| abstract |
Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same. An exemplary device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, a protection layer, and a conformal barrier layer. The dielectric layer overlies the substrate and comprises an opening. The opening comprises a lower portion and a wider upper portion, exposing parts of the substrate. The bottoms of the upper portion act as shoulders of the opening. The protection layer overlies at least one shoulder of the opening. The conformal barrier layer is disposed in the opening and overlies the protection layer and the dielectric layer, wherein etching resistance of the protection layer against inert-gas plasma is higher than that of the barrier layer. |