IP Library Granted Patent US 9,515,026
Granted Patent B2
US 9,515,026 · App. 15/001,584 · Granted Dec 6, 2016

Methods of forming alignment marks and overlay marks on integrated circuit products employing FinFET devices and the resulting alignment/overlay mark

Inventors: Andy C. Wei (Queensbury, NY); Jeong Soo Kim (Clifton Park, NY); Francis M. Tambwe (Malta, NY)
Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
H01L23/544H01L21/3086H01L21/76224H01L27/0207H01L27/0886H01L21/823431H01L2223/5442H01L2223/54406H01L2223/54426H01L2223/54453H01L2924/0002
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,515,026
App. No.
15/001,584
Granted
Dec 6, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device disclosed herein includes a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate so as to define an alignment/overlay mark trench. An alignment/overlay mark includes at least one insulating material positioned within the alignment/overlay mark trench. The alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of the fin structures.

Claims (25)

1. A device, comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate so as to define an alignment/overlay mark trench; and

an alignment/overlay mark comprising at least one insulating material positioned within said alignment/overlay mark trench, wherein said alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of said fin structures.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of FinFET semiconductor devices formed in and above said semiconductor substrate.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of said alignment/overlay mark trench is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of said semiconductor substrate.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein sidewalls of said fin structures partially define a perimeter of said alignment/overlay mark.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least some of said plurality of fin structures have a U-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein a bottom of said U-shaped configuration at least partially defines a perimeter of said alignment/overlay mark trench.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein said alignment/overlay mark, when viewed from above, has one of a cross configuration, a chevron configuration, a grating pattern configuration, a number configuration, or a letter configuration.

8. A device, comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate, wherein sidewalls of said fin structures at least partially define a perimeter of an alignment/overlay mark trench;

an alignment/overlay mark comprising at least one insulating material positioned within said alignment/overlay mark trench, wherein said alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of said fin structures; and

a plurality of FinFET semiconductor devices formed in and above said semiconductor substrate.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein an upper surface of said alignment/overlay mark trench is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of said semiconductor substrate.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein at least some of said plurality of fin structures have a U-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein a bottom of said U-shaped configuration at least partially defines a perimeter of said alignment/overlay mark trench.

12. The device of claim 8 , wherein said alignment/overlay mark, when viewed from above, has one of a cross configuration, a chevron configuration, a grating pattern configuration, a number configuration, or a letter configuration.

13. A device, comprising:

a plurality of spaced-apart fin structures formed in a semiconductor substrate so as to define an alignment/overlay mark trench, wherein an upper surface of said alignment/overlay mark trench is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of said semiconductor substrate;

an alignment/overlay mark comprising at least one insulating material positioned within said alignment/overlay mark trench, wherein said alignment/overlay mark is devoid of any of said fin structures; and

a plurality of FinFET semiconductor devices formed in and above said semiconductor substrate.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein sidewalls of said fin structures partially define a perimeter of said alignment/overlay mark.

15. The device of claim 13 , wherein at least some of said plurality of fin structures have a U-shaped configuration when viewed from above.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein a bottom of said U-shaped configuration at least partially defines a perimeter of said alignment/overlay mark trench.

17. The device of claim 13 , wherein said alignment/overlay mark, when viewed from above, has one of a cross configuration, a chevron configuration, a grating pattern configuration, a number configuration, or a letter configuration.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
To: KLA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058834/0021 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
Reel/Frame 058924/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
Reel/Frame 056987/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2020
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 054636/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 049490/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2016
From: KIM, JEONG SOO; TAMBWE, FRANCIS M.; WEI, ANDY C.
To: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 037533/0099 →
Continuity (2)
Division 13834608 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20160141252A1 · May 19, 2016