Patent ID: 7935623

Claim:
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising: the step (a) of forming a first insulating film over a semiconductor substrate; the step (b) of forming an interconnect layer in at least an upper portion of the first insulating film; the step (c) of forming a recess in an upper portion of the interconnect layer; the step (d) of forming, on the first insulating film and the interconnect layer, a second insulating film made of one single layer and filling the recess; the step (e) of planarizing an upper surface of the second insulating film so that a thickness of a portion of the second insulating film located on the interconnect layer is larger than that of a portion of the second insulating film located on the first insulating film; the step (f) of forming a third insulating film on the second insulating film after the step (e); the step (g) of removing, using a photoresist as a mask, portions of the third insulating film and the second insulating film located over the interconnect layer so that the removed part does not reach the interconnect layer, thereby leaving part of the second insulating film on the interconnect layer; and the step (h) of removing the photoresist.