Patent ID: RE40790

Claim:
A semiconductor processing method of making electrical contact with an active area on a semiconductor wafer, the method comprising the following steps: providing a pair of conductive runners on a semiconductor wafer, individual conductive runners having sides; providing an insulative layer on the sides of the conductive runners, the insulative sides of adjacent conductive runners being spaced a selected distance apart at a selected location on the wafer; providing an active area between the conductive runners at the selected location; providing a layer of first oxide to a selected thickness over the active area and conductive runners, the first oxide layer selected thickness being less than one-half the selected distance between the insulative sides of adjacent conductive runners; providing a first planarized layer of insulating material atop the first oxide layer, the first layer of insulating material being selectively etchable relative to the first oxide, the first layer of insulating material having an upper surface; patterning the planarized first insulating layer for definition of a first contact opening therethrough to the active area; etching the patterned first insulating layer selectively relative to the first oxide layer to define the first contact opening therethrough, the first contact opening having an aperture width at the planarized first insulating layer upper surface, the aperture width being greater than the selected distance between the insulative sides of adjacent conductive runners; etching the first oxide layer within the first contact opening to expose the active area; providing a plug of conductive material within the first contact opening over the exposed active area; providing a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer and the conductive plug; patterning and etching the second insulating layer to form a second contact opening to and exposing the conductive plug; and providing a conductive layer over the second insulating layer and into the second contact opening, the conductive layer electrically contacting the conductive plug.