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

  • Patent number: 8058095
    Abstract: Methods and devices associated with phase change cell structures are described herein. In one or more embodiments, a method of forming a phase change cell structure includes forming a substrate protrusion that includes a bottom electrode, forming a phase change material on the substrate protrusion, forming a conductive material on the phase change material, and removing a portion of the conductive material and a portion of the phase change material to form an encapsulated stack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8058126
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices that include one or more container capacitors include anchoring an end of a conductive member to a surrounding lattice material using an anchor material, which may be a dielectric. The anchor material may extend over at least a portion of an end surface of the conductive member, at least a portion of the lattice material, and an interface between the conductive member and the lattice material. In some embodiments, the anchor material may be formed without significantly covering an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a barrier material may be provided over at least a portion of the anchor material and over at least a portion of an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Novel semiconductor devices and structures are fabricated using such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Busch, Kevin R. Shea, Thomas A. Figura
  • Patent number: 8053831
    Abstract: A memory cell of memory device, comprises an active region of a memory cell defined in a semiconductor substrate, and a conductive gate electrode in a trench of the active region. The gate electrode is isolated from the semiconductor substrate. An insulation layer is on the active region and on the conductive gate electrode. A conductive contact is in the insulation layer on the active region at a side of the gate electrode and isolated from the gate electrode. The contact has a first width at a top portion thereof and a second width at a bottom portion thereof, the first width being greater than the second width. The contact is formed of a single-crystal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Man-Jong Yu
  • Patent number: 8053822
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a capacitorless dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. The capacitorless DRAM according to example embodiments may include a semiconductor layer separated from a top surface of a substrate and that contains a source region, a drain region, and a channel region, a charge reserving layer formed on the channel region, and a gate formed on the substrate to contact the channel region and the charge reserving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-pil Kim, Young-gu Jin, Yoon-dong Park
  • Patent number: 8053309
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes first and second regions; first, second, and third insulating layers; a capacitor dielectric layer that includes first and second dielectric layers; a gate insulating layer formed on the first and second regions; a gate formed on the gate insulating layer of the second region; a first capacitor electrode formed on the capacitor dielectric layer; and impurity regions formed in the semiconductor substrate on sides of the gate. The first and second regions include first and second trenches, respectively. The third insulating layer is formed on the second insulating layer, which is formed on the first insulating layer, which is formed on an inner surface of the second trench. The second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, which is formed on an inner surface of the first trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-jung Lee
  • Patent number: 8048735
    Abstract: The present invention provides an MIM capacitor using a high-k dielectric film preventing degradation of breakdown field strength of the MIM capacitor and suppressing the increase of the leakage current. The MIM capacitor comprises a first metal interconnect, a fabricated capacitance film, a fabricated upper electrode, and a third metal interconnect. The MIM capacitor is realized by forming an interlayer dielectric film comprising silicon oxide so as to cover the first metal interconnect, then forming a first opening in the interlayer dielectric film to a region corresponding to a via hole layer in the interlayer dielectric film just above the first metal interconnect so as not to expose the upper surface of the first metal interconnect, then forming a second opening to the inside of the first opening so as to expose the surface of the first metal interconnect and then forming a capacitance film and a third metal interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takeda, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Toshinori Imai
  • Patent number: 8048737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, 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, and the SAC process is eliminated at the time of the bit line formation. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to the invention comprises: forming a device isolation film for defining a multiplicity of active regions in a semiconductor substrate; forming a multiplicity of buried word lines in the semiconductor substrate; forming a storage node contact hole for exposing a storage node contact region of two adjoining active regions; filling the storage node contact hole with a storage node contact plug material; forming a bit-line groove for exposing a bit-line contact region of the active region and splitting the storage node contact plug material into two; and burying the bit line into the bit-line groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Do Hyung Kim, Young Man Cho
  • Publication number: 20110260230
    Abstract: A memory cell with surrounding word line structures includes an active area; a plurality of first trenches formed on the active area in a first direction, each first trench has a bit line on a sidewall therein; a plurality of second trenches formed on the active area in a second direction, each second trench has two word lines formed correspondingly on the sidewalls in the second trench; and a plurality of transistors formed on the active area. The word line pairs are arranged into a surrounding word line structure. The transistor is controlled by the bit line and the two word lines, thus improving the speed of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: INOTERA MEMORIES, INC.
    Inventors: TZUNG HAN LEE, CHUNG-LIN HUANG, HSIEN-WEN LIU
  • Publication number: 20110260231
    Abstract: The present application discloses a memory device and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qingqing Liang, Huicai Zhong
  • Patent number: 8043912
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a semiconductor substrate comprising element isolation regions and an element region surrounded by the element isolation regions, a first polysilicon layer formed in the element region of the semiconductor substrate, an element-isolating insulation film formed in the element isolation region of the semiconductor substrate, a second polysilicon layer formed on the element-isolating insulation film, a first silicide layer formed on the first polysilicon layer. And the device further comprising a second silicide layer formed on the second polysilicon layer and being thicker than the first silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20110256678
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a device isolation structure for defining an active region, forming a buried word line traversing the active region, forming one or more insulation film patterns over the buried word line, forming a line pattern including a first conductive material at a position between the insulation film patterns, and forming a plurality of storage node contacts (SNCs) by isolating the line pattern. As a result, when forming a bit line contact and a storage node contact, a fabrication margin is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Do Hyung KIM
  • Patent number: 8034680
    Abstract: Provided are a memory device formed using one or more source materials not containing hydrogen as a constituent element and a method of manufacturing the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kihwan Kim, Youngsoo Park, Junghyun Lee, Changjung Kim, Bosoo Kang
  • Patent number: 8030697
    Abstract: A cell structure of a semiconductor device includes an active region, having a concave portion, and an inactive region that defines the active region. A gate pattern in the active region is arranged perpendicular to the active region. A landing pad on the active region and the inactive region contacts the active region. A bit line pattern on the inactive region intersects the gate pattern perpendicularly, the bit line pattern being electrically connected to the landing pad and having a first protrusion corresponding to the concave portion of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hee Cho, Seung-Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8026521
    Abstract: A device comprising semiconductor memories, the device comprising: a first layer and a second layer of layer-transferred mono-crystallized silicon, wherein the first layer comprises a first plurality of horizontally-oriented transistors; wherein the second layer comprises a second plurality of horizontally-oriented transistors; and wherein the second plurality of horizontally-oriented transistors overlays the first plurality of horizontally-oriented transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: MonolithIC 3D Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Or-Bach, Deepak C. Sekar
  • Publication number: 20110230023
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and the method of manufacturing the same are provided. The DRAM cell includes a cell transistor and a cell capacitor. The cell capacitor includes a first, second and third dielectric layer, and a first, second and third capacitor electrode. The first dielectric layer is located on a first capacitor electrode. The second capacitor electrode is located on top of the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is located on the second capacitor electrode. The third capacitor electrode is located on the second dielectric layer and is electrically connected with the drain. The third dielectric layer is located between the third capacitor electrode and the gate for isolating the gate from the third capacitor electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jai-Hoon SIM
  • Patent number: 8022455
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device capable of reducing parasitic capacitance between bit lines and a semiconductor device fabricated by the method, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having buried contact landing pads and direct contact landing pads. A lower interlayer insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of parallel bit line patterns are disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer to fill the direct contact holes. A passivation layer that conformally covers the lower interlayer insulating layer and the bit line patterns is formed. An upper interlayer insulating layer for covering the semiconductor substrate having the passivation layer is formed. Buried contact plugs are disposed in the upper interlayer insulating layer between the bit line patterns and extended to contact the respective buried contact landing pads through the passivation layer and the lower interlayer insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Wook Hwang
  • Publication number: 20110223730
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor circuit device including a MOS transistor and a capacitor element in which a gate electrode of a MOS transistor is formed of a first polysilicon film, a capacitor is formed of the first polysilicon film, a capacitor film, and a second polysilicon film, reduction in resistance of a normally-off transistor and reduction in resistance of a lower electrode of the capacitor are simultaneously performed, and reduction in resistance of an N-type MOS transistor and reduction in resistance of an upper electrode of the capacitor are simultaneously performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Tsumura
  • Patent number: 8017457
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device of the present invention consists of a step of forming a selection transistor and a separate selection transistor and a step of forming a variable resistance element and a capacitance element, characterized by forming the variable resistance element by sequentially laminating a first electrode that is connected to the selection transistor, a variable resistance layer, and a second electrode; forming the capacitance element by sequentially laminating a third electrode that is connected to the separate selection transistor, a dielectric layer, and a fourth electrode; forming the dielectric layer and the variable resistance layer with a mutually identical material; forming either one of the first electrode or the second electrode with the same material as the third electrode and the fourth electrode; and forming the other one of the first electrode or the second electrode with a different material than the third electrode and the fourth electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kajigaya
  • Publication number: 20110217819
    Abstract: DRAM cell arrays having a cell area of less than about 4F2 comprise an array of vertical transistors with buried bit lines and vertical double gate electrodes. The buried bit lines comprise a silicide material and are provided below a surface of the substrate. The word lines are optionally formed of a silicide material and form the gate electrode of the vertical transistors. The vertical transistor may comprise sequentially formed doped polysilicon layers or doped epitaxial layers. At least one of the buried bit lines is non-orthogonal to at least one of the vertical gate electrodes of the vertical transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Todd R. Abbott
  • Patent number: 8012810
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing low parasitic capacitance bit line for stack DRAM, comprising the following steps: offering a semi-conductor base, which semi-conductor having already included an oxide, plural word line stacks, plural bit line stacks and plural polysilicons; applying a multi layer resist coat; removing the multi layer resist coat and further removing parts of the oxide located on the polysilicon to form contact holes exposing the plural polysilicons; depositing an oxide layer; etching the oxide layer to form the oxide layer spacer; depositing a polysilicon layer; performing lithography and etching on the polysilicon layer thereby allowing the rest of the polysilicon layer that is column-shaped to form capacitor contacts; and using another oxide to fill into the space among the word line stacks and the capacitor contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Lei Wang, Chih-Hung Liao
  • Patent number: 8013415
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a shallow isolation trench (STI) structure on a silicon substrate for isolating element-forming regions from one another. The surface region of the silicon substrate in the element-forming regions, as viewed in the extending direction of the gate electrode lines, once falls and thereafter rises monotonically from the periphery toward the center of the element-forming regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiko Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 8013371
    Abstract: A method for forming silicon nitride films on semiconductor devices is provided. In one embodiment of the method, a silicon-comprising substrate is first exposed to a mixture of dichlorosilane (DCS) and a nitrogen-comprising gas to deposit a thin silicon nitride seeding layer on the surface, and then exposed to a mixture of silicon tetrachloride (TCS) and a nitrogen comprising gas to deposit a TCS silicon nitride layer on the DCS seeding layer. In another embodiment, the method involves first nitridizing the surface of the silicon-comprising substrate prior to forming the DCS nitride seeding layer and the TCS nitride layer. The method achieves a TCS nitride layer having a sufficient thickness to eliminate bubbling and punch-through problems and provide high electrical performance regardless of the substrate type. Also provided are methods of forming a capacitor, and the resulting capacitor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lingyi A Zheng, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Patent number: 8012836
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a semiconductor device comprises a substrate with a plurality of isolation structures formed therein, defining first and second areas over the substrate. A transistor is formed on a portion of the substrate in the first and second areas, respectively, wherein the transistor in the second area is formed with merely a pocket doping region in the substrate adjacent to a drain region thereof. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, covering the transistor formed in the first and second areas. A plurality of first contact plugs is formed through the first dielectric layer, electrically connecting a source region and a drain region of the transistor in the second area, respectively. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer with a capacitor formed therein, wherein the capacitor electrically connects one of the first contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacuturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chyuan Tzeng, Jian-Yu Shen, Kuo-Chi Tu, Kuo-Ching Huang, Chin-Yang Chang
  • Publication number: 20110211399
    Abstract: In a vertical-type semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same and a method of operating the same, the vertical-type semiconductor device includes a single-crystalline semiconductor pattern having a pillar shape provided on a substrate, a gate surrounding sidewalls of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern and having an upper surface lower than an upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, a mask pattern formed on the upper surface of the gate, the mask pattern having an upper surface coplanar with the upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, a first impurity region in the substrate under the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, and a second impurity region under the upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern. The vertical-type pillar transistor formed in the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern may provide excellent electrical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Hoon Son, Jong-Wook Lee, Jong-Hyuk Kang
  • Patent number: 8008698
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device may include a semiconductor substrate with an active region extending in a first direction parallel with respect to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A pillar may extend from the active region in a direction perpendicular with respect to the surface of the semiconductor substrate with the pillar including a channel region on a sidewall thereof. A gate insulating layer may surround a sidewall of the pillar, and a word line may extend in a second direction parallel with respect to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Moreover, the first and second directions may be different, and the word line may surround the sidewall of the pillar so that the gate insulating layer is between the word line and the pillar. A contact plug may be electrically connected to the active region and spaced apart from the word line, and a bit line may be electrically connected to the active region through the contact plug with the plurality of bit lines extending in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deok-hyung Lee, Sun-ghil Lee, Si-young Choi, Byeong-chan Lee, Seung-hun Lee
  • Patent number: 8003480
    Abstract: A process using oxide supporter for manufacturing a capacitor lower electrode of a micron stacked DRAM is disclosed. First, form a stacked structure. Second, form a photoresist layer on an upper oxide layer and then etch them. Third, deposit a polysilicon layer onto the upper oxide layer and the nitride layer. Fourth, deposit a nitrogen oxide layer on the polysilicon layer and the upper oxide layer. Sixth, partially etch the nitrogen oxide layer, the polysilicon layer and the upper oxide layer to form a plurality of vias. Seventh, oxidize the polysilicon layer to form a plurality of silicon dioxides surround the vias. Eighth, etch the nitride layer, the dielectric layer and the lower oxide layer beneath the vias. Ninth, form a metal plate and a capacitor lower electrode in each of the vias. Tenth, etch the nitrogen oxide layer, the polysilicon layer, the nitride layer and the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Shin Bin Huang, Ching-Nan Hsiao, Chung-Lin Huang
  • Publication number: 20110199813
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device having a three-dimensional (3D) structure includes a plurality of line-type horizontal electrode structures configured to include a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of horizontal electrodes that are alternately stacked over a substrate, a plurality of pillar-type vertical electrodes configured to protrude from the substrate while contacting sidewalls of the plurality of the horizontal electrode structures, and a memory layer interposed between the plurality of the horizontal electrode structures and the plurality of the vertical electrodes, and configured to have a resistance value that varies based on a bias applied to the plurality of the horizontal electrodes and the plurality of the vertical electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Hyun-Seung Yoo, Eun-Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 7999295
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for stacked, non-volatile memory devices provides a plurality of bitline layers and wordline layers with charge trapping structures. The bitline layers have a plurality of bitlines formed on an insulating layer, such as silicon on insulator technologies. The wordline layers are patterned with respective pluralities of wordlines and charge trapping structures orthogonal to the bitlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Hang-Ting Lue, Kuang-Yeu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110195552
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor. A gate insulating film of the transistor contains oxygen and nitrogen atoms. The gate insulating film does not contain the nitrogen atoms in a first face thereof being in a contact with the semiconductor layer, and in a second face thereof being in a contact with the gate electrode. A concentration peak of the nitrogen atoms appears between the first and second faces in the gate insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Takayuki KANDA
  • Patent number: 7993985
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device with a single-sided buried strap is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Neng-Tai Shih, Ming-Cheng Chang
  • Publication number: 20110180862
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit for an embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM), a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer in which such an integrated circuit may be formed, and a method of forming an eDRAM in such an SOI wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, John E. Barth, JR., Herbert L. Ho, Edward J. Nowak, Wayne Trickle
  • Publication number: 20110177660
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes an active semiconductor layer, a semiconductor device having a gate disposed on top of the active semiconductor layer, and source and drain regions and a body/channel region disposed within the active semiconductor layer, an insulator layer having a first and second side, the first side being adjacent to the active semiconductor layer, a substrate disposed adjacent to the second side of the insulator layer, a deep trench capacitor disposed under the body/channel region of the semiconductor device. The deep trench capacitor electrically connects with and contacts the body/channel region of the semiconductor device, and is located adjacent to the gate of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor structure increases a critical charge Qcrit, thereby reducing a soft error rate (SER) of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Barth, JR., Kerry Bernstein, Ethan H. Cannon, Francis R. White
  • Publication number: 20110175083
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a non-volatile memory cell including a write transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor and has small leakage current in an off state (off-state current) between a source and a drain, a read transistor including a semiconductor material different from that of the write transistor, and a capacitor. Data is written or to the memory cell by applying a potential to a node where one of a source electrode and drain electrode of the write transistor, one electrode of the capacitor, and a gate electrode of the read transistor are electrically connected to one another so that the predetermined amount of charge is held in the node. The memory window width is changed by 2% or less, before and after 1×109 times of writing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Sekine, Yutaka Shionoiri, Kiyoshi Kato, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7981786
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device having a charge trapping layer includes forming a tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer, a blocking layer and a control gate electrode layer over a substrate, forming a mask layer pattern on the control gate electrode layer, performing an etching process using the mask layer pattern as an etching mask to remove an exposed portion of the control gate electrode layer, wherein the etching process is performed as excessive etching to remove the charge trapping layer by a specified thickness, forming an insulating layer for blocking charges from moving on the control gate electrode layer and the mask layer pattern, performing anisotropic etching on the insulating layer to form an insulating layer pattern on a sidewall of the control gate electrode layer and a partial upper sidewall of the blocking layer, and performing an etching process on the blocking layer exposed by the anisotropic etching, wherein the etching process is performed as excessive etching to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Moon Sig Joo, Seung Ho Pyi, Ki Seon Park, Heung Jae Cho, Yong Top Kim
  • Publication number: 20110170336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DRAM device having 4F2 size cells and a method for fabricating the same. The DRAM device comprises plural word lines arranged parallel to each other in one direction, plural bit lines arranged parallel to each other and in an intersecting manner with the word line, and plural memory cells having a transistor and a capacitor connected electrically to a source terminal of the transistor. A gate terminal of the transistor is filling an associated trench between two adjacent memory cells in a bit line direction and simultaneously covering a sidewall of said two adjacent memory cells via a gate insulating film interposed between the gate terminal and said two adjacent memory cells. An interval between the gate terminals in the bit or the word line direction, is more distant than 1F, and the F means minimal processing size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Jai Hoon Sim
  • Publication number: 20110169061
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a first region, a guard ring surrounding the first region, and a second region outside of the guard ring. The first region includes a first electrode made of a first film which has conductivity. A surface of the first electrode in the first region is not covered with the second film. The guard ring includes the first film covering an inner wall of a groove having a recess shape, and a second film as an insulating film covering at least one portion of a surface of the first film in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsunari Sukekawa, Keisuke Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20110169065
    Abstract: A device is provided that includes memory, logic and capacitor structures on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. In one embodiment, the device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a memory region and a logic region. Trench capacitors are present in the memory region and the logic region, wherein each of the trench capacitors is structurally identical. A first transistor is present in the memory region in electrical communication with a first electrode of at least one trench capacitor that is present in the memory region. A second transistor is present in the logic region that is physically separated from the trench capacitors by insulating material. In some embodiments, the trench capacitors that are present in the logic region include decoupling capacitors and inactive capacitors. A method for forming the aforementioned device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni
  • Patent number: 7977724
    Abstract: A capacitor includes a cylindrical storage electrode formed on a substrate. A ring-shaped stabilizing member encloses an upper portion of the storage electrode to structurally support the storage electrode and an adjacent storage electrode. The ring-shaped stabilizing member is substantially perpendicular to the storage electrode and extends in a direction where the adjacent storage electrode is arranged. A dielectric layer is formed on the storage electrode. A plate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Je-Min Park
  • Patent number: 7977184
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal/insulator/metal (MIM) structure capacitor includes forming a nitride film that is an insulating layer on a bottom electrode metal layer; forming titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) that is a top electrode metal layer on the nitride film; coating photo-resist on the top electrode metal layer and patterning a photo-resist layer; selectively etching the top metal electrode layer so that the nitride film remains using the patterned photo-resist layer as an etching mask and using the nitride film as an end point; and removing the remaining nitride film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: ChoNG-Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 7977172
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory cell is provided. A trench is formed in a semiconductor structure that comprises a semiconductor layer, and a trench capacitor is formed in the trench. Conductivity determining impurities are implanted into the semiconductor structure to create a well region in the semiconductor layer that is directly coupled to the trench capacitor. A gate structure is formed overlying a portion of the well region. Conductivity determining ions are then implanted into other portions of the well region to form a source region and a drain region, and to define an active body region between the source region and the drain region. The active body region directly contacts the trench capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jin Cho, Sang H. Dhong, Jung-Suk Goo, Gurupada Mandal
  • Publication number: 20110165744
    Abstract: A memory array with data/bit lines extending generally in a first direction formed in an upper surface of a substrate and access transistors extending generally upward and aligned generally atop a corresponding data/bit line. The access transistors have a pillar extending generally upward with a source region formed so as to be in electrical communication with the corresponding data/bit line and a drain region formed generally at an upper portion of the pillar and a surround gate structure substantially completely encompassing the pillar in lateral directions and extending substantially the entire vertical extent of the pillar and word lines extending generally in a second direction and in electrical contact with a corresponding surround gate structure at least a first surface thereof such that bias voltage applied to a given word line is communicated substantially uniformly in a laterally symmetric extent about the corresponding pillar via the surround gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7972941
    Abstract: A gate structure is formed on a substrate. An insulating interlayer is formed covering the gate structure. The substrate is heat treated while exposing a surface of the insulating interlayer to a hydrogen gas atmosphere. A silicon nitride layer is formed directly on the interlayer insulating layer after the heat treatment and a metal wiring is formed on the insulating interlayer. The metal wiring may include copper. Heat treating the substrate while exposing a surface of the interlayer insulating layer to a hydrogen gas atmosphere may be preceded by forming a plug through the first insulating interlayer that contacts the substrate, and the metal wiring may be electrically connected to the plug. The plug may include tungsten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Won Hong, Gil-Heyun Choi, Jong-Myeong Lee, Geum-Jung Seong
  • Publication number: 20110156118
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor substrate includes defining an active region by forming a device isolation layer over the substrate, forming a first trench dividing the active region into a first active region and a second active region, forming a buried bit line filling a portion of the first trench, forming a gap-filling layer gap-filling an upper portion of the first trench over the buried bit line, forming second trenches by etching the gap-filling layer and the device isolation layer in a direction crossing the buried bit line, and forming a first buried word line and a second buried word line filling the second trenches, wherein the first buried word line and the second buried word line are shaped around sidewalls of the first active region and the second active region, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Jung-Woo Park
  • Publication number: 20110156116
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a memory device is disclosed. The memory device comprises a substantially linear active area comprising a source and at least two drains defining a first axis. The memory device further comprises at least two substantially parallel word lines, at least a portion of a first word line located between a first drain and the source, and at least a portion of a second word line located between a second drain and the source, which word lines define a second axis. The memory device further comprises a digit line coupled to the source, wherein the digit line forms a substantially zig-zag pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton P. Eppich
  • Patent number: 7968419
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a metal/semiconductor/metal (MSM) back-to-back Schottky diode from a silicon (Si) semiconductor. The method deposits a Si semiconductor layer between a bottom electrode and a top electrode, and forms a MSM diode having a threshold voltage, breakdown voltage, and on/off current ratio. The method is able to modify the threshold voltage, breakdown voltage, and on/off current ratio of the MSM diode in response to controlling the Si semiconductor layer thickness. Generally, both the threshold and breakdown voltage are increased in response to increasing the Si thickness. With respect to the on/off current ratio, there is an optimal thickness. The method is able to form an amorphous Si (a-Si) and polycrystalline Si (polySi) semiconductor layer using either chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or DC sputtering. The Si semiconductor can be doped with a Group V donor material, which decreases the threshold voltage and increases the breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, David R. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110140187
    Abstract: A method of forming a vertical field effect transistor includes etching an opening into semiconductor material. Sidewalls and radially outermost portions of the opening base are lined with masking material. A semiconductive material pillar is epitaxially grown to within the opening adjacent the masking material from the semiconductor material at the opening base. At least some of the masking material is removed from the opening. A gate dielectric is formed radially about the pillar. Conductive gate material is formed radially about the gate dielectric. An upper portion of the pillar is formed to comprise one source/drain region of the vertical transistor. Semiconductive material of the pillar received below the upper portion is formed to comprise a channel region of the vertical transistor. Semiconductor material adjacent the opening is formed to comprise another source/drain region of the vertical transistor. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, David Hwang
  • Publication number: 20110133310
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit having at least one deep trench isolation structure and a deep trench capacitor. A method of forming the integrated circuit incorporates a single etch process to simultaneously form first trench(s) and a second trenches for the deep trench isolation structure(s) and a deep trench capacitor, respectively. Following formation of a buried capacitor plate adjacent to the lower portion of the second trench, the trenches are lined with a conformal insulator layer and filled with a conductive material. Thus, for the deep trench capacitor, the conformal insulator layer functions as the capacitor dielectric and the conductive material as a capacitor plate in addition to the buried capacitor plate. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure formed in the substrate extending across the top of the first trench(es) encapsulates the conductive material therein, thereby creating the deep trench isolation structure(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, Herbert L. Ho, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7956396
    Abstract: A method for forming a floating gate semiconductor device such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory is provided. The device includes a silicon substrate having an electrically isolated active area. A gate oxide, as well as other components of a FET (e.g., source, drain) are formed in the active area. A self aligned floating gate is formed by depositing a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon) into the recess and over the gate oxide. The conductive layer is then chemically mechanically planarized to an endpoint of the isolation layer so that all of the conductive layer except material in the recess and on the gate oxide is removed. Following formation of the floating gate an insulating layer is formed on the floating gate and a control gate is formed on the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Tyler A. Lowrey
  • Patent number: 7952128
    Abstract: Provided is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor, in which trenches (3) are formed in a charge accumulation region (6) of a p-type silicon substrate (1) to reduce a contact area between the p-type silicon substrate (1) and a lightly doped n-type well region (2), thereby reducing a leak current from the lightly doped n-type well region (2) to the p-type silicon substrate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Shinjiro Kato, Jun Osanai
  • Patent number: 7951668
    Abstract: A process for fabricating crown capacitors is described. A substrate having a template layer thereon is provided. A patterned support layer is formed over the template layer. A sacrifice layer is formed over the substrate covering the patterned support layer. Holes are formed through the sacrifice layer, the patterned support layer and the template layer, wherein the patterned support layer is located at a depth at which bowing of the sidewalls of the holes occurs and is bowed less than the sacrifice layer at the sidewalls. A substantially conformal conductive layer is formed over the substrate. The conductive layer is then divided into lower electrodes of the crown capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Kun-Jung Wu, Nagai Yukihiro