Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor storage device comprising a ferroelectric capacitor superior in barrier capability against penetration of hydrogen from all directions including a transverse direction. The device comprises a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor formed above the transistor and including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode, a first hydrogen barrier film which continuously surrounds side portions of a ferroelectric capacitor cell array constituted of a plurality of ferroelectric capacitors, and a second hydrogen barrier film which is formed above the ferroelectric capacitor cell array and which is brought into contact with the first hydrogen barrier film in the whole periphery.

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 semiconductor device comprises: an insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate and having a first recess; a plurality of capacitor elements each of which is composed of a capacitor lower electrode formed on wall and bottom portions of the first recess and having a second recess, a capacitor insulating film of a dielectric film formed on wall and bottom portions of the second recess and having a third recess, and a capacitor upper electrode formed on wall and bottom portions of the third recess; and a conductive layer (referred hereinafter to as a low-resistance conductive layer) which is formed to cover at least portions of the respective capacitor upper electrodes constituting the plurality of capacitor elements and to extend across the plurality of capacitor elements and which has a lower resistance than the capacitor upper electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having in a deep hole formed in a first interlayer insulating film a memory cell region that comprises a plurality of capacitors having a lower electrode 229 composed of a crown structure having an outside face and inner face, a first upper electrode 231 facing the outside face of the lower electrode, and a dielectric and a second upper electrode extending from the inner face of the lower electrode to the surface of a first interlayer insulating film other than the deep hole; wherein the first upper electrode is connected to the second upper electrode by connecting a first upper electrode 227 formed on the inner wall of the deep hole to the wiring 241a via a conductor film 224 and a conductor plug 236a, and connecting a second upper electrode 231 to be a plate to a wiring 241a via a conductor plug 239a.

Abstract: Stack and trench memory cells are provided in a DRAM memory cell array. The stack and trench memory cells are arranged so as to form identical cell pairs each having a trench capacitor, a stack capacitor and a semiconductor fin, in which the active areas of two select transistors for addressing the trench and stack capacitors are formed. The semiconductor fins are arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction to form cell rows and in this arrangement are spaced apart from one another by in each case a trench capacitor. Respectively adjacent cell rows are separated from one another by trench isolator structures and are offset with respect to one another by half the length of a cell pair. The semiconductor fins are crossed by at least two active word lines, which are orthogonal with respect to the cell rows, for addressing the select transistors realized in the semiconductor fin.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes at least one switching device and at least one storage node electrically connected to the at least one switching device. The at least one storage node includes a lower electrode, one or more oxygen-deficient metal oxide layers, one or more data storage layers, and an upper electrode. At least one of the one or more metal oxide layers is electrically connected to the lower electrode. At least one of the one or more data storage layers is electrically connected to at least one of the one or more metal oxide layers. The upper electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the one or more data storage layers. A method of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device includes preparing the at least one switching device and forming the lower electrode, one or more metal oxide layers, one or more data storage layers, and upper electrode.

Abstract: An interlayer insulating film (22) is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A conductive plug (25) is embedded in a via hole formed through the interlayer insulating film. An oxygen barrier conductive film (33) is formed on the interlayer insulating film and being inclusive of an area of the conductive plug as viewed in plan. A capacitor (35) laminating a lower electrode, a dielectric film and an upper electrode in this order is formed on the oxygen barrier film. An intermediate layer (34) is disposed at an interface between the oxygen barrier film and the lower electrode. The intermediate layer is made of alloy which contains at least one constituent element of the oxygen barrier film and at least one constituent element of the lower electrode.

Abstract: An embodiment of the FeRAM includes a ferroelectric capacitor including a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode. Strontium ruthenium oxide is formed between the bottom electrode and the ferroelectric layer and between the ferroelectric layer and the top electrode. A diffusion barrier layer including strontium ruthenium oxide and iridium is formed between the top electrode and a direct cell contact plug coupled to a plate line interconnecting top electrodes of ferroelectric capacitors. Thus, diffusion of nitrogen or metallic materials produced in subsequent processes is suppressed to prevent degradation of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device which comprises an interlayer insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a contact plug formed in the interlayer insulating film and having one end electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate, a ferroelectric capacitor formed on the interlayer insulating film and comprising a first electrode, a ferroelectric film and a second electrode electrically connected to the other end of the contact plug, an insulating film which covers the ferroelectric capacitor and has an opening that exposes the first electrode, and a wiring film which covers the ferroelectric capacitor and the insulating film and is electrically connected to the first electrode exposed through the opening and which consists of a material having conductivity and even a hydrogen diffusion preventing function.

Abstract: After a capacitor forming portion is formed on a semiconductor substrate by patterning an insulating film and a silicon film, a sidewall insulating film is formed on each of the side surfaces of the capacitor forming portion. Then, the insulating film is selectively removed such that the silicon film is exposed in a depressed portion surrounded by the sidewall insulating film. Subsequently, a first metal film is deposited and then a thermal process is performed to change the silicon film into a first metal film. Thereafter, an insulating film and a second metal film are buried in the depressed portion. The insulating film composes the capacitor insulating film of a capacitor element. The first metal silicide film and the second metal film compose the lower and upper electrodes of the capacitor element, respectively.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit having thin film transistors using an SEG technique are provided. The methods include forming an inter-layer insulating layer on a single-crystalline semiconductor substrate. A single-crystalline semiconductor plug extends through the inter-layer insulating layer, and a single-crystalline epitaxial semiconductor pattern is in contact with the single-crystalline semiconductor plug on the inter-layer insulating layer. The single-crystalline epitaxial semiconductor pattern is at least partially planarized to form a semiconductor body layer on the inter-layer insulating layer, and the semiconductor body layer is patterned to form a semiconductor body. As a result, the semiconductor body includes at least a portion of the single-crystalline epitaxial semiconductor pattern. Thus, the semiconductor body has an excellent single-crystalline structure. Semiconductor integrated circuits fabricated using the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Structurally-stable, tall capacitors having unique three-dimensional architectures for semiconductor devices are disclosed. The capacitors include monolithically-fabricated upright microstructures, i.e., those having large height/width (H/W) ratios, which are mechanical reinforcement against shear forces and the like, by a brace layer that transversely extends between lateral sides of at least two of the free-standing microstructures. The brace layer is formed as a microbridge type structure spanning between the upper ends of the two or more microstructures.

Abstract: An electrode structure having at least two oxide layers that more reliably switch and operate without the use of additional devices and a non-volatile memory device having the same are provided. The electrode structure may include a lower electrode, a first oxide layer formed on the lower electrode, a second oxide layer formed on the first oxide layer and an upper electrode formed on the second oxide layer wherein at least one of the first and second oxide layers may be formed of a resistance-varying material. The first oxide layer may be formed of an oxide having a variable oxidation state.

Abstract: A method of making a ferroelectric integrated circuit comprising: depositing a thin film of a layered superlattice material using atomic layer deposition (ALD); and completing the integrated circuit. The layered superlattice material is a ferroelectric material or a dielectric material. The method further comprises annealing the thin film using a short RTP process.

Abstract: Provided are a DRAM semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the DRAM semiconductor device. The method provides forming a silicon epitaxial layer on a source/drain region of a cell region and a peripheral circuit region using selective epitaxial growth (SEG), thereby forming a raised active region. In addition, in the DRAM semiconductor device, a metal silicide layer and a metal pad are formed on the silicon epitaxial layer in the source/drain region of the cell region. By doing this, the DRAM device is capable of forming a source/drain region as a shallow junction region, reducing the occurrence of leakage current and lowering the contact resistance with the source/drain region.

Abstract: A capacitor of a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same may be provided. The method may include forming an interlayer insulation layer, an etch stop layer, and/or a sacrificial insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate, patterning the interlayer insulation layer, the etch stop layer, and/or the sacrificial insulation layer to form a contact hole exposing a desired or predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate, filling the contact hole to form a contact plug, removing the sacrificial insulation layer to expose an upper portion of the contact plug, and/or forming a dielectric layer and/or a top electrode on the exposed upper portion of the contact plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a recessed landing pad includes a semiconductor substrate and a lower interlayer dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A first landing pad is disposed through the lower interlayer dielectric layer to be in contact with the semiconductor substrate. A second landing pad is disposed through the lower interlayer dielectric layer to also be in contact with the semiconductor substrate. A metal silicide layer is disposed on the second landing pad. The metal silicide layer is disposed lower than a top surface of the first landing pad. An intermediate interlayer dielectric layer is disposed on the lower interlayer dielectric layer. A conductive line is disposed on the intermediate interlayer dielectric layer. A contact plug is disposed between the conductive line and the metal silicide layer. A designed contact area between the metal silicide layer and the contact plug is protected against inadvertent etching.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a semiconductor having a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same, that may be capable of simplifying a manufacturing process and increasing a capacitance of a capacitor. In embodiments, a method of forming a capacitor may use a dual damascene process and may be simplified by simultaneously forming a contact plug for applying a bias voltage to a bottom electrode and a capacitor.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a capacitor includes a storage conductive pattern, a storage electrode having a complementary member enclosing a storage conductive pattern so as to complement an etch loss of the storage electrode, a dielectric layer disposed on the storage electrode, and a plate electrode disposed on the dielectric layer. Because the complementary member compensates for the etch loss of the storage electrode during several etching processes, the deterioration of the structural stability of the storage electrode may be prevented. Additionally, because the complementary member is formed on an upper portion of the storage electrode, the storage electrode may have a sufficient thickness to enhance the electrical characteristics of the capacitor that includes the storage electrode.

Abstract: Diffusion layers 2–5 are formed on a silicon substrate 1, and gate dielectric films 6, 7 and gate electrodes 8, 9 are formed on these diffusion layers 2–5 so as to be MOS transistors. Zirconium oxide or hafnium oxide is used as a major component of gate dielectric films 6, 7. Gate dielectric films 6, 7 are formed, for example, by CVD. As substrate 1, there is used one of which the surface is (111) crystal face so as to prevent diffusion of oxygen into silicon substrate 1 or gate electrodes 8, 9. In case of using a substrate of which the surface is (111) crystal face, diffusion coefficient of oxygen is less than 1/100 of the case in which a silicon substrate of which the surface is (001) crystal face is used, and oxygen diffusion is controlled. Thus, oxygen diffusion is controlled, generation of leakage current is prevented and properties are improved. There is realized a semiconductor device having high reliability and capable of preventing deterioration of characteristics concomitant to miniaturization.

Abstract: In order to supply a semiconductor device having high-reliability, there are used a first capacitor electrode, a capacitor insulating film formed in contact with the first capacitor electrode and mainly composed of titanium oxide, and a second capacitor electrode formed in contact with the capacitor insulating film, and there is used a conductive oxide film mainly composed of ruthenium oxide or iridium oxide for the first capacitor electrode and the second capacitor electrode. Alternatively, there is used a gate insulating film having a titanium silicate film and titanium oxide which suppress leakage current.

Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a substrate, a switching element formed in the substrate and a storage node connected to the switching element. The storage node may include a lower electrode connected to the switching element, a first phase change layer formed on the lower electrode, a magnetic resistance layer formed on the first phase change layer, a second phase change layer formed on the magnetic resistance layer and an upper electrode formed on the second phase change layer.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the floating body effect in vertical transistors are disclosed. The floating body effect occurs when an active region in a pillar is cut off from the substrate by a depletion region and the accompanying electrostatic potential created. In a preferred embodiment, a word line is recessed into the substrate to tie the upper active region to the substrate. The resulting memory cells are preferably used in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells includes patterning isolation trenches on a semiconductor substrate and filling with an insulating material to define active area lines. In particular, the isolation trenches are patterned as straight lines, resulting in the active area lines being formed as straight lines. After forming word lines incorporating a plurality of gate electrodes, isolation grooves are formed by etching the semiconductor substrate material using the gate electrodes as an etching mask. The active area segments are isolated from each other by a self-aligned etching step. Thereafter, the transistors are completed by defining the first and second source/drain regions, and the remaining parts of the memory cells, in particular, the capacitor contacts, the bit lines and the storage capacitors are formed.

Abstract: The present inventions include a vertical transistor formed by defining a channel length of the vertical-surrounding-gate field effect transistor with self-aligning features. The method provides process steps to define the transistor channel length and recess silicon pillars used to form the vertical-surrounding gate field effect transistor structure for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selective formation of oxidation-resistant caps for conductive plugs in semiconductor device fabrication. One embodiment of the present invention forms a sacrificial layer over a recessed polysilicon plug. The sacrificial layer is readily planarized using chemical mechanical planarization to isolate the cap within a recessed via. Then, an immersion plating process is used to replace the atoms of the sacrificial layer with atoms of a desired metal, such as platinum, thereby creating a metal cap isolated within the via. The advantages of planarization to isolate material within recessed via are thus obtained without having to planarize or otherwise etch the desired metal. The cap layer can be further reacted to form a barrier compound prior to forming a capacitor over the plug. Advantageously, the plug structure resists oxidation during fabrication of overlying capacitors that incorporate high dielectric constant materials.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a memory cell array region and a peripheral region, a plurality of capacitors in the memory cell array region each having a storage electrode, a dielectric layer on the storage electrode, and a plate electrode on the dielectric layer, wherein an extended portion of the plate electrode extends in a direction toward the peripheral region, a dummy pattern in the peripheral region at an elevation above the semiconductor substrate that is substantially the same as that of the extended portion of the plate electrode and spaced apart from the extended portion of the plate electrode, an insulating layer formed on the plurality of capacitors in the cell array region and formed on the dummy pattern in the peripheral region, a first metal contact through the insulating layer between the extended portion of the plate electrode and the dummy pattern.

Abstract: Since a chalcogenide material has low adhesion to a silicon oxide film, there is a problem in that it tends to separate from the film during the manufacturing step of a phase change memory. In addition, since the chalcogenide material has to be heated to its melting point or higher during resetting (amorphization) of the phase change memory, there is a problem of requiring extremely large rewriting current. An interfacial layer comprising an extremely thin insulator or semiconductor having the function as both an adhesive layer and a high resistance layer (thermal resistance layer) is inserted between chalcogenide material layer/interlayer insulative film and between chalcogenide material layer/plug.

Abstract: The invention includes memory circuitry. In one implementation, memory circuitry includes a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cell capacitors. Individual of the capacitors include a storage node electrode, a capacitor dielectric region, and a cell electrode. The cell electrode is commonly shared among at least some of the plurality of memory cell capacitors within the memory array. The cell electrode within the memory array includes a conductor metal layer including at least one of elemental tungsten, a tungsten alloy, tungsten silicide and tungsten nitride. Polysilicon is received over the conductor metal layer. The conductor metal layer and the polysilicon are received over the storage node electrodes of said at least some of the plurality of memory cell capacitors. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a capacitor having improved structural stability and enhanced capacitance, a contact region is formed on a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate. After a mold layer is formed on the substrate, a stabilizing member is formed to encompass a storage electrode. A contact hole is formed through the mold layer to expose a sidewall of the stabilizing member and the contact region. The storage electrode is formed on the exposed contact region and on the exposed sidewall of the stabilizing member. A dielectric layer and a plate electrode are successively formed on the storage electrode. The capacitor including the storage electrode and the stabilizing member will have improved structural stability that resists mechanical collapse even when the capacitor has an extremely high aspect ratio.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitor formed above the semiconductor substrate by sandwiching a dielectric film between a lower electrode and upper electrode, wherein the upper electrode has a stacked structure including a first MOx type conductive oxide film (M is a metal element, O is an oxygen element, and x>0) having a crystal structure, and a crystal grain size of the first MOx type conductive oxide film is 5 to 100 nm.

Abstract: A semiconductor technique is provided which can achieve both of lowered resistance in a logic formation region and reduced leakage current of the capacitor of a memory device. Source/drain regions (4) are formed in the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate (1) in a memory formation region and cobalt silicide films (9) are formed in the upper surfaces of the source/drain regions (4). Source/drain regions (54) are formed in the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (1) in a logic formation region and cobalt silicide films (59) are formed in the upper surfaces of the source/drain regions (54). The cobalt silicide films (59) in the logic formation region are thicker than the cobalt silicide films (9) in the memory formation region.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal capacitor in an embedded DRAM process is described. A plurality of contact plugs are provided through an insulating layer to semiconductor device structures in a substrate wherein the contact plugs are formed in a logic area of the substrate and in a memory area of the substrate and providing node contact plugs to node contact regions within the substrate in the memory area. Thereafter, capacitors are fabricated in a twisted trench in a self-aligned copper process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate, a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film, a contact plug made of a conductive material vertically penetrating the first and second insulating films and extending on the second insulating film, and a conductor film in contact with the upper surface of the contact plug and part of the second insulating film. This construction makes it possible to form minute via-holes in a mass-production line without increasing parasitic capacity, increasing the number of manufacturing steps, and generating defects.

Abstract: As for a memory element implemented in a semiconductor device typified by an RFID, it is an object of the present invention to reduce manufacturing steps and to provide a memory element and a memory circuit having the element with reduced cost. It is a feature of the present invention that a memory element sandwiched between electrodes has an organic compound, and an electrode connected to a semiconductor element controlling the memory element functions as an electrode of the memory element. In addition, an extremely thin semiconductor film formed on an insulated surface is used for the memory element; therefore cost can be reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor storage device comprising a ferroelectric capacitor superior in barrier capability against penetration of hydrogen from all directions including a transverse direction. The device comprises a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor formed above the transistor and including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode, a first hydrogen barrier film which continuously surrounds side portions of a ferroelectric capacitor cell array constituted of a plurality of ferroelectric capacitors, and a second hydrogen barrier film which is formed above the ferroelectric capacitor cell array and which is brought into contact with the first hydrogen barrier film in the whole periphery.

Abstract: A conductive material is provided in an opening formed in an insulative material. The process involves first forming a conductive material over at least a portion of the opening and over at least a portion of the insulative material which is outside of the opening. Next, a metal-containing fill material is formed over at least a portion of the conductive material which is inside the opening and which is also over the insulative material outside of the opening. The metal-containing material at least partially fills the opening. At least a portion of both the metal-containing fill material and the conductive material outside of the opening is then removed. Thereafter, at least a portion of the metal-containing fill material which is inside the opening is then removed.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: an insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first plug formed inside a first hole formed in the insulating layer; an insulative first hydrogen barrier layer formed on the insulating layer and having a second hole communicating with the first hole; a second plug composed of a conductive second hydrogen barrier layer formed inside the second hole; and a capacitor including a lower electrode, a capacitor insulating layer, and an upper electrode which are formed on the first hydrogen barrier layer and the second plug in this order from bottom to top. A seam is formed in the first plug, and at least one part of the seam is filled with an insulating material.

Abstract: An embodiment of the FeRAM includes a ferroelectric capacitor including a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode. Strontium ruthenium oxide is formed between the bottom electrode and the ferroelectric layer and between the ferroelectric layer and the top electrode. A diffusion barrier layer including strontium ruthenium oxide and iridium is formed between the top electrode and a direct cell contact plug coupled to a plate line interconnecting top electrodes of ferroelectric capacitors. Thus, diffusion of nitrogen or metallic materials produced in subsequent processes is suppressed to prevent degradation of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit capacitor includes first and second electrodes and at least one dielectric layer extending between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes at least one carbon nanotube. The capacitor further includes an electrically conductive catalyst material. This catalyst material may be selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel and cobalt and alloys thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a capacitor structure formed above the semiconductor substrate and comprising a first electrode, a second electrode provided below the first electrode, a third electrode provided below the second electrode, a first dielectric film provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second dielectric film provided between the second electrode and the third electrode, an insulating film covering the capacitor structure and having a first hole reaching the first electrode, a second hole reaching the second electrode, and a third hole reaching the third electrode, a first conductive connection electrically connecting the first electrode and the third electrode and having portions buried in the first and third holes, and a second conductive connection formed separately from the first conductive connection and having a portion buried in the second hole.

Abstract: Openings are formed by lithography and subsequent dry etching at the portions of a first protective film which correspond to connecting holes of second plugs which will be described later, namely at the portions thereof which align with first plugs, wherein the openings have a diameter greater than that of connecting holes by about 0.4 ?m.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has contact plugs each for electrically connecting a capacitor element to the source/drain region of a transistor, conductive layers formed on the contact plugs and made of titanium nitride which is a nitride only of a refractory metal, and polycrystalline conductive oxygen barrier layers each composed of a multilayer structure consisting of a titanium aluminum nitride film, an iridium film, and an iridium oxide film to prevent the diffusion of oxygen. Since the conductive layers made of titanium nitride which is low in crystal orientation is provided under the oxygen barrier films, the titanium aluminum nitride films formed as the oxygen barrier films directly on the conductive layers have a compact film structure so that the penetration of oxygen is prevented effectively.

Abstract: Ferroelectric integrated circuit devices, such as memory devices, are formed on an integrated circuit substrate. Ferroelectric capacitor(s) are on the integrated circuit substrate and a further structure on the integrated circuit substrate overlies at least a part of the ferroelectric capacitor(s). The further structure includes at least one layer providing a barrier to oxygen flow to the ferroelectric capacitor(s). An oxygen penetration path contacting the ferroelectric capacitor(s) is interposed between the ferroelectric capacitor(s) and the further structure. The layer providing a barrier to oxygen flow may be an encapsulated barrier layer. Methods for forming ferroelectric integrated circuit devices, such as memory devices, are also provided.