U.S. patent application number 11/979199 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation. Invention is credited to Yasushi Haga, Atsushi Kanda.
Application Number | 20080064169 11/979199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19138349 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080064169 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanda; Atsushi ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor
device
Abstract
The present invention provides a technique for efficiently
forming a high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown
voltage transistor on the same substrate while reducing the
deterioration of each transistors' characteristics. At first, an
insulating film is formed. The insulating film portions above the
drain and source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage
transistor are thicker than those for the low-breakdown voltage
transistor. Next, gates are formed on the insulating film. Then
sidewalls are formed on the sides of the low-breakdown voltage
transistor gate, and apertures are made in the insulating film
portions above the drain and source formation regions for each
transistor. When apertures are made in the relatively thick
insulating film portions above the drain and source formation
regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor, etching is
performed not to narrow widths of the sidewalls formed on the sides
of the gate for the low-breakdown voltage transistor. Then drain
and source regions are formed for each transistor by introduction
of impure elements through the apertures.
Inventors: |
Kanda; Atsushi; (Suwa,
JP) ; Haga; Yasushi; (Sakata, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
Seiko Epson Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
19138349 |
Appl. No.: |
11/979199 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10892359 |
Jul 16, 2004 |
|
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11979199 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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10268760 |
Oct 11, 2002 |
6780701 |
|
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10892359 |
Jul 16, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
438/275 ;
257/E21.626; 257/E21.634; 257/E21.636; 257/E21.637; 257/E21.638;
257/E21.639; 257/E21.644 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 21/823892 20130101;
H01L 29/66606 20130101; H01L 21/823835 20130101; H01L 21/823807
20130101; H01L 21/82385 20130101; H01L 21/823857 20130101; H01L
21/823842 20130101; H01L 21/823814 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
438/275 ;
257/E21.626 |
International
Class: |
H01L 21/8234 20060101
H01L021/8234 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 18, 2001 |
JP |
2001-321062 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising:
forming a first transistor including: a first gate insulating film;
a first gate electrode formed on the first gate insulating film;
and a first sidewall formed on a side of the first gate electrode,
and forming a second transistor including: a second gate insulating
film that includes a first portion and a second portion being
thinner than the first portion; a second gate electrode formed on
the first portion of the second gate insulating film; and a second
sidewall formed on a side of the second gate electrode.
2. The method according to claim 1, the first sidewall including a
first different material from the first gate insulating film; and
the second sidewall including a second different material from the
second gate insulating film.
3. The method according to claim 1, the first sidewall and the
second sidewall including silicon nitride.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming a
film on the second sidewall.
5. The method according to claim 4, the film having a curved
shape.
6. The method according to claim 5, the film being formed on a
portion of the second gate electrode.
7. The method according to claim 6, the film being formed on the
second portion of the second gate insulating film.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/892,359
filed Jul. 16, 2004, which in turn is a Divisional of application
Ser. No. 10/268,760 filed Oct. 11, 2002. The disclosures of the
prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to the technique for forming a
high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown voltage
transistor on the same substrate.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Driver devices for driving photo devices, liquid crystal
displays (LCDs), print heads, and the like are provided with a
drive section and a logic section for controlling the drive
section. Ordinarily, the drive section includes a high-breakdown
voltage transistor with relatively high drain-source breakdown
voltage (also called "drain breakdown voltage"), and the logic
section contains a low-breakdown voltage transistor with relatively
low drain breakdown voltage. The high-breakdown voltage transistor,
for example, operates at a supply voltage of about 10 volts or
higher, whereas the low-breakdown voltage transistor operates at a
supply voltage of about 5 volts or lower.
[0006] It is desirable that the high-breakdown voltage transistor
and the low-breakdown voltage transistor for the above-described
driver device are formed on a single substrate. Conventionally, in
order to efficiently form transistors with different breakdown
voltages on the same substrate, part of the process for
manufacturing each transistor is common to both, but in many cases
the characteristics of at least one of the transistors are damaged
accordingly.
SUMMARY
[0007] The object of the present invention is thus to solve the
drawbacks of the prior art discussed above and to provide a
technique for efficiently forming a high-breakdown voltage
transistor and a low-breakdown voltage transistor on the same
substrate while reducing the deterioration of each transistor's
characteristics.
[0008] At least part of the above and the other related objects is
attained by a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of
the present invention. In the semiconductor device, a
high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown voltage
transistor of insulated-gate type, having different drain-source
breakdown voltages, are present on the same semiconductor
substrate, each transistor being formed in one of element formation
regions of the substrate, each element formation region including a
source formation region and a drain formation region. The
manufacturing method comprises the steps of (a) forming an
insulating film containing portions to be used as gate insulating
films within each of the element formation regions, the insulating
film portions formed on the drain and source formation regions for
the high-breakdown voltage transistor being thicker than those for
the low-breakdown voltage transistor; (b) forming gates on the
insulating films of the transistors; (c) forming sidewalls on the
sides of the gate of at least the low-breakdown voltage transistor,
and making apertures in the insulating film portions over the drain
and source formation regions for the transistors by etching,
wherein when the apertures are made in relatively thick insulating
film portions on the drain and source formation regions for the
high-breakdown voltage transistor, the etching is performed without
narrowing widths of sidewalls formed on the sides of the gate of
the low-breakdown voltage transistor; and (d) introducing impure
elements into the drain and source formation regions for the
transistors through the apertures made in the insulating film so as
to form drain and source regions of the transistors.
[0009] In this method, when the apertures are made in the
relatively thick insulating film portions on the drain and source
forming regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor, etching
is performed not to narrow the widths of the sidewalls formed on
the sides of the low-breakdown voltage transistor gate. This
enables the drain-source distance on the low-breakdown voltage
transistor to be kept relatively precise, which makes it possible
to reduce the lowering of drain-source breakdown voltage (that is,
drain breakdown voltage). In other words, using this method makes
it possible to efficiently form the high-breakdown voltage
transistor and the low-breakdown voltage transistor on the same
substrate, and to reduce the deterioration of each transistor's
characteristics.
[0010] In one preferable application, the step (c) may include:
(c1) forming, on the element formation region for at least the
low-breakdown voltage transistor, a material film composed of
insulating material different from the insulating film; (c2)
performing selective etching for etching the material film without
etching the insulating film, so as to form the sidewalls on the
sides of the gate of at least the low-breakdown voltage transistor;
and (c3) performing selective etching for etching the insulating
film without etching the material film, so as to make the apertures
in the insulating film portions present above the drain and source
formation regions for the transistors.
[0011] This arrangement makes it possible to selectively etch the
material film and the insulating film, which in turn makes it
possible to etch the insulating film portions on the drain and
source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor
in a way that does not cause the sidewalls formed on the sides of
the low-breakdown voltage transistor gate to narrow.
[0012] In the above method, the semiconductor substrate may be a
silicon substrate; the insulating film may be a silicon oxide film;
and the material film may be a silicon nitride film.
[0013] In the above method, it is preferable that the step (b)
includes forming the gates of the transistors of polysilicon; the
step (c) includes forming a silicon oxide film on the sides of the
gates formed of polysilicon prior to the formation of the
sidewalls; and the-step (d) includes introducing impure elements
into the gates.
[0014] In this way, it is possible to form the transistor gate from
polysilicon into which impure elements have been introduced rather
than from metallic materials. Also, by using the above method, a
silicon oxide film is formed between the gate composed of
polysilicon and the sidewalls composed of silicon nitride. The
interposition of the silicon oxide film makes it possible to relax
the stress that arises due to the formation of the silicon nitride
film, which in turn makes it possible to reduce the occurrence of
pealing and cracking.
[0015] In another preferable application, the step (c) may include:
(c1) forming, on the element formation region for at least the
low-breakdown voltage transistor, a material film composed of the
same material as the insulating film; (c2) etching the material
film so as to form the sidewalls on the sides of the gate of at
least the low-breakdown voltage transistor; and continuing the
etching so as to make the apertures on the relatively thin
insulating film portions present over the drain and source
formation regions for the low-breakdown voltage transistor; (c3)
forming a resist for protecting the element formation region for
the low-breakdown voltage transistor; and (c4) further etching the
insulating film so as to make the apertures on the relatively thick
insulating film portions remaining over the drain and source
formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor.
[0016] In this arrangement, when the apertures are made in the
relatively thick insulating film portions that remains above the
drain and source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage
transistor, the sidewalls formed on the sides of the low-breakdown
voltage transistor gate will not be etched. This makes it possible
to etch the insulating film portions on the drain and source
formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor without
narrowing the width of the sidewalls.
[0017] In the above method, the semiconductor substrate may be a
silicon substrate; and the insulating film and the material film
may be silicon oxide films.
[0018] In the above method, it is preferable that the semiconductor
substrate is a silicon substrate; the insulating film is a silicon
oxide film; the step (b) includes forming the gates of the
transistors of polysilicon; and the step (d) includes introducing
impure elements into the gates.
[0019] In this way, it is possible to form the transistor gate from
polysilicon into which impure elements have been introduced rather
than from metallic materials.
[0020] In the above method, the step (b) may include forming the
gate of the high-breakdown voltage transistor over a center portion
of the gate insulating film; and the step (d) may include the steps
of providing a resist above a peripheral portion of the gate
insulating film of at least the high-breakdown voltage transistor;
and introducing the impure elements into the drain and source
formation regions for the transistors by ion implantation.
[0021] When making the apertures in the relatively thick insulating
film portions above the drain and source formation regions for the
high-breakdown voltage transistor, the periphery of the
high-breakdown voltage transistor gate insulating film will become
relatively thin. If the periphery of the high-breakdown voltage
transistor gate insulating film is thin, impurities will sometimes
be implanted into the lower layer regions of the gate insulating
film periphery. In such cases, the distance between the drain and
source regions will decrease, resulting in lower drain breakdown
voltage. But the above arrangement makes it possible to suppress
the implantation of impurities into the lower layer regions of the
high-breakdown voltage transistor gate insulating film, which in
turn makes it possible to reduce the lowering of drain breakdown
voltage.
[0022] In the above method, the step (b) may include forming the
gate of the high-breakdown voltage transistor over a center portion
of the gate insulating film; and the method may further comprise
the steps of (e) providing a protective film above a peripheral
portion of the gate insulating film of at least the high-breakdown
voltage transistor; and (f) forming a metallic layer over at least
the drain and source regions of the transistors, and causing the
metallic layer to compound with surface layers of the drain and
source regions, so as to form contact layers for connecting to
metal wires.
[0023] When making the apertures in the relatively thick insulating
film portions above the drain and source formation regions for the
high-breakdown voltage transistor, the periphery of the
high-breakdown voltage transistor gate insulating film will become
relatively thin. If the periphery of the high-breakdown voltage
transistor gate insulating film is thin, the metallic layer will
compound with the lower layer regions of the gate insulating film
periphery. In such cases, the distance between contact layers of
the drain region and the source region will decrease, resulting in
lower drain breakdown voltage. But the above arrangement makes it
possible to suppress the compounding of the metallic layer with the
lower layer regions of the gate insulating film of the
high-breakdown voltage transistor, which in turn makes it possible
to reduce the lowering of drain breakdown voltage.
[0024] In the above method, the semiconductor substrate may be a
silicon substrate; the insulating film may be a silicon oxide film;
the step (b) may include forming the gates of the transistors of
polysilicon; the step (d) may include introducing impure elements
into the gates; and the step (f) may include forming the metallic
layer over the gates of the transistors, and causing the metallic
layer to compound with the surface layers of the gates, so as to
form the contact layers.
[0025] As described above, when the gate is composed of
polysilicon, it is preferable that a contact layer is formed on the
gate surface. The compound of silicon and metal is called a
silicide.
[0026] The present invention is also directed to a semiconductor
device, which comprises: a semiconductor substrate; and a
high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown voltage
transistor of insulated-gate type, having different drain-source
breakdown voltages, formed on the semiconductor substrate. The
low-breakdown voltage transistor comprises: a first gate insulating
film; a first gate formed over the first gate insulating film; and
first sidewalls formed on the sides of the first gate and composed
of different material from the first gate insulating film.
[0027] When the invented method is employed, a semiconductor device
have the characteristics described above is manufactured.
[0028] These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a flowchart for a semiconductor device
manufacturing process;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-section showing a semiconductor
substrate on which an element isolation region has been formed;
[0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the n-well for the high-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor;
[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the p-well for the high-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor;
[0033] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the drain and source offset regions for the
high-breakdown voltage transistors;
[0034] FIGS. 10 and 11 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the channel regions of the high-breakdown
voltage transistors;
[0035] FIGS. 12 and 13 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the gate oxide films;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-section showing the process
for forming the n-well for the low-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-section showing the process
for forming the p-well for the low-breakdown voltage NMOS
transistor;
[0038] FIGS. 16 and 17 are simplified cross-section showing the
process for forming the gate oxide films for the low-breakdown
voltage transistors;
[0039] FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 are simplified cross-sections showing
the process for forming the gates of the high-breakdown voltage
transistors and the low-breakdown voltage transistors;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a simplified cross-section showing the process
for forming the drain and source offset regions for the
low-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a simplified cross-section showing the process
for forming the drain and source offset regions for the
low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor;
[0042] FIGS. 23 and 24 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the sidewalls for the low-breakdown voltage
transistors;
[0043] FIGS. 25, 26, and 27 are simplified cross-sections showing
the process of forming the drain and source regions of the
high-breakdown voltage transistors and the low-breakdown voltage
transistors;
[0044] FIGS. 28 and 29 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process of silicide formation;
[0045] FIG. 30 is a simplified cross-section showing the structural
characteristics of the low-breakdown voltage transistor
manufactured according to the element formation process of the
Comparative Example (FIGS. 2 through 29);
[0046] FIGS. 31(A), 31(B) and 32 are simplified cross-sections
showing the structural characteristics of the high-breakdown
voltage transistor manufactured according to the element formation
process of the Comparative Example (FIGS. 2 through 29);
[0047] FIG. 33 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when sidewalls are formed on the sides of the gates of the
low-breakdown voltage transistors;
[0048] FIGS. 34 and 35 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the drain and source regions of the high- and
low-breakdown voltage transistors in the First Embodiment;
[0049] FIGS. 36 and 37 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the protective films on the peripheral portions
of the gate oxide films of the high-breakdown voltage transistors
in the First Embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 38 is a simplified cross-section showing the structural
characteristics of the high- and low-breakdown voltage transistors
manufactured according to the element formation process of the
First Embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 39 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when the first round of etching in the sidewall formation process
of the Second Embodiment has been completed; and
[0052] FIG. 40 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when the second round of etching in the sidewall formation process
of the Second Embodiment has been completed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0053] The mode for carrying out the present invention is discussed
in the following order, as preferred embodiments.
[0054] A. Comparative example: [0055] A-1. Manufacturing method of
comparative example: [0056] A-2. Characteristics of semiconductor
device made according to manufacturing method of comparative
example:
[0057] B. First Embodiment:
[0058] C. Second Embodiment:
A. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
A-1. MANUFACTURING METHOD OF COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
[0059] Prior to the explanation for the invented method for
manufacturing the semiconductor device, a manufacturing method of a
comparative example will be explained. In the comparative example,
a high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown voltage
transistor, each having a MOS (metal oxide semiconductor)
structure, are formed on the same semiconductor substrate. The
gates of each transistor are formed of polysilicon, but normally
this structure is also called a MOS structure.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a flowchart for a semiconductor device
manufacturing process. Steps S100, 5200, and 5300 represent
respectively the element isolation process, the element formation
process, and the wiring process.
[0061] In Step 5100 (FIG. 1) for the element isolation process, an
element isolation region (also called the "field section" or the
"isolation section") is formed on the semiconductor substrate in
order to isolate the elements. FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-section
showing a semiconductor substrate on which an element isolation
region has been formed. The semiconductor substrate 100 is a p-type
silicon substrate. A field oxide film 102 is formed as the element
isolation region on substrate 100 by the LOCOS method.
[0062] In the figure, the region HV indicates the high-breakdown
voltage transistor formation region where a high-breakdown voltage
transistor is to be formed, and the region LV indicates the
low-breakdown voltage transistor formation region where a
low-breakdown voltage transistor is to be formed. The region HVp
indicates the high-breakdown voltage p-channel MOS (pMOS)
transistor formation region, and the region HVn indicates the
high-breakdown voltage n-channel MOS (NMOS) transistor formation
region. Similarly, the region LVp indicates the low-breakdown
voltage pMOS transistor formation region, and the region LVn
indicates the low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor formation
region.
[0063] In Step 5200 (FIG. 1) for the element formation process, the
transistors are formed in each element formation region that has
been isolated by the element isolation regions. FIGS. 2 through 29
show the series of steps in the element formation process.
[0064] In Step 5201 (FIG. 1), wells for the high-breakdown voltage
transistors are formed. Specifically, in the HV region an n-type
well (n-well) is formed for the formation of the high-breakdown
voltage pMOS transistor, and in the HVn region a p-type well
(p-well) is formed for the formation of the high-breakdown voltage
nMOS transistor.
[0065] FIGS. 3 and 4 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the n-well for the high-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor. FIGS. 5 and 6 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the p-well for the high-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor.
[0066] In FIG. 3, the first oxide film (SiO.sub.2 film) 110 is
formed over the entire surface of substrate 100 by thermal
oxidation. The oxide film 110 is formed in order to reduce the
damage that may occur to the substrate within region HV during
subsequent processing. Then the first resist R1 is formed by
photolithography. The resist R1 has an aperture in region}W. Then
n-type impurities are introduced into substrate 100 by ion
implantation through the aperture in first resist R1. In this case,
phosphorous ions (P+) having about 2.6 MeV of energy are implanted.
The implanted impurities are indicated by "x" symbols in the
figure. In FIG. 4, first resist R1 is removed and then a heat
treatment is performed at about 1200 degrees C. for about 12 hours,
which causes the n-type impurities (phosphorus) to be dispersed
into substrate 100, thus forming n-well 120.
[0067] In FIG. 5, the second resist R2 is formed. The resist R2 has
an aperture in region HVn. Then p-type impurities are introduced
into substrate 100 by ion implantation through the aperture in
second resist R2. In this case, boron ions (B+) having about 250
keV of energy are implanted. In FIG. 6, second resist R2 is removed
and then a heat treatment is performed at about 1200 degrees C. for
about 12 hours, which causes the p-type impurities (boron) to be
dispersed into n-well 120, thus forming p-well 130 within n-well
120.
[0068] In Step S202 (FIG. 1), the drain and source offset regions
for high-breakdown voltage transistors are formed. FIGS. 7, 8, and
9 are simplified cross-sections showing the process for forming the
drain and source offset regions for the high-breakdown voltage
transistors.
[0069] In FIG. 7, the third resist R3 is formed. The resist R3 has
apertures on the drain and source offset formation regions of the
high-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor. Then n-type impurities are
introduced into substrate 100 by ion implantation through the
apertures in third resist R3. In this case, phosphorus ions (P+)
having about 300 keV of energy are implanted. After ion
implantation, third resist R3 is removed. In FIG. 8 the fourth
resist R4 is formed. The resist R4 has apertures on the drain and
source offset formation regions of the high-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor. Then p-type impurities are introduced into substrate
100 by ion implantation through the apertures in fourth resist R4.
In this case, boron ions (B+) having about 150 keV of energy are
implanted. After ion implantation, fourth resist R4 is removed.
Note that the order of the ion implantation processes shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 can be reversed.
[0070] In FIG. 9, a heat treatment is performed at about 1100
degrees C. for about 120 minutes, which causes the n-type
impurities (phosphorous) implanted in FIG. 7 to be dispersed into
p-well 130, resulting in the formation of drain offset region 132
and source offset region 134 for the high-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor. Also, the p-type impurities (boron) implanted in FIG. 8
is dispersed into n-well 120, resulting in the formation of drain
offset region 122 and source offset region 124 for the
high-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor.
[0071] In Step S203 (FIG. 1), the channel regions of the
high-breakdown voltage transistors are formed. Specifically,
impurities are implanted into the channel region in order to adjust
the threshold voltage of the high-breakdown voltage transistor.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are simplified cross-sections showing the process
for forming the channel regions of the high-breakdown voltage
transistors.
[0072] In FIG. 10, the fifth resist R5 is formed. The resist R5 has
an aperture in region HVn. Then n-type impurities are introduced
into substrate 100 by ion implantation through the aperture in
fifth resist R5. In this case, phosphorus ions (P+) having about 80
keV of energy are implanted. This implantation of n-type impurities
into the channel region of the high-breakdown voltage NMOS
transistor permits the threshold voltage to be adjusted. After ion
implantation, fifth resist R5 is removed. In FIG. 11, the sixth
resist R6 is formed. The resist R6 has an aperture in region HVp.
Then p-type impurities are introduced into substrate 100 by ion
implantation through the aperture in sixth resist R6. In this case,
boron ions (B+) having about 40 keV of energy are implanted. This
implantation of p-type impurities into the channel region of the
high-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor permits the threshold
voltage to be adjusted. After ion implantation, sixth resist R6 is
removed. Note that the order of the ion implantation processes
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be reversed.
[0073] In Step S204 gate oxide films for the high-breakdown voltage
transistors are formed. FIGS. 12 and 13 are simplified
cross-sections showing the process for forming the gate oxide
films.
[0074] In FIG. 12, the first oxide film 110 is removed by etching,
and then a second oxide film 112 is formed over the entire surface
of substrate 100 by thermal oxidation. The second oxide film 112 is
thicker than the first oxide film 110. The seventh resist R7 is
then formed in order to protect the areas to be used as the gate
oxide films for the high-breakdown voltage transistors. The
unnecessary portions of second oxide film 112 exposed to the
apertures of seventh resist R7 are removed by etching. This results
in the formation of a gate oxide film 112Gn for the high-breakdown
voltage NMOS transistor and a gate oxide film 112Gp for the
high-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor, as shown in FIG. 13. At
this time, the thickness of gate oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp are about
700 Angstroms, but the final thickness of the gate oxide films to
be greater than this, due to the subsequent processes.
[0075] Note that FIGS. 12 and 13 use broken lines to show the
channel regions of the high-breakdown voltage transistors, in which
impurities are implanted in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0076] In Step S205 (FIG. 1), wells for the low-breakdown voltage
transistors are formed. Specifically, in the LVp region an n-well
is formed for the formation of the low-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor, and in the LVn region a p-well is formed for the
formation of the low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor.
[0077] FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-section showing the process
for forming the n-well for the low-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor. FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-section showing the
process for forming the p-well for the low-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor.
[0078] In FIG. 14, an oxide film is formed over the entire surface
of substrate 100 by thermal oxidation. Specifically, the third
oxide film 114 is formed in the low-breakdown voltage transistor
formation region LV and the offset regions 122, 124, 132, 134 of
the high-breakdown voltage transistor. At this time, the thickness
of the high-breakdown voltage transistor gate oxide films 112Gn,
112Gp will increase. As a result, the thickness of third oxide film
114 is about 100 angstroms, and the thickness of gate oxide films
112Gn, 112Gp increase to about 760-770 Angstroms. The third oxide
film 114 is formed in order to reduce the damage that may occur to
the substrate within region LV during subsequent processing.
[0079] Then the eighth resist R8 is formed. The resist R8 has an
aperture in region LVp. Then n-type impurities are introduced into
substrate 100 by ion implantation through the aperture in eighth
resist R8. In this case, phosphorous ions (P+) having four
different energies of about 1.2 MeV, 380 keV, 180 keV, 30 keV are
implanted,. This result in formation of n-well 140. After ion
implantation, eighth resist R8 is removed.
[0080] In FIG. 15, the ninth resist R9 is formed. The resist R9 has
an aperture it region LVn. Then p-type impurities are introduced
into substrate 100 by ion implantation through the aperture in
ninth resist R9. In this case, boron ions (B+) having three
different energies of about 700 keV, 130 keV, 60 keV are implanted,
and also boron fluoride ions (BF2+) having energy of about 50 keV
are implanted. This results in formation of p-well 150. After ion
implantation, ninth resist R9 is removed.
[0081] Note that the order for the well formation processes shown
in FIGS. 14 and 15 can be reversed.
[0082] In Step S206 (FIG. 1), the gate oxide films for the
low-breakdown voltage transistors are formed. FIGS. 16 and 17 are
simplified cross-sections showing the process for forming the gate
oxide films for the low-breakdown voltage transistors.
[0083] In FIG. 16, the tenth resist R10 is formed in order to
protect the oxide film in region 11V. The unnecessary portion of
oxide film 114 in region LV exposed to the aperture of tenth resist
R11 is removed by etching. After the etching process, tenth resist
R10 is removed.
[0084] In FIG. 17, an oxide film is formed over the entire surface
of substrate 100 by thermal oxidation. Specifically, the fourth
oxide film 116 is formed in region LV. At this time, the thickness
of oxide films on offset regions 122, 124, 132, 134 for the
high-breakdown voltage transistors will increase, and the thickness
of gate oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp of the high-breakdown voltage
transistors will also increase. As a result, the thickness of
fourth oxide film 116 is about 70 Angstroms, and the thickness of
gate oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp increase to about 800 Angstroms. The
fourth oxide film 116 formed in region LV will be used as gate
oxide films 116Gn, 116Gp of the low-breakdown voltage
transistors.
[0085] In Step S207 (FIG. 1), the gates of the transistors are
formed. FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 are simplified cross-sections showing
the process for forming the gates of the high-breakdown voltage
transistors and the low-breakdown voltage transistors.
[0086] In FIG. 18, a polysilicon film is formed over the entire
surface of substrate 100 by deposition. Then the eleventh resist
R11 is formed. The resist R11 has apertures in the gate formation
regions of the high- and low-breakdown voltage nMOS transistors.
Then n-type impurities are introduced into polysilicon film 160 by
ion implantation through the apertures in eleventh resist R11. In
this case, phosphorus ions (P+) having about 30 keV of energy are
implanted. After ion implantation, eleventh resist R11 is removed.
In FIG. 19, a heat treatment is performed that causes the implanted
n-type impurities (phosphorus) to be dispersed into polysilicon
film 160. In FIG. 20, the twelfth resist R12 is formed in order to
protect the gate region for each transistor. The unnecessary
portions of polysilicon film 160 exposed to the apertures in
twelfth resist R12 is removed by etching. After etching, twelfth
resist R12 is removed. As a result, in region HV, gate 160Hp of the
high-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor is formed and gate 160Hn of
the high-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor is formed. Also, in
region LV, gate 160Lp of the low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor
is formed and gate 160Ln of the low-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor is formed. As shown in FIG. 20, gates 160Hp, 160Hn of
the high-breakdown voltage transistors are formed in the center
portions of gate oxide films 112Gp, 112Gn.
[0087] It should be noted that polysilicon is a polycrystalline
semiconductor, so it has higher resistivity than metal. Therefore,
when a gate is formed of polysilicon, impurities corresponding to
channels for each transistor are implanted in order to lower the
resistance of the polysilicon. In the Comparative Example, the
reduction of polysilicon resistance will be also performed in the
drain and source region formation process of Step S210 (FIG. 25),
to be described below. However, the amount of ion implantation at
this time is not enough to lower resistivity of the high- and
low-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor gates. Therefore, in the
processes shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a preparatory lowering of
resistivity is conducted at the polysilicon regions 160A which will
form the high- and low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor gates.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 18, eleventh resist Rh also has apertures
in the area outside the gate formation region. This is because the
common resist mask, to be used in the process shown in FIG. 25
explained later, is used. As shown in FIG. 20, this is not a
problem because the polysilicon film 160 outside the gate formation
regions is removed. Obviously, it is possible to form the resist in
FIG. 18 so that there will not be any apertures in regions outside
of the gate formation regions.
[0089] In Step 5208 (FIG. 1), drain and source offset regions for
the low-breakdown voltage transistors are formed. FIG. 21 is a
simplified cross-section showing the process for forming the drain
and source offset regions for the low-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor. FIG. 22 is a simplified cross-section showing the
process for forming the drain and source offset regions for the
low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor.
[0090] In FIG. 21, the fifth oxide film 118 is formed over the
entire surface of substrate 100 by deposition using reduced
pressure CVD method. At this time, the oxide film 118 is also
formed on the lateral surfaces of transistor gates 160Hp, 160Hn,
160Lp, 160Ln.
[0091] Then the thirteenth resist R13 is formed. The resist R13 has
an aperture in region LVn. Then n-type impurities are introduced
into a relatively shallow layer within p-well 150 by ion
implantation through the aperture of thirteenth resist R13. In this
case, phosphorus ions (P+) having about 30 keV of energy are
implanted. By this method, drain offset region 152 and source
offset region 154 are formed. Further, p-type impurities are
introduced into a relatively deep layer within p-well 150 by ion
implantation. In this case, boron ions (B+) having about 55 keV of
energy are implanted. By this method, p-type layers with relatively
high impurity concentration are formed at the lower layers of
n-type offset regions 152, 154 within p-well 150. As a result, it
is possible to improve the breakdown voltage of the low-breakdown
voltage NMOS transistor.
[0092] In FIG. 22, the fourteenth resist R14 is formed. The resist
R14 has an aperture in region LVP. Then p-type impurities are
introduced into a relatively shallow layer within n-well 140 by ion
implantation through the aperture of fourteenth resist R14. In this
case, the boron fluoride ions (BF2+) having about 20 keV of energy
are implanted. By this method, drain offset region 142 and source
offset region 144 are formed. Further, n-type impurities are
introduced into a relatively deep layer within n-well 140 by ion
implantation. In this case, phosphorus ions (P+) having about 100
keV of energy are implanted. By this method, n-type layers with
relatively high impurity concentration are formed at the lower
layers of p-type offset regions 142, 144 within n-well 140. As a
result, it is possible to improve the breakdown voltage of the
low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor.
[0093] Note that the order of the offset region formation processes
shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 can be reversed.
[0094] In Step S209 (FIG. 1), the sidewalls for the low-breakdown
voltage transistors are formed. Specifically, sidewalls are formed
at the sides of gates 160Ln, 160Lp of the low-breakdown voltage
NMOS and pMOS transistors, which function as masks for the
formation of drain and source regions. FIGS. 23 and 24 are
simplified cross-sections showing the process for forming the
sidewalls for the low-breakdown voltage transistors.
[0095] In FIG. 23, the sixth oxide film 119 is formed over the
entire surface of substrate 100 by deposition. Then sidewalls are
formed by anisotropic etching such as reactive ion etching (RIE).
In FIG. 24, sidewalls 119SW are formed on the sides of gates 160Lp,
160Ln of the low-breakdown voltage pMOS and nMOS transistors. Also,
sidewalls 119SW are formed on the sides of gates 160Hp, 160Hn of
the high-breakdown voltage pMOS and nMOS transistors.
[0096] During the formation of sidewalls 119SW, etching is
performed until apertures are formed in the oxide films on the
offset regions for each transistor. Once etching has been
completed, oxide films 118, 119 covering the upper surfaces of
gates 160Hp, 160Hn, 160Lp, 160Ln of the transistors are completely
removed.
[0097] In Step 5210 (FIG. 1), the drain and source regions of the
transistors are formed. FIGS. 25, 26, and 27 are simplified
cross-sections showing the process of forming the drain and source
regions of the high-breakdown voltage transistors and the
low-breakdown voltage transistors.
[0098] In FIG. 25, the fifteenth resist R15 is formed. The resist
R15 has apertures in regions HVn and LVn. Then n-type impurities
are introduced into offset regions 132, 134, 152, 154 for the high-
and low-breakdown voltage nMOS transistors, by ion implantation
through the apertures in fifteenth resist R15. In this case,
arsenic ions (As+) having about 50 keV of energy are implanted. In
FIG. 26, the sixteenth resist R16 is formed. The resist R16 has
apertures in regions HVp and LVp. Then p-type impurities are
introduced into offset regions 122, 124, 142, 144 for the high- and
low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistors, by ion implantation through
the apertures in sixteenth resist R16. In this case, boron ions
(B+) having about 10 keV of energy are implanted. Note that the
order of the ion implantation processes shown in FIGS. 25 and 26
can be reversed.
[0099] In FIG. 27 a heat treatment is performed to disperse the
impurities implanted in FIGS. 25 and 26. As a result, a drain
region 126 and a source region 128 are formed in the two respective
offset regions 122 and 124 for the high-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor, and a drain region 136 and a source region 138 are
formed in the two respective offset regions 132 and 134 for the
high-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor. Similarly, a drain region
146 and a source region 148 are formed in the two respective offset
regions 142 and 144 for the low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor,
and a drain region 156 and a source region 158 are formed in the
two respective offset regions 152 and 154 for the low-breakdown
voltage nMOS transistor.
[0100] As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the drain and source regions of
the high-breakdown voltage transistors are formed in a self-aligned
manner, with the gate oxide film functioning as a mask. The drain
and source regions of the low-breakdown voltage transistors are
also formed in a self-aligned manner, with the gate and sidewalls
functioning as a mask.
[0101] In FIG. 25, the n-type impurities are also implanted into
the polysilicon gates 160Hn, 160Ln of the high- and low-breakdown
voltage nMOS transistors, and in FIG. 26, the p-type impurities are
also implanted into the polysilicon gates 160Hp, 160Lp of the high-
and low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistors. In FIG. 27, a heat
treatment is conducted which lowers the resistance of polysilicon
gates 160Hn, 160Ln, 160Hp, 160Lp of the transistors.
[0102] In FIG. 25, impurities are further implanted in regions
outside the high-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor (namely, in
regions interposed between field oxide films 102). Similarly, in
FIG. 26, impurities are further implanted in regions outside the
high-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor. This makes it possible to
securely isolate the transistors from each other.
[0103] In Step S211 (FIG. 1), silicide is formed on the surface
layers of the gates and on the surface layers of the drain and gate
regions of each transistor. Here silicide refers to a binary
compound of silicon and metal. FIGS. 28 and 29 are simplified
cross-sections showing the process of silicide formation.
[0104] In FIG. 28, titanium film (Ti film) 180 is formed over the
entire surface of substrate 100 by sputtering. Best results are
obtained if Ar ions are implanted into substrate 100 as a
preliminary process for the titanium film formation. Then a heat
treatment is performed. At this time, silicon and titanium are
compounded, and silicide is formed on the portions where the
silicon and titanium come into contact, namely on the surface
layers of the gates and of the drain and source regions of each
transistor. Specifically, silicides 160SHp, 160SHn, 160SLp, 160SLn
are formed on the surface layers of gates of each transistor. Also,
silicides 126S, 136S, 146S, 156S, 128S, 138S, 148S, 158 S are
formed on the surface layers of the drain and source regions of
each transistor. In FIG. 29, the titanium layer 180 is removed in a
self aligned manner by etching while leaving the silicide. This is
then subjected to a heat treatment in order to reduce the
resistivity of the silicide.
[0105] When the element formation process described above has been
completed, Step 5300 for the wiring process (FIG. 1) is performed.
In the wiring process, metal wires such as Al are connected to the
silicide formed on the surface layers of the gates and of the
drains and sources of each transistor. In other words, the silicide
functions as a contact layer for connecting a metallic wire.
[0106] As explained above, the element formation process of the
Comparative Example has certain processes in common (such as Steps
5207, 5210, S211), which makes it possible to efficiently form both
a high-breakdown voltage transistor and a low-breakdown voltage
transistor on the same substrate.
A-2. CHARACTERISTICS OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE MADE ACCORDING TO
MANUFACTURING METHOD OF A COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE
[0107] FIG. 30 is a simplified cross-section showing the structural
characteristics of the low-breakdown voltage transistor
manufactured according to the element formation process of the
Comparative Example (FIGS. 2 through 29). Although FIG. 30 shows
the low-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor, the characteristics are
similar for the low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor.
[0108] In Step 5209 (FIG. 1) for the sidewall formation process
(FIGS. 23 and 24), etching is performed continuously until
apertures are formed in the oxide film above the offset regions of
the transistors. Namely, in FIG. 23, prior to the deposition of the
sixth oxide film 119, the thickness of the oxide film covering the
drain and source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage
transistors is greater than that covering the drain and source
regions for the low-breakdown voltage transistors. Therefore, the
oxide film on the low breakdown voltage area is removed before the
oxide film on the high breakdown voltage area. Then etching is
performed continuously until the relatively thick oxide film
covering the drain and source formation regions for the high
breakdown voltage transistor is removed. Therefore, for example, by
delaying the etching stop timing, sometimes excessive etching will
occur and, as shown in FIG. 30, the width of the sidewalls 119SW
for the low-breakdown voltage transistor will be less than the
design value D. In such cases, the process for forming the drain
and source regions in Step S210 (FIGS. 25-27) results in the
formation of drain region 156 and source region 158 closer to gate
160Ln. In the silicide formation process of Step S211 (FIGS. 28 and
29), silicides 156S and 158S are formed closer to gate 160Ln. This
results in narrowing the interval between the drain and source
regions, which lowers the drain breakdown voltage.
[0109] FIGS. 31(A), 31(B) and 32 are simplified cross-sections
showing the structural characteristics of the high-breakdown
voltage transistor manufactured according to the element formation
process of the Comparative Example (FIGS. 2 through 29). Although
FIGS. 31(A), 31(B) and 32 show a high-breakdown voltage nMOS
transistor, the characteristics are similar for the high-breakdown
voltage pMOS transistor.
[0110] As described above, in Step S209 (FIG. 1) for the sidewall
formation process (FIGS. 23 and 24), etching is performed
continuously until apertures are formed in the oxide film above the
offset regions of the transistors. At this time, the gate oxide
film 112Gn of the high-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor is
over-etched. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 31(A), 31(B) and 32, the
portions around gate oxide film 112Gn (namely, the portions that
have been circled in the diagram, where sidewall 119SW has not been
formed) are thinner than the central portion.
[0111] If excessive etching occurs, a problem may arise during the
Step S210, the process for forming the drain and source regions
(FIGS. 25-27), where impurities are also implanted into offset
regions 132, 134 in the lower layers around gate oxide film 112Gn,
as shown in FIG. 31(A). In such cases, as shown in FIG. 31(B),
drain region 136a and source region 138a will also be formed in the
lower layers around gate oxide film 112Gn, which narrows the
interval between the drain and source regions, thus lowering drain
breakdown voltage.
[0112] Further, during the silicide formation process of Step S211
(FIGS. 28 and 29), as shown in FIG. 32, excessive etching causes
the formation of suicides 136Sa, 138Sa on the surface of the lower
layers around gate oxide 112Gn. In such cases, the interval between
suicides 136Sa, 138Sa formed in the drain and source regions will
narrow, which reduces drain breakdown voltage. Even if impurities
are not implanted into the lower layers around gate oxide film
112Gn, silicides 136Sa, 138Sa will still be formed.
[0113] As explained above, the sidewalls of the low-breakdown
voltage transistor formed by the manufacturing process of the
Comparative Example are too thin, which results in lowering the
drain breakdown voltage. Similarly, the peripheral portions of the
gate oxide film of the high-breakdown voltage transistor are too
thin, which results in lowering the drain breakdown voltage.
[0114] In the embodiments described below, the manufacturing
process has been designed to eliminate the problems described
above.
B. FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0115] The manufacturing process of the First Embodiment follows
the flowchart of FIG. 1, as is the case for the Comparative
Example. However, the contents of Step S209 for sidewall formation
process, Step 5210 for drain and source region formation process,
and Step S211 for silicide formation process are changed.
[0116] In this embodiment, Step S209 for sidewall formation process
is designed so that when the oxide film over the drain and source
formation regions for each transistor is removed, the width of the
sidewalls will not become too narrow, such as is shown in FIG. 30.
Namely, in the Comparative Example (FIG. 23) oxide film 119 is
deposited in order to form the sidewalls, but in the First
Embodiment a nitride film is deposited instead of an oxide film,
and nitride sidewalls are formed by anisotropic etching.
[0117] FIG. 33 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when sidewalls are formed on the sides of the gates of the
low-breakdown voltage transistors. By forming a nitrite film
instead of the oxide film 119 in FIG. 23, the nitride film can be
selectively etched, thus leaving the oxide film as it is on
substrate 100, as shown in FIG. 33. The sidewalls 219SW of nitride
are thus formed on the sides of the low-breakdown voltage
transistor gates 160Lp, 160Ln.
[0118] Once the sidewalls 219SW are formed, the next step is to
selectively etch the oxide layer. Since the nitride is not etched
during this step, the dimensions for the width of sidewall 219SW
are maintained. As is the case with the Comparative Example, the
oxide film etching is performed on the relatively thick oxide film
above the high-breakdown voltage transistor drain and source
formation regions and the relatively thin oxide film above the
high-breakdown voltage transistor drain and source formation
regions, until both are removed. The situation after the etching
process is shown in FIG. 24.
[0119] By selectively etching the nitride film and oxide film in
this way, it is possible to etch the oxide film above the drain and
source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistors
without reducing the width of sidewalls formed on the sides of the
low-breakdown voltage transistor gates. When the oxide film is
etched, the sidewalls are not etched, so the distance between the
drain and source regions of the low-breakdown voltage transistor
can be maintained with good precision, thus making it possible to
reduce the lowering of drain breakdown voltage.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 33, in this embodiment, oxide film 118 is
formed between sidewalls 219SW formed of nitride and gate formed of
polysilicon. If the oxide film is not disposed between the
polysilicon and the nitride film, stresses arising from the
formation of the nitride film will tend to cause peeling and
cracking between the gate and the sidewalls. But, by employing the
structure of this embodiment, the stresses arising from nitride
film formation are relaxed, thus making it possible to reduce the
occurrence of peeling and cracking.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 33, in this embodiment, oxide films 116,
112Gn, 112Gp are formed between the silicon substrate 100 and the
sidewalls 219SW formed of nitride. If the oxide films are not
disposed between the silicon and the nitride film, the fixed charge
trapped in the silicon-nitride film interface will cause the
interface state to be unstable. But the structure of this practical
example makes it possible to stabilize the interface state between
the silicon substrate and the oxide film, which in turn makes it
possible to stabilize transistor characteristics.
[0122] In this embodiment, Step S210 for drain and source region
formation process is designed so that no impurities are implanted
into lower level offset regions 122, 124, 132, 134 around the gate
oxide films 112Gp, 112Gn of the high-breakdown voltage transistors,
as shown in FIG. 31(A) and 31(B).
[0123] FIGS. 34 and 35 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the drain and source regions of the high- and
low-breakdown voltage transistors in the First Embodiment. The
processes shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 are performed instead of those
shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 of the Comparative Example.
[0124] As can be seen by comparing FIG. 34 with FIG. 25, the
fifteenth resist R15A is changed in FIG. 34. The resist R15A
includes the resist portions R15n covering sidewalls 219SW and the
vicinity of gate oxide film 112Gn of the high-breakdown voltage
nMOS transistor. Also, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 35 with
FIG. 26, the sixteenth resist R16A is changed in FIG. 35. The
resist R16A includes resist portions R16p covering sidewalls 219SW
and the vicinity of gate oxide film 112Gp of the high-breakdown
voltage pMOS transistor.
[0125] The use of resists R15A and R16A, in which resists R15n and
R16p function as masks, makes it possible to prevent implantation
of impurities into the lower layer areas of gate oxide films 112Gn,
112Gp, which results in reducing the lowering of drain breakdown
voltage.
[0126] In FIGS. 34 and 35, the resists R15A and R16A (resist
portions R15n and R16p) are formed so as to cover the edges on the
periphery of the upper surfaces of gates 160Hn, 160Hp.
[0127] Further, in this embodiment, Step S211 for silicide
formation process is designed so that silicide will be not formed
on the surface layers of the lower layer regions surrounding gate
oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp of the high-breakdown voltage transistors,
such as is shown in FIG. 32. Specifically, a protective film is
used to prevent the formation of silicide in the lower layer region
of the gate oxide film.
[0128] FIGS. 36 and 37 are simplified cross-sections showing the
process for forming the protective films on the peripheral portions
of the gate oxide films of the high-breakdown voltage transistors
in the First Embodiment. Note that the process for forming the
protective film shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 is performed before the
formation of the titanium film 180 shown in FIG. 28.
[0129] In FIG. 36, the seventh oxide film 190 is formed over the
entire surface of substrate 100 by deposition. The oxide film 190
has a thickness of about 700 angstroms. Then the seventeenth resist
R17 is formed. The resist R17 covers the sidewalls 219SW and the
peripheral portions of gate oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp of the
high-breakdown voltage transistors. The unnecessary portions of
seventh oxide film 190 exposed to the apertures of seventeenth
resist R17 are removed by etching. This results in the formation,
as shown in FIG. 37, of protective film 190P which protects
sidewalls 219SW and the peripheral portions of gate oxide films
112Gn, 112Gp of the high-breakdown voltage transistors.
[0130] In FIG. 36 the seventeenth resist R17 is formed so as to
cover the edges on the periphery of the upper surfaces of gates
16OHn, 16OHp. Note that the aperture size made in the seventeenth
resist R17 above each gate 160Hn, 160Hp is smaller than the
aperture size made above each gate 160Hn, 160Hp in the two resists
R15A and R16A used in FIGS. 34 and 35. This is so that the edges of
protective layer 190P will retreat when the seventh oxide film 190
is etched. For the same reason, the seventeenth resist R17 is
formed so that the area around gate oxide films 1I 2Gn, 112Gp are
completely covered. This use of resist R17 makes it possible to
form protective film 190P to the desired dimensions. As shown in
FIG. 37, in this embodiment, protective film 190P is formed so as
to cover the edges on the periphery of the upper surfaces of gates
160Hp, 160Hn.
[0131] Once the protective layer 190P is formed, the processes
shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 are performed, and silicide is formed over
the surface of the drain and source regions of transistors. In this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, the circumferences of gate oxide
films 112Gn, 112Gp are protected by protective film 190P. This
makes it possible to prevent the formation of silicide by
compounding the lower layer regions of the circumferences of the
high-breakdown voltage transistor gate oxide films 112Gn, 112Gp
with the titanium film 180. This in turn makes it possible to
reduce the lowering of drain breakdown voltage.
[0132] In this embodiment, Step S300 (FIG. 1) for the wiring
process is conducted while protective film 190P remains, but it is
also possible to remove protective film 190P after the silicide
formation process.
[0133] As explained above, in this embodiment it is possible to
efficiently form the high-breakdown voltage transistor and the
low-breakdown voltage transistor on the same substrate, as is the
case in the Comparative Example. In this embodiment it is also
possible to reduce the deterioration of transistor characteristics
which occur for each transistor in the Comparative Example.
[0134] FIG. 38 is a simplified cross-section showing the structural
characteristics of the high- and low-breakdown voltage transistors
manufactured according to the element formation process of the
First Embodiment. Although FIG. 38 shows the high-breakdown voltage
NMOS transistor and the low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor, the
situation will be similar for the high-breakdown voltage pMOS
transistor and the low-breakdown voltage pMOS transistor.
[0135] In the low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor, the
polysilicon gate 160Ln is formed above gate oxide film 116Gn, and
sidewalls 219SW composed of nitride are formed on the sides of gate
160Ln, with oxide film 118 disposed between them. The silicide
160SLn is formed on the upper surface of gate 160Ln.
[0136] In the high-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor, as is the
case with the low-breakdown voltage NMOS transistor, the
polysilicon gate 160Hn is formed above gate oxide film 116Gn, and
sidewalls 219SW composed of nitride are formed on the sides of gate
16011n, with oxide film 118 disposed between them. The silicide
160SHn is formed on the upper surface of polysilicon gate 160Hn.
The high-breakdown voltage nMOS transistor also has a protective
film 190P formed so as to cover the periphery of gate oxide film
112Gn and sidewalls 219SW. In this embodiment, protective film 190P
covers the peripheral edge of the upper surface of gate 160Hn.
Thus, silicide 160SHn is formed on the upper surface of gate 160Hn
except for the periphery. Even when the protective film 190P is
removed after the silicide formation process, silicide 160SHn is
also formed on the upper surface of gate 160Hn except for the
periphery.
C. SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0137] The manufacturing process of the Second Embodiment follows
the flowchart of FIG. 1, as is the case for the Comparative
Example. However, again the contents of Steps S209, S210, and S211
are changed.
[0138] In this embodiment, Step S209 for sidewall formation process
is designed so that when the oxide film over the drain and source
formation regions for each transistor is removed, the width of the
sidewalls will not become too narrow, such as is shown in FIG. 30.
Namely, in the Comparative Example (FIGS. 23 and 24) when the
sidewalls 119SW is formed, etching is performed continuously until
the relatively thick oxide film is removed from the drain and
source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistor,
but in this embodiment this is divided into two etching
processes.
[0139] FIG. 39 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when the first round of etching in the sidewall formation process
of the Second Embodiment has been completed. As shown in the
figure, the first round of etching is performed until the
relatively thin oxide films 116 and 118 (FIG. 23) have been removed
from the drain and source formation regions for the low-breakdown
voltage transistors. At this time, as shown in FIG. 39, the
relatively thick oxide film over the drain and source formation
regions for the high-breakdown voltage transistors will have become
thinner but have not yet been completely removed.
[0140] FIG. 40 is a simplified cross-section showing the situation
when the second round of etching in the sidewall formation process
of the Second Embodiment has been completed. In FIG. 40, prior to
starting the second round of etching, the eighteenth resist R18 is
formed in order to protect region LV. The resist R18 has an
aperture over region HV, and is formed by using common resist mask,
to be used for the first resist R1 (FIG. 3). Once region LV has
been protected, the oxide films exposed to the aperture of
eighteenth resist R18 are etched. The second round of etching is
performed until the oxide film remaining over the drain and source
regions of the high-breakdown voltage transistor is removed.
[0141] In this arrangement, when the aperture is made in the
relatively thick oxide film remaining over the high-breakdown
voltage transistor drain and source formation regions, the
sidewalls 119SW formed on the sides of the low-breakdown voltage
transistor gates will not be etched. This makes it possible to etch
the oxide film from the drain and source formation regions for the
high-breakdown voltage transistors, without diminishing the width
of the sidewalls for the low-breakdown voltage transistors. It also
makes it possible to maintain good precision in the interval
between the drain and source regions of the low-breakdown voltage
transistor, which in turn makes it possible to reduce the lowering
of drain breakdown voltage.
[0142] The processes for Steps 5210 and S211 of this embodiment are
similar to those steps in the First Embodiment, so the detail
explanation is omitted. The structural characteristics for the
high- and low-breakdown voltage transistors manufactured according
to the element formation process of the Second Embodiment are also
similar to those of the First Embodiment (FIG. 38). However, the
sidewalls are formed from oxide in the Second Embodiment.
[0143] As explained above, in this embodiment it is possible to
efficiently from the high-breakdown voltage transistor and the
low-breakdown voltage transistor on the same substrate, as is the
case in the Comparative Example. In this embodiment it is also
possible to reduce the deterioration of transistor characteristics
which occur for each transistor in the Comparative Example.
[0144] The present invention is not restricted to the above
embodiment or its modifications, but there may be many other
modifications, changes, and alterations without departing from the
scope or spirit of the main characteristics of the present
invention. Some examples of possible modification are given
below.
[0145] (1) In the above embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35,
resists R15A and R16A are formed so as to cover the periphery of
gate oxide films 112Gn and 112Gp, the sidewalls 219SW, and the
periphery of the upper surface of gates 160Hn and 160Hp of the
high-breakdown voltage transistors, but generally resists are
formed so as to cover at least the periphery of the gate oxide film
of the high-breakdown voltage transistor.
[0146] (2) In the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 37,
protective films 190P are formed so as to cover the periphery of
gate oxide films 112Gn and 12Gp, the sidewalls 219SW, and the
peripheral edges of the upper surface of gates 160Hn and 160Hp of
the high-breakdown voltage transistors, but generally protective
films are formed so as to cover at least the periphery of the gate
oxide films of the high-breakdown voltage transistor.
[0147] In the above embodiments, protective films 190P are composed
of silicon oxide, but may instead be composed of silicon nitride
(Si.sub.3N.sub.4), for example.
[0148] (3) In the above embodiments, the silicide on the
polysilicon gate is formed by using titanium (Ti), but may instead
be formed by using Mo, W, Ta, or other high-melting point metals.
The use of Ti is advantageous because the heat treatment for
forming the silicide can be conducted at a relatively low
temperature. The use of Ti and Ta are advantageous because the
resistivity of their silicides is relatively low.
[0149] (4) In the First Embodiment, sidewalls are formed of silicon
nitride and selectively etched. In the Second Embodiment, etching
process is performed in two separate stages. In general, when
forming apertures in the relatively thick oxide film over the drain
and source formation regions for the high-breakdown voltage
transistor, the etching will be performed in a way that does not
diminish the width of the sidewall formed on the sides of the
low-breakdown voltage transistor gates.
[0150] (5) In the above embodiments, a p-type silicon substrate is
used as the semiconductor substrate, but it is also possible to use
n-type silicon substrate and other types of semiconductor
substrates.
[0151] In the above embodiments, the gate oxide film for each
transistor is formed by thermal oxidation, but may instead be
formed by deposition, such as CVD. However forming the gate oxide
film by thermal oxidation has the advantage of allowing good
quality film to be formed with relatively high insulation
property.
[0152] The above embodiments use gates in which silicide is formed
over the surface of polysilicon that had been doped with
impurities, but it is also possible to use gates that are formed
with metallic materials alone.
[0153] The above embodiments use silicon oxide film as gate
insulating film of each transistor, but it is also possible to use
other insulating films such as silicon nitride film. Namely, the
transistor will have a MIS structure.
[0154] As described above, in general, the present invention can be
applied to the formation of high- and low-breakdown voltage
transistors of insulation gate-type on the same semiconductor
substrate.
[0155] (6) In the First Embodiment, sidewalls 219SW are composed of
silicon nitride, but it may also be composed of other insulating
materials that are different from silicon oxide films. Generally,
the sidewall may be formed by using a material film composed of an
insulating material that are different from the gate insulating
film, the material film allowing selective etching of the
insulating film and the material film.
[0156] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by
way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way
of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *