Dynamic Random Access Memory Structures (dram) (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.646)

  • Patent number: 8624350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device, wherein a storage node contact hole is made large to solve any problem caused during etching a storage node contact hole with a small CD, a landing plug is formed to lower plug resistance. A semiconductor device according to the invention comprises: first and second active regions formed in a substrate, the first and second active being adjacent to each other, each of the first and second active regions including a bit-line contact region and a storage node contact region and a device isolation structure; a word line provided within a trench formed in the substrate; first and second storage node contact plugs assigned to the first and second active regions, respectively, the first and second storage node contact plugs being separated from each other by a bit line groove; and a bit line formed within the bit-line groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hyung Kim, Young Man Cho
  • Patent number: 8618615
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fabrication method of a semiconductor device to order to increase an operation liability of the semiconductor device. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a recess in a semiconductor substrate, forming a word line in a lower part of the recess, oxidizing a top portion of the word line, and depositing an insulating material in a remained part of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Se hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8617949
    Abstract: A system-on-chip device comprises a first capacitor in a first region, a second capacitor in a second region, and may further comprise a third capacitor in a third region, and any additional number of capacitors in additional regions. The capacitors may be of different shapes and sizes. A region may comprise more than one capacitor. Each capacitor in a region has a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a capacitor insulator. The top electrodes of all the capacitors are formed in a common process, while the bottom electrodes of all the capacitors are formed in a common process. The capacitor insulator may have different number of sub-layers, formed with different materials or thickness. The capacitors may be formed in an inter-layer dielectric layer or in an inter-metal dielectric layer. The regions may be a mixed signal region, an analog region, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Chuan Chiang, Chen-Jong Wang
  • Publication number: 20130328116
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is formed integrally with a wraparound semiconductor portion that contacts sidewalls of a conductive cap structure located at an upper portion of a deep trench and contacting an inner electrode of a deep trench capacitor. The semiconductor nanowire is suspended from above a buried insulator layer. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the surfaces of the patterned semiconductor material structure including the semiconductor nanowire and the wraparound semiconductor portion. A wraparound gate electrode portion is formed around a center portion of the semiconductor nanowire and gate spacers are formed. Physically exposed portions of the patterned semiconductor material structure are removed, and selective epitaxy and metallization are performed to connect a source-side end of the semiconductor nanowire to the conductive cap structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8604532
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory cell is disclosed that comprises a capacitive storage device and a write access transistor. The write access transistor is operatively coupled to the capacitive storage device and has a gate stack that comprises a high-K dielectric, wherein the high-K dielectric has a dielectric constant greater than a dielectric constant of silicon dioxide. Also disclosed are a memory array using the cells, a computing apparatus using the memory array, a method of storing data, and a method of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Win K. Luk, Jin Cai
  • Publication number: 20130320423
    Abstract: A conductive strap structure in lateral contact with a top semiconductor layer is formed on an inner electrode of a deep trench capacitor. A cavity overlying the conductive strap structure is filled a dielectric material to form a dielectric capacitor cap having a top surface that is coplanar with a topmost surface of an upper pad layer. A semiconductor mandrel in lateral contact with the dielectric capacitor cap is formed. The combination of the dielectric capacitor cap and the semiconductor mandrel is employed as a protruding structure around which a fin-defining spacer is formed. The semiconductor mandrel is removed, and the fin-defining spacer is employed as an etch mask in an etch process that etches a lower pad layer and the top semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor fin that laterally wraps around the conductive strap structure. An access finFET is formed employing two parallel portions of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Felix Beaudoin, Stephen M. Lucarini, Xinhui Wang, Xinlin Wang
  • Publication number: 20130320422
    Abstract: A conductive strap structure in lateral contact with a top semiconductor layer is formed on an inner electrode of a deep trench capacitor. A cavity overlying the conductive strap structure is filled with a dielectric material to form a dielectric capacitor cap having a top surface that is coplanar with a topmost surface of an upper pad layer. A portion of the upper pad layer is removed to define a line cavity. A fin-defining spacer comprising a material different from the material of the dielectric capacitor cap and the upper pad layer is formed around the line cavity by deposition of a conformal layer and an anisotropic etch. The upper pad layer is removed, and the fin-defining spacer is employed as an etch mask to form a semiconductor fin that laterally contacts the conductive strap structure. An access finFET is formed employing two parallel portions of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Babar A. Khan, Paul C. Parries, Xinhui Wang
  • Patent number: 8598643
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first inter-electrode insulating film, and a third conductive layer stacked above the first conductive layer, a memory film, a semiconductor layer, an insulating member, and a silicide layer. The memory film and the semiconductor layer is formed on the inner surface of through hole provided in the second conductive layer, the first inter-electrode insulating film, and the third conductive layer. The insulating member is buried in a slit dividing the second conductive layer, the first inter-electrode insulating film, and the third conductive layer. The silicide layer is formed on surfaces of the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer in the slit. The distance between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer along the inner surface of the slit is longer than that of along the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kaori Kawasaki, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Masaru Kito, Tomoko Fujiwara, Takeshi Imamura, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8574926
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method of a magnetic memory includes forming a magnetoresistive element in a cell array section on a semiconductor substrate, forming a dummy element in a peripheral circuit section on the semiconductor substrate, the dummy element having the same stacked structure as the magnetoresistive element and being arranged at the same level as the magnetoresistive element, collectively flattening the magnetoresistive element and the dummy element, applying a laser beam to the dummy element to form the dummy element into a non-magnetic body, and forming an upper electrode on the flattened magnetoresistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenji Noma, Hiroshi Watanabe, Shinya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8574985
    Abstract: Methods for depositing high-K dielectrics are described, including depositing a first electrode on a substrate, wherein the first electrode is chosen from the group consisting of platinum and ruthenium, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the exposed metal to reduce the contact angle of a surface of the metal, and depositing a titanium oxide layer on the exposed metal using at least one of a chemical vapor deposition process and an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the titanium oxide layer comprises at least a portion rutile titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Sunil Shanker, Sandra Malhotra, Imran Hashim, Edward Haywood
  • Patent number: 8575669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly integrated semiconductor device in which a capacitor is formed between adjacent gate patterns by using a nanotube process. A semiconductor memory device according to an example embodiment of the present invention includes a capacitor formed on a first side of a source/drain region positioned between gate patterns of adjacent cell transistors; a plate layer connected to an upper portion of the capacitor, the plate layer being formed in a direction intersecting the gate pattern; and a bit line connected to a second side of the source/drain region of the cell transistor, the bit line being formed in the direction intersecting the gate pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc
    Inventor: Chi Hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 8569798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transistor and a method for forming the same. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor layer formed thereon, the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor substrate having different crystal orientations; forming a dummy gate structure on the semiconductor layer; forming a source region and a drain region in the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer and at opposite sides of the dummy gate structure; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer, which is substantially flush with the dummy gate structure; removing the dummy gate structure and the semiconductor layer beneath the dummy gate structure, forming an opening in the interlayer dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer, the semiconductor substrate being exposed at a bottom of the opening; forming a metal gate structure in the opening. Saturation current of the transistor is raised, and performance of a semiconductor device is promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Fumitake Mieno
  • Patent number: 8564038
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a second conductive layer is provided on a second insulating film and connected to a first conductive layer via an opening portion in the second insulating film. A first contact is connected to the second conductive layer. A third conductive layer is provided on the second insulating film and connected to the first conductive layer via an opening portion in the second insulating film. A second contact is connected to the third conductive layer. A fourth conductive layer is provided on the second insulating film and connected to the first conductive layer via an opening portion in the second insulating film. A third contact is connected to the fourth conductive layer. The floating gate layer and the first conductive layer are made of the same material, and the control gate layer, the second, third and fourth conductive layers are made of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masato Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8558348
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes forming a first interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first electrode in the first interlayer insulating layer, the first electrode having a top surface of a rectangular shape extending in a first direction, and forming a variable resistance pattern on the first electrode, the variable resistance pattern having a bottom surface of a rectangular shape extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern contacting the first electrode, wherein the area of contact between the lower electrode and the variable resistance pattern is substantially equal to a multiplication of a minor axis length of a top surface of the first electrode and a minor axis length of a bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyuhwan Oh, Dong-Hyun Im, Soonoh Park, Dongho Ahn, Young-Lim Park, Eun-Hee Cho
  • Publication number: 20130264713
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming conductive structures. An electrically conductive material may be deposited with a first deposition method. The first deposition method has a first deposition rate and forms a first portion of a conductive structure. A second portion of the conductive structure may be formed by depositing the electrically conductive material with a second deposition method having a second deposition rate. The second deposition rate may be different from the first deposition rate by at least about a factor of 3. In some embodiments, a region of the conductive structure is utilized as a transistor gate of a DRAM cell. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jaydeb Goswami, Hung Ming Tsai, Duane M. Goodner
  • Patent number: 8541284
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of strings spaced a first distance from each other, each string including first preliminary gate structures spaced a second distance, smaller than the first distance, between second preliminary gate structures, forming a first insulation layer to cover the first and second preliminary gate structures, forming an insulation layer structure to fill a space between the strings, forming a sacrificial layer pattern to partially fill spaces between first and second preliminary gate structures, removing a portion of the first insulation layer not covered by the sacrificial layer pattern to form a first insulation layer pattern, reacting portions of the first and second preliminary gate structures not covered by the first insulation layer pattern with a conductive layer to form gate structures, and forming a capping layer on the gate structures to form air gaps between the gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hwang Sim
  • Patent number: 8541828
    Abstract: Methods for depositing high-K dielectrics are described, including depositing a first electrode on a substrate, wherein the first electrode is chosen from the group consisting of platinum and ruthenium, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the exposed metal to reduce the contact angle of a surface of the metal, and depositing a titanium oxide layer on the exposed metal using at least one of a chemical vapor deposition process and an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the titanium oxide layer includes at least a portion of rutile titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Hashim, Edward L. Haywood, Sandra G. Malhotra, Xiangxin Rui, Sunil Shanker
  • Patent number: 8537610
    Abstract: Techniques for providing a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus including a first region and a second region. The apparatus may also include a body region disposed between the first region and the second region and capacitively coupled to a plurality of word lines, wherein each of the plurality of word lines is capacitively coupled to different portions of the body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Serguei Okhonin, Viktor I Koldiaev, Mikhail Nagoga, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 8536635
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a plurality of deep trenches and a plurality of pillar structures between the deep trenches, wherein each of the plurality of pillar structures comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. A doping region is formed in the lower portion. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed on a sidewall of the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-An Yu, Yuan-Sung Chang, Feng-Ling Chen, Chun-Hung Chien
  • Patent number: 8530312
    Abstract: Vertical devices and methods of forming the same are provided. One example method of forming a vertical device can include forming a trench in a semiconductor structure, and partially filling the trench with an insulator material. A dielectric material is formed over the insulator material. The dielectric material is modified into a modified dielectric material having an etch rate greater than an etch rate of the insulator material. The modified dielectric material is removed from the trench via a wet etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Filippini, Luca Ferrario, Marcello Mariani
  • Patent number: 8518774
    Abstract: Embodiments of a manufacturing process flow for producing standalone memory devices that can achieve bit cell sizes on the order of 4F2 or 5F2, and that can be applied to common source/drain, separate source/drain, or common source only or common drain only transistor arrays. Active area and word line patterns are formed as perpendicularly-arranged straight lines on a Silicon-on-Insulator substrate. The intersections of the active area and spaces between word lines define contact areas for the connection of vias and metal line layers. Insulative spacers are used to provide an etch mask pattern that allows the selective etching of contact areas as a series of linear trenches, thus facilitating straight line lithography techniques. Embodiments of the manufacturing process remove first layer metal (metal-1) islands and form elongated vias, in a succession of processing steps to build dense memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre Fazan
  • Patent number: 8497544
    Abstract: A memory module includes multiple memory devices mounted to a substrate and one or more discrete heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the memory devices. Each of the memory devices includes charge-storing memory cells subject to operation-induced defects that degrade ability of the memory cells to store data. The discrete heating elements, or single discrete heating element, heats the memory devices to a temperature that anneals the defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Bronner, Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen, Frederick Ware, Kevin S. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 8476693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell array, a first silicon nitride film and a second silicon nitride film. The memory cell array includes NAND cell units. Each of the NAND cell units has memory cell transistors, a source-side select gate transistor and a drain-side select gate transistor. The source-side select gate transistors is disposed in such a manner as to face each other and the drain-side select gate transistors is disposed in such a manner as to face each other. The first silicon nitride film is present in a region between the source-side select gate transistors and is disposed at a position lowest from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second silicon nitride film is formed in a region between the drain-side select gate transistors and is disposed at a position lowest from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takayuki Toba, Tohru Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8471321
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, having a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region, includes an insulating film, having an upper surface, formed on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate to extend from the memory cell region to the peripheral circuit region. A capacitor lower electrode assembly is formed in the memory cell region to upwardly extend to substantially the same height as the upper surface of the insulating film on the major surface of the semiconductor substrate. Additionally, the lower electrode assembly includes first and second lower electrodes that are adjacent through the insulating film. A capacitor upper electrode is formed on the capacitor lower electrode through a dielectric film, to extend onto the upper surface of the insulating film. The capacitor lower electrode includes a capacitor lower electrode part having a top surface and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tanaka, Masahiro Shimizu, Hideaki Arima
  • Patent number: 8466504
    Abstract: A DRAM with dopant stop layer includes a substrate, a trench-type transistor and a capacitor electrically connected to the trench-type transistor. The trench-type transistor includes a gate structure embedded in the substrate. A source doping region and a drain doping region are disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate structure. A boron doping region is disposed under the source doping region. A dopant stop layer is disposed within the boron doping region or below the boron doping region. The dopant stop layer includes a dopant selected from the group consisting of C, Si, Ge, Sn, Cl, F and Br.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Yang, Yao-Hsien Wang, Chen-Kang Wei, Chien-Chi Lee, Ming Yean, Yi-Wei Chuang, Hsiao-Lung Chiang, Hung-Chang Liao, Chung-Yuan Lee, Ming-Chi Chao
  • Patent number: 8455875
    Abstract: A node dielectric and a conductive trench fill region filling a deep trench are recessed to a depth that is substantially coplanar with a top surface of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer. A shallow trench isolation portion is formed on one side of an upper portion of the deep trench, while the other side of the upper portion of the deep trench provides an exposed surface of a semiconductor material of the conductive fill region. A selective epitaxy process is performed to deposit a raised source region and a raised strap region. The raised source region is formed directly on a planar source region within the SOI layer, and the raised strap region is formed directly on the conductive fill region. The raised strap region contacts the raised source region to provide an electrically conductive path between the planar source region and the conductive fill region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, Ali Khakifirooz, Chengwen Pei, Ravi M. Todi, Geng Wang
  • Patent number: 8450783
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a source line, a bit line, a signal line, a word line, memory cells connected in parallel between the source line and the bit line, a first driver circuit electrically connected to the source line and the bit line through switching elements, a second driver circuit electrically connected to the source line through a switching element, a third driver circuit electrically connected to the signal line, and a fourth driver circuit electrically connected to the word line. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode, and a capacitor. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Takanori Matsuzaki, Hiroki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130126954
    Abstract: The present invention is related to microelectronic technologies, and discloses specifically a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array and methods of making the same. The DRAM array uses vertical MOS field effect transistors as array devices for the DRAM, and a buried metal silicide layer as buried bit lines for connecting multiple consecutive vertical MOS field effect transistor array devices. Each of the vertical MOS field-effect-transistor array devices includes a double gate structure with a buried layer of metal, which acts at the same time as buried word lines for the DRAM array. The DRAM array according to the present invention provides increased DRAM integration density, reduced buried bit line resistivity, and improved memory performance of the array devices. The present invention also provides a method of making a DRAM array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: FUDAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dongping Wu, Shi-Li Zhang, Peng-Fei Wang, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8445343
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device include alternatingly and repeatedly stacking sacrificial layers and first insulating layers on a substrate, forming an opening penetrating the sacrificial layers and the first insulating layers, and forming a spacer on a sidewall of the opening, wherein a bottom surface of the opening is free of the spacer. A semiconductor layer is formed in the opening. Related devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Ho Kim, Kihyun Hwang, Sangryol Yang, Yong-Hoon Sang, Ju-Eun Kim
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8445350
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, buried gates are formed in a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region, with the cell region and the peripheral region formed to have a step therebetween. Next, a spacer is formed in a region between the cell region and the peripheral region to block an oxidation path between a gate oxide layer and another insulating layer. Embodiments may reduce damage to active regions and prevent IDD failure because a gate pattern is formed on a guard region provided at a periphery of the cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Hee Han
  • Patent number: 8426925
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of isolations and trench fillers arranged in an alternating manner in a direction, a plurality of mesa structures between the isolations and trench fillers, and a plurality of word lines each overlying a side surface of the respective mesa. In one embodiment of the present invention, the width measured in the direction of the trench filler is smaller than that of the isolation, each mesa structure includes at least one paired source/drain regions and at least one channel base region corresponding to the paired source/drain regions, and each of the word lines is on a side surface of the mesa structure, adjacent the respective isolation, and is arranged adjacent the channel base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ying Cheng Chuang, Ping Cheng Hsu, Sheng Wei Yang, Ming Cheng Chang, Hung Ming Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130092989
    Abstract: An embedded transistor for an electrical device, such as a DRAM memory cell, and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. A trench is formed in a substrate and a gate dielectric and a gate electrode formed in the trench of the substrate. Source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on opposing sides of the trench. In an embodiment, one of the source/drain regions is coupled to a storage node and the other source/drain region is coupled to a bit line. In this embodiment, the gate electrode may be coupled to a word line to form a DRAM memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Ting, Kuo-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 8415728
    Abstract: A memory device includes a mesa structure and a word line. The mesa structure, having two opposite side surfaces, includes at least one pair of source/drain regions and at least one channel base region corresponding to the pair of source/drain regions formed therein. The word line includes two linear sections and at least one interconnecting portion. Each linear section extends on the respective side surface of the mesa structure, adjacent to the channel base region. The at least one interconnecting portion penetrates through the mesa structure, connecting the two linear sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ying Cheng Chuang, Ping Cheng Hsu, Sheng Wei Yang, Ming Cheng Chang, Hung Ming Tsai
  • 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: 8409946
    Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor includes forming trench isolation material within a semiconductor substrate and on opposing sides of a semiconductor material channel region along a length of the channel region. The trench isolation material is formed to comprise opposing insulative projections extending toward one another partially under the channel region along the channel length and with semiconductor material being received over the projections. The trench isolation material is etched to expose opposing sides of the semiconductor material along the channel length. The exposed opposing sides of the semiconductor material are etched along the channel length to form a channel fin projecting upwardly relative to the projections. A gate is formed over a top and opposing sides of the fin along the channel length. Other methods and structures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Grisham, Gordon A. Haller, Sahn D. Tang
  • Patent number: 8399936
    Abstract: A structure and method of forming through substrate vias in forming semiconductor components are described. In one embodiment, the invention describes a method of forming a through substrate via by partially filling an opening with a fill material, and forming a first insulating layer over the first fill material thereby forming a gap over the opening. The method further includes forming a second insulating layer to close the gap thereby forming an enclosed cavity within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albert Birner, Uwe Hoeckele, Thomas Kunstmann, Uwe Seidel
  • Publication number: 20130064012
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor, formed in a substrate, that includes a first gate insulating film, a source and a drain region, a first gate electrode, and a first sidewall, and a second transistor that includes a second gate insulating film, a second gate electrode, a source and a drain region, and a second sidewall. The first transistor includes a portion of a logic circuit. The second transistor includes a transistor included in a memory cell of a DRAM, or includes a portion of a peripheral circuit that performs writing and erasing with respect to the DRAM. The first gate insulating film has a same thickness as that of the second gate insulating film. The first gate electrode has the same thickness as that of the second gate electrode. A layer structure of the first sidewall is a same as a layer structure of the second sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Renesas Electronics Corporation
  • Patent number: 8378497
    Abstract: Methods of forming a contact structure in a semiconductor device include providing a semiconductor substrate including active regions and word lines crossing the active regions. A first interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Direct contact plugs are formed extending through the first interlayer dielectric layer to contact selected ones of the active regions. Bit line structures are formed on the first interlayer dielectric layer and crossing the word lines that are coupled to the selected ones of the active regions by the direct contact plugs. A second interlayer dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate including the bit line structures. Barrier patterns are formed extending in parallel with bit line structures and into the second interlayer dielectric layer. Mask patterns are formed overlying an entirety of top surfaces of the direct contact plugs on the second interlayer dielectric layer and the bit line structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Goo Kim, Hyeong-Sun Hong, Dong-Hyun Kim, Nam-Jung Kang
  • Patent number: 8372748
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer including a contact plug defined therein to electrically couple a semiconductor substrate on which a cell region and a dummy region are defined. A sacrificial layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric layer. An etch stop pattern is formed over the sacrificial layer, the etch stop pattern being vertically aligned to the dummy region. A storage electrode region through the sacrificial layer is defined to expose a first storage electrode contact of the cell region, the second storage electrode contact of the dummy region remaining covered by the sacrificial layer. A conductive layer is deposited within the storage electrode region to form a storage electrode contacting the first storage electrode contact of the cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Jin Park, Jong Won Jang
  • Patent number: 8367497
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes forming a trench isolation structure in a dynamic random memory region (DRAM) of a substrate and patterning an etch mask over the trench structure to expose a portion of the trench structure. A portion of the exposed trench structure is removed to form a gate trench that includes a first corner formed by the substrate and a second corner formed by the trench structure. The etch mask is removed and the first corner of the gate trench is rounded to form a rounded corner. This is followed by the formation of an oxide layer over a sidewall of the gate trench, the first rounded corner, and the semiconductor substrate adjacent the gate trench. The trench is filled with a gate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Agere Systems LLC
    Inventors: Nace M. Rossi, Ranbir Singh, Xiaojun Yuan
  • Patent number: 8368134
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same are provided. The method for fabricating the nonvolatile memory device comprises providing a substrate. A tunnel insulating layer and a first conductive layer are formed in the substrate. A trench is formed through the first conductive layer and the tunnel insulating layer, wherein a portion of the substrate is exposed from the trench. A first insulating layer is formed in the trench. A second insulating layer is formed on sidewalls of the first insulating layer. A third insulating layer is conformably formed in the trench, covering the first insulating layer on a bottom portion of the trench and the second insulating layer on the sidewalls of the trench, wherein thickness of the third insulating layer on the sidewalls is thinner than that on the bottom of the trench. A control gate is formed on the third insulating layer in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Cheng Chang, Chih-Hsiung Hung, Mao-Ying Wang, Wei-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 8357600
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided, the method includes forming a plug conductive layer over an entire surface of a substrate, etching the plug conductive layer to form landing plugs, etching the substrate between the landing plugs to form a trench, forming a gate insulation layer over a surface of the trench and forming a buried gate partially filling the trench over the gate insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jong-Han Shin, Jum-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 8354702
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device, such as a capacitor and DRAM cell. In particular, a bottom electrode has a material selected for lattice matching characteristics. This material may be created from a relatively inexpensive metal oxide which is processed to adopt a conductive, but difficult-to-produce oxide state, with specific crystalline form; to provide one example, specific materials are disclosed that are compatible with the growth of rutile phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use as a dielectric, thereby leading to predictable and reproducible higher dielectric constant and lower effective oxide thickness and, thus, greater part density at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Shanker, Xiangxin Rui, Pragati Kumar, Hanhong Chen, Toshiyuki Hirota
  • Publication number: 20130011989
    Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a DRAM device, a buried-type gate is formed in a substrate. A capping insulating layer pattern is formed on the buried-type gate. A conductive layer pattern filling up a gap between portions of the capping insulating layer pattern, and an insulating interlayer covering the conductive layer pattern and the capping insulating layer pattern are formed. The insulating interlayer, the conductive layer pattern, the capping insulating layer pattern and an upper portion of the substrate are etched to form an opening, and a first pad electrode making contact with a first pad region. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the opening corresponding to a second pad region. A second pad electrode is formed in the opening. A bit line electrically connected with the second pad electrode and a capacitor electrically connected with the first pad electrode are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-Chul Park, Sang-Sup Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130009226
    Abstract: A DRAM device includes a substrate including an active region having an island shape and a buried gate pattern. A mask pattern is over an upper surface portion of the substrate between portions of the buried gate pattern. A capping insulating layer fills a gap between portions of the mask pattern. A first pad contact penetrates the capping insulating layer and the mask pattern, and contacts a first portion of the substrate in the active region. Second pad contacts are under the capping insulating layer, and contact a second portion of the substrate in the active region positioned at both sides of the first pad contact. A spacer is between the first and second pad contacts to insulate the first and second pad contacts. A bit line configured to electrically connect with the first pad contact, and a capacitor configured to electrically connect with the second pad contacts, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Chul Park, Byung-Jin Kang, Sang-Sup Jeong
  • Patent number: 8343830
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including, forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a capacitor on the first insulating film, forming a second insulating film covering the capacitor, forming a metal wiring on the second insulating film, forming a first capacitor protective insulating film covering the metal wiring and the second insulating film, forming an insulating sidewall on a side of the metal wiring, forming a third insulating film on the insulating sidewall, forming a hole by etching the third insulating film under a condition that an etching rate of the insulating sidewall would be lower than that of the third insulating film, and forming a conductive plug inside the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Kikuchi, Kouichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8334556
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region and an isolation region. A gate structure is provided on the semiconductor device. First and second impurity regions are provided in the substrate on both sides of the gate structure. A pad electrode is provided to contact the first impurity region. Because the pad electrode is provided on the first impurity region of the semiconductor device, the contact plug does not directly contact the active region. Accordingly, failures caused by damage to the active region may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Young Lee, Ki-Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20120302020
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor structure including: a SOI substrate having a top silicon layer overlying an insulation layer, the insulation layer overlies a bottom silicon layer; a capacitor disposed at least partially in the insulation layer; a device disposed at least partially on the top silicon layer, the device is coupled to a doped portion of the top silicon layer; a backside strap of first epitaxially-deposited material, at least a first portion of the backside strap underlies the doped portion, the backside strap is coupled to the doped portion of the top silicon layer at a first end of the backside strap and to the capacitor at a second end of the backside strap; and second epitaxially-deposited material that at least partially overlies the doped portion of the top silicon layer, the second epitaxially-deposited material further at least partially overlies the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. DORIS, Kangguo CHENG, Ali KHAKIFIROOZ, Pranita KULKARNI, Ghavam G. SHAHIDI
  • Patent number: 8313996
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems associated with oxide based memory can include a method of forming an oxide based memory cell. Forming an oxide based memory cell can include forming a first conductive element, forming an oxide over the first conductive element, implanting a reactive metal into the oxide, and forming a second conductive element over the oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej Sandhu