that said grooves (31) are formed by means of lithography, and the distance between the grooves is equal to a minimum resolution space of the lithography. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that the thickness of the insulating protection layer is greater than a value calculated by (Ep/Ei) x T where the etching rate of the protection film is Ep, the thickness of the first insulating film (13b) below said protection layer is T and the etching rate of the first insulating film is Ei.

Inventors: INOHARA MASAHIRO, MATSUNO TADASHI, SHIBATA HIDEKI, INOHARA, MASAHIRO, MATSUNO, TADASHI, SHIBATA, HIDEKI, Inohara, Masahiro, c/o Intellectual Property Div., Matsuno, Tadashi, c/o Intellectual Property Div., Shibata, Hideki, c/o Intellectual Property Div.
Applicants: TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01L21
IPC codes: H01L21, H01L23