Photolith Ographic Process (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.027)
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Patent number: 8123968Abstract: Pitch multiplication is performed using a two step process to deposit spacer material on mandrels. The precursors of the first step react minimally with the mandrels, forming a barrier layer against chemical reactions for the deposition process of the second step, which uses precursors more reactive with the mandrels. Where the mandrels are formed of amorphous carbon and the spacer material is silicon oxide, the silicon oxide is first deposited by a plasma enhanced deposition process and then by a thermal chemical vapor deposition process. Oxygen gas and plasma-enhanced tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) are used as reactants in the plasma enhanced process, while ozone and TEOS are used as reactants in the thermal chemical vapor deposition process. The oxygen gas is less reactive with the amorphous carbon than ozone, thereby minimizing deformation of the mandrels caused by oxidation of the amorphous carbon.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLCInventors: Jingyi Bai, Gurtej S Sandhu, Shuang Meng
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Patent number: 8110880Abstract: Systems and methods for single lithography step interconnection metallization using a stop-etch layer are described. A method that includes depositing a stop-etch layer over a semiconductor device, depositing an interconnect metallization material over the stop-etch layer, performing a single lithography step to pattern a mask over the interconnect metallization material, etching the interconnect metallization material in non-masked areas, and removing the stop-etch layer. A system comprises a stop-etch layer material for deposit into a stop-etch layer over a wafer, an interconnect metallization material for deposit over the chrome layer, a lithography operation for patterning a mask over the interconnect metallization material, a first etching compound for etching the interconnect metallization material, where the etching stops at the stop-etch layer, and a second etching compound for removing the stop-etch layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventor: John V. Veliadis
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Patent number: 8105961Abstract: A method of creating a sensor that may include applying a first conductive material on a first portion of a substrate to form a reference electrode and depositing a first mask over the substrate, the first mask having an opening that exposes the reference electrode and a second portion of the substrate. The method may also include depositing a second conductive material into the opening in the first mask, the second conductive material being in direct contact with the reference electrode and depositing a second mask over the second conductive material, the second mask having an opening over the second portion of the substrate, the opening exposing a portion of the second conductive material which forms a working surface to receive a fluid of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CorporationInventor: Kenneth M. Curry
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Patent number: 8101530Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method is a lithography patterning method that can include providing a substrate; forming a protective layer over the substrate; forming a conductive layer over the protective layer; forming a resist layer over the conductive layer; and exposing and developing the resist layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: I-Hsiung Huang, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Heng-Jen Lee, Heng-Hsin Liu
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Patent number: 8076729Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a dual gate electrode of a semiconductor device, which may improve manufacturing productivity by simplifying a process of forming gate electrodes in PMOS and NMOS regions, respectively, and may provide improvement in performance by making the two gate electrodes have a different thickness and material state in a manner that one of the two gate electrodes has a single-layer structure and the other one has a two-layer structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., LtdInventor: Eun Sang Cho
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Patent number: 8058151Abstract: A structure includes a substrate having a plurality of scribe line areas surrounding a plurality of die areas. Each of the die areas includes at least one first conductive structure formed over the substrate. Each of the scribe line areas includes at least one active region and at least one non-active region. The active region includes a second conductive structure formed therein. The structure further includes at least one first passivation layer formed over the first conductive structure and second conductive structure, wherein at least a portion of the first passivation layer within the non-active region is removed, whereby die-sawing damage is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shin-Puu Jeng, Hao-Yi Tsai
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Patent number: 8048735Abstract: The present invention provides an MIM capacitor using a high-k dielectric film preventing degradation of breakdown field strength of the MIM capacitor and suppressing the increase of the leakage current. The MIM capacitor comprises a first metal interconnect, a fabricated capacitance film, a fabricated upper electrode, and a third metal interconnect. The MIM capacitor is realized by forming an interlayer dielectric film comprising silicon oxide so as to cover the first metal interconnect, then forming a first opening in the interlayer dielectric film to a region corresponding to a via hole layer in the interlayer dielectric film just above the first metal interconnect so as not to expose the upper surface of the first metal interconnect, then forming a second opening to the inside of the first opening so as to expose the surface of the first metal interconnect and then forming a capacitance film and a third metal interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Takeda, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Toshinori Imai
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Patent number: 8048787Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The method may include forming a gate dielectric layer including a plurality of elements on a substrate; supplying a specific element to the gate dielectric layer; forming a product though reacting the specific element with at least one of the plurality of elements; and removing the product.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sangjin Hyun, Yugyun Shin, Hagju Cho, Hyung-seok Hong
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Patent number: 8039937Abstract: Provided are methods of fabricating semiconductor chips, semiconductor chips formed by the methods, and chip-stack packages having the semiconductor chips. One embodiment specifies a method that includes patterning a scribe line region of a semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor strut spaced apart from edges of a chip region of the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-Soo Chung, Seung-Kwan Ryu, Ju-Il Choi, Dong-Ho Lee, Seong-Deok Hwang
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Patent number: 8017457Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device of the present invention consists of a step of forming a selection transistor and a separate selection transistor and a step of forming a variable resistance element and a capacitance element, characterized by forming the variable resistance element by sequentially laminating a first electrode that is connected to the selection transistor, a variable resistance layer, and a second electrode; forming the capacitance element by sequentially laminating a third electrode that is connected to the separate selection transistor, a dielectric layer, and a fourth electrode; forming the dielectric layer and the variable resistance layer with a mutually identical material; forming either one of the first electrode or the second electrode with the same material as the third electrode and the fourth electrode; and forming the other one of the first electrode or the second electrode with a different material than the third electrode and the fourth electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.Inventor: Kazuhiko Kajigaya
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Patent number: 8017460Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flat panel display. Herein, the same mask is used to form contact holes and pixel electrodes in the display substrate. Hence, the number of masks needed for manufacturing the flat panel display can be reduced to decrease the manufacturing cost.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventors: Shu-Yu Chang, Wen-Hsiung Liu
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Patent number: 8013423Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer including a plurality of trenches connecting to a number of via holes formed on a semiconductor substrate including lower interconnections, wherein widths of the trenches are greater than widths of the via holes, and metal interconnections formed by burying metal thin films in the via holes and the trenches. Depths of the trenches are adjusted differently from each other depending on required resistances of the metal interconnections.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dong-Yeal Keum
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Patent number: 8008211Abstract: A pattern forming method includes (a) forming pairs of deposits on sidewalls of mask portions in first mask patterns by forming a thin film thereon, etching it to leave deposits, and exposing a top surface of a second-layer film between the deposits; (b) forming second mask patterns formed of mask portions corresponding to the deposits by removing the mask portion, plasma etching the second-layer film, and removing the deposits; (c) forming a thin film thereon, and etching it to leave deposits on sidewalls of mask portions facing each other and to expose a third-layer film between the deposits while leaving deposits between adjacent mask portions; and (d) forming grooves thereon by removing the second mask portion, and etching off the third-layer film.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Akitake Tamura, Teruyuki Hayashi, Kaoru Fujihara
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Patent number: 8008188Abstract: A method is provided comprising: coating an electrically conductive core with a first removable material, creating openings in the first removable material to expose portions of the electrically conductive core, plating a conductive material onto the exposed portions of the electrically conductive core, coating the conductive material with a second removable material, removing the first removable material, electrophoretically coating the electrically conductive core with a dielectric coating, and removing the second removable material.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Kevin C. Olson, Alan E. Wang
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Patent number: 8003542Abstract: Multiple pitch-multiplied spacers are used to form mask patterns having features with exceptionally small critical dimensions. One of each pair of spacers formed around a plurality of mandrels is removed and alternating layers, formed of two mutually selectively etchable materials, are deposited around the remaining spacers. Layers formed of one of the materials are then etched, leaving behind vertically-extending layers formed of the other of the materials, which form a mask pattern. Alternatively, instead of depositing alternating layers, amorphous carbon is deposited around the remaining spacers followed by a plurality of cycles of forming pairs of spacers on the amorphous carbon, removing one of the pairs of spacers and depositing an amorphous carbon layer. The cycles can be repeated to form the desired pattern. Because the critical dimensions of some features in the pattern can be set by controlling the width of the spaces between spacers, exceptionally small mask features can be formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sanket Sant, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Neal R. Rueger
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Patent number: 8003531Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flash memory device is capable of controlling a phenomenon in which a length of the channel between a source and a drain is decreased due to undercut. The method includes forming a gate electrode comprising a floating gate, an ONO film and a control gate using a hard mask pattern over a semiconductor substrate, forming a spacer over the sidewall of the gate electrode, forming an low temperature oxide (LTO) film over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the gate electrode and the spacer, etching the LTO film such that a top portion of the source/drain region and a top portion of the gate electrode are exposed, and removing the LTO film present over the sidewall of the gate electrode by wet-etching.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chung-Kyung Jung
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Patent number: 7994060Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed with structures spaced more closely together than a transverse dimension of such structures, such as for making contacts to electronic elements formed at minimum lithographically resolvable dimensions by dark field split pitch techniques. Acceptable overlay accuracy and process efficiency and throughput for the split pitch process that requires etching of a hard mark for each of a plurality of sequentially applied and patterned resist layers is supported by performing the etching of the hard mask entirely within a lithography track through using an acid sensitive hard mark material and an acidic overcoat which contacts areas of the hard mask through patterned apertures in the resist. The contacted areas of the hard mask are activated for development by baking of the acidic overcoat.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sean D. Burns, Matthew E. Colburn, Steven J. Holmes
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Patent number: 7989354Abstract: Disclosed is a patterning method including: forming a first film on a substrate; forming a first resist film on the first film; processing the first resist film into a first resist pattern having a preset pitch by photolithography; forming a silicon oxide film on the first resist pattern and the first film by alternately supplying a first gas containing organic silicon and a second gas containing an activated oxygen species to the substrate; forming a second resist film on the silicon oxide film; processing the second resist film into a second resist pattern having a preset pitch by the photolithography; and processing the first film by using the first resist pattern and the second resist pattern as a mask.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shigeru Nakajima, Kazuhide Hasebe, Pao-Hwa Chou, Mitsuaki Iwashita, Reiji Niino
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Patent number: 7960286Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes forming a hard mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the hard mask pattern covers active regions; forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate within an opening defined by the hard mask pattern; filling the trench with a dielectric material, resulting in a trench isolation feature; performing an ion implantation to the trench isolation feature using the hard mask pattern to protect active regions of the semiconductor substrate; and removing the hard mask pattern after the performing of the ion implantation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ming-Han Liao, Tze-Liang Lee
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Patent number: 7951615Abstract: One embodiment is a method for fabricating ICs from a semiconductor wafer. The method includes performing a first process on the semiconductor wafer; taking a first measurement indicative of an accuracy with which the first process was performed; and using the first measurement to generate metrology calibration data, wherein the metrology calibration data includes an effective portion and a non-effective portion. The method further includes removing the non-effective portion from the metrology calibration data and modeling the effective portion with a metrology calibration model; combining the metrology calibration model with a first process model to generate a multi-resolution model, wherein the first process model models an input-output relationship of the first process; and analyzing a response of the multi-resolution model and second measurement data to control performance a second process.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Andy Tsen, Jin-Ning Sung, Po-Feng Tsai, Jong-I Mou
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Patent number: 7943521Abstract: A method for patterning a semiconductor device can include forming a conductive layer over a semiconductor substrate; alternatively forming positive photoresists and negative photoresists over the conductive layer, forming a plurality of first conductive lines by selectively removing a portion of the conductive layer using the positive photoresist and the negative photoresist as masks; forming an oxide film over the semiconductor substrate including the first conductive lines and the conductive layer; performing a planarization process over the oxide film using the uppermost surface of the first conductive line as a target; removing the plurality of first conductive lines using the oxide film as a mask; forming a plurality if trenches in the semiconductor substrate and removing a portion of the oxide film to expose the uppermost surface of the conductive layer; and then forming a plurality of second conductive lines by removing the exposed conductive layer using the oxide film as a mask.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eun-Soo Jeong
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Patent number: 7935638Abstract: Methods and structures for enhancing the homogeneity in a ratio of perimeter to surface area among heterogeneous features in different substrate regions. At least one shape on the substrate includes an added edge effective to reduce a difference in the perimeter-to-surface area ratio between the features in a first substrate region and features in a second substrate region. The improved homogeneity in the perimeter-to-surface area ratio reduces variations in a thickness of a conformal layer deposited across the features in the first and second substrate regions.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James A. Culp, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin
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Patent number: 7871909Abstract: Methods for forming patterns having triple the line frequency of a first pattern using only a single spacer are disclosed. For example, the first pattern is formed in a first and a second material using a lithographic process. Sidewall spacers are formed from a third material adjacent to exposed sidewalls of features in the second material. The width of the features in the first pattern in the first material is reduced. For example, the width is reduced to about the target width of features in a final pattern. The width of features in the first pattern in the second material is reduced using remaining portions of the first material as a mask. A second pattern is formed based on remaining portions of the second material and the sidewall spacers. The features in the second pattern may be lines having about ? the width of lines in the first pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Chun-Ming Wang, Chen-Che Huang, Masaaki Higashitani, George Matamis
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Patent number: 7867913Abstract: A method for fabricating a fine pattern in a semiconductor device includes forming a first photoresist over a substrate where an etch target layer is formed, doping at least one impurity selected from group III elements and group V elements, of the periodic table, into the first photoresist, forming a photoresist pattern over the first photoresist, performing a dry etching process using the photoresist pattern to expose the first photoresist, etching the first photoresist by an oxygen-based dry etching to form a first photoresist pattern where a doped region is oxidized, and etching the etch target layer using the first photoresist pattern as an etch barrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Jin-Ki Jung
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Patent number: 7867925Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing efficiently a pattern formed structure which has a surface having a property-varied pattern and can be used to manufacture a color filter or the like. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a pattern formed structure, comprising: a patterning substrate preparing process of preparing a patterning substrate having a base material and a property variable layer which is formed on the base material and has a property variable by action of a photocatalyst based on irradiation with energy; and an energy radiating process of arranging a photocatalyst containing layer side substrate having a base body and a photocatalyst containing layer comprising at least the photocatalyst, and the patterning substrate so as to keep a given interval between the photocatalyst containing layer and the property variable layer, and then radiating energy onto the resultant at an intensity of 0.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Kobayashi, Yusuke Uno
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Patent number: 7855146Abstract: A method for forming a transistor gate includes performing a first exposure of a photo-resist material on a semiconductor device. The first exposure defines a line pattern in the photo-resist material. The method also includes performing a second exposure of the photo-resist material, where the second exposure trims a resist profile of the line pattern. The method further includes etching a conductive material on the semiconductor device to form a transistor gate based on the line pattern. The first exposure could represent a best focus exposure of the photo-resist material, and the second exposure could represent a positive focus exposure of the photo-resist material. The trimming of the line pattern's resist profile may cause the transistor gate to have at least one of a rounded edge and a rounded corner. This may allow a thicker insulating material, such as tetraethylorthosilicate, to be deposited around portions of the transistor gate.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Li-Heng Chou, Jiankang Bu
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Patent number: 7807497Abstract: Example embodiments may provide phase-change material layers and a method of forming a phase-change material layer and devices using the same by generating a plasma including helium and/or argon in a reaction chamber, forming a first material layer on the object by introducing a first source gas including a first material, forming a first composite material layer on the object by introducing a second source gas including a second material into the reaction chamber, forming a third material layer on the first composite material layer by introducing a third source gas including a third material, and forming a second composite material layer on the first composite material layer by introducing a fourth source gas including a fourth material. Example embodiment phase-change material layers including carbon may be more easily and/or quickly formed at lower temperatures under the helium/argon plasma environment by providing the source gases for various feeding times.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin-II Lee, Sung-Lae Cho, Young-Lim Park, Hye-Young Park
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Patent number: 7772050Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a flat panel display. Herein, the same mask is used to form contact holes and pixel electrodes in the display substrate. Hence, the number of masks needed for manufacturing the flat panel display can be reduced to decrease the manufacturing cost.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventors: Shu-Yu Chang, Wen-Hsiung Liu
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Patent number: 7772126Abstract: An interlayer is disposed on a pattern surface of a substrate. A buried hard mask may be provided on the interlayer. The buried hard mask includes a template opening having a template length along a line axis and a template width perpendicular thereto. The buried hard mask is filled with a fill material. A top mask is provided above the filled buried hard mask. The top mask includes a trim opening crossing the template opening and having a trim width along the line axis that is smaller than the template length. By etching the fill material and the interlayer using the top and buried hard mask a process section of the pattern surface may be exposed such that a target length and width of the process section result from the template and the trim widths. The planar dimensions of the process section may be decoupled from each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Qimonda AGInventor: Lars Bach
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Patent number: 7767592Abstract: A method for forming a mask pattern for ion-implantation comprises: forming a gate line pattern over a semiconductor substrate; forming a coating layer on the surface of gate line pattern; performing a plasma treatment on the top portion of the gate line pattern; forming a photoresist layer over the resulting structure; and performing an exposure and a developing processes to form a photoresist pattern on the gate line pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Kyu Sung Kim
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Patent number: 7759242Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit, including the steps of forming a first mask layer in the form of a hard mask layer including a plurality of first openings and a second mask layer with at least one second opening which at least partially overlaps with one of the first openings, wherein the at least one second opening is generated lithographically; and at least two neighboring first openings are distanced from each other with a center to center pitch smaller than the resolution limit of the lithography used for generating the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Qimonda AGInventors: Steffen Meyer, Rolf Weis, Burkhard Ludwig, Christoph Noelscher
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Patent number: 7759261Abstract: A method for obtaining layers defined on a hybrid circuit. The hybrid circuit including a substrate and at least one elementary circuit that includes a first facet and a second facet, being hybridized via the second facet to a facet of the substrate. This facet of the substrate and each elementary circuit are coated with a first layer, the first layer is removed from the first facet of the elementary circuit, the first facet and the subsisting part of the first layer are coated with a second layer, and the subsisting part and the second layer covering it are removed. Such a method may, for example, find application to obtaining an antireflection or metal layer on a chip.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Francois Marion, Philippe Rambaud, Lydie Mathieu
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Patent number: 7737044Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid state imaging device having photoelectric conversion devices, the method including: 1) forming a plurality of color filters differing in color from each other, 2) forming a transparent resin layer on the color filters, 3) forming an etching control layer on the transparent resin layer, the etching control layer being enabled to be etched at a different etching rate from the etching rate of the transparent resin layer, 4) forming a lens master on the etching control layer by using a heat-flowable resin material, 5) transferring a pattern of the lens master to the etching control layer by dry etching to form an intermediate micro lens, and 6) transferring a pattern of the intermediate micro lens to the transparent resin layer by dry etching to form the transfer lenses.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenzo Fukuyoshi, Tadashi Ishimatsu, Keisuke Ogata, Mitsuhiro Nakao, Akiko Uchibori
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Patent number: 7732341Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cha-won Koh, Han-ku Cho, Jeong-lim Nam, Gi-sung Yeo, Joon-soo Park, Ji-young Lee
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Patent number: 7718551Abstract: A method for forming a photoresist layer is provided. The method includes following steps. A wafer is provided in a semiconductor machine. The wafer is spun at a first spin speed. A pre-wet solvent is dispensed on the spinning wafer by using a nozzle disposed at a fixed position. The pre-wet solvent then stops dispensing. The spin speed of the wafer is adjusted from the first spin speed to a second spin speed which is faster than the first spin speed. Thereafter, a photoresist layer is coated on the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: United MIcroelectronics Corp.Inventors: Yu-Huan Liu, Chih-Jung Chen, Chih-Chung Huang
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Patent number: 7718347Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming interconnects in a photovoltaic module. According to one aspect, a method according to the invention includes processing steps that are similar to those performed in conventional integrated circuit fabrication. For example, the method can include masks and etches to form isolation grooves between cells, and additional etches to form a conductive step adjacent to the grooves that can be used to form interconnects between cells. According to another aspect the method for forming the conductive step can be self-aligned, such as by positioning a mirror above the module and exposing photoresist from underneath the substrate at an angle one or more times, and etching to expose the conductive step. According to another aspect, the process can include steps to form grid lines in the module to improve current transport in the structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Peter Borden
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Patent number: 7704875Abstract: Methods for patterning high-density contact holes and contacts are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method comprising depositing a first dummy layer over a substrate to form a first pattern; depositing a second dummy layer over the substrate to form a second pattern, the second pattern overlapping the first pattern at a plurality of locations; etching the first and second dummy layers to form a plurality of posts at the plurality of locations; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate; and etching the posts to form a plurality of contact holes in the dielectric layer. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Albert Wu, Chien-Chuan Wei
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Patent number: 7696033Abstract: A method of fabricating a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) Thin Film Transistor (TFT) using a reduced number of masks includes: forming a buffer layer on the entire surface of a substrate; forming polysilicon and photoresist layers on the entire surface of the substrate having the buffer layer; exposing and developing the photoresist layer to form a first photoresist pattern having a first thickness in a region where a semiconductor layer of a first TFT is to be formed, a second thickness in a region where a channel and a Lightly Doped Drain (LDD) region of a second TFT are to be formed, and a third thickness in a region where source and drain regions of the second TFT are to be formed; etching the polysilicon layer using the first photoresist pattern as a mask to pattern the semiconductor layers of the first and second TFTs; performing a first ashing process on the first photoresist pattern to form a second photoresist pattern where the region having the third thickness has been removed from thType: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eui-Hoon Hwang
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Patent number: 7598176Abstract: A plasma processing operation uses a gas mixture of N2 and H2 to both remove a photoresist film and treat a low-k dielectric material. The plasma processing operation prevents degradation of the low-k material by forming a protective layer on the low-k dielectric material. Carbon from the photoresist layer is activated and caused to complex with the low-k dielectric, maintaining a suitably high carbon content and a suitably low dielectric constant. The plasma processing operation uses a gas mixture with H2 constituting at least 10%, by volume, of the gas mixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.Inventors: Jang-Shiang Tsai, Yi-Nien Su, Chung-Chi Ko, Jyu-Horng Shieh, Peng-Fu Hsu, Hun-Jan Tao
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Patent number: 7569478Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a dual damascene structure, a semiconductor substrate formed by stacking a trench mask and a via hole resist mask on an insulating film is loaded into a processing chamber, and a via hole is formed by etching the insulating film through the via hole resist mask. Then, the via hole resist mask is removed by an ashing process and a protective film is formed on an underlayer of the insulating film; Thereafter, a trench is formed by etching the insulating film through the trench mask, and the semiconductor substrate is unloaded from the processing chamber after the via hole forming step, the resist mask removing step, the protective film forming step and the trench forming step are completed in the processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Hiroshi Tsujimoto
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Patent number: 7566658Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer including a plurality of trenches connecting to a number of via holes formed on a semiconductor substrate including lower interconnections, wherein widths of the trenches are greater than widths of the via holes, and metal interconnections formed by burying metal thin films in the via holes and the trenches. Depths of the trenches are adjusted differently from each other depending on required resistances of the metal interconnections.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dong-Yeal Keum
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Patent number: 7560390Abstract: Multiple pitch-multiplied spacers are used to form mask patterns having features with exceptionally small critical dimensions. One of each pair of spacers formed around a plurality of mandrels is removed and alternating layers, formed of two mutually selectively etchable materials, are deposited around the remaining spacers. Layers formed of one of the materials are then etched, leaving behind vertically-extending layers formed of the other of the materials, which form a mask pattern. Alternatively, instead of depositing alternating layers, amorphous carbon is deposited around the remaining spacers followed by a plurality of cycles of forming pairs of spacers on the amorphous carbon, removing one of the pairs of spacers and depositing an amorphous carbon layer. The cycles can be repeated to form the desired pattern. Because the critical dimensions of some features in the pattern can be set by controlling the width of the spaces between spacers, exceptionally small mask features can be formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sanket Sant, Gurtej Sandhu, Neal R. Rueger
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Patent number: 7544521Abstract: A method of trimming the critical dimension of an isolated line to a greater extent than a dense line is provided. A mask is formed of an organic material over the etch layer wherein the mask has at least a first region with a first pattern density and a second region with a second pattern density. A surface area of the organic material in the first region is measured. A surface area of the organic material in the second region is measured. A reverse bias trim of the mask is provided, wherein a ratio of a trim rate of the organic material in the first region to a trim rate of the organic material in the second region is related to a ratio of the measured surface area of the organic material in the first region to the measured surface area of the organic material in the second region.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Scott Briggs, Aaron Eppler
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Patent number: 7528046Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a substrate, a memory cell region including first pattern, first guard ring around the memory cell, second guard ring around the first guard ring, an isolation region between the first and second guard ring, and a peripheral circuit region around the second guard ring and including second pattern, the method including exposing the resist film by multiple exposure including first and second exposures for forming latent images corresponding to the first and second patterns, a boundary area of the multiple exposure being set on the isolation region, on the first or second guard ring, or on an area between the first guard ring and the memory cell region, forming a resist pattern by developing the resist film, and etching the substrate with the resist pattern as a mask.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masayuki Ichige, Makoto Sakuma, Fumitaka Arai
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Patent number: 7521353Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, conductive features are formed on a first dielectric etch stop layer, and a second dielectric material is deposited over and between the conductive features. A via etch to the conductive features which is selective between the first and second dielectrics will stop on the dielectric etch stop layer, limiting overetch. In a second embodiment, a plurality of conductive features is formed in a subtractive pattern and etch process, filled with a dielectric fill, and then a surface formed coexposing the conductive features and dielectric fill. A dielectric etch stop layer is deposited on the surface, then a third dielectric covers the dielectric etch stop layer. When a contact is etched through the third dielectric, this selective etch stops on the dielectric etch stop layer. A second etch makes contact to the conductive features.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLCInventor: Christopher J Petti
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Patent number: 7514361Abstract: A method of creating metal caps on copper lines within an inter-line dielectric (ILD) deposits a thin (e.g., 5 nm) metal blanket film (e.g., Ta/TaN) on top the copper lines and dielectric, after the wafer has been planarized. Further a thin dielectric cap is formed over the metal blanket film. A photoresist coating is deposited over the thin dielectric cap and a lithographic exposure process is performed, but without a lithographic mask. A mask is not needed in this situation, because due to the reflectivity difference between copper and the ILD lying under the two thin layers, a mask pattern is automatically formed for etching away the Ta/TaN metal cap between copper lines. Thus, this mask pattern is self-aligned above the copper lines.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Griselda Bonilla, Shyng-Tsong Chen, Matthew E. Colburn, Ronald DellaGuardia, Chih-Chao Yang
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Patent number: 7507264Abstract: In transporting a reticle with a pellicle, gas purge is efficiently performed in a pellicle space or the environment in the pellicle space is efficiently maintained. Injectors are provided in a pair of fork positions or a reticle hand. Inert gas is injected and supplied from the injectors into a pellicle space through vent holes of a reticle with a pellicle. In this state, the reticle with the pellicle is transported.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20090047793Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including the step of ashing away by a plasma treatment an organic material film formed over a substrate with an inter-layer insulator film therebetween, wherein the plasma treatment is conducted while electric power applied so as to draw ions in a plasma toward the substrate is periodically turned ON and OFF.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Masanaga Fukasawa
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Patent number: 7482280Abstract: A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first material layer on a substrate, the first material layer being substantially free of silicon, and forming a patterned resist layer including at least one opening therein above the first material layer. A second material layer containing silicon is formed on the patterned resist layer and an opening is formed in the first material layer using the second material layer as a mask.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Burn Jeng Lin
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Patent number: 7479463Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for heating a substrate and a sacrificial layer are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: John Kulp, Michael Carcasi, Merritt Funk