JP2005317932A - Semiconductor device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a semiconductor device, in which malfunctions such as disconnections or the like do not occur at a wiring or an electrode for external terminal connection which electrically connects a wiring layer and a thin-film element in an integrated circuit portion of a semiconductor device, and consequently reliability can be enhanced, and to provide a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. <P>SOLUTION: The semiconductor device is provided with an IC section 24 is formed on a Si substrate 21, and an insulating layer 32, a primary wiring layer 33, an insulating layer 34, a secondary wiring layer 35 and insulating layers 36 to 38 are sequentially laminated on the IC section 24, and openings 36a to 38a exposing a part of a top face of the secondary wiring layer 35 are formed on the insulating layers 36 to 38, respectively; and each side face of the openings 36a to 38a is formed as a step-wise inclined plane, and inclined angles (θ) of these inclined planes are set to 20° to 80° with respect to the bottom face of the insulating layer 36. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular, there is no risk of disconnection between a wiring layer and a thin film element of a semiconductor device in which a thin film element is provided on a wiring layer of an integrated circuit portion. The present invention relates to a semiconductor device capable of improving reliability and a manufacturing method thereof.

Conventionally, a semiconductor device in which a thin film element such as a magnetoresistive element is added to an IC (integrated circuit) via an insulating layer has been developed as a semiconductor device such as an IC or LSI to which a thin film element such as a magnetoresistive element is added. Is used in practice (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In such a semiconductor device, the wiring formed in the uppermost layer of the IC is connected to the thin film element, and an opening is formed on the connection.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a semiconductor device provided with a conventional thin film element. The semiconductor device 1 includes an integrated circuit portion (IC portion: not shown) formed on a Si substrate (not shown). An insulating layer 2 made of silicon oxide is formed on the upper portion, and a wiring layer 3 having a predetermined pattern is formed on the insulating layer 2. The wiring layer 3 is connected to the IC portion via a via hole (not shown) of the insulating layer 2. Is electrically connected.
An insulating layer 4 made of silicon oxide or silicon nitride is formed on the wiring layer 3, and an opening 5 exposing the surface of the wiring layer 3 is formed in the insulating layer 4. On the opening 5 and the insulating layer 4, a thin film element wiring 6 and a thin film element 7 such as a magnetoresistive element are sequentially formed, and the periphery of the thin film element 7 is made of silicon nitride so as to cover its end. An insulating film 8 is formed.
The insulating film 8 may be formed so as to cover the entire upper portion of the thin film element 7.

Next, a method for forming the opening 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9A, a wiring layer 3 having a predetermined pattern is formed on the insulating layer 2 by vacuum vapor deposition or sputtering, and the entire surface of the insulating layer 2 including the wiring layer 3 is insulated by CVD or the like. Layer 4 is deposited. A photoresist 9 is applied on the insulating layer 4 by spin coating or the like, the photoresist 9 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays through a mask (not shown), and then developed, and the photoresist 9 is opened in the same pattern as the mask. 9a is formed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the insulating layer 4 is etched by plasma etching or reactive ion etching using the photoresist 9 as a mask until the upper surface of the wiring layer 3 is exposed. An opening having the same pattern as the opening 9a is formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the photoresist 9 is removed, and a wiring material 11 and a thin film element material 12 are sequentially formed on the insulating layer 4 and the wiring layer 3 by vacuum deposition or sputtering. To do.
Thereafter, the wiring material 11 and the thin film element material 12 are patterned to form the thin film element wiring 6 and the thin film element 7 shown in FIG. 8, and an insulating film is formed on the insulating layer 4 and the thin film element 7. By patterning this insulating film, an insulating film 8 is formed around the thin film element 7.
Thus, the semiconductor device 1 can be manufactured.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-121793

By the way, in a semiconductor device in which a thin film element is provided on an IC, it is desirable that the thin film element and the wiring are thin for the characteristics of the thin film element, and the surface of the wiring on which the thin film element is formed is a flat surface. However, since such a thin wiring is formed so as to straddle the opening having a rectangular cross section on the IC, it becomes very thin near the end of the opening, and more than the wiring in a normal semiconductor device. There was a problem that it was easy to disconnect.
Therefore, a method of reducing the step by covering the insulating film with the planarization insulating layer before forming the thin film element is adopted, but this method cannot solve the step on the opening side. There is.

That is, in the conventional semiconductor device 1, since the side surface of the opening 5 is steep, disconnection is likely to occur in a portion formed in the vicinity of the opening 5 of the thin film element wiring 6, and the reliability is reduced due to this disconnection. There was a point.
Therefore, an attempt has been made to make the side surface of the upper portion of the opening substantially hemispherical or tapered. In this case, the side surface of the lower portion is steep, although there is no risk of disconnection, so that the thin film is similar to the above. There is a problem in that disconnection is likely to occur in a portion where the film is formed in the vicinity of the opening of the element wiring, or a portion having a small thickness is likely to be generated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and there is a problem such as disconnection in the wiring for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element of the integrated circuit portion of the semiconductor device or the external terminal connection electrode. It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device that can increase reliability as a result.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof.
That is, the semiconductor device of the present invention includes an integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate and a thin film element formed on a wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer, and the wiring is formed on the insulating layer. An opening for exposing a part of the layer is formed, and a thin film element wiring for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element is formed in the opening. The side surface is stepped, and each stepped portion is inclined such that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end.

  In this semiconductor device, the side surface of the opening formed in the insulating layer is stepped, and each stepped portion is inclined so that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end. Thus, there is no possibility of disconnection in the thin film element wiring that electrically connects the wiring layer and the thin film element, and therefore there is no possibility of initial characteristic defects such as open defects. Thereby, reliability is improved.

  The semiconductor device of the present invention includes an integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer, and the wiring is formed on the insulating layer. Forming a plurality of openings that expose a part of the layer, and forming a thin film element part in which a wiring for a thin film element that electrically connects the wiring layer and the thin film element is formed in a part of these openings; A semiconductor device comprising external terminal connection pads formed by forming external terminal connection electrodes on the other part of the opening, wherein the side surfaces of these openings are stepped, The portion is characterized in that its side surface is inclined so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end.

  In this semiconductor device, the side surface of the opening formed in the insulating layer is stepped, and each stepped portion is inclined so that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end. In addition, there is no risk of disconnection in the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode that electrically connect the wiring layer and the thin film element, and therefore there is no risk of initial characteristic defects such as open defects. Thereby, reliability is improved.

The insulating layer is preferably formed by stacking a plurality of insulating layers.
It is preferable that the plurality of insulating layers include at least two insulating layers, and the opening of the upper insulating layer among these insulating layers extends from the opening of the lower insulating layer.
In these semiconductor devices, even if the wiring for the thin film element and the external terminal connection electrode for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element are thinned, the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode may be disconnected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode.

The plurality of insulating layers are composed of at least two insulating layers. Of these insulating layers, the opening of the upper insulating layer is smaller than the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the upper insulating layer is the lower insulating layer. It is good also as extending in the opening part of an insulating layer.
In these semiconductor devices, even if the wiring for the thin film element and the external terminal connection electrode for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element are thinned, the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode may be disconnected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode.

The plurality of insulating layers are composed of at least three insulating layers. Of these insulating layers, the opening of the middle insulating layer is smaller than the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the middle insulating layer is the lower insulating layer. The insulating layer may extend into the opening of the insulating layer, and the opening of the upper insulating layer may extend from the opening of the middle insulating layer.
In these semiconductor devices, even if the wiring for the thin film element and the external terminal connection electrode for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element are thinned, the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode may be disconnected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode.

A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes an integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer, and the insulating layer includes: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: forming an opening exposing a part of the wiring layer; and forming a wiring for a thin film element for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element in the opening. ,
On the insulating layer, a resist film having an opening whose side surface is inclined so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end,
The insulating layer is selectively removed using this resist film as a mask,
An opening having an inclined side surface is formed in the insulating layer so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end.

In this semiconductor device manufacturing method, when the insulating layer is selectively removed using the resist film as a mask, the opening end of the resist film gradually disappears by selective removal, and the opening of the resist film is selectively removed. Therefore, the opening area of the opening formed in the insulating layer is gradually expanded as the selective removal progresses.
Thus, an opening having an inclined side surface is formed in the insulating layer so as to gradually expand from the bottom to the upper end.

The side surface of the opening of the resist film is preferably inclined at 20 ° or more and 80 ° or less with respect to the axis in the film thickness direction of the resist film.
When the insulating layer is selectively removed, it is preferable to use a mixed gas containing a chlorofluorocarbon gas and an oxygen gas as the selective removal gas.
In this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, when selectively removing using a mixed gas containing a chlorofluorocarbon gas and an oxygen gas, the open end of the resist film gradually burns and disappears due to the reaction with the mixed gas. Thereby, the opening area of the opening can be controlled to a desired shape in accordance with the progress of selective removal.

  Preferably, the insulating layer is a plurality of insulating layers, and openings having different opening areas are formed in each insulating layer using a plurality of types of resist films having different opening areas as masks.

The semiconductor device manufacturing method of the present invention includes an integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer,
Forming a plurality of openings in the insulating layer to expose a part of the wiring layer, and forming a wiring for a thin film element for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element in a part of the opening; A thin film element portion,
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising an external terminal connection pad formed by forming an external terminal connection electrode in the other part of the opening,
The insulating layer is a plurality of insulating layers, and when the opening is formed by exposing a part of the wiring layer of the thin film element portion, the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion is used as the insulating layer. Leave it covered with
Thereafter, the insulating layer covering the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion is removed to form the opening of the external terminal connection pad portion.

  In this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, when a portion of the wiring layer of the thin film element portion is exposed to form the opening, by leaving the wiring layer of the pad portion for connecting external terminals covered with an insulating layer, It protects the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad and prevents damage. Therefore, damage due to oxidation of the wiring layer during transportation of the semiconductor device can be prevented. Further, the opening shapes of the thin film element portion and the opening portion of the external terminal connecting pad portion can be made different from each other.

  When removing the insulating layer covering the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion, a plurality of insulating layers are removed at a time using one type of resist film as a mask, thereby opening the external terminal connection pad portion. It is preferable to form a part.

  According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, the side surface of the opening formed in the insulating layer has a stepped shape, and each step-shaped portion is inclined so that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end. As a result, disconnection of the wiring for the thin film element and the electrode for connecting the external terminal that electrically connect the wiring layer and the thin film element can be prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects can be prevented. Therefore, the reliability of the semiconductor device itself can be improved.

  Since the plurality of insulating layers are constituted by at least two insulating layers, and the opening of the upper insulating layer among these insulating layers is expanded from the opening of the lower insulating layer, the wiring layer and the thin film element are electrically connected. It is possible to reduce the thickness of the thin film element wiring and the external terminal connection electrode connected to the semiconductor device, thereby further reducing the size of the semiconductor device itself.

  Here, the plurality of insulating layers are constituted by at least two insulating layers, the opening of the upper insulating layer among these insulating layers is reduced from the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the upper insulating layer Is extended into the opening of the lower insulating layer, the thin film element wiring for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element and the external terminal connection electrode can be thinned, and the semiconductor device itself can be further thinned. Miniaturization can be achieved.

  Further, the plurality of insulating layers are constituted by at least three insulating layers, and among the insulating layers, the opening of the middle insulating layer is reduced from the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the middle insulating layer is For thin film devices that extend into the opening of the lower insulating layer and further expand the opening of the upper insulating layer from the opening of the middle insulating layer to electrically connect the wiring layer and the thin film device The wiring and the external terminal connection electrode can be further reduced in thickness, and the semiconductor device itself can be further reduced in size.

  According to the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of the present invention, a resist film having an opening whose side surfaces are inclined so as to gradually expand from the bottom to the upper end is formed on the insulating layer, and the resist film is masked. As described above, the insulating layer is selectively removed, and an opening having an inclined side surface is formed in the insulating layer so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end. An opening having an inclined side surface so as to gradually expand can be formed with high accuracy.

  When the insulating layer is selectively removed, the opening area of the opening can be controlled to a desired shape in accordance with the progress of the selective removal by using a gas mixture containing chlorofluorocarbon gas and oxygen gas as the selective removal gas. it can.

  According to the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device of the present invention, when the insulating layer is a plurality of insulating layers and the opening is formed by exposing a part of the wiring layer of the thin film element portion, The wiring layer of the external terminal connecting pad portion is left covered with the insulating layer, and then the insulating layer covering the wiring layer of the external terminal connecting pad portion is removed to remove the external terminal connecting pad. Since the opening of the portion is formed, oxidation of the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion during transportation of the semiconductor device can be prevented, and the opening of the thin film element portion and the external terminal connection pad portion can be prevented. The opening can be controlled to have different desired shapes.

  Embodiments of a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

“First Embodiment”
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a semiconductor device with a thin film element according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 is a p-type Si substrate (semiconductor substrate), and 22 is an Si substrate 21 formed thereon. Transistors 23 are field insulating films made of silicon oxide formed between the transistors 22, 22. The transistors 22, 22, field insulating films 23, 23 on the Si substrate 21, peripheral circuits, and other elements (not shown). An area including the integrated circuit portion (IC portion) 24 is used.

These transistors 22 and 22 are composed of a source 31a and a drain 31b formed at the upper ends of the n ⁺ buried layers 30 and 30 on the surface of the Si substrate 21 opposite to each other, and SiO _{2 on} the top of the source 31a and the drain 31b. A gate 31d is formed through a film (insulating film) 31c.

On this IC portion 24, an insulating layer 32 made of silicon oxide, a first wiring layer 33 made of Al, Ti, TiN, W, Cu or the like having a predetermined pattern, an oxide covering the insulating layer 32 and the first wiring layer 33 Insulating layer 34 made of silicon, second wiring layer 35 made of Al, Ti, TiN, W, Cu or the like having a predetermined pattern, silicon oxide, silicon nitride covering these insulating layers 34 and second wiring layer 35, or those Insulating layers 36 to 38 made of laminated films are sequentially laminated, and contacts made of Al, Ti, TiN, W, Cu or the like that electrically connect the n ⁺ buried layer 30 and the first wiring layer 33 to the insulating layer 32. 41 is embedded, and the insulating layer 34 is embedded with a via 42 made of Al, Ti, TiN, W, Cu or the like that electrically connects the first wiring layer 33 and the second wiring layer 35.

The insulating layers 36 to 38 are formed with openings 36 a to 38 a that expose a part of the upper surface of the second wiring layer 35, respectively, and the side surfaces of the opening 36 a are inclined to gradually expand from the bottom to the upper end. The inclined angle (θ) of the inclined surface is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 36.
The opening 37a is an inclined surface whose opening area is expanded so as to be stepped with respect to the opening 36a, and whose side surface is gradually expanded from the bottom toward the upper end, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface Is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 37.

The opening 38a is also an inclined surface whose opening area is expanded so as to be stepped with respect to the openings 36a and 37a, and whose side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end. The inclination angle is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 38.
Thin film element wiring for electrically connecting a thin film element (not shown) formed on the insulating layer 38 and the second wiring layer 35 on the side surfaces of the openings 36 a to 38 a and the upper surface of the second wiring layer 35. 39 is formed.

  In this semiconductor device with a thin film element, the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a exposing a part of the upper surface of the second wiring layer 35 are stepped, and these side surfaces are inclined by 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface. By using the inclined surface, the thin film element wiring 39 formed on the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a has a large film thickness, so that there is no possibility of disconnection. As a result, there is no possibility of an initial characteristic failure such as an open failure due to a failure of the thin film element wiring 39, and the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element is improved.

Next, the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with a thin film element of this embodiment will be described.
Here, a method of forming the openings 36a to 38a will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, an insulating layer 36 is formed so as to cover the entire insulating layer 34 and the second wiring layer 35, a resist film 51 is formed on the insulating layer 36, and then the resist film Patterning is performed using 51 as a mask, and an opening 51 a is formed at a predetermined position of the resist film 51.

Next, the resist film 51 is exposed to light having a wavelength of, for example, 100 to 500 nm, preferably 140 to 450 nm for 100 to 2000 msec, and then 120 ° C. to 200 ° C. using a heating device such as a hot plate or an oven. Heat treatment is performed at 1 to 60 minutes.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2B, the thickness t is 500 to 3000 nm, the width Wa of the opening 51a is 1 to 100 μm, preferably 10 to 50 μm, more preferably 20 μm, and the inclination angle (θ of the side surface of the opening 51a) ) Is an inclined surface of 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the resist film 51.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, the insulating layer 36 is etched using the resist film 51 as a mask and using a mixed gas g containing a chlorofluorocarbon gas and an oxygen gas as an etching gas (selective removal gas).
As the mixed gas g, a mixed gas having a composition of CF ₄ : 20 to 80 sccm / CHF ₃ : 60 to 200 sccm / O ₂ : 80 to 120 sccm is preferably used.
More preferred compositions of this gas _{mixture, CF 4: 60sccm / CHF 3} : 180sccm / O 2: 100sccm or _{CF 4,: 30sccm / CHF 3} : 180sccm / O 2: is 100 sccm.

In this case, since the side surface of the opening 51a of the resist film 51 is inclined, when the mixed gas g is sprayed from above the resist film 51 toward the insulating layer 36, the resist around the opening 51a is caused by the mixed gas g. Is eroded and the width of the opening 51a gradually widens from Wa to Wb.
That is, the opening 51a of the resist film 51 is enlarged. Accordingly, the opening area of the opening 36 a of the insulating layer 36 gradually increases with the receding opening 51 a of the resist film 51, and as a result, the inclination angle (θ) of the side surface of the opening 36 a is relative to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 36. It will incline 20-80 degrees.

Thereafter, the resist film 51 is removed.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 2D, the insulating layer 36 having the opening 36 a whose side surface inclination angle (θ) is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 36 can be formed. .
By repeating the above steps, as shown in FIG. 1, the insulating layer 37 having the opening 37a and the insulating layer 38 having the opening 38a can be sequentially formed on the insulating layer 36 having the opening 36a. it can.
In this case, it is necessary to use a resist film having an opening corresponding to the shape of each of the openings 37a and 38a as a mask.

As described above, according to the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a that expose a part of the upper surface of the second wiring layer 35 are stepped, and these side surfaces. Since the inclined surface is inclined by 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface, the thickness of the thin film element wiring 39 formed on each side surface of the openings 36a to 38a can be increased, and disconnection can be prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent an initial characteristic failure such as an open failure due to a failure of the thin film element wiring 39.
Therefore, the reliability of the wiring can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element can be improved.

According to the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with a thin film element of this embodiment, the insulating layer 36 is etched using the resist film 51 with the inclination angle (θ) of the side surface of the opening 51a as 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface as a mask. It is possible to easily form the insulating layer 36 having the opening 36a in which the side surface inclination angle (θ) is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface.
Therefore, there is no fear of disconnection of the thin film element wiring 39, and a semiconductor device with a thin film element with improved wiring reliability can be easily manufactured.

“Second Embodiment”
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment described above is the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the present embodiment. The difference is that in the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment, the middle insulating layer is formed such that the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 opens outside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. Whereas the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a are expanded outwardly in a stepped manner so that the opening 38a of the uppermost insulating layer 38 is opened outside than the opening 37a of 37, In the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 is opened inside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36, and the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 is formed. Opening 3 of uppermost insulating layer 38 As a opens inside, in that the opening 36a~38a each side is configured so as to shrink inwardly stepwise.

These openings 36a to 38a can be formed by using the method for forming the openings 36a to 38a of the first embodiment.
In this case, a resist film having openings corresponding to the shapes of the openings 36a, 37a, and 38a may be used as a mask.

Also in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the thickness of the thin film element wiring 39 formed on the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a can be increased as in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment. Thus, disconnection can be prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects due to defects in the thin film element wiring 39 can be prevented.
Therefore, the reliability of the wiring can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element can be improved.

“Third Embodiment”
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment described above is the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the present embodiment. The difference is that, in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment, the uppermost insulating layer is formed such that the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 opens outside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. Whereas the opening 38a of the layer 38 opens outside the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37, the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a are configured to expand outward in a stepped manner, In the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 is opened inside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36, and the opening of the uppermost insulating layer 38 is formed. 38a is the opening 37 of the middle insulating layer 37. A point that is configured more as an opening from the outside and the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36 on the inside.

These openings 36a to 38a can be formed by using the method for forming the openings 36a to 38a of the first embodiment.
In this case, a resist film having openings corresponding to the shapes of the openings 36a, 37a, and 38a may be used as a mask.

Also in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the thickness of the thin film element wiring 39 formed on the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a can be increased as in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment. Thus, disconnection can be prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects due to defects in the thin film element wiring 39 can be prevented.
Therefore, the reliability of the wiring can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element can be improved.

“Fourth Embodiment”
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a semiconductor device with a thin film element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment described above is the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the present embodiment. The difference is that in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment, the uppermost insulating layer is formed such that the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 opens outside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. Whereas the opening 38a of the layer 38 opens outside the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37, the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a are configured to expand outward in a stepped manner, In the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37 is opened inside the opening 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36, and the opening of the uppermost insulating layer 38 is formed. 38a is the opening 37 of the middle insulating layer 37. And in that it is configured so as to open on the outside than the respective openings 36a of the lowermost insulating layer 36.

These openings 36a to 38a can be formed by using the method for forming the openings 36a to 38a of the first embodiment.
In this case, a resist film having openings corresponding to the shapes of the openings 36a, 37a, and 38a may be used as a mask.

Also in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the thickness of the thin film element wiring 39 formed on the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a can be increased as in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment. Thus, disconnection can be prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects due to defects in the thin film element wiring 39 can be prevented.
Therefore, the reliability of the wiring can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element can be improved.

“Fifth Embodiment”
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a semiconductor device with a thin film element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the present embodiment is different from the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment described above in the semiconductor device with a thin film element according to the first embodiment in which the wiring layer 35 is formed in the openings 36a to 38a. The thin film element-equipped semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes only a thin film element portion formed by forming a thin film element wiring 39 that electrically connects a thin film element (not shown). A thin film element portion 60 formed by forming a thin film element wiring 39 for electrically connecting the wiring layer 35 and a thin film element (not shown) in a part of the openings 36a to 38a, and other openings 36a to 38a. The external terminal connection pad portion 70 formed by forming the external terminal connection electrode 80 on a part of the external terminal connection electrode 70 is provided.

  In the semiconductor device with a thin film element of this embodiment, some of the openings 36a to 38a form the thin film element part 60, the other part forms the external terminal connection pad part 70, and the remaining part Test pad portions (not shown) and dummy pad portions (not shown) are formed.

  In FIG. 6, the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is formed so that the opening 37 a of the middle insulating layer 37 opens outside the opening 36 a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. The side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a are extended stepwise outwardly so that the opening 38a of the uppermost insulating layer 38 from the portion 37a opens outside. It can also be configured as shown in -5.

Also in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the present embodiment, the thickness of the thin film element wiring 39 formed on the side surfaces of the openings 36a to 38a can be increased as in the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the first embodiment. Thus, disconnection can be prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects due to defects in the thin film element wiring 39 can be prevented.
Therefore, the reliability of the wiring can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the entire semiconductor device including the thin film element can be improved.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with a thin film element of this embodiment will be described. In this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, when the insulating layer is made of a plurality of insulating layers 36 to 38 and a part of the wiring layer 35 of the thin film element portion 60 is exposed to form the openings 36a to 38a, external terminal connection is performed. The wiring layer 35 of the pad portion 70 is left covered with an insulating layer, and then the insulating layer covering the wiring layer 35 of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is removed, and the opening of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is removed. 36a to 38a are formed. FIG. 7 is a process diagram showing the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device with a thin film element of this embodiment. Here, the width of the opening of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is about 80 to 100 μm, and the width of the opening of the thin film element portion 60 is about 10 μm, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, an insulating layer 36 is formed so as to cover the entire insulating layer 34 and the second wiring layer 35 of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connecting pad portion 70, and the insulating layer 36 is formed on the insulating layer 36. Then, a resist film 51 is formed. Thereafter, patterning is performed using the resist film 51 as a mask, an opening is formed at a predetermined position of the resist film 51 of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connecting pad portion 70, exposure and heat treatment are performed, and the side surface of the opening is formed. A resist film 51 having an inclination angle (θ) of 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the resist film 51 is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the resist film 51 is used as a mask, and the insulating layer 36 of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is selectively removed with an etching gas. The wiring layer 35 is opened. Thereafter, the resist film 51 is removed. As a result, the insulating layer 36 having the opening 36 a whose side surface inclination angle (θ) is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 36 is formed in the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connecting pad portion 70. .

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the insulating layer 36 of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connecting pad portion 70, the opening 36a of the insulating layer 36, and the second wiring layer 35 are insulated so as to cover them. Layer 37 is deposited.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, a resist film 52 is formed on the insulating layer 37. Thereafter, patterning is performed using the resist film 52 as a mask, an opening is formed only in the resist film 52 on the thin film element portion 60, and exposure and heat treatment are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7E, using the resist film 52 as a mask, only the insulating layer 37 of the thin film element portion 60 is selectively removed with an etching gas, and the second wiring layer 35 is opened. Thereafter, the resist film 52 is removed. As a result, the insulating layer 37 having the opening 37 a whose side surface inclination angle (θ) is 20 to 80 ° with respect to the bottom surface of the insulating layer 37 is formed in the thin film element portion 60. At this time, the insulating layer 37 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is not selectively removed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (f), on the insulating layer 37 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70, the insulating layer 37 of the thin film element portion 60, the opening 37 a of the insulating layer 37, and the second wiring layer 35. Then, an insulating layer 38 is formed so as to cover them. Then, a resist film 53 is formed on the insulating layer 38 and patterned using the resist film 53 as a mask to form openings at predetermined positions of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connection pad portion 70. Then, exposure and heat treatment are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7G, using the resist film 53 as a mask, the insulating layer 38 of the thin film element portion 60 and the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is selectively removed with an etching gas. Thereafter, the resist film 53 is removed. At this time, the second wiring layer 35 of the thin film element section 60 is opened, but the second wiring layer 35 of the external terminal connecting pad section 70 is covered with the insulating layer 37 and is not opened.

  Thereafter, the semiconductor device is transported to a thin film element forming apparatus in order to form a thin film element (not shown) and a thin film element wiring 39 in the openings 36 a to 38 a of the thin film element portion 60. At this time, since the second wiring layer 35 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is still covered with the insulating layer 37, the second wiring layer 35 is oxidized or corroded by oxygen, moisture, etc. in the air. Can be prevented. When the thin film element (not shown) and the thin film element wiring 39 are formed in the openings 36 a to 38 a of the thin film element portion 60 in the thin film element forming apparatus, the second wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is formed. Since 35 is still covered with the insulating layer 37, the second wiring layer 35 can be prevented from being damaged by plasma or the like.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7H, the thin film element wiring 39 is formed and then covered with the insulating film 40. Then, a resist film 54 is formed on the insulating layer 40 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 and the insulating layer 40 of the thin film element portion 60 so as to cover them, and is patterned using the resist film 54 as a mask. Then, an opening is formed at a predetermined position of the resist film 54 of the external terminal connection pad portion 70, and exposure and heat treatment are performed.

  As shown in FIG. 7I, using the resist film 54 as a mask, the insulating layer 40 and the insulating layer 37 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 are selectively removed with an etching gas. At this time, the second wiring layer 35 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is opened, but the second wiring layer 35 of the thin film element portion 60 is covered with the resist film 54 and thus is damaged by the etching gas. There is no. Thereafter, the resist film 54 is removed to obtain the semiconductor device shown in FIG.

  In the semiconductor device of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7I, the openings 36 a to 38 a of the thin film element portion 60 are openings of the middle insulating layer 37 than the openings 36 a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. 37a is formed on the inner side, and the opening 38a of the uppermost insulating layer 38 is formed on the inner side of the opening 37a of the middle insulating layer 37. The openings 36 a to 38 a of the pad portion 70 are formed so that the opening 37 a of the middle insulating layer 37 is opened inside the opening 36 a of the lowermost insulating layer 36 and the opening of the uppermost insulating layer 38. 38 a is formed so as to open outside the opening 37 a of the middle insulating layer 37 and inside the opening 36 a of the lowermost insulating layer 36. According to the semiconductor device manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the openings 36a to 38a of the thin film element portion 60 and the openings 36a to 38a of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 can be made different from each other. .

  Further, in the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment, when the insulating layer of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is removed, the resist film 53 is used as the insulating layer 38 as a mask, and the insulating layer 40 and the insulating layer 37 are formed. Is removed in two steps with two types of resist films using the resist film 54 as a mask, whereas a plurality of insulating layers 40, 38, and 37 are once formed using one type of resist film 54 as a mask. The openings 36a to 38a of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 may be formed by removing the step.

  In this case, for example, in FIG. 7F, the resist film 53 of the thin film element portion 60 on the insulating layer 38 opens, but the resist film 53 of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 does not open, and etching gas is used. The insulating layer 38 of the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is not selectively removed. Next, in FIG. 7H, the resist film 54 of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 is opened, and the insulating layers 40, 38, and 37 of the external terminal connection pad portion 70 are formed using the resist film 54 as a mask. It may be removed at once with an etching gas. By removing a plurality of insulating layers at one time using one kind of resist film as a mask, the labor of operation can be saved.

  As an example of the thin film element used for the thin film element portion 60 of the semiconductor device according to the present invention, a magnetoresistive effect element (GMR element) or the like can be used. In this case, the external terminal connecting pad portion 70 is a magnet. A bias magnet layer in which films are stacked can be formed.

  In the present invention, in order to expose a part of the wiring layer, the side surface of the opening formed in the insulating layer is stepped, and each of the stepped portions is gradually expanded from the bottom to the upper end. By adopting such a slanted configuration, disconnection of the wiring for the thin film element and the electrode for connecting the external terminal that electrically connect the wiring layer and the thin film element is prevented, and initial characteristic defects such as open defects are prevented. Therefore, the effect becomes very large when applied to a composite chip in which a plurality of types of device functions are integrated on a single substrate, or a large-capacity composite chip in which these functions are further integrated.

It is sectional drawing which shows the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with a thin film element of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the semiconductor device provided with the conventional thin film element. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device provided with the conventional thin film element.

Explanation of symbols

21 ... p-type Si substrate (semiconductor substrate), 22 ... transistor, 23 ... field insulating film, 24 ... integrated circuit part (IC part), 30 ... n ⁺ buried layer, 31a ... source, 31b ... drain, 31c ... SiO ₂ films (insulating films), 31d ... gate, 32 ... insulating layer, 33 ... first wiring layer, 34 ... insulating layer, 35 ... second wiring layer, 36-38 ... insulating layer, 36a-38a ... opening, 41 Contact, 42 ... Via, 51, 52, 53, 54 ... Resist film, 51a ... Opening, 60 ... Thin film element part, 70 ... External terminal connection pad part, 80 ... External terminal connection electrode.

Claims (12)

An integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer,
In the semiconductor device, an opening for exposing a part of the wiring layer is formed in the insulating layer, and a thin film element wiring for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element is formed in the opening. And
The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the side surface of the opening has a stepped shape, and each stepped portion is inclined such that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end. An integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer,
Forming a plurality of openings in the insulating layer to expose a part of the wiring layer, and forming a wiring for a thin film element for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element in a part of the opening; A thin film element portion,
A semiconductor device including an external terminal connection pad formed by forming an external terminal connection electrode in the other part of the opening,
The semiconductor device is characterized in that the side surfaces of these openings are stepped, and each stepped portion is inclined so that the side surface gradually expands from the bottom toward the upper end.   The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is formed by stacking a plurality of insulating layers.   4. The plurality of insulating layers are composed of at least two insulating layers, and an opening of an upper insulating layer among these insulating layers extends from an opening of a lower insulating layer. Semiconductor device.   The plurality of insulating layers are composed of at least two insulating layers. Of these insulating layers, the opening of the upper insulating layer is smaller than the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the upper insulating layer is the lower insulating layer. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the semiconductor device extends into the opening of the insulating layer. The plurality of insulating layers are composed of at least three insulating layers. Of these insulating layers, the opening of the middle insulating layer is smaller than the opening of the lower insulating layer, and the middle insulating layer is the lower insulating layer. Extending into the opening of the insulating layer,
4. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the opening of the upper insulating layer extends from the opening of the middle insulating layer. An integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer,
An opening of a part of the wiring layer is formed in the insulating layer, and a thin film element wiring for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element is formed in the opening. A manufacturing method comprising:
On the insulating layer, a resist film having an opening whose side surface is inclined so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end,
The insulating layer is selectively removed using this resist film as a mask,
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: forming an opening having a side surface inclined so as to gradually expand from the bottom toward the upper end in the insulating layer.   8. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein a side surface of the opening of the resist film is inclined at an angle of not less than 20 [deg.] And not more than 80 [deg.] With respect to an axis in the film thickness direction of the resist film.   9. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein a mixed gas containing a chlorofluorocarbon gas and an oxygen gas is used as the selective removal gas when the insulating layer is selectively removed.   10. The openings according to claim 7, wherein the insulating layers are a plurality of insulating layers, and openings having different opening areas are formed in each insulating layer using a plurality of types of resist films having different openings as masks. A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device given in any 1 paragraph. An integrated circuit portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a thin film element formed on the wiring layer of the integrated circuit portion via an insulating layer,
Forming a plurality of openings in the insulating layer to expose a part of the wiring layer, and forming a wiring for a thin film element for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the thin film element in a part of the opening; A thin film element portion,
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising an external terminal connection pad formed by forming an external terminal connection electrode in the other part of the opening,
The insulating layer is a plurality of insulating layers, and when the opening is formed by exposing a part of the wiring layer of the thin film element portion, the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion is used as the insulating layer. Leave it covered with
Thereafter, the insulating layer covering the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad is removed, and the opening of the external terminal connection pad is formed. When removing the insulating layer covering the wiring layer of the external terminal connection pad portion, the plurality of insulating layers are removed at once using one type of resist film as a mask, and the external terminal connection pad portion The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 11, wherein the opening is formed.

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