With Ferroelectric Material Layer Patents (Class 257/295)
  • Patent number: 11856788
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes depositing a bottom electrode layer over a substrate; depositing a ferroelectric layer over the bottom electrode layer; depositing a first top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer, wherein the first top electrode layer comprises a first metal; depositing a second top electrode layer over the first top electrode layer, wherein the second top electrode layer comprises a second metal, and a standard reduction potential of the first metal is greater than a standard reduction potential of the second metal; and removing portions of the second top electrode layer, the first top electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the bottom electrode layer to form a memory stack, the memory stack comprising remaining portions of the second top electrode layer, the first top electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the bottom electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Sheng-Hung Shih, Fu-Chen Chang, Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Ting Chu, Alexander Kalnitsky
  • Patent number: 11856784
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET), wherein the FeFET includes a substrate; a source region in the substrate; a drain region in the substrate; and a gate structure over the substrate and between the source region and the drain region. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate; a ferroelectric film over the gate dielectric layer; and a gate electrode over the ferroelectric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 11856789
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposite to the first electrode, a ferroelectric composite layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first insulating layer disposed on one side of the ferroelectric composite layer. The ferroelectric composite layer includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer and an antiferroelectric layer. The first electrode layer is opposite to the second electrode layer, and the ferroelectric layer and the antiferroelectric layer are disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yu-De Lin, Po-Chun Yeh, Pei-Jer Tzeng
  • Patent number: 11856776
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure of 3D NAND memory device, including steps of forming a first stack layer on a substrate, forming a first channel hole extending through the first stack layer, forming a block layer on a surface of the first stack layer and the first channel hole, forming a sacrificial layer in the first channel hole, forming a second stack layer on the first stack layer and the sacrificial layer, performing a first etch process to form a second channel hole extending through the second stack layer and at least partially overlapping the first channel hole and to remove the sacrificial layer in the first channel hole, removing the block layer exposed from the second channel hole, and forming a function layer on a surface of the first channel hole and the second channel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Hong Xiao, Li Xun Gu
  • Patent number: 11856787
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are provided wherein a ferroelectric random access memory array is formed with bit line drivers and source line drivers formed below the ferroelectric random access memory array. A through via is formed using the same processes as the processes used to form individual memory cells within the ferroelectric random access memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11849589
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a first surface, a first conductive region and a second conductive region at the first surface, wherein the first conductive region is apart from the second conductive region, a gate feature, wherein a top surface of the gate feature is above the first conductive region, a stack unit coupled to the first conductive region, wherein the stack unit includes a plurality of ferroelectric layers stacking with a plurality of metal layers, wherein each of the plurality of ferroelectric layers separates adjacent two metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Jong Chia, Yu-Ming Lin, Zhiqiang Wu, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 11844293
    Abstract: A physical unclonable function device includes alternating regions of programable material and electrically conductive regions. The regions of programable material are configured to switch resistance upon receiving an electric pulse. An electric pulse applied between two outer electrically conductive regions of the alternating regions will switch the resistance of at least one region of programmable material. The alternating regions may include a plurality of the electrically conducting regions and a region of the programable material disposed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive regions. The resistance of each of the regions of programable material is selectively variable in at least a portion thereof as a result of the electric pulse flowing therethrough. The resistance value of the programable material region may be a readable value as a state of the device. The regions of programmable material may be formed of a phase change material or an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Cohen, Takashi Ando, Nanbo Gong, Franco Stellari
  • Patent number: 11843031
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming a nanosheet device. The method includes forming nanosheets stacks over a substrate, the nanosheet stacks separated by shallow trench isolation (STI) regions, forming a first hardmask material over the nanosheet stacks, depositing a sacrificial gate, recessing the sacrificial gate such that recesses are defined adjacent the first hardmask material, wherein a top surface of the sacrificial gate is below a top surface of the first hardmask material, forming a second hardmask material in the recesses, defining a uniform gate length in both the first and second hardmask materials, and selectively trimming the first hardmask material such that a gate length over the nanosheet stacks is less than a gate length over the STI regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Kangguo Cheng, Wenyu Xu, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 11844225
    Abstract: A device includes, in a first region, a first conductive interconnect, an electrode structure on the first conductive interconnect, where the electrode structure includes a first conductive hydrogen barrier layer and a first conductive fill material. A memory device including a ferroelectric material or a paraelectric material is on the electrode structure. A second dielectric includes an amorphous, greater than 90% film density hydrogen barrier material laterally surrounds the memory device. A via electrode including a second conductive hydrogen barrier material is on at least a portion of the memory device. A second region includes a conductive interconnect structure embedded within a less than 90% film density material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KEPLER COMPUTING INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Niloy Mukherjee, Mauricio Manfrini, Tanay Gosavi, Rajeev Kumar Dokania, Somilkumar J. Rathi, Amrita Mathuriya, Sasikanth Manipatruni
  • Patent number: 11837268
    Abstract: A configuration for efficiently placing a group of capacitors with one terminal connected to a common node is described. The capacitors are stacked and folded along the common node. In a stack and fold configuration, devices are stacked vertically (directly or with a horizontal offset) with one terminal of the devices being shared to a common node, and further the capacitors are placed along both sides of the common node. The common node is a point of fold. In one example, the devices are capacitors. N number of capacitors can be divided in L number of stack layers such that there are N/L capacitors in each stacked layer. The N/L capacitors are shorted together with an electrode (e.g., bottom electrode). The electrode can be metal, a conducting oxide, or a combination of a conducting oxide and a barrier material. The capacitors can be planar, non-planar or replaced by memory elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: KEPLER COMPUTING INC.
    Inventors: Rajeev Kumar Dokania, Amrita Mathuriya, Debo Olaosebikan, Tanay Gosavi, Noriyuki Sato, Sasikanth Manipatruni
  • Patent number: 11837660
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided which utilizes metallic seeds to help crystallize a ferroelectric layer. In an embodiment a metal layer and a ferroelectric layer are formed adjacent to each other and then the metal layer is diffused into the ferroelectric layer. Once in place, a crystallization process is performed which utilizes the material of the metal layer as seed crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11839090
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated chip comprising memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure. In some embodiments, a pair of memory cell structures is formed on a via dielectric layer, where the memory cell structures are separated by an inter-cell area. An inter-cell filler layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the via dielectric layer, and further filling the inter-cell area. The inter-cell filler layer is recessed until a top surface of the inter-cell filler layer is below a top surface of the pair of memory cell structures and the inter-cell area is partially cleared. An interconnect dielectric layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the inter-cell filler layer, and further filling a cleared portion of the inter-cell area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 11839085
    Abstract: Provided are a three-dimensional vertical single transistor ferroelectric memory and a manufacturing method thereof. The ferroelectric memory comprises: a substrate; an insulating dielectric layer provided at the substrate; a channel structure extending through the insulating dielectric layer and connected to the substrate, the channel structure having a source/drain region and a channel region connected to the source/drain region; and a gate stack structure arranged around the channel structure and provided in the insulating dielectric layer opposite to the channel region, the gate stack structure comprising a ferroelectric insulation layer and a gate sequentially stacked in a direction away from the channel structure. The ferroelectric memory having the above structure can replace conventional DRAMs. Therefore, the invention realizes a high intensity high speed memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Huaxiang Yin, Zhaozhao Hou, Tianchun Ye, Chaolei Li
  • Patent number: 11832435
    Abstract: A method of fabricating the semiconductor device includes forming a bit line structure over a substrate, forming a spacer structure on a sidewall of the bit line structure, partially removing an upper portion of the spacer structure to form a slope on the spacer structure slanting to the bit line structure, forming a landing pad material to cover the spacer structure and contact the slope, and removing at least a portion of the landing pad material to form a landing pad against the slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Huang, Hsu-Cheng Fan, En-Jui Li, Chih-Yu Yen
  • Patent number: 11832450
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method of forming a ferroelectric memory device. In the method, a pair of source/drain regions is formed in a substrate. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the substrate and between the pair of source/drain regions. A polarization switching structure is formed directly on a top surface of the gate electrode. By arranging the polarization switching structure directly on the gate electrode, smaller pad size can be realized, and more flexible area ratio tuning can be achieved compared to arranging the polarization switching structure under the gate electrode with the aligned sidewall and same lateral dimensions. In addition, since the process of forming gate electrode can endure higher annealing temperatures, such that quality of the ferroelectric structure is better controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Chung-Te Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Sheng-Chih Lai, Chih-Yu Chang, Han-Jong Chia
  • Patent number: 11824117
    Abstract: An oxide semiconductor transistor includes: an insulating substrate including a trench; a gate electrode in the trench; an oxide semiconductor layer on a surface of the insulating substrate, the surface exposed through the trench; and a ferroelectric layer between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer, wherein the oxide semiconductor layer may include a source region and a drain region which are on the insulating substrate outside the trench and are apart from each other with the gate electrode therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwanghee Lee, Sangwook Kim, Jinseong Heo
  • Patent number: 11818894
    Abstract: Provided is a memory cell including a channel material contacting a source line and a bit line; a ferroelectric (FE) material contacting the channel material; and a word line contacting the FE material. The FE material is disposed between the channel material and the word line. The word line includes a bulk layer. The bulk layer includes a first metal layer; and a second metal layer. The second metal layer is sandwiched between the first metal layer and the FE material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Ling, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11817489
    Abstract: Negative capacitance field-effect transistor (NCFET) and ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FE-FET) devices and methods of forming are provided. The gate dielectric stack includes a ferroelectric gate dielectric layer. An amorphous high-k dielectric layer and a dopant-source layer are deposited sequentially followed by a post-deposition anneal (PDA). The PDA converts the amorphous high-k layer to a polycrystalline high-k film with crystalline grains stabilized by the dopants in a crystal phase in which the high-k dielectric is a ferroelectric high-k dielectric. After the PDA, the remnant dopant-source layer may be removed. A gate electrode is formed over remnant dopant-source layer (if present) and the polycrystalline high-k film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Yang Lai, Chun-Yen Peng, Chih-Yu Chang, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11817485
    Abstract: Field effect transistors and method of making. The field effect transistors include a pair of active regions in a channel layer, a channel region located between the pair of active regions and a self-aligned passivation layer located on a surface of the pair of active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Hung Wei Li, Mauricio Manfrini, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11818896
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a gate electrode arranged over a substrate. A gate dielectric layer is arranged over the gate electrode, and an active structure is arranged over the gate dielectric layer. A source contact and a drain contact are arranged over the active structure. The active structure includes a stack of cocktail layers alternating with first active layers. The cocktail layers include a mixture of a first material and a second material. The first active layers include a third material that is different than the first and second materials. The bottommost layer of the active structure is one of the cocktail layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Yen-Chieh Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11811121
    Abstract: A phase shifter, a manufacture method for manufacturing a phase shifter, a drive method for driving a phase shifter, and an electronic device are provided. The phase shifter includes a dielectric substrate, and a transmission line, a dielectric layer, an insulating layer, and a metal layer on the dielectric substrate. In a direction perpendicular to a first surface of the dielectric substrate, the dielectric layer and the insulating layer are between the metal layer and the transmission line, a material of the dielectric layer is a semiconductor material; and an orthographic projection of the metal layer on the dielectric substrate, an orthographic projection of the insulating layer on the dielectric substrate, and an orthographic projection of the dielectric layer on the dielectric substrate at least partially overlap. The present disclosure provides a new phase shifter based on a metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Sensor Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cuiwei Tang, Tienlun Ting, Xue Cao, Jie Wu, Ying Wang, Liang Li, Haocheng Jia, Chuncheng Che
  • Patent number: 11804536
    Abstract: A thin film structure including ferroelectrics and anti-ferroelectrics and a semiconductor device including the same are provided. The thin film structure includes a first anti-ferroelectric layer comprising anti-ferroelectrics, a second anti-ferroelectric layer disposed apart from the first anti-ferroelectric layer and including anti-ferroelectrics, and a ferroelectric layer between the first anti-ferroelectric layer and the second anti-ferroelectric layer and including ferroelectrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinseong Heo, Taehwan Moon, Seunggeol Nam, Sanghyun Jo
  • Patent number: 11800720
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. A data storage structure is disposed on the bottom electrode and is configured to store a data state. A top electrode is disposed on the data storage structure. The top electrode has interior surfaces defining a recess within an upper surface of the top electrode. A masking layer contacts a bottom of the recess and extends to over the upper surface of the top electrode. An interconnect extends through the masking layer and to the top electrode. The interconnect is directly over the upper surface of the top electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Yu Chen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Sheng-Hung Shih, Wen-Ting Chu, Chih-Hsiang Chang, Fu-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 11800717
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A series of pillars extends through the stack structure. At least one isolation structure extends through an upper stack portion of the stack structure. The at least one isolation structure protrudes into pillars of neighboring columns of pillars of the series of pillars. Conductive contacts are in electrical communication with the pillars into which the at least one isolation structure protrudes. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. King, David A. Daycock, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Albert Fayrushin, Richard J. Hill, Chandra S. Tiwari, Jun Fujiki
  • Patent number: 11792998
    Abstract: A process integration and patterning flow used to pattern a memory array area for an embedded memory without perturbing a fabricating process for logic circuitries. The fabrication process uses a pocket mask (e.g., a hard mask) to decouple the etching process of a memory array area and non-memory area. Such decoupling allows for a simpler fabrication process with little to no impact on the current fabrication process. The fabrication process may use multiple pocket masks to decouple the etching process of the memory array area and the non-memory area. This fabrication process (using multiple pocket masks) allows to avoid exposure of memory material into a second pocket etch chamber. The process of etching memory material is decoupled from the process of etching an encapsulation material. Examples of embedded memory include dynamic random-access memory and ferroelectric random-access memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: KEPLER COMPUTING INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Tanay Gosavi, Niloy Mukherjee, Rajeev Kumar Dokania, Amrita Mathuriya, Sasikanth Manipatruni
  • Patent number: 11791096
    Abstract: A capacitor may comprise a substrate and a first electrically conductive electrode layer. A metal oxide layer may be deposited on at least one of the substrate or the first electrically conductive electrode layer. A proximal region of the metal oxide may comprise a stoichiometric, dielectric, oxygen vacancy-free portion of the metal oxide. The proximal region may be in communication with the first electrically conductive electrode layer. A distal region of the metal oxide may comprise a constant oxygen vacancy portion. The distal region may be in communication with a second electrically conductive electrode layer. The metal oxide may comprise a gradient region comprising a substantially stoichiometric metal oxide portion and a substantially constant oxygen vacancy portion. The gradient region may comprise an increasing oxygen vacancy gradient from the proximal region to the distal region. The second electrically conductive electrode layer may be deposited on the distal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Hulya Demiryont
  • Patent number: 11791395
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first gate electrode, a ferroelectric insulating layer over the first gate electrode, a semiconductor member over the ferroelectric insulating layer, a gate dielectric layer over the semiconductor member, and a second gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marcus Johannes Henricus van Dal, Gerben Doornbos, Georgios Vellianitis
  • Patent number: 11791285
    Abstract: A device includes an outer seal ring, an integrated circuit, and an inner seal ring. The outer seal ring forms a first closed loop. The integrated circuit is surrounded by the outer seal ring. The inner seal ring is between the outer seal ring and the integrated circuit. The inner seal ring forms a second closed loop that defines an enclosed region external to the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Yang, Chun-Ting Liao, Yi-Te Chen, Chen-Yuan Chen, Ho-Chun Liou
  • Patent number: 11785857
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric film including an AlN crystal, and a first element and a second element doped to the AlN crystal. The first element is an element having an ionic radius larger than an ionic radius of Al. The second element is an element having an ionic radius smaller than the ionic radius of Al. Also provided are piezoelectric film laminated body including an underlayer and a piezoelectric film including ScAlN, and a method of manufacturing the same. The underlayer has a crystal lattice having six-fold symmetry or three-fold symmetry. Also provided are a piezoelectric film including ScAlN having a laminated structure of a hexagonal crystal and a cubic crystal, and a method of manufacturing the same. The cubic crystal is doped with an element other than trivalent element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Teshigahara, Kazuhiko Kano, Kenichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 11778835
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a channel on or in the substrate, a source/drain pair respectively on opposite ends of the channel, and a gate structure on the channel between the source/drain pair, wherein the gate structure includes an interfacial layer, a ferroelectric layer, a stabilization layer, an oxygen diffusion barrier layer, and a threshold voltage control layer that are sequentially stacked on the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Byounghoon Lee, Jongho Park, Musarrat Hasan, Wandon Kim, Seungkeun Cha
  • Patent number: 11769789
    Abstract: A capacitor is disclosed. The capacitor includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer on the first metal layer, a ferroelectric layer on the second metal layer, and a third metal layer on the ferroelectric layer. The second metal layer includes a first non-reactive barrier metal and the third metal layer includes a second non-reactive barrier metal. A fourth metal layer is on the third metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nazila Haratipour, Chia-Ching Lin, Sou-Chi Chang, Ashish Verma Penumatcha, Owen Loh, Mengcheng Lu, Seung Hoon Sung, Ian A. Young, Uygar Avci, Jack T. Kavalieros
  • Patent number: 11770935
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) memory device, as well as a method for forming the MFIS memory device. According to some embodiments of the MFIS memory device, a lower source/drain region and an upper source/drain region are vertically stacked. A semiconductor channel overlies the lower source/drain region and underlies the upper source/drain region. The semiconductor channel extends from the lower source/drain region to the upper source/drain region. A control gate electrode extends along a sidewall of the semiconductor channel and further along individual sidewalls of the lower and upper source/drain regions. A gate dielectric layer and a ferroelectric layer separate the control gate electrode from the semiconductor channel and the lower and upper source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chih Lai, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11764279
    Abstract: A semiconductor device include a substrate including a peripheral region, a first active pattern provided on the peripheral region of the substrate, the first active pattern having an upper portion including first semiconductor patterns and second semiconductor patterns which are alternately stacked, a first gate electrode intersecting the first active pattern, a pair of first source/drain patterns provided at both sides of the first gate electrode, respectively, and a first gate insulating layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the first active pattern. The first gate insulating layer includes a first insulating layer formed on the first active pattern, a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer, and a high-k dielectric layer formed on the second insulating layer. The first gate insulating layer contains a first dipole element including lanthanum (La), aluminum (Al), or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nakjin Son, Seungjoon Lee, Bong Seob Yang, Doyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 11764188
    Abstract: An electronic package is provided, in which a first electronic element and a second electronic element are disposed on a first side of a circuit structure and a second side of the circuit structure, respectively, where a first metal layer is formed between the first side of the circuit structure and the first electronic element, a second metal layer is formed on a surface of the second electronic element, and at least one thermally conductive pillar is disposed on the second side of the circuit structure and extends into the circuit structure to thermally conduct the first metal layer and the second metal layer. Therefore, through the thermally conductive pillar, heat generated during operations of the first electronic element and the second electronic element can be quickly dissipated to an external environment and would not accumulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Meng-Huan Chia, Yih-Jenn Jiang, Chang-Fu Lin, Don-Son Jiang
  • Patent number: 11765907
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device comprising a plurality of ferroelectric memory elements. Each of the plurality of ferroelectric memory elements includes a channel layer containing a metal oxide, a ferroelectric layer in contact with the channel layer in which the ferroelectric layer contains hafnium oxide, a first gate electrode facing the channel layer via the ferroelectric layer, an insulating layer facing the ferroelectric layer via the channel layer; and a second gate electrode facing the channel layer via the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Masaharu Kobayashi, Fei Mo, Toshiro Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 11765909
    Abstract: A process integration and patterning flow used to pattern a memory array area for an embedded memory without perturbing a fabricating process for logic circuitries. The fabrication process uses a pocket mask (e.g., a hard mask) to decouple the etching process of a memory array area and non-memory area. Such decoupling allows for a simpler fabrication process with little to no impact on the current fabrication process. The fabrication process may use multiple pocket masks to decouple the etching process of the memory array area and the non-memory area. This fabrication process (using multiple pocket masks) allows to avoid exposure of memory material into a second pocket etch chamber. The process of etching memory material is decoupled from the process of etching an encapsulation material. Examples of embedded memory include dynamic random-access memory and ferroelectric random-access memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KEPLER COMPUTING INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Sato, Tanay Gosavi, Niloy Mukherjee, Rajeev Kumar Dokania, Amrita Mathuriya, Sasikanth Manipatruni
  • Patent number: 11764255
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory circuit, a memory device and an operating method of the memory device. The memory device includes a storage transistor, a variable capacitance device and a control transistor. The variable capacitance device is electrically connected to the gate of the storage transistor, and the control transistor is connected to the storage transistor in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventor: E Ray Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11758736
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first fin protruding above a substrate; forming first source/drain regions over the first fin; forming a first plurality of nanostructures over the first fin between the first source/drain regions; forming a first gate structure around the first plurality of nanostructures; and forming a first ferroelectric capacitor over and electrically coupled to the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11758822
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic memory element including a magnetic free layer structure incorporating two magnetic free layers separated by a perpendicular enhancement layer (PEL) and having a variable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof; an insulating tunnel junction layer formed adjacent to the magnetic free layer structure; a magnetic reference layer structure formed adjacent to the insulating tunnel junction layer opposite the magnetic free layer structure; an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer formed adjacent to the magnetic reference layer structure; and a magnetic fixed layer formed adjacent to the anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer. The magnetic reference layer structure includes first, second, and third magnetic reference layers separated by two PELs and having a first invariable magnetization direction substantially perpendicular to layer planes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zihui Wang, Yiming Huai
  • Patent number: 11758737
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a first conductive region, a second conductive region and a ferroelectric structure. The second conductive region is disposed over the first conductive region. The ferroelectric structure includes a plurality of different ferroelectric materials stacked between the first conductive region and the second conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Jong Chia
  • Patent number: 11751400
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has a first doped region and a second doped region within a substrate. A ferroelectric material is arranged over the substrate and laterally between the first doped region and the second doped region. A conductive electrode is over the ferroelectric material and between sidewalls of the ferroelectric material. One or more sidewall spacers are arranged along opposing sides of the ferroelectric material. A dielectric layer continuously and laterally extends from directly below the one or more sidewall spacers to directly below the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Cheng Wu, Pai Chi Chou
  • Patent number: 11749729
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure, source/drain (S/D) elements, a first metallization contact and a second metallization contact. The S/D elements are respectively located at two different sides of the gate structure. The first metallization contact is located at and in contact with a first side of each of the S/D elements. The second metallization contact is located at and in contact with a second side of each of the S/D elements, where the semiconductor device is configured to receive a power signal through the second metallization contact. The first side is opposite to the second side along a stacking direction of the gate structure and the S/D elements, and the first side is closer to the gate structure than the second side is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Fa Chen
  • Patent number: 11744081
    Abstract: Described are ferroelectric device film stacks which include a templating or texturing layer or material deposited below a ferroelectric layer, to enable a crystal lattice of the subsequently deposited ferroelectric layer to template off this templating layer and provide a large degree of preferential orientation despite the lack of epitaxial substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kepler Computing Inc.
    Inventors: Niloy Mukherjee, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Sasikanth Manipatruni, James Clarkson, FNU Atiquzzaman, Gabriel Antonio Paulius Velarde, Jason Y. Wu
  • Patent number: 11742426
    Abstract: A method of forming a transistor structure is provided. The method includes forming on a substrate first and second mandrels for forming two-dimensional (2D) transistor fin elements defining a pitch gap region, depositing and anisotropically etching back the first spacer material to form first and second spacers in and around the first and second mandrels, respectively, conformally depositing and anisotropically etching back second spacer material around the first and second spacers and in the pitch gap region to define space for forming an odd number of one-dimensional (1D) transistor fin elements in the pitch gap region and depositing and anisotropically etching back the first spacer material in the space with enough cycles to fill the space to form a third spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indira Seshadri, Ardasheir Rahman, Ruilong Xie, Hemanth Jagannathan
  • Patent number: 11735241
    Abstract: A magnetic memory device includes a pinned layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier layer between the pinned layer and the free layer, a first oxide layer spaced apart from the tunnel barrier layer with the free layer therebetween, and a second oxide layer spaced apart from the free layer with the first oxide layer therebetween. The first oxide layer includes an oxide of a first material and may have a thickness of 0.3 ? to 2.0 ?. The second oxide layer may include an oxide of a second material and may have a thickness of 0.1 ? to 5.0 ?. A first oxygen affinity of the first material may be greater than a second oxygen affinity of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee Ju Shin, Sang Hwan Park, Se Chung Oh, Ki Woong Kim, Hyeon Woo Seo
  • Patent number: 11727983
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes multiple two-transistor (2T) memory cells. Each of the multiple 2T memory cells includes: a p-channel field effect transistor (PFET) including a charge storage node and a read channel portion, an n-channel field effect transistor (NFET) including a write channel portion that is directly coupled to the charge storage node of the PFET; a single bit line pair coupled to the read channel portion of the PFET; and a single access line overlapping at least part of each of the read channel portion and the write channel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Karthik Sarpatwari, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11726052
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a substrate and an electrode structure including at least a first electrode, a second electrode and a sensing layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensor further includes a measurement circuit configured to measure the capacitance of the electrode structure by applying, at a first measurement phase, a first pair of electrical potentials including a first electrical potential of the first electrode and a first electrical potential of the second electrode to the first electrode and the second electrode by applying, at a second measurement phase, a second pair of electrical potentials including a second electrical potential of the first electrode and a second electrical potential of the second electrode to the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrical potential of the second electrode and the second electrical potential of the second electrode are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventor: Marcel Plüss
  • Patent number: 11727976
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a capacitor, with a memory film isolating a first electrode from a contact, formed over a transistor and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate; a capacitor over the gate stack, the capacitor including a first electrode extending along a top surface of the gate stack, the first electrode being U-shaped; a first ferroelectric layer over the first electrode; and a second electrode over the first ferroelectric layer, a top surface of the second electrode being level with a top surface of the first ferroelectric layer, and the top surface of the first ferroelectric layer and the top surface of the second electrode being disposed further from the semiconductor substrate than a topmost surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenchen Wang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11723281
    Abstract: An ultra-large height top electrode for MRAM is achieved by employing a novel thin metal/thick dielectric/thick metal hybrid hard mask stack. Etching parameters are chosen to etch the dielectric quickly but to have an extremely low etch rate on the metals above and underneath. Because of the protection of the large thickness of the dielectric layer, the ultra-large height metal hard mask is etched with high integrity, eventually making a large height top electrode possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Yang, Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 11721747
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate electrode, a ferroelectric layer, a channel layer, a gas impermeable layer, a dielectric layer, a source line and a bit line. The ferroelectric layer is disposed on the gate electrode. The channel layer is disposed on the ferroelectric layer. The gas impermeable layer is disposed in between the channel layer and the gate electrode, and in contact with the ferroelectric layer. The dielectric layer is surrounding the ferroelectric layer and the channel layer, and in contact with the gas impermeable layer. The source line and the bit line are embedded in the dielectric layer and connected to the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin