# US 2019/0172722 A1 · Method of forming semiconductor device

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- Number: US 2019/0172722 A1
- Document ID: US20190172722A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/158,316
- Filed: 2018-10-12
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04
- Assignees: United Microelectronics Corp.; Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: United Microelectronics Corp.; Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang; Wei-Hsin Liu; Ying-Chih Lin; Jui-Min Lee; Gang-Yi Lin; Fu-Che Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190172722A1

## CPC

- H10P 50/73: {using masks for insulating materials}
- H10B 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- H10P 50/695: {characterised by the process involved to create the mask, e.g. lift-off masks or sidewalls or to modify the mask}
- H10P 50/696: {Process specially adapted to improve the resolution of the mask}
- H10P 76/4085: {characterised by the processes involved to create the masks}
- H10P 76/4088: {Processes for improving the resolution of the masks}
- H10P: GENERIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H10B: ELECTRONIC MEMORY DEVICES

## Abstract

A method of forming a semiconductor memory device includes following steps. First of all, a target layer is provided, and a mask structure is formed on the target layer, with the mask structure including a first mask layer a sacrificial layer and a second mask layer. The first mask layer and the second mask layer include the same material but in different containing ratio. Next, the second mask layer and the sacrificial layer are patterned, to form a plurality of mandrels. Then, a plurality of spacer patterns are formed to surround the mandrels, and then transferred into the first mask layer to form a plurality of opening not penetrating the first mask layer. Finally, the first mask layer is used as a mask to etch the target layer, to form a plurality of target patterns.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
providing a target layer;
forming a stacked structure on the target layer, the stacked structure comprising a first mask layer, a sacrificial layer and a second mask layer stacked on one over another, wherein the first mask layer and the second mask layer comprises the same material composition, and proportions of components are different in the first mask layer and the second mask layer;
patterning the second mask layer and the sacrificial layer to form a plurality of mandrels;
forming a plurality of spacer patterns surrounding the mandrels respectively;
transferring the spacer patterns into the first mask layer, to form a plurality of openings in the first mask layer, wherein the openings are not penetrated through the first mask layer; and
after completely removing the spacer patterns, patterning the target layer through the first mask layer and the openings, to form a plurality target patterns in the target layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first mask layer and the second mask layer comprises silicon oxynitride.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein the first mask layer is a silicon nitride like layer and the second mask layer is silicon oxide like layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein a concentration of silicon is greater than a concentration of nitrogen and a concentration of oxygen in the first mask layer, and a concentration of silicon is equal to a concentration of nitrogen and a concentration of oxygen in the second mask layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first mask layer is greater than a thickness of the target layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first mask layer is greater than a thickness of the second mask layer and a thickness of the sacrificial layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising:
completely removing the mandrels before transferring the spacer patterns.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the forming of the spacer patterns further comprises:
forming a spacer material layer to cover each of the mandrels and the first mask layer; and
partially removing the spacer material layer, to form the spacer patterns.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the target patterns are separately formed on the substrate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of forming a semiconductor device according to claim 9, further comprising:
performing a sidewall image transferring process, to form a plurality of separated patterns on the target layer; and
transferring the patterns into the target layer while patterning the target layer, to form the target patterns.