An optimized densification of the filled oxide for quarter micron shallow trench isolation (STI)

Densification methods using H/sub 2/O and N/sub 2/ ambient annealing of the filled CVD oxide for quarter micron STI are compared. Although the H/sub 2/O ambient oxidation is more effective in terms of the resistance against the HF etching, volume expansion by the trench sidewall oxidation generates a large amount of stress in the narrow isolation region. However, an N/sub 2/ gas ambient annealing at high temperature shows a low stress and a low HF etch rate which enable us to fabricate the stable quarter micron STI.