Hard mask for integrated circuit fabrication

摘要

A method of manufacturing small structures or narrow structures on an ultra-large scale integrated circuit utilizes a hard mask. A mask layer can be deposited over a top surface of a material above a semiconductor substrate. A mask layer can be lithographically patterned to have a feature. The side walls of the feature can be oxidized. The oxidized side walls can be removed to reduce the size of the feature below one lithographic feature. The material underneath mask layer can be etched in accordance with the feature without the oxidized side walls.