Dielectric Regions, E.g., Epic Dielectric Isolation, Locos; Trench Refilling Techniques, Soi Technology, Use Of Channel Stoppers (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.545)

  • Patent number: 8716138
    Abstract: Field Side Sub-bitline NOR-type (FSNOR) flash array and the methods of fabrication are disclosed. The field side sub-bitlines of the invention formed with the same impurity type as the memory cells' source/drain electrodes along the two sides of field trench oxide link all the source electrodes together and all the drain electrodes together, respectively, for a string of semiconductor Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) cells in a NOR-type flash array of the invention. Each field side sub-bitline is connected to a main metal bitline through a contact at its twisted point in the middle. Because there are no contacts in between the linked NVM cells' electrodes in the NOR-type flash array of the invention, the wordline pitch and the bitline pitch can be applied to the minimum geometrical feature of a specific technology node. The NOR-type flash array of the invention provides at least as high as those in the conventional NAND flash array in cell area density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: FlashSilicon Incorporation
    Inventor: Lee Wang
  • Patent number: 8704329
    Abstract: SOI devices for plasma display panel driver chip, include a substrate, a buried oxide layer and an n-type SOI layer in a bottom-up order, where the SOI layer is integrated with an HV-NMOS device, an HV-PMOS device, a Field-PMOS device, an LIGBT device, a CMOS device, an NPN device, a PNP device and an HV-PNP device; the SOI layer includes an n+ doped region within the SOI layer at an interface between the n-type SOI layer and the buried oxide layer; and the n+ doped region has a higher doping concentration than the n-type SOI layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Bo Luo, Xi Hu, Jun Ye, Bo Zhang, Zhaoji Li
  • Patent number: 8692299
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device and a process for making the integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device including a substrate having a trench formed therein, a first layer of isolation material occupying the trench, a second layer of isolation material formed over the first layer of isolation material, an epitaxially-grown silicon layer on the substrate and horizontally adjacent the second layer of isolation material, and a gate structure formed on the epitaxially-grown silicon, the gate structure defining a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Hao Hong, You-Hua Chou, Chih-Tsung Lee, Shiu-Ko JangJian, Miao-Cheng Liao, Hsiang Hsiang Ko, Chen-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8685830
    Abstract: A method of filling shallow trenches is disclosed. The method includes: successively forming a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer over the surface of a silicon substrate where shallow trenches are formed in; etching the second oxide layer to form inner sidewalls with an etchant which has a high etching selectivity ratio of the second oxide layer to the first oxide layer; growing a high-quality pad oxide layer by thermal oxidation after the inner sidewalls are removed; and filling the trenches with an isolation dielectric material. By using this method, the risk of occurrence of junction spiking and electrical leakage during a subsequent process of forming a metal silicide can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Hua Hong NEC Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fan Chen, Xiongbin Chen, Kai Xue, Keran Zhou, Jia Pan, Hao Li, Yongcheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8686535
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8679938
    Abstract: A method for formation of a shallow trench isolation (STI) in an active region of a device comprising trench capacitive elements, the trench capacitive elements comprising a metal plate and a high-k dielectric includes etching a STI trench in the active region of the device, wherein the STI trench is directly adjacent to at least one of the metal plate or high-k dielectric of the trench capacitive elements; and forming an oxide liner in the STI trench, wherein the oxide liner is formed selectively to the metal plate or high-k dielectric, wherein forming the oxide liner is performed at a temperature of about 600° C. or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sunfei Fang, Oleg Gluschenkov, Byeong Y. Kim, Rishikesh Krishnan, Daewon Yang
  • Patent number: 8673734
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes forming an shallow trench isolation (STI) in a substrate, sequentially forming an oxide layer and a nitride layer over the substrate, patterning the nitride layer and the oxide layer to expose a portion of the substrate adjacent to the STI layer, forming a field oxide layer contacting the STI layer in the exposed portion of the substrate, removing the nitride layer, etching a portion of the patterned oxide layer to form a first gate oxide layer contacting the field oxide layer, forming a second gate oxide layer over the substrate, and forming a gate pattern over the field oxide layer, the first gate oxide layer, and the second gate oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Soonyeol Park
  • Patent number: 8669623
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure which includes a shielded gate FET is formed as follows. A plurality of trenches is formed in a semiconductor region using a mask. The mask includes (i) a first insulating layer over a surface of the semiconductor region, (ii) a first oxidation barrier layer over the first insulating layer, and (iii) a second insulating layer over the first oxidation barrier layer. A shield dielectric is formed extending along at least lower sidewalls of each trench. A thick bottom dielectric (TBD) is formed along the bottom of each trench. The first oxidation barrier layer prevents formation of a dielectric layer along the surface of the semiconductor region during formation of the TBD. A shield electrode is formed in a bottom portion of each trench. A gate electrode is formed over the shield electrode in each trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James Pan, Christopher Lawrence Rexer
  • Patent number: 8643110
    Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator device has a localized biasing structure formed in the insulator layer of the SOI. The localized biasing structure includes a patterned conductor that provides a biasing signal to distinct regions of the silicon layer of the SOI. The conductor is recessed into the insulator layer to provide a substantially planar interface with the silicon layer. The conductor is connected to a bias voltage source. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductor is provided that respectively connected to a plurality of voltage sources. Thus, different regions of the silicon layer are biased by different bias signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 8637935
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprises: forming at least one gate stack structure and an interlayer material layer between the gate stack structures on a semiconductor substrate; defining isolation regions and removing a portion of the interlayer material layer and a portion of the semiconductor substrate which has a certain height in the regions, so as to form trenches; removing portions of the semiconductor substrate which carry the gate stack structures, in the regions; and filling the trenches with an insulating material. A semiconductor device is also provided. The area of the isolation regions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Huicai Zhong, Qingqing Liang, Haizhou Yin, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8629508
    Abstract: A system and method for forming an isolation trench is provided. An embodiment comprises forming a trench and then lining the trench with a dielectric liner. Prior to etching the dielectric liner, an outgassing process is utilized to remove any residual precursor material that may be left over from the deposition of the dielectric liner. After the outgassing process, the dielectric liner may be etched, and the trench may be filled with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Tang Peng, Bing-Hung Chen, Tze-Liang Lee, Hao-Ming Lien
  • Patent number: 8629037
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first surface and a second surface of a silicon substrate. the first and second surfaces being opposite surfaces. A first portion of the first dielectric layer covers the first surface of the substrate, and a second portion of the first dielectric layer covers the second surface of the substrate. The method includes forming openings that extend into the substrate from the first surface. The method includes filling the openings with a second dielectric layer. The method includes removing the first portion of the first dielectric layer without removing the second portion of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Feng Nieh, Chung-Yi Yu, Hung-Ta Lin
  • Publication number: 20140001519
    Abstract: A fin is formed over a first barrier layer over a substrate. The first barrier layer has a band gap greater than the band gap of the fin. In one embodiment, a gate dielectric layer is deposited on the top surface and opposing sidewalls of the fin and is adjacent to a second barrier layer deposited on the first barrier layer underneath the fin. In one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is deposited on the top surface and the opposing sidewalls of the fin and an isolating layer is formed adjacent to the first barrier layer underneath the fin. In one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is deposited on the top surface and the opposing sidewalls of the fin, and an isolating layer is formed adjacent to the second barrier layer deposited between the fin and the first barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Gilbert Dewey, Marko Radosavljevic, Ravi Pillarisetty, Benjamin Chu-Kung, Niloy Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8618668
    Abstract: System and method for reducing contact resistance and improving barrier properties is provided. An embodiment comprises a dielectric layer and contacts extending through the dielectric layer to connect to conductive regions. A contact barrier layer is formed between the conductive regions and the contacts by electroless plating the conductive regions after openings have been formed through the dielectric layer for the contact. The contact barrier layer is then treated to fill the grain boundary of the contact barrier layer, thereby improving the contact resistance. In another embodiment, the contact barrier layer is formed on the conductive regions by electroless plating prior to the formation of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Shi Liu, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 8614137
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture and, more particularly, to a dual contact trench resistor in shallow trench isolation (STI) and methods of manufacture. In a first aspect of the invention, a method comprises forming a trench in a substrate; forming a first insulator layer within the trench; forming a first electrode within the trench, on the first insulator layer, and isolated from the substrate by the first insulator layer; forming a second insulator layer within the trench and on the first electrode; and forming a second electrode within the trench, on the second insulator layer, and isolated from the substrate by the first insulator layer and the second insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Kemerer, James S. Nakos, Steven M. Shank
  • Patent number: 8604527
    Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced ?VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SuVolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Thompson, Damodar R. Thummalapally
  • Patent number: 8603892
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes groove-like regions that are formed between two adjacent bit lines among a plurality of bit lines each having upper and side surfaces covered with a cap insulating film and a side-wall insulating film, respectively, a SiON film that contains more O (oxygen) than N (nitrogen) and continuously covers inner surfaces of the groove-like regions, and a silicon dioxide film formed by reforming polysilazane and filled in the groove-like regions with the SiON film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoh Matsuda, Kyoko Miyata
  • Patent number: 8604530
    Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SuVolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Thompson, Damodar R. Thummalapally
  • Publication number: 20130316513
    Abstract: Multigate transistor devices and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. In one method, a substrate including a semiconductor upper layer and a lower layer beneath the upper layer is provided. The lower layer has a rate of transformation into a dielectric that is higher than a rate of transformation into a dielectric of the upper layer when the upper and lower layers are subjected to dielectric transformation conditions. Fins are formed in the upper layer, and the lower layer beneath the fins is transformed into a dielectric material to electrically isolate the fins. In addition, a gate structure is formed over the fins to complete the multigate transistor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: VEERARAGHAVAN S. BASKER, EFFENDI LEOBANDUNG, TENKO YAMASHITA, CHUN-CHEN YEH
  • Patent number: 8586455
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of preventing electrical shorting of adjacent semiconductor devices. The method includes forming a plurality of fins of a plurality of field-effect-transistors on a substrate; forming at least one barrier structure between a first and a second fin of the plurality of fins; and growing an epitaxial film from the plurality of fins, the epitaxial film extending horizontally from sidewalls of at least the first and second fins and reaching the barrier structure situating between the first and second fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Balasubramanian Pranatharthiharan, Jeffrey William Sleight
  • Patent number: 8569839
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that can be manufactured using a simple process without ensuring a high embedding property; and a manufacturing method of the device. In the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device according to the invention, a semiconductor substrate having a configuration obtained by stacking a support substrate, a buried insulating film, and a semiconductor layer in order of mention is prepared first. Then, an element having a conductive portion is completed over the main surface of the semiconductor layer. A trench encompassing the element in a planar view and reaching the buried insulating film from the main surface of the semiconductor layer is formed. A first insulating film (interlayer insulating film) is formed over the element and in the trench to cover the element and form an air gap in the trench, respectively. Then, a contact hole reaching the conductive portion of the element is formed in the first insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Morii, Yoshitaka Otsu, Kazuma Onishi, Tetsuya Nitta, Tatsuya Shiromoto, Shigeo Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8541841
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and semiconductor device manufacturing methods. The semiconductor device manufacturing methods may form a memory cell having a silicon on insulator (SOI) structure only in one or more localized regions of a bulk semiconductor substrate by use selective etching. Accordingly, a different bias voltage may be applied to a peripheral device than to a memory cell having the SOI structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-joo Kim, Sang-moo Choi, Tae-hee Lee, Yoon-dong Park
  • Patent number: 8541824
    Abstract: Some structures and methods to reduce power consumption in devices can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. Some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced ?VT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. Additional structures, configurations, and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional and different benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: SuVolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Thompson, Damodar R. Thummalapally
  • Patent number: 8530999
    Abstract: A semiconductor component with straight insulation trenches formed in a semiconductor material providing semiconductor areas laterally insulated from each other. Each insulation trench has a uniform width along its longitudinal direction represented by a central line. The semiconductor component has an intersecting area into which at least three of the straight insulation trenches lead. A center of the intersecting area is defined as a point of intersection of the continuations of the center lines. A central semiconductor area disposed in the intersecting area is connected with one of the semiconductor areas and contains the center of the intersecting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG
    Inventors: Ralf Lerner, Uwe Eckoldt
  • Patent number: 8530332
    Abstract: An object is to provide an SOI substrate with excellent characteristics even in the case where a single crystal semiconductor substrate having crystal defects is used. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device using such an SOI substrate. A single crystal semiconductor layer is formed by an epitaxial growth method over a surface of a single crystal semiconductor substrate. The single crystal semiconductor layer is subjected to first thermal oxidation treatment to form a first oxide film. A surface of the first oxide film is irradiated with ions, whereby the ions are introduced to the single crystal semiconductor layer. The single crystal semiconductor layer and a base substrate are bonded with the first oxide film interposed therebetween. The single crystal semiconductor layer is divided at a region where the ions are introduced by performing thermal treatment, so that the single crystal semiconductor layer is partly left over the base substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Eriko Nishida, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 8524569
    Abstract: In a method of forming an isolation layer, first and second trenches are formed on a substrate. The first and the second trenches have first and second widths, respectively, and the second width is greater than the first width. A second isolation layer pattern partially fills the second trench. A first isolation layer pattern and the third isolation layer pattern are formed. The first isolation layer pattern fills the first trench, and the third isolation layer pattern is formed on the second isolation layer pattern and fills a remaining portion of the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hyuk Kang, Jung-Won Lee, Bo-Un Yoon, Kun-Tack Lee
  • Patent number: 8519480
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is disclosed. The electrostatic discharge protection device preferably includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and an electrostatic discharge clamping circuit. The first transistor includes a first drain electrically connected to an input/output pin of a chip, a first source electrically connected to a first voltage input pin of the chip, and a first gate. The first drain is preferably an internally shrunk drain. The second transistor includes a second drain electrically connected to the input/output pin of the chip, a second source electrically connected to a second voltage input pin and a second gate. The electrostatic discharge clamping circuit is electrically connected to the first voltage input pin and the second voltage input pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yang-Han Lee, Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 8519484
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a dual trench and methods of fabricating the same, a semiconductor module, an electronic circuit board, and an electronic system are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region including a cell trench and a peripheral region including a peripheral trench. The cell trench is filled with a core insulating material layer, and the peripheral trench is filled with a padding insulating material layer conformably formed on an inner surface thereof and a core insulating material layer formed on an inner surface of the padding insulating material layer. The core insulating material layer has a greater fluidity than the padding insulating material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Won Kim, Jae-Hwang Sim, Keon-Soo Kim, Young-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20130203226
    Abstract: A semiconductor process is provided, including following steps. A polysilicon layer is formed on a substrate. An asymmetric dual-side heating treatment is performed to the polysilicon layer, wherein a power for a forntside heating is different from a power for a backside heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chan-Lon Yang, Ching-Nan Hwang, Chi-Heng Lin, Chun-Yao Yang, Ger-Pin Lin, Ching-I Li
  • Publication number: 20130181321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for improved electrical signal isolation between adjacent devices situated in a top semiconductor layer of the structure and an associated method for the structure's fabrication. The structure comprises a first portion of a trench extending through the top semiconductor layer and through a base oxide layer below the top semiconductor layer. A handle wafer is situated below the base oxide layer and a second portion of the trench, having sloped sidewalls, extends into the handle wafer. The sloped sidewalls are amorphized by an implant, for example, Xenon or Argon, to reduce carrier mobility in the handle wafer and improve electrical signal isolation between the adjacent devices situated in the top semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NEWPORT FAB, LLC DBA JAZZ SEMICONDUCTOR
    Inventors: Paul D. Hurwitz, Robert L. Zwingman
  • Publication number: 20130181300
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, an isolation region at a top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor fin over the isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Shien Mor, Hsiao-Chu Chen, Mu-Chi Chiang
  • Patent number: 8486839
    Abstract: A method for tiling selected vias in a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of vias. The method includes: generating a layout database for the semiconductor device; identifying isolated vias of the plurality of vias; selecting the isolated vias; defining a zone around each of the selected isolated vias; and adding tiling features on a metal layer above the selected isolated vias and within the zone. The method improves reliability of the semiconductor device by allowing moisture to vent from around the vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Reber, Lawrence N. Herr
  • Publication number: 20130175660
    Abstract: A structure and method for fabricating a spacer structure for semiconductor devices, such as a multi-gate structure, is provided. The dummy gate structure is formed by depositing a dielectric layer, forming a mask over the dielectric layer, and patterning the dielectric layer. The mask is formed to have a tapered edge. In an embodiment, the tapered edge is formed in a post-patterning process, such as a baking process. In another embodiment, a relatively thick mask layer is utilized such that during patterning a tapered results. The profile of the tapered mask is transferred to the dielectric layer, thereby providing a tapered edge on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chi Fu, Chien-Chih Chou
  • Publication number: 20130171792
    Abstract: A treatment is performed on a surface of a first semiconductor region, wherein the treatment is performed using process gases including an oxygen-containing gas and an etching gas for etching the semiconductor material. An epitaxy is performed to grow a second semiconductor region on the surface of the first semiconductor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Tien Wan, You-Ru Lin, Yi-Jing Lee, Cheng-Hsien Wu, Chih-Hsin Ko, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 8476734
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor body, in which are formed: a substrate of a first conduction type, a buried semiconductor layer of a second conduction type arranged on the substrate, and a functional unit semiconductor layer of a third conduction type arranged on the buried semiconductor layer, in which at least two semiconductor functional units arranged laterally alongside one another are provided. The buried semiconductor layer is part of at least one semiconductor functional unit, the semiconductor functional units being electrically insulated from one another by an isolation structure which permeates the functional unit semiconductor layer, the buried semiconductor layer, and the substrate. The isolation structure includes at least one trench and an electrically conductive contact to the substrate, the contact to the substrate being electrically insulated from the functional unit semiconductor layer and the buried layer by the at least one trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Meiser, Walter Hartner, Hermann Gruber, Dietrich Bonart, Thomas Gross
  • Publication number: 20130161782
    Abstract: Integrating a semiconductor component with a substrate through a low loss interconnection formed through adaptive patterning includes forming a cavity in the substrate, placing the semiconductor component therein, filling a gap between the semiconductor component and substrate with a fill of same or similar dielectric constant as that of the substrate and adaptively patterning a low loss interconnection on the fill and extending between the contacts of the semiconductor component and the electrical traces on the substrate. The contacts and leads are located and adjoined using an adaptive patterning technique that places and forms a low loss radio frequency transmission line that compensates for any misalignment between the semiconductor component contacts and the substrate leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: S. Rajendran, Monte R. Sanchez, Susan M. Eshelman, Douglas R. Gentry, Thomas A. Hanft
  • Patent number: 8466508
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure including a substrate, stacked patterns and stress patterns is provided. The stacked patterns are disposed on the substrate. Each of the stacked patterns includes a charge storage structure and a gate from bottom to top. Here, the charge storage structure at least includes a charge storage layer. The stress patterns are disposed on the substrate between the two adjacent stacked patterns, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shaw-Hung Ku, Shih-Chin Lee, Chia-Wei Wu, Shang-Wei Lin, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen, Wen-Pin Lu
  • Publication number: 20130126816
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. A series of rails is formed to include bottom electrode contact material. Sacrificial material is patterned into a series of lines that cross the series of rails. A pattern of the series of lines is transferred into the bottom electrode contact material. At least a portion of the sacrificial material is subsequently replaced with top electrode material. Some embodiments include memory arrays that contain a second series of electrically conductive lines crossing a first series of electrically conductive lines. Memory cells are at locations where the electrically conductive lines of the second series overlap the electrically conductive lines of the first series. First and second memory cell materials are within the memory cell locations. The first memory cell material is configured as planar sheets and the second memory cell material is configured as upwardly-opening containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Scott E. Sills, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 8445387
    Abstract: Memory cell structures, including PSOIs, NANDs, NORs, FinFETs, etc., and methods of fabrication have been described that include a method of epitaxial silicon growth. The method includes providing a silicon layer on a substrate. A dielectric layer is provided on the silicon layer. A trench is formed in the dielectric layer to expose the silicon layer, the trench having trench walls in the <100> direction. The method includes epitaxially growing silicon between trench walls formed in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Wells, Du Li
  • Publication number: 20130099307
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device having metal gate includes providing a substrate having a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device formed thereon, the first semiconductor device having a first gate trench and the second semiconductor device having a second gate trench, forming a first work function metal layer in the first gate trench, forming a second work function metal layer in the first gate trench and the second gate trench, forming a first patterned mask layer exposing portions of the second work function metal layer in the first gate trench and the second gate trench, and performing an etching process to remove the exposed second work function metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Chi-Sheng Tseng, Jie-Ning Yang, Kuang-Hung Huang, Yao-Chang Wang, Po-Jui Liao, Shih-Chieh Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130099311
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a plurality of trench metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) devices formed within an epitaxial layer of a substrate, and a gate-runner trench disposed around the plurality of trench MOSFET devices and disposed within the epitaxial layer. The apparatus can also include a floating-field implant defined by a well implant and disposed around the gate-runner trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jifa Hao, Gary Dolny, Mark Rioux
  • Publication number: 20130093026
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes fin field-effect transistor (FinFETs) having shaped fins and regular fins. Shaped fins have top portions that may be smaller, larger, thinner, or shorter than top portions of regular fins. The bottom portions of shaped fins and regular fins are the same. FinFETs may have only one or more shaped fins, one or more regular fins, or a mixture of shaped fins and regular fins. A semiconductor manufacturing process to shape one fin includes forming a photolithographic opening of one fin, optionally doping a portion of the fin, and etching a portion of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Clement Hsingjen WANN, Ling-Yen YEH, Chi-Yuan SHIH, Yi-Tang LIN, Chih-Sheng CHANG, Chi-Wen LIU
  • Patent number: 8420484
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a buried gate that can realize a reduction in gate-induced drain leakage is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried gate, and a barrier layer. The semiconductor substrate has a groove. The buried gate is formed in a lower portion of the groove and has a lower portion wider than an upper portion. The barrier layer is formed on sidewalls of the upper portion of the buried gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Min Soo Yoo
  • Patent number: 8415721
    Abstract: Field Side Sub-bitline NOR-type (FSNOR) flash array and the methods of fabrication are disclosed. The field side sub-bitlines of the invention formed with the same impurity type as the memory cells' source/drain electrodes along the two sides of field trench oxide link all the source electrodes together and all the drain electrodes together, respectively, for a string of semiconductor Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) cells in a NOR-type flash array of the invention. Each field side sub-bitline is connected to a main metal bitline through a contact at its twisted point in the middle. Because there are no contacts in between the linked NVM cells' electrodes in the NOR-type flash array of the invention, the wordline pitch and the bitline pitch can be applied to the minimum geometrical feature of a specific technology node. The NOR-type flash array of the invention provides at least as high as those in the conventional NAND flash array in cell area density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: FlashSilicon Incorporation
    Inventor: Lee Wang
  • Patent number: 8410554
    Abstract: A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a structure which comprises a high-leakage dielectric formed in a divot on each side of a segmented FET comprised of active silicon islands and gate electrodes thereon, and a low-leakage dielectric on the surface of the active silicon islands, adjacent the high-leakage dielectric, wherein the low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20130071977
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating an integrated circuit that includes gate to active contacts. One method includes processing the IC in a replacement gate technology including forming dummy gates, sidewall spacers on the dummy gates, and metal silicide contacts to active areas. A fill layer is deposited and planarized to expose the dummy gates and the dummy gates are removed. A mask is formed having an opening overlying a portion of the channel region from which the dummy gate was removed and a portion of an adjacent metal silicide contact. The fill layer and a portion of the sidewall spacers exposed through the mask opening are etched to expose a portion of the adjacent metal silicide contact. A gate electrode material is deposited overlying the channel region and exposed metal silicide contact and is planarized to form a gate electrode and a gate-to-metal silicide contact interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Thilo Scheiper, Stefan Flachowsky, Andy Wei
  • Publication number: 20130062708
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, a method for manufacturing the same, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor fin are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing the semiconductor device structure comprises: forming a fin in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate line in a second direction, the second direction crossing the first direction on the semiconductor substrate, and the gate line intersecting the fin with a gate dielectric layer sandwiched between the gate line and the fin; forming a dielectric spacer surrounding the gate line; and performing inter-device electrical isolation at a predetermined position, wherein isolated portions of the gate line form independent gate electrodes of respective devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Huicai Zhong, Qingqing Liang, Jun Luo, Chao Zhao
  • Patent number: 8378445
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity, an epitaxial layer of a second conductivity on the substrate and a buried layer of the second conductivity interposed between the substrate and the epitaxial layer. A first trench structure extends through the epitaxial layer and the buried layer to the substrate and includes sidewall insulation and conductive material in electrical contact with the substrate at a bottom of the first trench structure. A second trench structure extends through the epitaxial layer to the buried layer and includes sidewall insulation and conductive material in electrical contact with the buried layer at a bottom of the second trench structure. A region of insulating material laterally extends from the conductive material of the first trench structure to the conductive material of the second trench structure and longitudinally extends to a substantial depth of the second trench structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Brahim Elattari, Franz Hirler
  • Publication number: 20130037907
    Abstract: An optoelectronic integrated circuit substrate may include a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region each include at least two buried insulation layers having different thicknesses. The at least two buried insulation layers of the first region are formed at a greater depth and have a greater thickness as compared to the at least two buried insulation layers of the second region. A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) structure may be formed in a third region that does not include a buried insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seong-ho Cho
  • Patent number: 8361864
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a saddle fin gate and a method for manufacturing the same are presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure, and gates. The semiconductor substrate is defined with first grooves in gate forming areas. The isolation structure is formed in the semiconductor substrate and is defined with second grooves which expose front and rear surfaces of the gate forming areas. The gates are formed within the first grooves in the gate forming areas. Gates are also formed in the second grooves of the isolation structure to cover the exposed front and rear surfaces of the gate forming areas. The second grooves are wider at the lower portions that at the upper portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Joo Baek