A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation
is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number
of relatively large active regions and a number of relatively small active regions,
is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer
on the substrate is first formed. A number of shallow trenches are formed between
the active regions. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow
trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed
on the oxide layer. The partial reverse active mask has an opening at a central
part of each relatively large active region. The opening exposes a portion of the
oxide layer. The opening has at least a dummy pattern. The oxide layer on the central
part of each large active region is removed to expose the silicon nitride layer.
The partial reverse active mask is removed. The oxide layer is planarized to expose
the silicon nitride layer.