Abstract: A DRAM memory cell includes a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer dielectric having storage node contact plugs that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and storage node electrodes that are formed on the interlayer dielectric to contact the storage node contact plugs. The storage node contact plugs are formed such that an entrance portion is formed to be larger in linewidth than a contacting portions, and they are formed in gaps between the bit line structures. From a plan view perspective, the storage node electrodes of one column are offset from the storage node contact plugs in an adjacent column, such that the storage node electrodes are in a diagonal arrangement throughout the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An insulation layer over a substrate is etched to form a contact hole. A conductive layer is formed over the resultant structure. The conductive layer is etched right before the patterned insulation layer is exposed. The conductive layer is etched again such that the patterned insulation layer is exposed to thereby form a contact plug filling the contact hole.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a substrate, a conductive layer on the substrate, and an insulating spacer. The conductive electrode may have an electrode wall extending away from the substrate. The insulating spacer may be provided on the electrode wall with portions of the electrode wall being free of the insulating spacer between the substrate and the insulating spacer. Related methods and structures are also discussed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a word line structure that extends in a first direction on an active region defined on a substrate. First and second contact pads are formed on the active region at both sides of the word line structure. Bit line structures are electrically connected to the first contact pad and extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. An insulation layer structure is formed on the substrate having the bit line structures. A storage node contact plug is electrically connected to the second contact pad through the insulation layer structure. A storage node electrode, which may be part of a capacitor, is formed on the storage node contact plug. The storage node contact plug has a lower portion and an upper portion having a width wider than that of the lower portion, with vertical sides perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: As an oxygen diffusion prevention layer, a multilayer film formed by a metal nitride and a noble metal element. As an interlayer insulation film on the oxygen diffusion prevention layer, a plasma CVD oxide film is used. Moreover, as an interlayer insulation film on a capacitor, an ozone TEOS film is used.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a contact of a semiconductor device structure includes forming a barrier layer that is entirely recessed within a contact aperture. A central region of the barrier layer may be recessed relative to at least a portion of an outer periphery of the barrier layer. Semiconductor device structures including such contacts are also disclosed. Such a contact may be part of a memory cell.

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.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is formed on a region of a microelectronic substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the dielectric layer, and portions of the sacrificial layer and the dielectric layer are removed to form an opening that exposes a portion of the region. A conductive layer is formed on the sacrificial layer and in the opening. Portions of the sacrificial layer and the conductive layer on the dielectric layer are removed to leave a conductive plug in the dielectric layer and in contact with the region. Removal of the sacrificial layer and portions of the conductive layer on the dielectric layer may include polishing to expose the sacrificial layer and to leave a conductive plug in the sacrificial layer and the dielectric layer, etching the sacrificial layer to expose the dielectric layer and leave a portion of the conductive plug protruding from the dielectric layer, and polishing to remove the protruding portion of the conductive plug.

Abstract: Bit lines having first conductive patterns and bit line mask patterns are formed on a first insulating layer between capacitor contact regions of a substrate. An oxide second insulating layer is formed on the bit lines and contact patterns are formed to open storage node contact hole regions corresponding to portions of the second insulating layer. First spacers are formed on sidewalls of the etched portions. The second and first insulating layers are etched to form storage node contact holes exposing the capacitor contact regions. Simultaneously, second spacers of the second insulating layer are formed beneath the first spacers. A second conductive layer fills the storage node contact holes to form storage node contact pads. A loss of the bit line mask pattern decreases due to the reduced thickness of the bit line mask pattern and a bit line loading capacitance decreases due to the second spacers.

Abstract: A protection layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate having a cell array region and an alignment key region. A plurality of data storage elements are formed on the protection layer in the cell array region. An insulating layer is formed on the data storage elements, a barrier layer is formed on the insulating layer, and a sacrificial layer is formed on the barrier layer. The sacrificial layer, the barrier layer and the insulating layer are patterned to form contact holes that expose the data storage elements, and conductive plugs are formed in the contact holes. The sacrificial layer is etched to leave portions of the conductive plugs protruding from the barrier layer. The protruding portions of the conductive plugs are removed by polishing.

Abstract: Described are integrated circuit electrodes and method for fabricating an electrode, which include, in an embodiment forming a silicon, first portion of the electrode in a lower region of a substrate opening. The method may further include forming a second portion of the electrode in the opening and overlying the first portion, the insulative layer encompassing a sidewall of the second portion. The method may further include forming a third portion of the electrode overlying the second portion and overlying at least a portion of the insulative layer, wherein the first portion and the second portion are different materials. In an embodiment, the second portion is a diffusion barrier layer and the third portion is an oxidation resistant layer. In an embodiment, the method includes encompassing a lower sidewall of the third portion with the insulative layer.

Abstract: In a storage electrode of a semiconductor device, and a method of forming the same, the storage electrode includes an outer cylinder including a first outer cylindrical portion having a first outer diameter, and a second outer cylindrical portion that is formed on the first outer cylindrical portion and having a second outer diameter, which is less than the first outer diameter, the first and second outer cylindrical portions having substantially equal inner diameters, and an inner cylinder formed on inner surfaces of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating contacts in integrated circuit devices, such as phase-change memories. A protection layer and a sacrificial layer are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate. A contact hole is formed through the sacrificial layer and the protection layer. A conductive layer is formed on the sacrificial layer and in the contact hole, and portions of the conductive layer and the sacrificial layer are removed to expose the protection layer and form a conductive plug protruding from the protection layer. A protruding portion of the conductive plug removed to leave a contact plug in the protection layer. A phase-change data storage element may be formed on the contact plug.

Abstract: The method includes forming an isolation film on a silicon substrate to define an active region; forming an antireflective film on an entire surface of the substrate containing the isolation film; forming a photosensitive film pattern on the antireflective film while exposing a portion of the isolation film or the active region adjacent to the isolation film; etching the antireflective film, the isolation film, and the substrate by using the photosensitive film pattern as an etching mask to recess the active region; performing a light etch treatment on a substrate resultant without removing the remaining photosensitive film pattern, so as to remove a damaged layer and a carbon pollutant formed on a surface of the recessed active region; and removing the remaining photosensitive film pattern and the antireflective film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device with protected conductive structures. The method includes the steps of: forming a plurality of conductive structures on a substrate, each conductive structure including a conductive layer and a hard mask insulation layer formed on the conductive layer; forming a first insulation layer on the conductive structures; forming a plurality of plugs contacted to the substrate disposed between the conductive structures by passing through the first insulation layer and having a predetermined height corresponding to a height between the conductive layer and a top of the hard mask insulation layer; forming an attack barrier layer covering top and sidewalls of the hard mask insulation layer; forming a second insulation layer on the attack barrier layer; and selectively etching the second insulation layer to form a contact hole exposing at least one of the plugs.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer; a first poly-silicon plug formed in the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer, formed on the first insulating layer; and a second poly-silicon plug that is formed in the second insulating layer. At least one of the first and second insulating layers is made from non-doped silicate glass. The first and second poly-silicon plugs are electrically coupled to each other in a thickness direction. Preferably, both the first and second insulating layers are made from non-doped silicate glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a polysilicon plug of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A storage node contact forming method and structure reduces the number of processes required by the conventional art and increases a critical dimension of a storage node to prevent a leaning phenomenon and reduce a manufacturing cost of semiconductor memory devices. The method includes preparing a semiconductor substrate that involves at least one contact pad contacted with an active region of a memory cell transistor through an insulation layer. The method also includes forming a storage node contact of T-shape, the storage node contact being composed of a lower region contacted with an upper part of the contact pad, and an upper region that is extended to a gate length direction of the memory cell transistor and that is formed as a size larger than a size of the lower region, in order to electrically connect the contact pad with a storage node to be formed in a later process.