Method of making a resistor, method of making a diode, and SRAM circuitry and other integrated circuitry

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of forming resistors and diodes from semiconductive material, and static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating resistors, and to integrated circuitry incorporating resistors and diodes. A node to which electrical connection is to be made is provided. An electrically insulative layer is provided outwardly of the node. An opening is provided in the electrically insulative layer over the node. The opening is filed with semiconductive material which depending on configuration serves as one or both of a vertically elongated diode and resistor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to semiconductor processing methods of forming resistors and diodes from semiconductive material. and to static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating resistors, and to other integrated circuitry incorporating resistors and diodes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One of the common elements required in electrical circuit devices is the pull-up or pull-own resistor from an active device to one of the power supply buses, typically referred to as Vcc. The pull-up is simple if used to construct a circuit using discrete components in that all that is required is selecting a resistor of the desired resistance and tolerance, connecting it between an active device such as an open collector transistor and Vcc, and the transistor's output would be pulled up to Vcc once the transistor is forward biased. With the advent of integrated circuitry, however, fabricating a resistance onto a wafer substrate, such as silicon or gallium arsenide, takes special consideration, particularly when resistivity and tolerances play an important part in circuit operation.

[0003] For example, as SRAMs have evolved from the 4Kb memory arrays to more densely packed array sizes, tolerances of pull-up resistances had to be tightly controlled. In order to minimize standby current, many fabrication processes adopted use an active device as the pull-up. In CMOS fabrication, it is common to see a PMOS transistor acting as the current path between a memory cell access transistor and the power supply bus. In this manner, the PMOS transistor can be gated “on” only when the desired line is to be pulled up to Vcc and turned “off” otherwise. This in essence eliminates leakage current and minimizes standby current for the SRAM device as a whole.

[0004] The main drawback to using an active device for a pull-up device is the amount of space required to fabricate the device. Now that the SRAM generation has grown to the 1Mb array size, die space is a critical factor to consider. Technology has basically pushed all types of Is integrated circuits to be more densely packed, and pull-ups are a common element in many circuit designs.

[0005] Although the invention primarily arose out of concerns associated with resistor fabrication in SRAM circuitry, the artisan will appreciate is applicability of the inventive technology elsewhere, with the invention only being limited by the accompanying claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a semiconductor wafer fragment at one processing step in accordance with the invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a view of the FIG. 1 wafer fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a view of the FIG. 1 wafer fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of the FIG. 1 wafer fragment at a processing step subsequent to that shown by FIG. 3.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of SRAM circuitry in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0013] The invention includes several aspects of forming resistor and diode constructions. The invention also includes several aspects of SRAM and other integrated circuitry incorporating diodes and resistors produced according to the inventive methods, and produced according to other methods.

[0014] A semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction from semiconductive material is first described with reference to FIG. 1. Such illustrates a bulk semiconductor substrate 12, such as monocrystalline silicon, having a conductive diffusion region 14 formed therein. Region 14 constitutes a node to which electrical connection to a resistor is to be made. An electrically insulative layer 16, typically borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), is provided outwardly relative to node 14. A first opening 18, preferable in the configuration of a substantially vertical passageway, is provided therethrough over node 14. First opening 18 has an opening width “A”. Node 14 can be provided before provision layer 16 and opening 18, or after provision of layer 16 and opening 18.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, a first layer 20 of semiconductive material is chemical vapor deposited over electrically insulative layer 16 and within first opening 18 over node 14 to a thickness which is less than one-half first opening width “A” to less than completely fill first opening 18 with semiconductive material. Such thereby defines a remaining opening Ad An example semiconductive material of first layer 20 is silicon, such as amorphously deposited silicon or polycrystalline silicon. During or after is deposition, first layer 20 can be provided with a first conductivity enhancing dopant impurity of a first “p ” or “n” type. Layer 20 can also remain undoped at this point in the process. Accordingly, semiconductive material layer 20 has a first conductivity enhancing dopant concentration falling within a range of from 0 to some first values with the first -value typically being less than 1×1018 ions/cm3. Greater values, such as 1×1020 ions/cm3, would effectively inherently make layer 20 undesirably sufficiently electrically conductive to provide negligible resistance effect.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, a second layer 24 of semiconductive material is provided by chemical vapor deposition, or other technique, to within remaining opening 22 and inside of first layer 20 to completely fill remaining opening 22 with semiconductive material. Thus, opening 18 is likewise completely filled with semiconductive material. Second layer 24 is provided in one example with a second conductivity dopant concentration which is greater than the first concentration. Thus, a conductivity enhancing impurity concentration gradient is provided within opening .18 which varies from a low concentration at an inner elevation 26 within opening 18 to a higher concentration at an outer elevation 28 within opening 18.

[0017] The conductivity enhancing dopants provided in first and second layers 20 and 24 can comprise the same or different conductivity “n” or “p” types. Further even if of the same type, the dopants might be different, for example one being arsenic and one being phosphorus Id which are both “n” type. When of the same type, the semiconductive material effectively filling opening 18 defines a substantially vertically elongated resistor within opening/passageway 18, which is an ohmic electrical contact with node 14. Where the conductivity enhancing dopants provided in first and second layers 20 and 24, respectively, are of different type, the result will be formation of a substantially vertically elongated diode provided within passageway 18 and in ohmic electrical contact with node 14. The diode will effectively comprise two regions 20 and 24 of semiconductive material which in combination completely fill passageway 18.

[0018] In such instance, it may be desirable to provide each of regions/layers 20 and 24 with about the same concentration level of dopant impurity, and at greater than 1×1020 ions/cm3, to form a highly conductive diode. Alternately, it might be desirable to provide the two regions/layers with different type and different concentration level dopant impurities to effectively define a leaking or leaky diode, which then effectively functions as a resistor. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, a leaky diode construction also constitutes a vertically elongated resistor within opening 18.

[0019] Ultimately, an outer layer of electrically conductive material is provided outwardly of insulating layer 16 and patterned into a conductive line, with the elongated resistor or diode extending between node 14 and the formed conductive line. Such might be accomplished by a number of methods. For example, the construction of FIG. 3 could be etched back by chemical mechanical polishing, or other means, back to the upper surface of insulating layer 16. Subsequently, a metal or other highly conductive material can be deposited and patterned to form a line. More preferably, second layer 24 of semiconductive material is provided to have a dopant concentration which is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3 and is deposited to a sufficient thickness to enable it to be patterned into a conductive line 30 (FIG. 4). Accordingly in such instance, conductive line 30 comprises both first and second layers 20 and 24, with outer layer 24 forming a highly conductive part thereof. A silicide layer, such as WSiX (not shown), might also be provided outwardly of layer 24. In either event, the formed diode or resistor extends between node 14 and patterned conductive line 30. Processing in accordance with the above described preferred method provides the advantage of provision of a line and diode or resistor without added masking steps for the resistor or diode.

[0020] Alternate techniques are contemplated for provision of substantially elongated vertically oriented resistors or diodes which fill opening/passageway 18. For example in provision of a resistor, opening/passageway 18 might be filed in a substantially continuous chemical vapor deposition step. During such deposition, the conductivity enhancing impurity would be provided to the reactor at a rate varying from, for example, a first lower rate to a second higher rate such that the outermost portion of the deposited layer has the desired high conductivity attributes, whereas lower regions have the desired resistive attributes. The final resultant rate could be provided to produce a dopant concentration at the outer regions of the deposited layer which is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3 to facilitate production of a desired highly conductive line outwardly of insulating layer 16.

[0021] A similar process could be utilized for formation of a diode. For 22 example, a substantially continuous chemical vapor depositing step could be utilized to fill passageway/opening 18 and provide a layer thickness outwardly of insulating layer 16 sufficient for formation of a conductive line, and define an elongated diode within the passageway. For example, the chemical vapor depositing step could include first feeding a conductivity enhancing impurity of a first type into the reactor during deposition to provide semiconductive material of the first conductivity type at an inner elevation within the opening During deposition, the dopant feed to the reactor would be changed from the first feeding to a second feeding of a conductivity enhancing impurity of a second type to provide semiconductive material of the second conductivity type at an outer elevation within the opening. Subsequent provision of a conductive metal line by mere patterning, or by provision of other conductive layers and patterning, could be provided. Alternately in formation of a resistor, semiconductive material might be deposited atop insulating layer 16 and within opening 18 to be inherently undoped or very lightly doped as-deposited. Subsequently, a conductivity enhancing dopant impurity might be driven into the semiconductive material layer at least outwardly of the electrically insulative layer to a peak concentration of greater than or equal to is 1×1020 ions/cm3. Subsequently, this semiconductive material layer would be exposed to annealing conditions effective to diffuse dopant impurity within the semiconductive material from outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into the semiconductive material within the opening to effectively form an elongated resistor in ohmic contact with node 14. The semiconductive material layer outwardly of the electrically insulative layer would thereafter be patterned into a conductive line, with the elongated resistor extending between node 14 and the conductive line. Example annealing conditions include 950° C. for 20 seconds in an N2 atmosphere. Alternately, the wafer might be exposed to sufficient thermal conditions throughout processing to inherently provide such desired dopant driving to deep within passageway 18.

[0022] For diode formation, an alternate process is also contemplated. Specifically, a single semiconductive material layer can be chemically deposited to within opening 18 and over layer 16 to completely fill such opening. As deposited, the semiconductive material layer would be provided with conductivity enhancing dopant impurity of a first type having an average concentration of about 1×1018 ions/cm3. After the chemical vapor depositing step, a conductivity enhancing dopant impurity of a second type can be provided into the outermost portions of the deposited layer by ion implantation to a peak and overwhelming concentration of at least 1×1020 ions/cm3. The substrate is then exposed to annealing conditions effective to diffuse second type dopant impurity within the semiconductive material from outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into the first type semiconductive material within opening 18 to effectively form an elongated diode within the opening.

[0023] Integrated circuitry incorporating the above constructions whereby a substantially vertically elongated resistor or diode extends between a node and an outer conductive line is also contemplated.

[0024] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one example of integrated circuitry of an SRAM cell in accordance with the invention utilizing at least one of the subject resistors. Such comprises a pair of first and second pull-down transistors 50 and 52, respectively. These include respective drains 53, 54; respective sources 55, 56; and respective gates 57, 58. Gate 57 of first pull-down transistor 50 is electrically coupled to drain 54 of second pulldown transistor 52. Likewise, gate 58 of second pull-down transistor 52 is electrically coupled to drain 53 of first pull-down transistor 50. A ground node 58 and a Vcc node 60 are provided. A first resistor 62 and a second resistor 64 electrically are coupled with Vcc node 60 via a patterned line. Drain 53 of first pull-down transistor 50 electrically couples with Vcc node 60 through first resistor 62. Drain 54 of second pull-down transistor 52 electrically couples through second resistor 64 to Vcc node 60. A pair of cell access transistors 66 and 68 are also provided.

[0025] In the context of the previously described construction, the described and illustrated resistor/leaking diode would constitute one or both of resistors 62 and 64. Node 14 would constitute one of drains 53 or 54. Node 14 could alternately be the outer surface of gate 5720 or gate 58. Patterned line 30 would be configured to extend to the suitable power Vcc node.

[0026] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a resistor is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing a first opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node, the first opening having an opening width; providing a first layer of semiconductive material over the electrically insulative layer and within the first opening over the node I, to a thickness which is less than one half the first opening width to 12 less than completely fill the first opening with semiconductive material and thereby define a remaining opening, the first layer within the first opening being provided with a first conductivity enhancing dopant concentration falling within a range from 0 to a first value; providing a second layer of semiconductive material to within the remaining opening and inside of the first layer to completely fill the remaining opening with semiconductive material and define an elongated resistor within the first opening, the second layer within the remaining opening being provided with a second conductivity dopant concentration which is greater than the first concentration; and providing an outer layer of electrically conductive material outwardly of the insulative layer and patterning the outer layer into a conductive line, the elongated resistor extending between the node and the conductive line.

2. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the node is provided before providing the electrically insulative material and opening therethrough.

3. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the conductivity enhancing dopants provided in the first and second layers are of the same type.

4. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the conductivity enhancing dopants provided in the first and second layers are different but of the same type.

5. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor is construction of claim 1 wherein the conductivity enhancing dopants provided in the first and second layers are of different types.

6. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the conductive line comprises the first and second layers.

7. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the outer layer comprises semiconductive material having a dopant concentration greater than or equal to the second concentration.

8. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 1 wherein the second dopant concentration is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3, the outer layer consisting essentially of the first and second layers.

9. A resistor produced according to the process of claim 1

10. A semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a resistor is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing an opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node; within a chemical vapor deposition reactor, chemical vapor depositing a semiconductive material over the electrically insulative layer and to within the opening in electrical contact with the node to completely fill the opening and define an elongated resistor therewithin, the chemical vapor depositing step including providing a conductivity enhancing impurity into the material during deposition, the conductivity enhancing impurity being provided to the reactor at a rate varying from a first lower rate to a second higher rate to provide a conductivity enhancing impurity concentration gradient within the opening which varies from a low concentration at an inner elevation within the opening to a high concentration at an outer elevation within the opening, and providing an outer layer of electrically conductive material outwardly of the insulative layer and patterning the outer layer into a conductive line, the elongated resistor extending between the node and the conductive line.

11. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 10 wherein the conductive line comprises the chemical vapor deposited semiconductive material.

12. The semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction of claim 10 wherein the second rate provides a dopant concentration at the outer elevation which is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3, the outer layer consisting essentially of the deposited semiconductive material.

13. A resistor produced according to the process of claim 10.

14. A semiconductor processing method of forming a resistor construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a resistor is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing an opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node; within a chemical vapor deposition reactor, chemical vapor depositing a semiconductive material layer over the electrically insulative layer and to within the opening in electrical contact with the node to completely fill the opening; after the chemical vapor depositing step, providing a conductivity enhancing dopant impurity into the semiconductive material layer outwardly of the electrically insulative layer to a peak concentration of is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3; exposing the doped semiconductive material layer to annealing conditions effective to diffuse dopant impurity from outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into the semiconductive material within the opening to effectively form an elongated resistor within the opening; and patterning the semiconductive material layer outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into a conductive line, the elongated resistor extending between the node and the conductive line.

15. A resistor produced according to the process of claim 14.

16. A semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a diode is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing a first opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node, the first opening having an opening width; providing a first layer of semiconductive material of a first type over the electrically insulative layer and within the first opening over the node to a thickness which is less than one half the first opening width to less than completely fill the first opening with semiconductive material of the first type and thereby define a remaining opening; providing a second layer of semiconductive material of a second type to within the remaining opening and inside of the first layer to completely fill the remaining opening with semiconductive material of the second type and define an elongated diode within the first opening; and providing an outer layer of electrically conductive material outwardly of the insulative layer and patterning the outer layer into a conductive line, the elongated diode extending between the node and the conductive line.

17. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 16 wherein the conductive line comprises the first and second layers.

18. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 16 wherein the outer layer comprises semiconductive material having a dopant concentration greater than or equal to 1×1020 ions/cm3 .

19. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 16 wherein the outer layer comprises semiconductive material having a dopant concentration greater than or equal to 1×1020 ions/cm3, the outer layer consisting essentially of the first and second layers.

20. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 16 wherein the fist and second layers have about the same dopant impurity concentration.

21. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 16 wherein the first and second layers have is different dopant impurity concentrations.

22. A diode produced according to the process of claim 16.

23. A semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a diode is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing an opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node; within a chemical vapor deposition reactor, chemical vapor depositing a semiconductive material over the electrically insulative layer and to within the opening in electrical contact with the node to completely fill the opening and define an elongated diode therewithin, the chemical vapor depositing step including first feeding a conductivity enhancing impurity of a first type into the reactor during deposition to provide semiconductive material of the first conductive type at an inner elevation within the opening, the chemical vapor depositing step including changing from the first feeding to a second feeding of a conductivity enhancing impurity of a second type into the reactor during deposition to provide semiconductive material of the second conductivity type at an outer elevation within the opening-, and providing an outer layer of electrically conductive material outwardly of the insulative layer and patterning the outer layer into a conductive line, the elongated diode extending between the node and the conductive line.

24. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 23 wherein the conductive line comprises the chemical vapor deposited semiconductive material.

25. The semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction of claim 23 wherein the second type doped semiconductive material has a dopant concentration which is at least 1×1020 ions/cm3, the outer layer comprising the deposited second type doped semiconductive material.

26. A diode produced according to the process of claim 23.

27. A semiconductor processing method of forming a diode construction from semiconductive material comprising the following steps: providing a node to which electrical connection to a diode is to be made; providing an electrically insulative layer outwardly of the node; providing an opening in the electrically insulative layer over the node; within a chemical vapor deposition reactor, chemical vapor depositing a semiconductive material layer over the electrically insulative layer and to within the opening in electrical contact with the node to completely fill the opening, the semiconductive material layer being provided with conductivity enhancing impurity doping of a first type having an average concentration of at least 1×1017 ions/cm3; after the chemical vapor depositing step, providing a conductivity is enhancing dopant impurity of a second type into the semiconductive material layer outwardly of the electrically insulative layer to a peak concentration of at least 1×1020 ions/cm3; exposing the doped semiconductive material layer to annealing conditions effective to diffuse second type dopant impurity from outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into the first type semiconductive material within the opening to effectively form an elongated diode within the opening; and patterning the semiconductive material layer outwardly of the electrically insulative layer into a conductive line, the elongated diode extending between the node and the conductive line.

28. A diode produced according to the process of claim 27.

29. Integrated circuitry comprising: an electrically conductive node; an electrically insulative layer lying outwardly of the node, the insulative layer having a substantially vertical passageway formed therethrough to the node; a substantially vertically elongated resistor within the passageway and in ohmic electrical contact with the node, the resistor comprising a semiconductive material having an average conductivity enhancing dopant impurity concentration of less than or equal to about 5×1018 ions/cm3 the semiconductive material completely filling the passageway and an outer conductive line of electrically conductive material overlying the vertical resistor, the line being in ohmic electrical contact with the vertical resistor, the vertical resistor extending between the conductive node and the conductive line.

30. Integrated circuitry according to claim 29 wherein the semiconductive material of the resistor comprises two regions having different conductivity type dopant impurity, the two regions having different average impurity concentrations.

31. Integrated circuitry according to claim 29 wherein the outer conductive line comprises the semiconductive material, but having an average dopant impurity concentration of greater than or equal to about 1×1020 ions/cm3.

32. Integrated circuitry according to claim 29 wherein the semiconductive material of the resistor has a conductivity enhancing impurity concentration gradient within the passageway which varies from a low concentration at an inner elevation within the passageway to a high concentration at an outer elevation within the passageway.

33. Integrated circuitry comprising: an electrically conductive node; an electrically insulative layer lying outwardly of the node, the insulative layer having a substantially vertical passageway formed therethrough to the node; a substantially vertically elongated diode within the passageway and being in ohmic electrical contact with the node, the diode comprising two regions of semiconductive material which in combination completely fill the passageway, one of the regions being conductively doped with a conductivity enhancing impurity of a first type, the other of the regions being conductively doped with a conductivity enhancing impurity of a second type; and an outer conductive line of electrically conductive material overlying the vertical diode, the line being in ohmic electrical contact with the vertical diode, the vertical diode extending between the conductive node and the conductive line.

34. Integrated circuitry according to claim 33 wherein the outer line comprises one of the regions of conductively doped semiconductive material.

35. Integrated circuitry according to claim 3; wherein the two regions have about the same dopant impurity concentrations.

36. Integrated circuitry according to claim 33 wherein the two regions have different dopant impurity concentrations.

37. An SRAM cell comprising: a first pull down transistor having a gate, a source and a drain; a second pull down transistor having a gate, a source and a drain the gate of the first pull down transistor being electrically coupled to the drain of the second pull down transistor, the gate of the second pull down transistor being electrically coupled to the drain of the first pull down transistor; a Vcc node; a first resistor electrically coupled with the Vcc node; a second resistor electrically coupled with the Vcc node; the drain of the first pull down transistor being electrically coupled through the first resistor to the Vcc node; the drain of the second pull down transistor being electrically coupled through the second resistor to the Vcc node; and at least one of the first and second resistors comprising: an electrically insulative layer lying outwardly of the drain of the respective first or second pull down transistor, the insulative layer having a substantially vertical passageway formed therethrough to the respective first or second pull down transistor drain; a substantially vertically elongated resistor filling the passageway and being in ohmic electrical contact with the respective first or second pull down transistor drain, the resistor comprising a semiconductive material having an average conductivity enhancing dopant impurity concentration of less than or equal to about 5×1018 ions/cm3, the semiconductive material completely filling the passageway; and an outer conductive Vcc line of electrically conductive material overlying the vertical resistor and extending to Vcc, the Vcc line being in ohmic electrical contact with the vertical resistor, the vertical resistor extending between the conductive line and the respective first or second pull down transistor drain.

38. Integrated circuitry according to claim 37 wherein the semiconductive material of the resistor comprises two regions having different conductivity type dopant impurity, the two regions having different average impurity concentrations.

39. Integrated circuitry according to claim 37 wherein the outer conductive line comprises the semiconductive material, but having an average dopant impurity concentration of greater than or equal to about 1×1020 ions/cm3.

40. Integrated circuitry according to claim 37 wherein the semiconductive material of the resistor has a conductivity enhancing impurity concentration gradient within the passageway which varies from a low concentration at an inner elevation within the passageway to a high concentration at an outer elevation within the passageway.