Abstract: A recessed channel transistor comprises a semiconductor substrate having a trench isolation structure, a gate structure having a lower block in the semiconductor substrate and an upper block on the semiconductor substrate, two doped regions positioned at two sides of the upper block and above the lower block, and an insulation spacer positioned at a sidewall of the upper block and having a bottom end sandwiched between the upper block and the doped regions. In particular, the two doped regions serves as the source and drain regions, respectively, and the lower block of the gate structure serves as the recessed gate of the recessed channel transistor.

Abstract: A phase-change memory cell is proposed. The phase-change memory includes a bottom electrode; a phase-change spacer formed to contact the bottom electrode; an electrical conductive layer having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the electrical conductive layer electrically connects to the phase-change spacer via the horizontal portion; and a top electrode electrically connected to the electrical conductive layer via the vertical portion of the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A chip package comprises a semiconductor chip, a plurality of pins coupled to the semiconductor chip, and a conductive structure configured to form an electrical connection between the pins, wherein the electrical connection is configured to be disabled as the chip package is inserted into a socket. Since the pins are electrically connected by the conductive structure, the surge current caused by an ESD event can be distributed to all pins rather than to a single pin as the ESD event occurs. Consequently, all ESD protection circuits connected to the pins can be used to dissipate the surge current during the ESD event, and the circuit damage caused by the ESD can be dramatically reduced.

Abstract: A data sensing method for a dynamic random access memory including a storage capacitor configured to store data, a bit line, a transistor connecting the storage capacitor and the bit line, a reference bit line, and a sense amplifier connecting the bit line and the reference bit line. The data sensing method comprises the steps of turning off the transistor when the stored data is a predetermined value before enabling the sense amplifier to sense the voltage of the bit line and the reference bit line, and turning on the transistor when the stored data is opposite to the predetermined value such that a charge sharing process occurs between the storage capacitor and a parasitic capacitor of the bit line before enabling the sense amplifier to sense the voltage of the bit line and the reference bit line.

Abstract: A process for forming a silicon nitride layer on a gate oxide film as part of formation of a gate structure in a semiconductor device includes: forming a layer of silicon nitride on top of a gate oxide film on a semiconductor substrate by a nitridation process, heating the semiconductor substrate in an annealing chamber, exposing the semiconductor substrate to N2 in the annealing chamber, and exposing the semiconductor substrate to a mixture of N2 and N2O in the annealing chamber.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus comprises a reaction chamber, a heater configured to heat a semiconductor wafer positioned on the heater, an oxidant supply configured to deliver oxidant-containing precursors having different oxidant concentrations to the reaction chamber, and a metal supply configured to deliver a metal-containing precursor to the reaction chamber. The present application also discloses a method for preparing a dielectric structure comprising the steps of placing a substrate in a reaction chamber, performing a first atomic layer deposition process including feeding an oxidant-containing precursor having a relatively lower oxidant concentration and a metal-containing precursor to form an thinner interfacial layer on the substrate, and performing a second atomic layer deposition process including feeding the oxidant-containing precursor having an oxidant concentration higher than that used to grow the first metal oxide layer and the metal-containing precursor into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a DRAM includes firstly providing a substrate. Many transistors are then formed on the substrate. Next, a first and a second LPCs are formed between the transistors. A first dielectric layer is then formed on the substrate, and a first opening exposing the first LPC is formed in the first dielectric layer. Thereafter, a barrier layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. Afterwards, a BLC is formed in the first opening, and a BL is formed on the first dielectric layer. A liner layer is then formed on a sidewall of the BL. Next, a second dielectric layer having a dry etching rate substantially equal to that of the liner layer and having a wet etching rate larger than that of the liner layer is formed on the substrate. Finally, an SNC is formed in the first and the second dielectric layers.

Abstract: A leakage testing method for a DRAM having a recess gate is provided. The method includes the steps of: programming to set the first storage unit and the second storage unit of a same memory cell with different storage statuses; and disturbing one of the word lines extending through the memory cells; then determining whether the DRAM is acceptable or not. When another one of the word lines extending through the memory cells is caused with a reading error by disturbing the one of the word lines extending through the memory cells, a failure is determined as occurred, and the failure is attributed to a leakage type of extended depletion region. When the another one of the word lines extending through the memory cells is not caused with a reading error by disturbing the one of the word lines extending through the memory cells, the DRAM is determined as acceptable.

Abstract: A memory having a memory cell, a resistance estimator and a write current generator. The resistance estimator is coupled to the memory cell to estimate the resistance of the memory cell and outputs an estimated resistance level. According to the estimated resistance level, the write current generator generates a write current to flow through the memory cell and to change the resistance of the memory cell. The write current is in a pulse form, and the write current generator sets the pulse width, or magnitude, or both the pulse width and the magnitude of the write current according to the estimated resistance level.

Abstract: A method for preparing an integrated circuit structure performs a deposition process to form a precursor layer on a substrate, and the precursor layer has a phase transition property in a transition temperature region. Subsequently, a first thermal treating process is performed at a first temperature to transform the precursor layer into a polymorphous layer possessing a predetermined crystalline phase, and the first temperature is higher than an upper limit of the temperature of the transition temperature region.

Abstract: An exemplary phase change memory device is provided, including a substrate with a first electrode formed thereover. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first electrode and the substrate. A plurality of cup-shaped heating electrodes is respectively disposed in a portion of the first dielectric layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the first dielectric layer, partially covering the cup-shaped heating electrodes and the first dielectric layer therebetween. A second insulating layer is formed over the first dielectric layer, partially covering the cup-shaped heating electrodes and the first dielectric layer therebetween. A pair of phase change material layers is respectively disposed on opposing sidewalls of the second insulating layer and contacting with one of the cup-shaped heating electrodes. A pair of first conductive layers is formed on the second insulating layer along the second direction, respectively.

Abstract: A method for preparing a P-type polysilicon gate structure comprises the steps of forming a gate oxide layer on a substrate, forming an N-type polysilicon layer on the gate oxide layer, performing a first implanting process to convert the N-type polysilicon layer into a P-type polysilicon layer, performing a second implanting process to implant P-type dopants into a portion of the P-type polysilicon layer near the interface between the gate oxide layer and the P-type polysilicon layer, and performing a thermal treating process at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period to complete the P-type polysilicon gate structure.

Abstract: A multi-step gate structure comprises a semiconductor substrate having a multi-step structure, a gate oxide layer positioned on the multi-step structure and a conductive layer positioned on the gate oxide layer. Preferably, the gate oxide layer has different thicknesses on each step surface of the multi-step structure. In addition, the multi-step gate structure further comprises a plurality of doped regions positioned in the semiconductor substrate under the multi-step structure. The channel length of the multi-step gate structure is the summation of the lateral width and the vertical depth of the multi-step gate structure, which is dramatically increased such that problems originated from the short channel effect can be effectively solved. Further, the plurality of doped regions under the multi-step structure are prepared by implanting processes having different dosages and dopants, which can control the thickness of the gate oxide layer and the threshold voltage of the multi-step gate structure.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure includes a substrate having two doped regions, a charge-trapping structure positioned substantially between the two doped regions, and a conductive structure positioned on the charge-trapping structure, wherein the charge-trapping structure includes a silicon-oxy-nitride layer and metallic nano-dots embedded in the silicon-oxy-nitride layer. The non-volatile memory structure formed by performing a first thermal oxidation process to form a high-k dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a metal-containing semiconductor layer including silicon or germanium on the high-k dielectric layer, forming a silicon layer on the metal-containing semiconductor layer, and performing a second thermal oxidation process to convert the metal-containing semiconductor layer to a silicon-oxy-nitride layer with embedded metallic nano-dots, wherein at least one of the first thermal oxidation process and the second thermal oxidation process is performed in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for establishing a scattering bar rule for a mask pattern for fabricating a device is provided. The method is described as follows. First, at least one image simulation model is established according to the mask pattern and a process reference set used for fabricating the device based on the mask pattern. Next, a plurality of scattering bar reference sets is applied to the image simulation model so as to generate a plurality of simulation images, respectively. Further, a portion of the simulation images are selected to be a plurality of candidate layouts according to a screening criterion. Next, one of the candidate layouts is determined to be a pattern layout according to a selection rule, and the scattering bar reference set corresponding to the pattern layout is determined to be a scattering bar rule of the mask pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor is provided. First, a patterned hard mask layer with an opening therein is formed over the substrate. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the patterned hard mask layer in the opening. An isotropic etching process is performed on the substrate to form a recess in the substrate. An ion implant process is performed on the substrate in the lower portion of the recess using oxidation-restrained ions. The spacer is removed. Then, a thermal process is performed to form a gate oxide layer on the surface of the substrate within the recess such that the gate oxide layer in the upper portion of the recess is thicker than that in the lower portion of the recess.

Abstract: A phase change memory and method for fabricating the same are provided. The phase change memory element includes: a substrate; rectangle-shaped dielectric patterns formed on the substrate and parallel with each other; electric conductive patterns partially covering a first sidewall and the top surface of the dielectric pattern and the substrate to expose the first sidewall and a second sidewall of the dielectric pattern, wherein the electric conductive patterns covering the same dielectric pattern are apart from each other; a phase change spacer formed on the substrate and directly in contact with the exposed first and second sidewalls of the dielectric patterns, wherein the two adjacent electric conductive patterns covering the same dielectric pattern are electrically connected by the phase change spacer; and a dielectric layer formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A fault detection system comprises a data server configured to collect parameters incoming from at least one apparatus, at least one fault-sensing module configured to generate an alarm signal if the parameter exceeds a predetermined specification, a monitoring module configured to restart the fault-sensing module if the fault-sensing module operates abnormally, and a remote controller configured to control the data server, the fault-sensing module, and the monitoring module.

Abstract: A method and a system for processing a test wafer in a photolithography process are provided for processing an ith layer of the test wafer, and i is a positive integer. In the present method, a compensation value is calculated according to historical compensation behaviors of an equipment, relationships between the ith layer and other layers, and offsets generated in performing a non-photolithography process on the test wafer. Then, the test wafer is processed according to the compensation value. A determination on whether the test wafer meets a design specification is then made. Rework is performed on the test wafer if the test wafer does not meet the design specification. Accordingly, an adjustable compensation value is used to process the test wafer and avoid unnecessary rework. The possibility of rework on the test wafer is reduced so as to increase the efficiency of the photolithography process.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitor over bit line (COB) is provided. First, a substrate is provided and a plurality of word lines is formed on the substrate. Next, a plurality of landing plug contacts (LPCs) are formed between the word lines and a plurality of first contacts is then formed on the LPCs. Thereafter, a plurality of second contacts is formed on a first portions of the first contacts and a plurality of bit lines connecting a second portions of the first contacts is formed, simultaneously. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed on the substrate to cover the second contacts and the bit lines. Subsequently, a plurality of capacitors is formed in the ILD layer. Thus, the fabrication of the capacitor is simplified.