Patent ID: 7838381

Claim:
A method of forming a capacitor structure on a substrate, the method comprising: forming a recess in the substrate; depositing a first conductive layer within the recess; depositing a filler layer on the first conductive layer so as to at least partially fill the recess, wherein the first conductive layer and the filler layer define a lower electrode within the recess; removing at least a portion of the first conductive layer so that the first conductive layer does not extend above an upper surface of the substrate; forming a cap layer on the lower electrode so as to overlie the first conductive layer and the filler layer in a manner such that the cap layer extends over the filler layer and the first conductive layer; removing at least a portion of the cap layer by a print and etch process so as to define an electrode cap on the lower electrode; removing at least a portion of the substrate away from the lower electrode to thereby at least partially isolate the lower electrode such that the lower electrode defines a stud that extends outward from the substrate after the at least a portion of the substrate is removed; depositing a dielectric layer on the lower electrode; and depositing a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer so as to define an upper electrode.