Patent Abstract:
A manufacturing method and the structure of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) are disclosed. The TFT-LCD uses metal electrodes as a mask to thoroughly remove the unwanted semiconductor layer during the etching process for forming the source and drain electrodes. This manufacturing method can reduce the problems caused by the unwanted semiconductor layer, hence improving the quality of the TFT.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/884,286, filed on Jun. 19, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,933, which claims priority to Taiwanese Application No. 89112829, filed on Jun. 29, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a thin film transistor and the manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a thin film transistor used in a thin film transistor liquid crystal display. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In an active matrix liquid crystal displays, a thin film transistor (TFT) is commonly adopted for good driving and switching capabilities.  FIG. 1  shows the essential components of a TFT used in a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The substrate  1  is made from glass or quartz. A metal layer  2   a  is used as the gate electrode of the TFT. The electrode  2   b  is an electrode of a storage capacitor. A insulating layer  3  is formed on the substrate  1 . A semiconductor layer  4  is further formed above the insulating layer  3  and usually made from amorphous silicon. An n type doped polysilicon layer  5  and a metal electrode  6  are used to form source/drain electrodes of the TFT. A passivation layer  7  is formed above the substrate  1 . A transparent conductive layer  8 , such as an ITO layer, is used to form the pixel electrode. Between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a channel  9  is defined. 
     According to the TFT shown in  FIG. 1 , the amorphous silicon layer  4  is formed on the insulating layer  3 , and the channel  9  is defined by etching the amorphous silicon layer  4 . During the above etching process, if any amorphous silicon is left above the insulating layer  3  at the position outside the TFT, it will harm the properties of the TFT and reduce the quality of the TFT-LCD. Additionally, two dielectric layers, including the insulating layer  3  and the passivaton layer  7 , are formed on the substrate  1  and will reduce the transmittance of the substrate  1 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) using metallic electrodes as a mask to remove the unwanted amorphous silicon layer when forming the source/drain electrodes. This method avoids the problems resulting from unwanted amorphous silicon layer, and enhances the TFT quality. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) to efficiently reduce the thickness of the insulating layer by controlling the etching condition for forming the drain/source electrodes without affecting the quality of the TFT. It also increases the capacitance Cs of the storage capacitor by reducing the thickness of the insulating layer. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) to define a shielding metal layer above a lower electrode of a storage capacitor. After the drain/source electrodes are patterned, a number of layers are formed between the lower electrode and the shielding metal layer for increasing the storage capacitor. 
     To achieve the objects described, the present invention provides a first method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) . The TFT-LCD has at least one thin film transistor (TFT) and one storage capacitor. The manufacturing process is described below. First, a substrate is provided, a first and a second conductive layer are then deposited on the substrate to respectively form a gate electrode of the TFT and a bottom electrode of the storage capacitor. Then, forming an insulating layer above these conductive layers and the substrate. Further, sequentially forming a semiconductor layer and a doped silicon layer on the insulating layer, then depositing a sacrifice layer with an island shape on the doped silicon layer, especially directly above the first conductive layer. A metal layer is formed covering the island-shaped sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer, the metal layer is then patterned to form source and drain electrodes above the first conductive layer. A channel is defined between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the sacrifice layer is exposed in the channel. A portion of the substrate not covered by the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the channel is defined as a non-TFT region so as to expose the doped silicon in the non-TFT region. By using the source and the drain electrodes as a mask, several etching processes are performed at the same time during: (a) the island-shaped sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer in the channel are removed so that the semiconductor layer is exposed in the channel; and (b) the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer on the non-TFT region are removed so that the insulating layer is exposed in the non-TFT region. Finally, a passivation layer is formed to cover the source electrode, the drain electrode, the channel, and the substrate. 
     To achieve the objects described, the present invention provides a second method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) . The TFT-LCD has at least one thin film transistor (TFT) and one storage capacitor. The manufacturing process is described below. First, a substrate is provided, a first and a second conductive layer are then deposited on the substrate to form a gate electrode of the TFT and a bottom electrode of the storage capacitor. Then, forming an insulating layer above these conductive layers and the substrate. Further, sequentially forming a semiconductor layer and a doped silicon layer on the insulating layer, then depositing a sacrifice layer with an island shape on the doped silicon layer, especially directly above the first conductive layer. A metal layer is formed covering the island-shaped sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer, the metal layer is then patterned to form a source electrode and a drain electrode above the first conductive layer, and form a shielding metal layer above the second conductive layer. A channel is defined between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the sacrifice layer is exposed in the channel. A capacitor region is defined as a portion of the substrate covered by the shielding metal layer. A portion of the substrate not covered by the source electrode, the drain electrode, the capacitor, and the channel is defined as a non-TFT region so as to expose the doped silicon in the non-TFT region. By using the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the shielding metal layer as a mask, several etching processes are performed at the same time during: (a) the island-shaped sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer in the channel are removed so that the semiconductor layer is exposed in the channel; and (b) the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer on the non-TFT region are removed so that the insulating layer is exposed. Finally, a passivation layer is formed to cover the source electrode, the drain electrode, the channel, and the capacitor region. 
     To achieve the objects described, the present invention provides a third method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The third manufacturing method is similar to the first manufacturing method. The major difference between the third method and the first method is the position of the sacrifice layer. In the third method, the island-shaped sacrifice layer is formed on the semiconductor layer, and the doped silicon layer is formed above the sacrifice layer in the channel. 
     To achieve the objects described, the present invention provides a fourth method for forming a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The fourth manufacturing method is similar to the second manufacturing method. The major difference between the fourth method and the second method is the position of the sacrifice layer. In the fourth method, the island-shaped sacrifice layer is formed on the semiconductor layer, and the doped silicon layer is formed above the sacrifice layer in the channel. 
     In these methods mentioned above, the etching rates of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are R IS , R n , and R a  respectively. The thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer, the doped silicon layer, and the semiconductor layer are T IS , T n , and T a  respectively. The time for removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer in the channel and the doped silicon layer (T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) is not less than the time for removing the doped silicon layer and the semiconductor layer on the non-TFT region (T n /R n +T a /R a ). 
     By controlling the thickness of the sacrifice layer, the thickness of the insulating layer on the non-TFT region is reduced at the same time during the etching processes for etching the doped silicon layer and the sacrifice layer in the channel as well as etching away the doped silicon layer, the semiconductor layer, and a portion of the insulating layer in the non-TFT region. 
     The portion of the removed insulating layer has an etching rate R INS  and a thickness T INS , and the time for removing the sacrifice layer and the doped silicon layer in the channel (T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) is equal to the time for removing the doped silicon layer, the semiconductor layer and the removed insulating layer in the non-TFT region (T n /R n +T a /R a +T INS /R INS ). 
     One type of thin film transistor (TFT) is produced in the present invention. The TFT includes a gate electrode with an island shape formed on a substrate, an insulating layer covering the island-shaped gate electrode, an semiconductor layer with an island shape formed on the insulating layer, and a source doped silicon layer and a drain doped silicon layer formed on the semiconductor layer. The island-shaped semiconductor layer is positioned above the island-shaped gate electrode. A channel is defined between the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer, and the island-shaped semiconductor layer is exposed in the channel. The TFT further includes first and second sacrifice layers having island shapes and respectively formed on the source doped silicon layer and drain doped silicon layer. The first and the second island-shaped sacrifice layers are separated by the channel. The TFT further includes a source electrode formed on the first sacrifice layer and the source dope silicon layer, and a drain electrode formed on the second sacrifice layer and the drain doped silicon layer. The thickness of the first and second sacrifice layers are varied according to the thickness of the island-shaped semiconductor layer because the time for etching the first and second sacrifice layers is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer in the subsequent process. 
     A second type of thin film transistor is produced in the present invention. The TFT includes a gate electrode with an island shape formed on a substrate, an insulating layer covering the island-shaped gate electrode, and semiconductor layer with an island shape formed on the insulating layer, and first and second sacrifice layers with island shapes formed on the semiconductor layer. The first and second island-shaped sacrifice layers are positioned above the gate electrode. A channel is defined between the first and the second sacrifice layers, and the semiconductor layer is exposed in the channel. The TFT further includes a source doped silicon layer and a drain doped silicon layer formed above the first sacrifice layer, the second sacrifice layer, and the semiconductor layer. The source and drain doped silicon layers are spaced apart by the channel. The TFT further includes a source electrode and a drain electrode respectively formed on the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer. The thickness of the first and second island-shaped sacrifice layers are varied according to the thickness of the island-shaped semiconductor layer because the time for etching the first and second island-shaped sacrifice layers is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer in the subsequent process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of the essential component of a TFT-LCD in the prior art; 
         FIG. 2A  to  FIG. 2F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  to  FIG. 3F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  to  FIG. 5F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the forth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The First Embodiment 
       FIG. 2A  to  FIG. 2F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     First of all, a first conductive layer  22   a  and a second conductive layer  22   b  are deposited on a substrate  21  to form a gate electrode  22   a  of a thin film transistor (TFT) and a bottom electrode  22   b  of a storage capacitor. Usually, the first and the second conductive layers  22   a  and  22   b  are metal layers, and the substrate  21  is made of glass or quartz. 
     Next, forming an insulating layer  23  above the first and the second conductive layers  22   a,    22   b  and the substrate  21 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . Then, a semiconductor layer  24  and a doped silicon layer  25  are formed on the insulating layer  23 . In the present embodiment, the semiconductor layer  24  is an amorphous silicon layer, and the doped silicon layer  25  is an n type doped poly-silicon layer. 
     A sacrifice layer  29  with an island shape is formed on the doped silicon layer  25 , and especially above the first conductive layer  22   a  as shown in  FIG. 2B . A metal layer  26  is formed to cover the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2   c,  the metal layer  26  is patterned to form a source electrode  26   a  and a drain electrode  26   b  above the gate electrode  22   a.  A channel  30  is defined between the source electrode  26   a  and the drain electrode  26   b  so as to expose the sacrifice layer  29  in the channel  30 . A portion of the substrate  21  which is not covered by the source electrode  26   a,  the drain electrode  26   b,  and the channel  30  is defined as a non-TFT region, and the doped silicon layer is exposed in the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     By using the source and the drain electrodes  26   a  and  26   b  as a mask to perform the following etching processes at the same time: (1) removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25  in the channel, and (2) removing the doped silicon layer  25  and the semiconductor layer  24  in the non-TFT region, so that the semiconductor layer  24  is exposed in the channel  30  and the insulating layer  23  is exposed in the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 2D . 
     In the etching process, etching rates of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29 , the doped silicon layer  25 , and the semiconductor layer  24  are respectively R IS , R n , and R a . The thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29 , the doped silicon layer  25 , and the semiconductor layer  24  are T IS , T n , and T a , respectively. The amount of T IS , T n , and T a  can be adjusted in advance to cooperate with a suitable etching process so that the time T 1  for removing the sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25  in the channel is equal to the time T 2  for removing the doped silicon layer  25  and the semiconductor layer  24  in the non-TFT region. T 1  equals to T IS /R IS +T n /R n , and T 2  equals to T n /R n +T a /R a , that is (T IS /R IS +T n /R n )≧(T n /R n +T a /R a ). After the etch process, the semiconductor layer  24  is exposed in the channel  30 , and the insulating layer  23  is exposed in the non-TFT region. 
     The thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29  can be adjusted so that a portion of the insulating layer  23  can be removed after etching away the doped silicon layer  25  and the semiconductor layer  24  in the non-TFT region during the etching process for removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25  in the channel, as shown in  FIG. 2D . In other words, when the etching rate and the thickness of the removed portion of the insulating layer  23  are respectively R INS  and T INS , the time T 1  for removing the sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25  in the channel (T 1 =T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) is equal to the time T 3  for removing the doped silicon layer  25 , the semiconductor layer  24 , and the removed insulating layer  23  in the non-TFT region (T 3 =T n /R n +T a /R a +T INS /R INS ). 
     Further, a passivation layer  27  is formed to cover the source electrode  26   a,  the drain electrode  26   b,  and the channel  30 . Therefore, this kind of TFT can be suitable for applying in an in-plane-switch (IPS) type TFT-LCD. 
     In the non-IPS type TFT-LCD, the passivation layer  27  is patterned to expose the drain electrode  26   b  as shown in  FIG. 2E . Finally, a transparent conductive layer  28  is formed on the passivation layer  27  to electrically connect to the drain electrode  26   b  as shown in  FIG. 2F . The transparent conductive layer can be an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer. 
     The Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 3A  to  FIG. 3F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the second embodiment of the present invention. The same structures are label by the same symbolic numberings as  FIG. 2A  to  FIG. 2F . 
     The process of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. The major difference is that a shielding metal layer  31  is formed directly above the lower electrode  22   b  of the storage capacitor during the process for defining the source and drain electrodes  26   a  and  26   b,  as shown in  FIG. 3C . Thereby, the shielding metal layer  31 , the doped silicon layer  25 , and the semiconductor layer  24  form a stack layer SL above the insulating layer  23  and the lower electrode  22   b , as shown in  FIG. 3D . 
     A channel  32  is defined between the source and the drain electrodes  26   a  and  26   b.  A portion of the substrate uncovered by the source electrode  26   a,  the drain electrode  26   b,  the channel  32 , and the storage capacitor is defined as a non-TFT region. Meanwhile, the time T 1  for removing the sacrifice layer  29  and the doped silicon layer  25  in the channel (T 1 =T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) is not less than the time T 2  for removing the doped silicon layer  25  and the semiconductor layer  24  (T 2 =T n /R n +T a /R a ). When the etching process is terminated, the semiconductor layer  24  is exposed in the channel  32 , and the insulating layer  23  is exposed on the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 3D . 
     According to  FIG. 3E , a passivation layer  27  is formed to cover the TFT, and the passivation layer  27  is then patterned to expose the drain electrode  26   b  and the stack layer SL. Finally, defining a transparent conductive layer  28  on the passivation layer  27 . The transparent conductive layer  28  is made of ITO, and electrically connected to the drain electrode  26   b.  The transparent conductive layer  28  also connects to the shielding metal layer  31  to form an upper electrode of the storage capacitor. 
     The Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process in the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     First of all, a first conductive layer  42   a  and a second conductive layer  42   b  are deposited on a substrate  41  to form a gate electrode  42   a  of a thin film transistor (TFT) and a bottom electrode  42   b  of a storage capacitor. 
     Next, forming an insulating layer  43  above the first and the second conductive layers  42   a,    42   b  and the substrate  41 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . Then, a semiconductor layer  44  is formed on the insulating layer  43 . In the present embodiment, the semiconductor layer  44  is an amorphous silicon layer. 
     A sacrifice layer  49  with an island shape is then formed on the semiconductor layer  44 , and directly above the first conductive layer  42   a . Next, a doped silicon layer  45  is formed on the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49  and the semiconductor layer  44 . The doped silicon layer  45  can be an n type doped poly-silicon layer. 
     A metal layer  46  is formed to cover the doped silicon layer  45 . As shown in  FIG. 4   c , the metal layer  46  is patterned to form a source electrode  46   a  and a drain electrode  46   b  above the gate electrode  42   a . A channel  52  is defined between the source electrode  46   a  and the drain electrode  46   b  so as to expose the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel  52 . A portion of the substrate  41  which is not covered by the source electrode  46   a , the drain electrode  46   b , and the channel  52  is defined as a non-TFT region, and the doped silicon layer  45  is also exposed in the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 4C . 
     By using the source and the drain electrodes  46   a  and  46   b  as a mask to perform the following etching processes at the same time: (1) removing the doped silicon layer  45  and the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49  in the channel  52 , and (2) removing the doped silicon layer  45  and the semiconductor layer  44  in the non-TFT region, so that the semiconductor layer  44  is exposed in the channel  52  and the insulating layer  43  is exposed in the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 4D . 
     In the etching process, etching rates of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49 , the doped silicon layer  45 , and the semiconductor layer  44  are respectively R IS , R n , and R a . The thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49 , the doped silicon layer  45 , and the semiconductor layer  44  are T IS , T n , and T a  respectively. The amount of T IS , T n , and T a  can be adjusted in advance to cooperate with a suitable etching process so that the time T 1  for removing the sacrifice layer  49  and the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel is not less than the time T 2  for removing the doped silicon layer  45  and the semiconductor layer  44  in the non-TFT region. T 1  equals to T IS /R IS +T n /R n  and T 2  equals to T n /R n +T a /R a , that is (T IS /R IS +T n /R n )≧(T n /R n +T a /R a ). After the etching process, the semiconductor layer  44  is exposed in the channel  52 , and the insulating layer  43  is exposed in the non-TFT region. 
     Further, the thickness of the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49  is controlled so that a portion of the insulating layer  43  can be removed when etching the sacrifice layer  49  and the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel  52 . Therefore, the thickness of the insulating layer  43  can be reduced. 
     More clearly, the etching rate and the thickness of the removed portion of the insulating layer  43  are R INS  and T INS . The time T 1  for removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49  and the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel  52  (T 1 =T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) will be equal to the time T 3  for removing the doped silicon layer  45 , the semiconductor layer  44 , and the removed part of the insulating layer  43  on the non-TFT region (T 3 =T n /R n +T a /R a +T INS /R INS ). The thickness of the insulating layer  43  is reduced so that the transmittance of the substrate  41  can be increased, and the capacitance of the storage capacitor can also be increased. 
     Then, a passivation layer  47  is formed and patterned to expose the drain electrode  46   b ,as shown in  FIG. 4E . Finally, a transparent conductive layer  48 , such as an ITO layer, is formed on the passivation layer  47 , and electrical connected to the drain electrode  46   b , as shown in  FIG. 4F . 
     The Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 5A  to  FIG. 5F  are the sectional diagrams of the manufacturing process described in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same structures are labeled by the same symbolic numberings as  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4F . 
     The process of the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the third embodiment. The major difference is that a shielding metal layer  51  is formed directly above the lower electrode  42   b  of the storage capacitor during the process for defining the source and drain electrodes  46   a  and  46   b , as shown in  FIG. 5C . Therefore, the metal shielding layer  51 , the doped silicon layer  45 , and the semiconductor layer  44  form a stack layer SL above the insulating layer  43  and the lower electrode  42   b , as shown in  FIG. 5D . 
     A channel  53  is defined between the source and the drain electrodes  46   a  and  46   b . A portion of the substrate uncovered by the source electrode  46   a , the drain electrode  46   b , the channel  53 , and the storage capacitor is defined as a non-TFT region. Meanwhile, the time for removing the sacrifice layer  49  and the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel T 1 (=T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) is not less than the time spent for removing the doped silicon layer  45  and the semiconductor layer  44  T 2 (=T n /R n +T a /R a ). When the etching process is terminated, the semiconductor layer  44  is exposed in the channel  53 , and the insulating layer  43  is exposed on the non-TFT region as shown in  FIG. 5D . 
     Finally, defining a transparent conductive layer  48  on the passivation layer  27 . The transparent conductive layer  48  is made of ITO, and electrically connected to the drain electrode  46   b . The transparent conductive layer  48  also connects to the shielding metal layer  51  to form an upper electrode of the storage capacitor. 
     Besides, when forming the channel  53 , a portion of the insulating layer  43  can be removed. The etching rate and the thickness of the removed portion of the insulating layer  43  are R INS  and T INS . The time T 1  for removing the island-shaped sacrifice layer  49  and the doped silicon layer  45  in the channel  53  (T 1 =T IS /R IS +T n /R n ) will be equal to the time T 3  for removing the doped silicon layer  45 , the semiconductor layer  44 , and the removed part of the insulating layer  43  on the non-TFT region (T 3 =T n /R n +T a /R a +T INS /R INS ). The thickness of the insulating layer  43  is reduced so that the transmittance of the substrate  41  can be increased. 
     Although a part of the insulating layer is removed, there is still a stack layer SL formed between the lower electrode  42   b  and the upper electrode of the storage capacitance. The stack layer SL can increase the capacitance when the insulating layer  43  is thinner. 
     From the embodiments described, the present invention uses metal electrodes as a mask to thoroughly remove the semiconductor layer outside the thin film transistor on the substrate. This reduces the product defects caused by the residual semiconductor layer, thus enhancing the product quality. Moreover, forming stacked layers between the lower and upper electrodes of the capacitor can increase the capacitance of the capacitor. The thickness of the insulating layer can be reduced for increasing the light transmittance of the TFT-LCD. Referring to the  FIG. 2F and 3F , One kind of thin film transistor (TFT) is described as follows. The thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode  22   a  with an island shape formed on a substrate  21 , an insulating layer  23  covering the gate electrode  22   a , and a semiconductor layer  24  with an island shape formed on the insulating layer  23 , and positioned directly above the gate electrode  22   a . The TFT further includes source and drain doped silicon layers  25  formed on the semiconductor layer  24 . A channel  30  or  32  is defined between the source doped silicon layer and the drain doped silicon layer  25  to expose the semiconductor layer  24  in the channel. The TFT further includes the first and second sacrifice layers  29 , a source electrode  26   a , and a drain electrode  26   b . The first and second sacrifice layers  29  have island shapes and are respectively formed on the source and drain doped silicon layers  25 . The first and second sacrifice layers  29  are spaced apart by the channel  30 ,  32 . The source electrode  26   a  is formed above the first sacrifice layer  29  and the source dope silicon layer  25 . The drain electrode  26   b  is formed above the second sacrifice layer  29  and the drain doped silicon layer  25 . The thickness of the first and second sacrifice layers  29  varies according to the thickness of the semiconductor layer  24  because the time for etching the first and second sacrifice layers  29  is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer  24  in the subsequent process. 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 4F and 5F , a second kind of thin film transistor (TFT) is described as follows. The thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode  42   a  with an island shape formed on a substrate  41 , an insulating layer  43  covering the gate electrode  42   a , a semiconductor layer  44  with an island shape formed on the insulating layer  43  and positioned above the gate electrode  42   a , and first and second sacrifice layers  49  with island shapes formed on the semiconductor layer. A channel  52 ,  53  is defined between the first and second sacrifice layers  49  so as to expose the semiconductor layer  44  in the channel  52 ,  53 . The TFT further includes source and drain doped silicon layers  45  formed above the first sacrifice layer  49 , second sacrifice layer  49 , and the semiconductor layer  44 . The source and the drain doped silicon layers  45  are spaced apart by the channel  52 ,  53 . The TFT further includes a source electrode  46   a  and a drain electrode  46   b  respectively formed on the source and drain doped silicon layers  45 . The thickness of the first and second sacrifice layers  49  varies with the thickness of the semiconductor layer  44  because the time for etching the first and second sacrifice layers  49  is substantially equal to the time for etching the semiconductor layer  44  in the subsequent process. 
     Finally, while the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7