Made By Depositing Layers, E.g., Alternatingly Conductive And Insulating Layers (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.016)
  • Patent number: 11374000
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a semiconductor device comprising a trench capacitor, the trench capacitor comprising a plurality of lateral protrusions. In some embodiments, the trench capacitor comprises a dielectric structure over a substrate. The dielectric structure may comprise a plurality of dielectric layers overlying the substrate. The dielectric structure may comprise a plurality of lateral recesses. In some embodiments, the plurality of lateral protrusions extend toward and fill the plurality of lateral recesses. By forming the trench capacitor with the plurality of lateral protrusions filling the plurality of lateral recesses, the surface area of the capacitor is increased without increasing the depth of the trench. As a result, greater capacitance values may be achieved without necessarily increasing the depth of the trench and thus, without necessarily increasing the size of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ru-Liang Lee, Ming Chyi Liu, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11031457
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for forming low resistance, high capacitance density MIM capacitors. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more bottom plate contacts are formed over a substrate. A bottom capacitor plate is formed directly on a top surface and a sidewall of each of the one or more bottom plate contacts. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed directly on a surface of the bottom capacitor plate. A top capacitor plate is formed directly on a surface of the capacitor dielectric layer. A first portion of the top capacitor plate extends past a sidewall of the bottom capacitor plate in a direction parallel to the substrate. A top plate contact is formed directly on the first portion of the top capacitor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 10943910
    Abstract: A semiconductor IC structure includes a substrate including at least a memory cell region and a peripheral region defined thereon, a plurality of memory cells formed in the memory cell region, at least an active device formed in the peripheral region, a plurality of contact plugs formed in the memory cell region, and at least a bit line formed in the memory cell region. The contact plugs are physically and electrically connected to the bit line. More important, bottom surfaces of the contact plugs are lower a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ting Li, Jen-Chieh Lin, Wen-Chin Lin, Po-Cheng Huang, Fu-Shou Tsai
  • Patent number: 10446554
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, plural gates, plural cell plugs, a capacitor structure and a stacked structure. The gates are disposed in the substrate, and the cell plugs are disposed on the substrate, to electrically connect the substrate at two sides of each gate. The capacitor structure includes plural capacitors, and each capacitor is electrically connected each cell plug. The stacked structure covers the capacitor structure, and the stacked structure includes a semiconductor layer, a conductive layer on the semiconductor layer and an insulating layer stacked on the conductive layer. Two gaps are defined respectively between a side portion of the insulating layer and a lateral portion of the conductive layer at two sides of the capacitor structure, and the two gaps have different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang, Fu-Che Lee, Chieh-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 10263000
    Abstract: A device including a capacitor includes an isolation structure, a first control gate, a first selective gate and a first dielectric layer. The isolation structure is disposed in a substrate. The first control gate and the first selective gate are disposed directly above the isolation structure. The first dielectric layer is vertically sandwiched by the first control gate and the first selective gate, thereby constituting the capacitor. The present invention also provides a method of forming the device including the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Linggang Fang
  • Patent number: 9978607
    Abstract: A device comprises a via in a substrate comprising a lower via portion with a first width formed of a first conductive material and an upper via portion with a second width greater than the first width, wherein the upper via portion comprises a protection layer formed of the first conductive material and a via fill material portion formed of a second conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Chi Lin, Hung-Pin Chang, Tsang-Jiuh Wu, Wen-Chih Chiou
  • Patent number: 9771256
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement and methods of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS). A via opening is formed through a substrate, first dielectric layer and a first plug of the MEMS. The first plug comprises a first material, where the first material has an etch selectivity different than an etch selectivity of the first dielectric layer. The different etch selectivity of first plug allows the via opening to be formed relatively quickly and with a relatively high aspect ratio and desired a profile, as compared to forming the via opening without using the first plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chung-Yen Chou, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Ru-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 9524976
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, such as a three-dimensional NAND memory string, includes forming a carbon etch stop layer having a first width over a major surface of a substrate, forming a stack of alternating material layers over the etch stop layer, etching the stack to the etch stop layer to form a memory opening having a second width at a bottom of the memory opening that is smaller than the width of the etch stop layer, removing the etch stop layer to provide a void area having a larger width than the second width of the memory opening, forming a memory film over a sidewall of the memory opening and in the void area, and forming a semiconductor channel in the memory opening such that the memory film is located between the semiconductor channel and the sidewall of the memory opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jayavel Pachamuthu, Johann Alsmeier, Henry Chien
  • Patent number: 9318563
    Abstract: A silicon carbide single-crystal substrate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a peripheral edge portion sandwiched between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of grinding traces are formed in a surface of the peripheral edge portion. A chamfer width as a distance from an outermost peripheral end portion of the peripheral edge portion to one of the plurality of grinding traces which is located on an innermost peripheral side of the peripheral edge portion in a direction parallel to the first surface is not less than 50 ?m and not more than 400 ?m. Thereby, a silicon carbide single-crystal substrate capable of suppressing occurrence of a crack, and a method for manufacturing the same can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoko Okita, Keiji Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8951859
    Abstract: A method for fabricating passive devices such as resistors and capacitors for a 3D non-volatile memory device. In a peripheral area of a substrate, alternating layers of a dielectric such as oxide and a conductive material such as heavily doped polysilicon or metal silicide are provided in a stack. The substrate includes one or more lower metal layers connected to circuitry. One or more upper metal layers are formed above the stack. Contact structures are formed which extend from the layers of conductive material to portions of the one or more upper metal layers so that the layers of conductive material are connected to one another in parallel or serially by the contact structures and the at least one upper metal layer. Additional contact structures can connect the circuitry to the one or more upper metal layers. The passive device can be fabricated concurrently with a 3D memory array using common processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Masaaki Higashitani, Peter Rabkin
  • Patent number: 8901710
    Abstract: Disclosed are an interdigitated capacitor and an interdigitated vertical native capacitor, each having a relatively low (e.g., zero) net coefficient of capacitance with respect to a specific parameter. For example, the capacitors can have a zero net linear temperature coefficient of capacitance (Tcc) to limit capacitance variation as a function of temperature or a zero net quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance (Vcc2) to limit capacitance variation as a function of voltage. In any case, each capacitor can incorporate at least two different plate dielectrics having opposite polarity coefficients of capacitance with respect to the specific parameter due to the types of dielectric materials used and their respective thicknesses. As a result, the different dielectric plates will have opposite effects on the capacitance of the capacitor that cancel each other out such that the capacitor has a zero net coefficient of capacitance with respect to specific parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick G. Anderson, Natalie B Feilchenfeld, Zhong-Xiang He, Theodore J. Letavic, Yves T. Ngu
  • Patent number: 8847354
    Abstract: Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and methods for fabricating MIM capacitors. The MIM capacitor includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer with apertures each bounded by a plurality of sidewalls and each extending from the top surface of the ILD layer into the first interlayer dielectric layer. A layer stack, which is disposed on the sidewalls of the apertures and the top surface of the ILD layer, includes a bottom conductive electrode, a top conductive electrode, and a capacitor dielectric between the bottom and top conductive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher S. Putnam, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8779592
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive line disposed over a substrate. The first conductive line is located in a first interconnect layer and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second conductive line and a third conductive line each extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The second and third conductive lines are located in a second interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer. The second and third conductive lines are separated by a gap that is located over or below the first conductive line. The semiconductor device includes a fourth conductive line electrically coupling the second and third conductive lines together. The fourth conductive line is located in a third interconnect layer that is different from the first interconnect layer and the second interconnect layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Po Tang, Shih-Ming Chang, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Ru-Gun Liu
  • Patent number: 8680599
    Abstract: To provide a more reliable semiconductor device including a lower-cost and more reliable capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. This manufacturing method comprises the steps of: preparing a semiconductor substrate; and forming, over one of the major surfaces of the semiconductor substrate, a first metal electrode including an aluminum layer, a dielectric layer over the first metal electrode, and a second metal electrode over the dielectric layer. In the step of forming the first metal electrode, the aluminum layer is formed so that the surface thereof satisfies a relationship of Rmax<80 nm, Rms<10 nm, and Ra<9 nm. The step of forming the first metal electrode comprises the steps of: forming at least one first barrier layer; forming the aluminum layer over the first barrier layer; and recrystallizing a crystal constituting the aluminum layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mitsuyama, Yasuhisa Fujii, Keiichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8669655
    Abstract: A chip package is provided, the chip package including: a chip including at least one contact pad formed on a chip front side; an encapsulation material at least partially surrounding the chip and covering the at least one contact pad; and at least one electrical interconnect formed through the encapsulation material, wherein the at least one electrical interconnect is configured to electrically redirect the at least one contact pad from a chip package first side at the chip front side to at least one solder structure formed over a chip package second side at a chip back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ottmar Geitner, Walter Hartner, Maciej Wojnowski, Ulrich Wachter, Michael Bauer, Andreas Stueckjuergen
  • Patent number: 8669164
    Abstract: Microelectronic structures and devices, and method of fabricating a three-dimensional microelectronic structure is provided, comprising passing a first precursor material for a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure into a reaction chamber at temperatures sufficient to maintain said precursor material in a predominantly gaseous state; maintaining said reaction chamber under sufficient pressures to enhance formation of a first portion of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure; applying an electric field between an electrode and said microelectronic structure at a desired point under conditions whereat said first portion of a selected three-dimensional microelectronic structure is formed from said first precursor material; positionally adjusting either said formed three-dimensional microelectronic structure or said electrode whereby further controlled growth of said three-dimensional microelectronic structure occurs; passing a second precursor material for a selected three-dimensional mi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Maxwell, Chris R. Rose, Marcie R. Black, Robert W. Springer
  • Patent number: 8664716
    Abstract: In a lateral-type power MOSFET, high breakdown voltage is achieved with suppressing to increase a cell pitch, and a feedback capacity and an ON resistance are decreased. An n? type silicon region having a high resistance to be a region of maintaining a breakdown voltage is vertically provided with respect to a main surface of an n+ type silicon substrate, and the n? type silicon region having the high resistance is connected to the n+ type silicon substrate. Also, a conductive substance is filled through an insulating substance inside a trench formed to reach the n+ type silicon substrate from the main surface of the n+ type silicon substrate so as to contact with the n? type silicon region having the high resistance, and the conductive substance is electrically connected to a source electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Hashimoto, Takashi Hirao, Noboru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8643141
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate a capacitor array arranged on a semiconductor substrate. The capacitor array includes an array of unit capacitors arranged in a series of rows and columns. An interconnect structure couples unit capacitors of the array to establish a plurality of capacitor elements. The respective capacitor elements have different numbers of unit capacitors and different corresponding capacitances. In establishing the plurality of capacitor elements, the interconnect structure couples unit capacitors of the array in substantially identical sub-arrays tiled over the semiconductor substrate. Other methods and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Lu, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8569842
    Abstract: A semiconductor device arrangement includes a first semiconductor device having a load path, and a number of second transistors, each having a load path between a first and a second load terminal and a control terminal. The second transistors have their load paths connected in series and connected in series to the load path of the first transistor. Each of the second transistors has its control terminal connected to the load terminal of one of the other second transistors. One of the second transistors has its control terminal connected to one of the load terminals of the first semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Rolf Weis, Franz Hirler, Matthias Stecher, Armin Willmeroth, Gerald Deboy, Martin Feldtkeller
  • Patent number: 8502383
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes active circuitry disposed at a surface of a semiconductor body and an interconnect region disposed above the semiconductor body. A thermoelectric material is disposed in an upper portion of the interconnect region away from the semiconductor body. The thermoelectric material is configured to deliver electrical energy when exposed to a temperature gradient. This material can be used, for example, in a method for detecting the repackaging of the integrated circuit after it has been originally packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Fornara, Christian Rivero
  • Patent number: 8426938
    Abstract: The image sensor includes a substrate, an insulating structure formed on a first surface of the substrate and including a first metal wiring layer exposed by a contact hole penetrating the substrate, a conductive spacer formed on sidewalls of the contact hole and electrically connected to the first metal wiring layer, and a pad formed on a second surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the first metal wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Jun Park, Yong Woo Lee, Chang Rok Moon
  • Patent number: 8304839
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device are disclosed. In an example, a method includes forming an isolation region on a substrate, wherein the isolation region extends a depth into the substrate from a substrate surface; forming a recess in the isolation region, wherein the recess is defined by a concave surface of the isolation region; and forming a first gate structure over the substrate surface and a second gate structure over the concave surface of the isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kong-Beng Thei, Harry Chuang
  • Patent number: 8217484
    Abstract: The image sensor includes a substrate; a wiring structure formed on a front side of the substrate and including a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating films; a first well formed within the substrate and having a first conductivity type; and a first metal wiring layer directly contacting a backside of the substrate and configured to apply a first well bias to the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Jun Park
  • Patent number: 8188545
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes N pad rows in which pads are respectively arranged, and electrostatic discharge protection elements disposed in a lower layer of the N pad rows and connected with each pad in the N pad rows. The electrostatic discharge protection elements are disposed in a lower layer of regions at least partially including each of the N pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Saiki, Satoru Ito, Masahiko Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 8129833
    Abstract: Microelectronic packages are fabricated by stacking integrated circuits upon one another. Each integrated circuit includes a semiconductor layer having microelectronic devices and a wiring layer on the semiconductor layer having wiring that selectively interconnects the microelectronic devices. After stacking, a via is formed that extends through at least two of the integrated circuits that are stacked upon one another. Then, the via is filled with conductive material that selectively electrically contacts the wiring. Related microelectronic packages are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pil-kyu Kang, Jung-Ho Kim, Jong-Wook Lee, Seung-woo Choi, Dae-Lok Bae
  • Patent number: 8120086
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region; an insulation region in the second region of the semiconductor substrate; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) over the insulation region. A transistor is in the first region. The transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A first conductive line and a second conductive line are over the insulation region. The first conductive line and the second conductive line are substantially parallel to each other and extending in a first direction. A first metal line and a second metal line are in a bottom metal layer (M1) and extending in the first direction. The first metal line and the second metal line substantially vertically overlap the first conductive line and the second conductive line, respectively. The first metal line and the second metal line form two capacitor electrodes of a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Oscar M. K. Law, Kong-Beng Thei, Harry Chuang
  • Patent number: 8084304
    Abstract: A method for preventing gate oxide damage of a trench MOSFET during wafer processing while adding an ESD protection module atop the trench MOSFET includes fabricate numerous trench MOSFETs on a wafer; add a Si3N4 isolation layer, capable of preventing the LTO patterning process from damaging the gate oxide, atop the wafer; add numerous ESD protection modules atop the Si3N4 isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mengyu Pan, Zengyi He, Kaiyu Chen
  • Patent number: 8030776
    Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor substrate having semiconductor devices formed on or in the substrate. An interconnecting metallization structure is formed over and connected to the devices. The interconnecting metallization structure including at least one dielectric layer. A passivation layer is deposited over the interconnecting metallization structure and the dielectric layer. At least one metal contact pad and at least one dummy metal structure are provided in the passivation layer. The contact pad is conductively coupled to at least one of the devices. The dummy metal structure is spaced apart from the contact pad and unconnected to the contact pad and the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Shang-Yun Hou, Hao-Yi Tsai, Hsien Wei Chen, Hsiu-Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 8004085
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an element interconnection 2, a top-layer element interconnection 4, a super-connect interconnection 10 and a bump 7. The element interconnection 2 is provided on a semiconductor substrate 1 through a plurality of insulating layers 50. The top-layer element interconnection 4 is formed above the element interconnection 2 by using a substantially equivalent process equipment. The super-connect interconnection 10 is provided on the top-layer element interconnection 4 through a super-connect insulating layer 9 having a thickness five or more times larger than that of the insulating layer 5, and has a thickness three or more times larger than that of each the element interconnection 2 and the top-layer element interconnection 4. The bump 7 is formed on the super-connect interconnection 10. The top-layer element interconnection 4 has a signal pad 4s, a power source pad 4v and a ground pad 4g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Yamamichi, Katsumi Kikuchi, Jun Sakai, Hikaru Kouta
  • Patent number: 7982313
    Abstract: By dividing a single chip area into individual sub-areas, a thermally induced stress in each of the sub-areas may be reduced during operation of complex integrated circuits, thereby enhancing the overall reliability of complex metallization systems comprising low-k dielectric materials or ULK material. Consequently, a high number of stacked metallization layers in combination with increased lateral dimensions of the semiconductor chip may be used compared to conventional strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Grillberger, Matthias Lehr
  • Patent number: 7977754
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; an active region of the substrate, wherein the active region includes at least one transistor; and a passive region of the substrate, wherein the passive region includes at least one resistive structure disposed on an isolation region, the at least one resistive structure in a lower plane than the at least one transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Chuang, Kong-Beng Thei
  • Patent number: 7960231
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor memory device includes forming a tunnel insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, and forming a silicon layer, including metal material, on the tunnel insulating layer. Accordingly, an increase in the strain energy of the conductive layer may be prohibited and, therefore, the growth of grains constituting the conductive layer may be prevented. Furthermore, a threshold voltage distribution characteristic and electrical properties of a semiconductor memory device may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Geun Kim, Seong Hwan Myung, Eun Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7847405
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device may include an inter-wiring dielectric film in which a wiring trench is formed, a metal wiring layer formed in the wiring trench in the inter-wiring dielectric film, a first barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring trench, the first barrier layer being an oxide film made from a metal different from a main constituent metal element in the wiring layer, a second barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring layer, the second barrier layer having a Si atom of the metal used in the wiring layer, and a gap formed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Watanabe, Yumi Hayashi, Takamasa Usui
  • Patent number: 7795137
    Abstract: When a tungsten film (43) is embedded inside of a conductive groove (4A) formed in a wafer (W2) and a silicon oxide film (36) thereon and having a high aspect ratio, film formation and etch back of the tungsten film (43) are successively performed in a chamber of the same apparatus, therefore, a film thickness of the tungsten film (43) deposited in one film formation step is made to be thin. Whereby problems, such as exfoliation of the tungsten film (43), generation of micro-cracks, and occurrence of warpage and cracks of the wafer (W2), are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Saito, Akira Otaguro, Manabu Otake, Yoshiya Takahira, Namio Katagiri, Nobuaki Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 7781298
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor comprises providing a substrate. A bottom electrode material layer is formed on the substrate. A first mask layer is formed on the bottom electrode material layer. A second mask layer is formed on the first mask layer. The second mask layer is patterned to form a patterned second mask layer in a predetermined region for formation of a capacitor. A plurality of hemispherical grain structures are formed on a sidewall of the patterned second mask layer. The first mask layer is etched by using the hemispherical grain structures and the patterned second mask layer as a mask, thereby forming a patterned first mask layer having a pattern. The pattern of the first mask layer is transferred to the bottom electrode material layer. And, a capacitor dielectric layer and a top electrode layer are formed on the bottom electrode material layer to form the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hengyuan Lee, Lurng-Shehng Lee, Ching Chiun Wang, Pei-Jer Tzeng
  • Patent number: 7763925
    Abstract: A semiconductor device incorporating a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same include a first inter-layer dielectric film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode pattern formed on the first inter-layer dielectric film, and a capacitor region self-aligned to the first electrode pattern and in which the first inter-layer dielectric film is etched. An MIM capacitor is conformably formed on the sidewall of the first electrode pattern in the capacitor region. In the capacitor region, a first hollow region is formed enclosed by the MIM capacitor and a second electrode pattern fills the first hollow region. The second electrode pattern has a sidewall opposite to the sidewall of the first electrode pattern. The MIM capacitor is conformably formed in the capacitor region that is deepened more than a thickness of an interconnection layer, so that it has a capacitor area wider than an area contacting with the interconnection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 7759189
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dual contact trench capacitor is provided. The method includes a first plate extending from a trench and isolated from a wafer body, and forming a second plate extending from the trench and isolated from the wafer body and the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Kemerer, Jenifer E. Lary, James S. Nakos, Steven M. Shank
  • Patent number: 7652349
    Abstract: A thin-film device comprises a substrate and a capacitor provided on the substrate. The capacitor incorporates: a lower conductor layer; a dielectric film a portion of which is disposed on the lower conductor layer; and an upper conductor layer disposed on the dielectric film. The lower conductor layer has a top surface, a side surface, and a corner portion formed by the top and side surfaces. The upper conductor layer incorporates an upper electrode portion having a bottom surface opposed to the top surface of the lower conductor layer with the dielectric film disposed in between. When seen from above the upper conductor layer, the periphery of the bottom surface of the upper electrode portion is located inside the periphery of the top surface of the lower conductor layer without touching the periphery of the top surface of the lower conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Kuwajima, Masahiro Miyazaki, Akira Furuya
  • Patent number: 7638439
    Abstract: A peripheral processing method includes: by at least one of locally heating the periphery of a workpiece including a silicon-based substrate and selectively supplying reacting activation species to the periphery, allowing oxidation rate on the periphery to be higher than oxidation rate of native oxide film on a surface of the silicon-based substrate, thereby forming a first oxide film along the periphery, the first oxide film being thicker than the native oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeo Kubota, Atsushi Shigeta, Kaori Yomogihara, Makoto Honda, Hirokazu Ezawa
  • Patent number: 7601610
    Abstract: A process for the realization of a high integration density power MOS device includes the following steps of: providing a doped semiconductor substrate with a first type of conductivity; forming, on the substrate, a semiconductor layer with lower conductivity; forming, on the semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer of thickness comprised between 3000 and 13000 A (Angstroms); depositing, on the dielectric layer, a hard mask layer; masking the hard mask layer by means of a masking layer; etching the hard mask layers and the underlying dielectric layer for defining a plurality of hard mask portions to protect said dielectric layer; removing the masking layer; isotropically and laterally etching said dielectric layer forming lateral cavities in said dielectric layer below said hard mask portions; forming a gate oxide of thickness comprised between 150 and 1500 A (Angstroms) depositing a conductor material in said cavities and above the same to form a recess spacer, which is totally aligned with a gate structure c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.r.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Arena, Giuseppe Ferla, Marco Camalleri
  • Patent number: 7602049
    Abstract: Improved methods and structures are provided using capacitive techniques to reduce noise in high speed interconnections, such as in CMOS integrated circuits. Embodiments of an electronic device having a transmission line circuit include a first layer of electrically conductive material on a substrate and a first layer of insulating material on the first layer of the electrically conductive material. The first layer of insulating material has a thickness of less than 1.0 micrometers (?m). A transmission line is formed on the first layer of insulating material and a second layer of insulating material is formed on the transmission line. A second layer of electrically conductive material is formed on the second layer of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7576015
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an alignment layer is provided, which includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. Next, an auxiliary layer is formed on the substrate. Then, an alignment solution is sprayed on the auxiliary layer through an inkjet printing process. The alignment solution includes an alignment material and a first solvent, and the auxiliary layer has the same polarity as the first solvent. Then, by performing a curing process, the alignment solution is cured to form an alignment layer. As mentioned above, the method for manufacturing an alignment layer may be applied to manufacture an alignment layer with preferred smoothness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yuan-Hung Tung, Chih-Jui Pan
  • Patent number: 7553748
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gate structure including a gate insulation pattern, a gate pattern and a gate mask is formed on a channel region of a substrate to form a semiconductor device. A spacer is formed on a surface of the gate structure. An insulating interlayer pattern is formed on the substrate including the gate structure, and an opening is formed through the insulating interlayer pattern corresponding to an impurity region of the substrate. A conductive pattern is formed in the opening and a top surface thereof is higher than a top surface of the insulating interlayer pattern. Thus, an upper portion of the conductive pattern is protruded from the insulating interlayer pattern. A capping pattern is formed on the insulating interlayer pattern, and a sidewall of the protruded portion of the conductive pattern is covered with the capping pattern. Accordingly, the capping pattern compensates for a thickness reduction of the gate mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Jang, Sang-Ho Song, Sung-Sam Lee, Min-Sung Kang, Won-Tae Park, Min-Young Shim
  • Patent number: 7482220
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed in a body of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes a charge compensating trench formed in proximity to active portions of the device. The charge compensating trench includes a trench filled with various layers of semiconductor material including opposite conductivity type layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, John M. Parsey, Jr., Peter J. Zdebel, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 7439151
    Abstract: A method for integrating the formation of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors within dual damascene processing includes forming a lower interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer having a lower capacitor electrode and one or more lower metal lines therein, the ILD layer having a first dielectric capping layer formed thereon. An upper ILD layer is formed over the lower ILD layer, and a via and upper line structure are defined within the upper ILD layer. The via and upper line structure are filled with a planarizing layer, followed by forming and patterning a resist layer over the planarizing layer. An upper capacitor electrode structure is defined in the upper ILD layer corresponding to a removed portion of the resist. The via, upper line structure and upper capacitor electrode structure are filled with conductive material, wherein a MIM capacitor is defined by the lower capacitor electrode, first dielectric capping layer and upper capacitor electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Timothy J. Dalton, Ebenezer Eshun, Vincent J. McGahay, Anthony K. Stamper, Kunal Vaed
  • Patent number: 7414296
    Abstract: The present invention provides method of manufacturing a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (100). A method of manufacturing includes depositing a first refractory metal layer (105) over a semiconductor substrate (110). The first refractory metal layer (105) over a capacitor region (200) of the semiconductor substrate (110) is removed and a second refractory metal (300) is deposited over the capacitor region (200). Other aspects of the present invention include a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (900) and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (1000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Tony Thanh Phan, Farris D. Malone
  • Patent number: 7385240
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a digit line and an electrode adapted to be part of a storage cell capacitor and includes a barrier layer interposed between a conductive plug and an oxidation resistant layer. An insulative layer protects sidewalls of the barrier layer during deposition and anneal of a dielectric layer. The method includes forming the conductive plug recessed in an insulative layer. The barrier layer is formed in the recess and the top layer. An oxidation resistant conductive layer and a further oxide layer are formed in the recess. The conductive layer is planarized to expose the oxide or oxide/nitride layer. The oxide layers are then etched to expose the top surface and vertical portions of the conductive layer. A dielectric layer is formed to overlie the storage node electrode. A cell plate electrode is fabricated to overlie the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Fazan, Viju K. Mathews
  • Patent number: 7384808
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a high brightness LED structure is disclosed herein, which comprises at least the following steps. First, a first layered structure is provided by sequentially forming a light generating structure, a non-alloy ohmic contact layer, and a first metallic layer from bottom to top on a side of a first substrate. Then, a second layered structure comprising at least a second substrate is provided. Then, the two-layered structures are wafer-bonded together, with the top side of the second layered structure interfacing with the top side of said first layered structure. The first metallic layer functions as a reflective mirror, which is made of a pure metal or a metal nitride to achieve superior reflectivity, and whose reflective surface does not participate in the wafer-bonding process directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Hsiang Liu, Hui-Heng Wang, Kun-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7375000
    Abstract: A semiconductor resistor, method of making the resistor and method of making an IC including resistors. Buried wells are formed in the silicon substrate of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. At least one trench is formed in the buried wells. Resistors are formed along the sidewalls of the trench and, where multiple trenches form pillars, in the pillars between the trenches by doping the sidewalls with an angled implant. Resistor contacts are formed to the buried well at opposite ends of the trenches and pillars, if any.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Nowak, Richard Q. Williams
  • Patent number: 7375002
    Abstract: A MIM capacitor is formed over one or more metal interconnect layers in a semiconductor device. The capacitor has a lower plate electrode and an upper plate electrode. An insulator is formed between the plate electrodes. Prior to forming the first plate electrode a first insulating layer is deposited over the metal of an interconnect layer. The first insulating layer is planarized using a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process. A second insulating layer is then deposited over the planarized first insulating layer. The first plate electrode is formed over the second insulating layer. An insulator is formed over the first plate electrode and functions as the capacitor dielectric. A second plate electrode is formed over the insulator. Planarizing the first insulating layer and depositing a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer, reduces defects and produces a more reliable capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Roberts, Gary L. Huffman