A novel multi-functional linear siloxane compound, a siloxane polymer
prepared from the siloxane compound, and a process for forming a
dielectric film by using the siloxane polymer. The linear siloxane
polymer has enhanced mechanical properties (e.g., modulus), superior
thermal stability, a low carbon content and a low hygroscopicity and is
prepared by the homopolymerization of the linear siloxane compound or the
copolymerization of the linear siloxane compound with another monomer. A
dielectric film can be produced by heat-curing a coating solution
containing the siloxane polymer which is highly reactive. The siloxane
polymer prepared from the siloxane compound not only has satisfactory
mechanical properties, thermal stability and crack resistance, but also
exhibits a low hygroscopicity and excellent compatibility with
pore-forming materials, which leads to a low dielectric constant.
Furthermore, the siloxane polymer retains a relatively low carbon content
but a high SiO.sub.2 content, resulting in its improved applicability to
semiconductor devices. Therefore, the siloxane polymer is advantageously
used as a material for dielectric films of semiconductor devices.