Introducing Impurities In Trench Side Or Bottom Walls, E.g., For Forming Channel Stoppers Or Alter Isolation Behavior (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.551)
  • Patent number: 11862509
    Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure and method of fabrication includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure having a polygonal shaped cross-section in a semiconductor substrate of an image sensor includes a two-step etching process. The first step is a dry plasma etch that forms a portion of the trench to a first depth. The second step is a wet etch process that completes the trench etching to the desired depth and cures damage caused by the dry etch process. A CMOS image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode region and a pixel transistor region separated by a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure having a polygonal shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Yeol Mun, Heesoo Kang, Xiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10763329
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode, a channel region, a pair of source/drain regions and a threshold voltage adjusting region. The gate electrode is over the semiconductor substrate. The channel region is between the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode. The channel region includes a pair of first sides opposing to each other in a channel length direction, and a pair of second sides opposing to each other in a channel width direction. The source/drain regions are adjacent to the pair of first sides of the channel region in the channel length direction. The threshold voltage adjusting region covers the pair of second sides of the channel region in the channel width direction, and exposing the pair of first sides of the channel region in the channel length direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Shun Lo, Yu-Chi Chang, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Patent number: 10714594
    Abstract: A method to fabricate a transistor includes implanting dopants into a semiconductor to form a drift layer having majority carriers of a first type; etching a trench into the semiconductor; thermally growing an oxide liner into and on the trench and the drift layer; depositing an oxide onto the oxide liner on the trench to form a shallow trench isolation region; implanting dopants into the semiconductor to form a drain region in contact with the drift layer and having majority carriers of the first type; implanting dopants into the semiconductor to form a body region having majority carriers of a second type; forming a gate oxide over a portion of the drift layer and the body region; forming a gate over the gate oxide; and implanting dopants into the body region to form a source region having majority carriers of the first type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Henry Litzmann Edwards, Andrew D. Strachan
  • Patent number: 10340343
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode, a pair of source/drain regions and a a threshold voltage adjusting region. The gate electrode is over the semiconductor substrate. The channel region is between the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode. The source/drain regions are adjacent to two opposing sides of the channel region in a channel length direction. The threshold voltage adjusting region is adjacent to two opposing sides of the channel region in a channel width direction, wherein the threshold voltage adjusting region and the channel region have the same doping type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Shun Lo, Yu-Chi Chang, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Patent number: 10276713
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor component includes a plurality of layers of compound semiconductor material over a body of semiconductor material and first and second filled trenches extending into the plurality of layers of compound semiconductor material. The first trench has first and second sidewalls and a floor and a first dielectric liner over the first and second sidewalls and the second trench has first and second sidewalls and a floor and second dielectric liner over the first and second sidewalls of the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Li Liu, Balaji Padmanabhan, Ali Salih, Peter Moens
  • Patent number: 10128812
    Abstract: An acoustic resonator comprises a substrate comprising a cavity. The electrical resonator comprises a resonator stack suspended over the cavity. The resonator stack comprises a first electrode; a second electrode; a piezoelectric layer; and a temperature compensating layer comprising borosilicate glass (BSG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Kevin J. Grannen, Carrie A. Rogers, John Choy
  • Patent number: 10074650
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a stack of a first semiconductor substrate, a buried insulating layer and a second semiconductor substrate formed in a first region and a deep trench isolation disposed in a second region. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of transistors on the second semiconductor substrate, a deep trench isolation having a bottom at a surface of the first semiconductor substrate in the second region, the deep trench isolation exposing a sidewall of the second semiconductor substrate and a sidewall of the buried insulating layer, and a dielectric capping layer filling the deep trench isolation and covering the plurality of transistors on the second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herb He Huang, Haiting Li, Xingcheng Jin, Xinxue Wang, Hongbo Zhao, Fucheng Chen, Yanghui Xiang
  • Patent number: 9704715
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method may include: forming a first material layer and a second material layer on a substrate; forming an auxiliary layer on the second material layer; forming, in the auxiliary layer, openings corresponding to gate structures to be formed; forming a third material layer to cover the auxiliary layer; forming, on the third material layer, a mask layer corresponding to at least one of the gate structures; patterning the third material layer to remove its lateral extending portions, with the mask layer present thereon; removing the auxiliary layer; patterning the second material layer with the patterned third material layer a mask, such that the gate structures, for which different gate lengths can be defined, are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 9685437
    Abstract: The high-voltage transistor device has a p-type semiconductor substrate that is furnished with a p-type epitaxial layer. A well and a body region are located in the epitaxial layer. A source region is arranged in the body region, and a drain region is arranged in the well. A channel region is located in the body region between the well and the source region. A gate electrode is arranged above the channel region. In the part of the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer underneath the source region and the channel region, a deep body region is present, which has a higher dopant concentration in comparison to the remainder of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Martin Knaipp
  • Patent number: 9673244
    Abstract: Image sensors comprising an isolation region according to embodiments are disclosed, as well as methods of forming the image sensors with isolation region. An embodiment is a structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a photo element in the semiconductor substrate, and an isolation region in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation region is proximate the photo element and comprises a dielectric material and an epitaxial region. The epitaxial region is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko JangJian, Min Hao Hong, Kei-Wei Chen, Szu-An Wu
  • Patent number: 9620551
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor device structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The method for manufacturing a backside illuminated image sensor device structure includes providing a substrate and forming a polysilicon layer over the substrate. The method further includes forming a buffer layer over the polysilicon layer and forming an etch stop layer over the buffer layer. The method further includes forming a hard mask layer over the etch stop layer and patterning the hard mask layer to form an opening in the hard mask layer. The method further includes performing an implant process through the opening of the hard mask layer to form a doped region in the substrate and removing the hard mask layer by a first removing process. The method further includes removing the etch stop layer by a second removing process and removing the buffer layer by a third removing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chuan Tseng, Chia-Wei Liu, Li-Hsin Chu, Yu-Hsiang Tsai
  • Patent number: 9608026
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing an integrated circuit device including a through via structure are provided. The methods may include forming an isolation trench through a substrate to form an inner substrate, which is enclosed by the isolation trench and forming an insulating layer in the isolation trench and on a surface of the substrate. The methods may also include forming a hole, which is spaced apart from the isolation trench and passes through a portion of the insulating layer formed on the surface of the substrate and the inner substrate and forming a conductive layer in the hole and on the insulating layer formed on the surface of the substrate. The methods may be used to manufacture image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Jun Park, Seung-Hun Shin
  • Patent number: 9583595
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are Lateral Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor (LDMOS) device and trench isolation related devices, methods, and techniques. In one illustration, a doped region is formed within a semiconductor substrate. A trench isolation region is formed within the doped region. The doped region and the trench isolation region are part of a Lateral Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor (LDMOS) device. The trench isolation region or an interface between the trench isolation region and the doped region is configured to reduce low frequency noise in the LDMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Giovanni Calabrese, Domagoj Siprak, Wolfgang Molzer, Uwe Hodel
  • Patent number: 9536946
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active region, a gate structure intersecting the active region and extending in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region disposed in the active region at both sides of the gate structure, respectively, and a first modified contact and a second modified contact in contact with the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region, respectively. The distance between the gate structure and the first modified contact is smaller than the distance between the gate structure and the second modified contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Ho Park, Taejoong Song, Sanghoon Baek, Jintae Kim, Giyoung Yang, Hyosig Won
  • Patent number: 9368387
    Abstract: A method of forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in a substrate includes forming a pad oxide layer over the substrate. The method includes forming a nitride-containing layer over the pad oxide layer, wherein the nitride-containing layer has a first thickness. The method further includes forming the STI structure extending through the nitride-containing layer, into the substrate. The STI structure has a height above a top surface of the pad oxide layer. The method includes establishing a correlation between the first thickness, the height of the STI structure above the top surface of the pad oxide layer, and an offset between the first thickness and the height of the STI structure above the top surface of the pad oxide layer. The method includes calculating the height of the STI structure above the pad oxide layer based on the correlation, and selectively removing a determined thickness of the STI structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yung Yu, Hui Mei Jao, Jin-Lin Liang, Chien-Hua Li, Cheng-Long Tao, Shian Wei Mao, Chien-Chang Fang
  • Patent number: 9006080
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a plurality of isolation trench structures configured for disparate applications and a method of forming the integrated circuit are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a substrate having a first region and a second region is received. A first isolation trench is formed in the first region, and a second isolation trench is formed in the second region. A first liner layer is formed in the first isolation trench, and a second liner layer is formed in the second isolation trench. The second liner layer has a physical characteristic that is different from a corresponding physical characteristic of the first liner layer. An implantation procedure is performed on the second isolation trench and the second liner layer formed therein. The physical characteristic of the second liner layer may be selected to enhance an implantation depth or an implantation uniformity compared to the first liner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Min-Feng Kao, Feng-Chi Hung, Shih Pei Chou, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9006063
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench MOSFET includes doping a body region of the trench MOSFET in multiple ion implantation steps each having different ion implantation energy. The method further comprises etching the trench to a depth of about 1.7 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Yean Ching Yong, Stefania Fortuna
  • Patent number: 8921855
    Abstract: It is disclosed that, as an embodiment, a test circuit includes a test signal supply unit configured to supply a test signal via a signal line to signal receiving units provided in a plurality of columns, wherein the test signal supply unit is a voltage buffer or a current buffer, and the test circuit has a plurality of test signal supply units and a plurality of signal lines, and wherein at least one test signal supply unit is electrically connected to one signal line different from a signal line to which another test signal supply unit is electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Okita, Masaaki Iwane, Yu Arishima, Masaaki Minowa
  • Patent number: 8846487
    Abstract: A device and method of reducing residual STI corner defects in a hybrid orientation transistor comprising, forming a direct silicon bonded substrate wherein a second silicon layer with a second crystal orientation is bonded to a handle substrate with a first crystal orientation, forming a pad oxide layer on the second silicon layer, forming a nitride layer on the pad oxide layer, forming an isolation trench within the direct silicon bonded substrate through the second silicon layer and into the handle substrate, patterning a PMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate utilizing photoresist including a portion of the isolation trench, implanting and amorphizing an NMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate, removing the photoresist, performing solid phase epitaxy, performing a recrystallization anneal, forming an STI liner, completing front end processing, and performing back end processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Periannan R. Chidambaram, Rick L. Wise
  • Patent number: 8846486
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes defining a first type region and a second type region in a substrate, t separated by one or more inter-well STI structures; etching and filling, in at least one of the first type region and the second type region, one or more intra-well STI structures for isolating semiconductor devices formed within a same polarity well, wherein the one or more inter-well STI structures are formed at a substantially same depth with respect to the one or more intra-well STI structures; implanting, a main well region, wherein a bottom of the main well region is disposed above a bottom of the one or more inter-well and intra-well STI features; and implanting, one or more deep well regions that couple main well regions, wherein the one or more deep well regions are spaced away from the one or more inter-well STI structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Freescale Semiconductors Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Koburger, III, Peter Zeitzoff, Mariko Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8785290
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising, forming an opening in an insulating layer, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, using a photoresist pattern formed on the insulating layer as a mask, forming a first element isolation portion in the semiconductor substrate by implanting an ion into the semiconductor substrate using the photoresist pattern as a mask, forming a second element isolation portion, in the semiconductor substrate, whose outer edge is outside an outer edge of the opening, by implanting an ion into the semiconductor substrate through the opening, and forming a third element isolation portion, which is inside the outer edge of the second element isolation portion, by embedding an insulating member in the opening and removing the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Naruse
  • Patent number: 8728909
    Abstract: A semiconductor cell includes first trenches defining fin type active regions within the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other, second trenches disposed at one side and the other side of the first trenches, adjacent to the first trench and including fin type active regions, a first oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the first trenches, and a second oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the second trenches and having a thicker thickness than the first oxide layer. Although the critical dimension of the fin is increased, the gate drivability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Do Kim
  • Patent number: 8680610
    Abstract: A trench MOSFET comprising source regions having a doping profile of a Gaussian-distribution along the top surface of epitaxial layer and floating dummy cells formed between edge trench and active area is disclosed. A SBR of n region existing at cell corners renders the parasitic bipolar transistor difficult to turn on, and the floating dummy cells having no parasitic bipolar transistor act as buffer cells to absorb avalanche energy when gate bias is increasing for turning on channel, therefore, the UIS failure issue is avoided and the avalanche capability of the trench MOSFET is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Force MOS Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8580651
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing trench type semiconductor devices involve refilling the trenches after high temperature processing steps are performed. The methods allow thermally unstable materials to be used as refill materials for the trenches of the device. Trench type semiconductor devices containing thermally unstable refill materials are also provided. In particular, methods of manufacturing and devices of a trench type semiconductor devices containing organic refill materials are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Icemos Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8546234
    Abstract: A semiconductor process is provided. A mask layer is formed on a substrate and has a first opening exposing a portion of the substrate. Using the mask layer as a mask, a dry etching process is performed on the substrate to form a second opening therein. The second opening has a bottom portion and a side wall extending upwards and outwards from the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is exposed by the first opening and the side wall is covered by the mask layer. Using the mask layer as a mask, a vertical ion implantation process is performed on the bottom portion. A conversion process is performed, so as to form converting layers on the side wall and the bottom portion of the second opening, wherein a thickness of the converting layer on the side wall is larger than a thickness of the converting layer on the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Chieh Wang, Yi-Nan Chen, Hsien-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 8513087
    Abstract: Processes for forming isolation structures for semiconductor devices include forming a submerged floor isolation region and a filed trench which together enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. One process aligns the trench to the floor isolation region. In another process a second, narrower trench is formed in the isolated pocket and filled with a dielectric material while the dielectric material is deposited so as to line the walls and floor of the first trench. The substrate does not contain an epitaxial layer, thereby overcoming the many problems associated with fabricating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 8501583
    Abstract: A resin containing a conductive particle and a gas bubble generating agent is supplied in a space between the substrates each having a plurality of electrodes. The resin is then heated to melt the conductive particle contained in the resin and generate gas bubbles from the gas bubble generating agent. A step portion is formed on at least one of the substrates. In the process of heating the resin, the resin is pushed aside by the growing gas bubbles, and as a result of that, the conductive particle contained in the resin is led to a space between the electrodes, and a connector is formed in the space. At the same time, the resin is led to a space between parts of the substrates at which the step portion is formed, and cured to fix the distance between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kitae, Seiji Karashima, Susumu Sawada, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8486802
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a substrate having first and second active regions, the first and second active regions being disposed on opposite sides of an isolation structure, and a bit line electrically coupled to a contact plug that is on the isolation structure between the first active region and the second active region, and electrically coupled to an active bridge pattern directly contacting at least one of the first and second active regions, wherein the contact plug is electrically coupled to the first active region and the second active region, and a bottom surface of the active bridge pattern is below a top surface of the first and second active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hoon Jang, Young-bae Yoon, Hee-soo Kang, Young-seop Rah, Jeong-dong Choe
  • Patent number: 8481404
    Abstract: In a static memory cell, the failure rate upon forming contact elements connecting an active region with a gate electrode structure formed above an isolation region may be significantly reduced by incorporating an implantation species at a tip portion of the active region through a sidewall of the isolation trench prior to filling the same with an insulating material. The implantation species may represent a P-type dopant species and/or an inert species for significantly modifying the material characteristics at the tip portion of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Kammler, Maciej Wiatr, Roman Boschke, Peter Javorka
  • Patent number: 8440495
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. A semiconductor substrate having a first-type conductivity is provided. A plurality of sensor elements is formed in the semiconductor substrate. An isolation feature is formed between the plurality of sensor elements. An ion implantation process is performed to form a doped region having the first-type conductivity substantially underlying the isolation feature using at least two different implant energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Cheng Liu, Chin-Hong Cheng, Chien-Hsien Tseng, Alex Hsu, Feng-Jia Shiu, Shou-Gwo Wuu
  • Patent number: 8440536
    Abstract: A method for forming a vertical channel transistor in a semiconductor memory device includes: forming a plurality of pillars over a substrate so that the plurality of pillars are arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and so that each of the pillars has a hard mask pattern thereon; forming an insulation layer to fill a regions between the pillars; forming a mask pattern over a resultant structure including the insulation layer, wherein the mask pattern has openings exposing gaps between each two adjacent pillars in the first direction; etching the insulation layer to a predetermined depth using the mask pattern as an etching barrier to form trenches; and filling the trenches with a conductive material to form word lines extending in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Ki Jung
  • Patent number: 8440540
    Abstract: A method includes forming a protective layer with an opening over a substrate, thereafter implanting a dopant into a substrate region through the opening, the protective layer protecting a different substrate region, and reducing thickness of the protective layer. A different aspect includes etching a substrate to form a recess therein, thereafter implanting a dopant into a substrate region within the recess and through an opening in a protective layer provided over the substrate, and reducing thickness of the protective layer. Another aspect includes forming a protective layer over a substrate, forming photoresist having an opening over the protective layer, etching the protective layer through the opening to expose the substrate, etching the substrate to form a recess in the substrate, implanting a dopant into a substrate portion, the protective layer protecting a different substrate portion thereunder, and etching the protective layer to reduce its thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Chi Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Yuan-Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 8431465
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a fabricating method thereof. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a trench that defines an active region, an isolation layer that buries the trench, a pro-oxidant region formed at an upper corner portion of the trench to enhance oxidation at the upper corner portion of the trench when a gate insulation layer is grown on the active region, and a gate conductive layer formed on the gate insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Mitsuru Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20120329231
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming isolation structures. A semiconductor base may be provided to have a crystalline semiconductor material projection between a pair of openings. SOD material (such as, for example, polysilazane) may be flowed within said openings to fill the openings. After the openings are filled with the SOD material, one or more dopant species may be implanted into the projection to amorphize the crystalline semiconductor material within an upper portion of said projection. The SOD material may then be annealed at a temperature of at least about 400° C. to form isolation structures. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions that include a semiconductor material base having a projection between a pair of openings. The projection may have an upper region over a lower region, with the upper region being at least 75% amorphous, and with the lower region being entirely crystalline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Jim Fulford, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Gordon A. Haller, Lequn Liu
  • Publication number: 20120289024
    Abstract: A semiconductor cell includes first trenches defining fin type active regions within the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other, second trenches disposed at one side and the other side of the first trenches, adjacent to the first trench and including fin type active regions, a first oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the first trenches, and a second oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the second trenches and having a thicker thickness than the first oxide layer. Although the critical dimension of the fin is increased, the gate drivability can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Do KIM
  • Patent number: 8294232
    Abstract: An optical detector includes a detector surface operable to receive light, a depleted field region coupled to the underside of the detector surface, a charge collection node underlying the depleted field region, an active pixel area that includes the portion of the depleted field region above the charge collection node and below the detector surface, and two or more guard regions coupled to the underside of the detector surface and outside of the active pixel area. The depleted field region includes an intrinsic or a near-intrinsic material. The charge collection node has a first width, and the guard regions are separated by a second width that is greater than the first width of the charge collection node. The guard regions are operable to prevent crosstalk to an adjacent optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John L. Vampola, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Robert E. Mills, Kenton T. Veeder
  • Patent number: 8258028
    Abstract: Deep trench isolation structures and methods of formation thereof are disclosed. Several methods of and structures for increasing the threshold voltage of a parasitic transistor formed proximate deep trench isolation structures are described, including implanting a channel stop region into the bottom surface of the deep trench isolation structures, partially filling a bottom portion of the deep trench isolation structures with an insulating material, and/or filling at least a portion of the deep trench isolation structures with a doped polysilicon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Armin Tilke, Danny Pak-Chum Shum, Laura Pescini, Ronald Kakoschke, Karl Robert Strenz, Martin Stiftinger
  • Patent number: 8242573
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate including a digital circuit region and an analog circuit region, a device isolation layer on the boundary between the digital circuit region and the analog circuit region, a conductive region adjacent to the side surface and the bottom surface of the isolation layer, and a ground pad which is electrically connected to the conductive region and to which a ground voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Su Kim, Jin-Sung Lim
  • Patent number: 8236646
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming two trenches in the semiconductor substrate to define an active region therebetween. An implanted source region is formed in one of the trenches on one side of the active region. An implanted drain region is formed in the other trench on the other side of the active region. Shallow trench isolations are then formed in the trenches. One or more gates are formed over the active region, and contacts to the implanted source region and the implanted drain region are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tze Ho Simon Chan, Weining Li, Elgin Quek, Jia Zhen Zheng, Pradeep Ramachandramurthy Yelehanka, Tommy Lai
  • Publication number: 20120178237
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes defining a first type region and a second type region in a substrate, t separated by one or more inter-well STI structures; etching and filling, in at least one of the first type region and the second type region, one or more intra-well STI structures for isolating semiconductor devices formed within a same polarity well, wherein the one or more inter-well STI structures are formed at a substantially same depth with respect to the one or more intra-well STI structures; implanting, a main well region, wherein a bottom of the main well region is disposed above a bottom of the one or more inter-well and intra-well STI features; and implanting, one or more deep well regions that couple main well regions, wherein the one or more deep well regions are spaced away from the one or more inter-well STI structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Charles W. Koburger, III, Peter Zeitzoff, Mariko Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8216913
    Abstract: Adding nitrogen to the Si—SiO2 interface at STI sidewalls increases carrier mobility in MOS transistors, but control of the amount of nitrogen has been problematic due to loss of the nitrogen during liner oxide growth. This invention discloses a method of forming STI regions which have a controllable layer of nitrogen atoms at the STI sidewall interface. Nitridation is performed on the STI sidewalls by exposure to a nitrogen-containing plasma, by exposure to NH3 gas at high temperatures, or by deposition of a nitrogen-containing thin film. Nitrogen is maintained at a level of 1.0·1015 to 3.0·1015 atoms/cm2, preferably 2.0·1015 to 2.4·1015 atoms/cm2, at the interface after growth of a liner oxide by adding nitrogen-containing gases to an oxidation ambient. The density of nitrogen is adjusted to maximize stress in a transistor adjacent to the STI regions. An IC fabricated according to the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Elisabeth Marley
  • Patent number: 8216896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing integrated circuits and in particular to the step of forming shallow trench isolation (STI) zones. The method according to the present invention leads to electronic devices and to integrated circuits having reduced narrow width effect and edge leakage. This is achieved by performing an extra implantation step near the edge of the STI zone, after formation of the STI zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Jerome Dubois, Johan D. Boter
  • Publication number: 20120156856
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward charge trapping region process margin engineering for charge trapping field effect transistor. The techniques include forming a plurality of shallow trench isolation regions on a substrate, wherein the tops of the shallow trench isolation regions extend above the substrate by a given amount. A portion of the substrate is oxidized to form a tunneling dielectric region. A first set of one or more nitride layers are deposited on the tunneling dielectric region and shallow trench isolation regions, wherein a thickness of the first set of nitride layers is approximately half of the given amount that the tops of the shallow trench isolation regions extend above the substrate. A portion of the first set of nitride layers is etched back to the tops of the trench isolation regions. A second set of one or more nitride layers is deposited on the etched back first set of nitride layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Tung-Sheng CHEN, Shenqing FANG
  • Patent number: 8173517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming microelectronic structures in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively removing dielectric material to expose a portion of an oxide overlying a semiconductor substrate. Insulating material may be formed substantially conformably over the oxide and remaining portions of the dielectric material. Spacers may be formed from the insulating material. An isolation trench etch follows the spacer etch. An optional thermal oxidation of the surfaces in the isolation trench may be performed, which may optionally be followed by doping of the bottom of the isolation trench to further isolate neighboring active regions on either side of the isolation trench. A conformal material may be formed substantially conformably over the spacer, over the remaining portions of the dielectric material, and substantially filling the isolation trench. Planarization of the conformal material may follow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, David L. Chapek, Randhir P. S. Thakur
  • Publication number: 20120104504
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a fabricating method thereof. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a trench that defines an active region, an isolation layer that buries the trench, a pro-oxidant region formed at an upper corner portion of the trench to enhance oxidation at the upper corner portion of the trench when a gate insulation layer is grown on the active region, and a gate conductive layer formed on the gate insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Mitsuru Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8133805
    Abstract: Methods for forming a dense dielectric layer over the surface of an opening in a porous inter-layer dielectric having an ultra-low dielectric constant are disclosed. The disclosure provides methods for exposing the sidewall surface and the bottom surface of the opening to a plurality of substantially parallel ultra-violet (UV) radiation rays to form a dense dielectric layer having a substantially uniform thickness over both the sidewall surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christos D. Dimitrakopoulos, Mark S. Chace
  • Patent number: 8129778
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices that are especially suited for high-frequency applications are described. The semiconductor devices combine a SIT (or a junction field-effect transistor [JFET]) architecture with a PN super-junction structure. The SIT architecture can be made using a trench formation containing a gate that is sandwiched between thick dielectric layers. While the gate is vertically sandwiched between the two isolating regions in the trench, it is also connected to a region of one conductivity type of the super-junction structure, thereby allowing control of the current path of the semiconductor device. Such semiconductor devices have a lower specific resistance and capacitance relative to conventional planar gate and recessed gate SIT semiconductor devices. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Suku Kim, James J. Murphy, Gary Dolny
  • Patent number: 8071462
    Abstract: A variety of isolation structures for semiconductor substrates include a trench formed in the substrate that is filled with a dielectric material or filled with a conductive material and lined with a dielectric layer along the walls of the trench. The trench may be used in combination with doped sidewall isolation regions. Both the trench and the sidewall isolation regions may be annular and enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. The isolation structures are formed by modular implant and etch processes that do not include significant thermal processing or diffusion of dopants so that the resulting structures are compact and may be tightly packed in the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc., Advanced Analogic Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Donald Ray Disney, Wai Tien Chan
  • Patent number: 8058685
    Abstract: A trench MOSFET structure having improved avalanche capability is disclosed, wherein the source region is formed by performing source Ion Implantation through contact open region of a contact interlayer, and further diffused to optimize a trade-off between Rds and the avalanche capability. Thus, only three masks are needed in fabrication process, which are trench mask, contact mask and metal mask. Furthermore, said source region has a doping concentration along channel region lower than along contact trench region, and source junction depth along channel region shallower than along contact trench, and source doping profile along surface of epitaxial layer has Guassian-distribution from trenched source-body contact to channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Force Mos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8053272
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprises steps of forming a common contact hole for a first conductivity-type region and a second conductivity-type region, implanting an impurity in at least one of the first conductivity-type region and the second conductivity-type region, and forming a shared contact plug by filling an electrical conducting material in the contact hole, wherein in the implanting step, an impurity is implanted in at least one of the first conductivity-type region and the second conductivity-type region such that the first conductivity-type region and the shared contact plug are brought into ohmic contact with each other, and the second conductivity-type region and the shared contact plug are brought into ohmic contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Ohtani, Takanori Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa