Making Device Array And Selectively Interconnecting Patents (Class 438/128)
  • Patent number: 8890233
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridges, in some embodiments ridge-shaped, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as bit lines which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of stacks. The conductive lines conform to the surface of the stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the semiconductor material strips on the stacks and the conductive lines. The memory elements are programmable, like the anti-fuses or charge trapping structures. In some embodiments, the 3D memory is made using only two critical masks for multiple layers. Some embodiments include a staircase-shaped structure positioned at ends of the semiconductor material strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Hang-Ting Lue, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Patent number: 8883568
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method to construct a device that includes a plurality of nanowires (NWs) each having a core and at least one shell. The method includes providing a plurality of radially encoded NWs where each shell contains one of a plurality of different shell materials; and differentiating individual ones of the NWs from one another by selectively removing or not removing shell material within areas to be electrically coupled to individual ones of a plurality of mesowires (MWs). Also disclosed is a nanowire array that contains radially encoded NWs, and a computer program product useful in forming a nanowire array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brown University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Andre Dehon, Charles M. Lieber, John E. Savage, Eric Rachlin
  • Patent number: 8883569
    Abstract: A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. Scheuerlein
  • Patent number: 8878253
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device include a plurality of first active regions and a second active region being formed on a substrate. The second active region is formed between two of the first active regions. A plurality of gate structures is formed on respective first active regions. A dummy gate structure is formed on the second active region, and a first voltage is applied to the dummy gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Soo Kim, Hwa-Kyung Shin, Moo-Kyung Lee, Jong-Ho Lim
  • Publication number: 20140322870
    Abstract: An integrated circuit containing logic transistors and an array of SRAM cells in which the logic transistors are formed in semiconductor material with one crystal orientation and the SRAM cells are formed in a second semiconductor layer with another crystal orientation. A process of forming an integrated circuit containing logic transistors and an array of SRAM cells in which the logic transistors are formed in a top semiconductor layer with one crystal orientation and the SRAM cells are formed in an epitaxial semiconductor layer with another crystal orientation. A process of forming an integrated circuit containing logic transistors and an array of SRAM cells in which the SRAM cells are formed in a top semiconductor layer with one crystal orientation and the logic transistors are formed in an epitaxial semiconductor layer with another crystal orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Theodore W. Houston
  • Patent number: 8872324
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a device having a number of memory cells and associated circuitry for accessing the memory cells. The memory cells of the device may be formed in one or more memory cell dice. The associated circuitry of the device may also be formed in one or more dice, optionally separated from the memory cell dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Hussein I Hanafi
  • Patent number: 8865288
    Abstract: A micro-needle array having tips disposed along a non-planar surface is formed by shaping the wafer surface into a non-planar surface to define the tips of the micro-needles. A plurality of trenches are cut into the wafer to form a plurality of columns having tops corresponding to the non-planar surface. The columns are rounded and sharpened by etching to form the micro-needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajmohan Bhandari, Sandeep Negi, Florian Solzbacher, Richard A. Normann
  • Patent number: 8859343
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of stacked strips on a substrate and a plurality of conductive lines on the stacked strips. The stacked strips and the conductive lines are arranged orthogonally to each other and a conductive liner is formed there between. A first air gap fills the space between the two adjacent stacked strips and under one of the conductive lines, which is positioned on top of said two adjacent stacked strips, whereas a second air gap is between the two adjacent conductive lines. The material of the conductive liner is different from that of the conductive lines. The distance between the two adjacent stacked strips is below 200 nm, and the aspect ratio of the stacked strip is at least 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 8859357
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with DSL borders perpendicular to the tranistor gates primarily inside the nwell and with DSL borders parallel to the transistor gates primarily outside the nwell. A method for forming an integrated circuit with DSL borders perpendicular to the tranistor gates primarily inside the nwell and with DSL borders parallel to the transistor gates primarily outside the nwell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Youn Sung Choi, Greg Charles Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8853815
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus is provided herein for buffering of nets routed through one or more areas associated with a first power domain that is different from a second power domain associated with the buffers and the buffered nets by limiting placement of these buffers in patterned areas associated with the second power domain. This provides for the routing of the buffered nets to be determined not only based on the shortest distance to travel from Point A to Point B, but also takes into account routing congestion on the semiconductor apparatus. Consequently, if an area on the semiconductor apparatus is congested, the buffered nets may be routed around the congestion. As such, although a path taken by a particular signal through the integrated circuit is not a direct route, it may still be of a distance to support a speed at which the particular signal needs to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sundararajan Ranganathan, Paras Gupta, Raghavendra Dasegowda, Rajesh Verma, Parissa Najdesamii
  • Patent number: 8846458
    Abstract: An array for an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display device includes a gate line formed on a substrate to extend in a first direction, a common line formed on the substrate to extend in the first direction, a data line formed to extend in a second direction, a thin film transistor formed at an intersection between the gate line and the data line, wherein the thin film transistor includes a gate line, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a passivation film formed on the substrate including the thin film transistor, a pixel electrode formed on the passivation film located on a pixel region defined by the gate line and the data line, the pixel electrode being electrically connected to the drain electrode, a common electrode formed on the passivation film, and a common electrode connection line connected to the common electrode and the common line, wherein the common electrode connection line overlaps with the common line and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Jic Lee
  • Patent number: 8844125
    Abstract: A method of making an electronic device includes forming a circuit layer on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate and having at least one solder pad. The method also includes forming an LCP solder mask having at least one aperture therein alignable with the at least one solder pad. The method further includes aligning and laminating the LCP solder mask and the LCP substrate together, then positioning solder paste in the at least one aperture. At least one circuit component may then be attached to the at least one solder pad using the solder paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Joseph Rendek, Jr., Travis L. Kerby, Casey Philip Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20140264460
    Abstract: A layer of microscopic, 3-terminal transistors is printed over a first conductor layer so that bottom electrodes of the transistors electrically contact the first conductor layer. A first dielectric layer overlies the first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer over the first dielectric layer contacts intermediate electrodes on the transistors between the bottom electrodes and top electrodes. A second dielectric layer overlies the second conductor layer, and a third conductor layer over the second dielectric layer contacts the top electrodes. The devices are thus electrically connected in parallel by a combination of the first conductor layer, the second conductor layer, and the third conductor layer. Separate groups of the devices may be interconnected to form more complex circuits. The resulting circuit may be a very thin flex-circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Austin Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8835224
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with distributed power using through-silicon-vias (TSVs) is presented. The integrated circuit has conducting pads for providing power and ground located within the peripheral region of the top surface. A number of through-silicon-vias are distributed within the peripheral region and a set of TSVs are formed within the non-peripheral region of the integrated circuit. Conducting lines on the bottom surface are coupled between each peripheral through-silicon-via and a corresponding non-peripheral through-silicon-via. Power is distributed from the conducting pads to the TSVs within the non-peripheral region through the TSVs within the peripheral region, thus supplying power and ground to circuits located within the non-peripheral region of the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Henry White, Giles V. Powell, Rakesh H. Patel
  • Patent number: 8834729
    Abstract: A method for making a printed wiring member including wire-bondable contact pads and wear-resistant connector pads, the method includes the steps of a) providing a blank printed wiring member comprising a copper foil laminated to a dielectric substrate; b) masking the blank printed wiring member to protect regions of the copper foil; c) removing copper in unprotected regions of the blank printed wiring member to form a patterned printed wiring member including contact pads and connector pads; d) depositing a nickel coating on the patterned printed wiring member using an electroless nickel deposition process; e) depositing a gold layer on the nickel coating using an electroless gold deposition process; and f) depositing palladium on the gold layer using an electroless palladium deposition process to improve wear resistance of the connector pads while preserving bondability of the contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Samuel Chen, Charles I. Levey
  • Publication number: 20140254292
    Abstract: Described herein are various principles for designing, manufacturing, and operating integrated circuits having functional components and one or more metal interconnect layers, where the dimensions of signal lines of the metal interconnect layers are larger than dimensions of the functional components. In some embodiments, a signal line may have a width greater than a width of a terminal of a functional component to which the signal line is connected. In some embodiments, two functional components formed in a same functional layer of the integrated circuit may be connected to metal signal lines in different metal interconnect layers. Further, the metal signal lines of the different metal interconnect layers may overlap some distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David V. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8815653
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for packaging cMUT arrays allow packaging multiple cMUT arrays on the same packaging substrate introduced over a side of the cMUT arrays. The packaging substrate is a dielectric layer on which openings are patterned for depositing a conductive layer to connect a cMUT array to VO pads interfacing with external devices. Auxiliary system components may be packaged together with the cMUT arrays. Multiple cMUT arrays and optionally multiple auxiliary system components can be held in place by a larger support structure for batch production. The support structure can be made of an arbitrary size using inexpensive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yongli Huang
  • Patent number: 8815652
    Abstract: The present invention is a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device having steps of; aligning a program head 80 having a program dot array corresponding to each OTP-ROM cell array 21 provided in areas 12 to be a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged in a semiconductor wafer to the OTP-ROM cell array 21 in one of the areas to be the plurality of semiconductor chips 12; and programming the OTP-ROM cell array 21 with a different pattern for each of the areas to be the plurality of semiconductor chips 12 by using the program head 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Fumihiko Inoue, Kentaro Sera
  • Patent number: 8817514
    Abstract: A three-dimensional array read/write (R/W) memory elements is formed across multiple layers of planes positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. It is preferable to operate the R/W elements with low current and high resistive states. The resistance of these resistive states depends also on the dimension of the R/W elements and is predetermined by the process technology. A sheet electrode in series with the R/W element and a method of forming it provide another degree of freedom to adjust the resistance of the R/W memory element. The thickness of the sheet electrode is adjusted to obtain a reduced cross-sectional contact in the circuit path from the word line to the bit line. This allows the R/W memory element to have a much increased resistance and therefore to operate with much reduced currents. The sheet electrode is formed with little increase in cell size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: George Samachisa, Johann Alsmeier
  • Patent number: 8802509
    Abstract: A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of transistor cells each having a source and a drain with a gate to control an electric current transmitted between the source and the drain. The semiconductor further includes a gate-to-drain (GD) clamp termination connected in series between the gate and the drain further includes a plurality of back-to-back polysilicon diodes connected in series to a silicon diode includes parallel doped columns in the semiconductor substrate wherein the parallel doped columns having a predefined gap. The doped columns further include a U-shaped bend column connect together the ends of parallel doped columns with a deep doped well disposed below and engulfing the U-shaped bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi Su, Anup Bhalla, Daniel Ng
  • Publication number: 20140217350
    Abstract: An array of memory cells includes buried access lines having conductively doped semiconductor material. Pillars extend elevationally outward of and are spaced along the buried access lines. The pillars individually include a memory cell. Outer access lines are elevationally outward of the pillars and the buried access lines. The outer access lines are of higher electrical conductivity than the buried access lines. A plurality of conductive vias is spaced along and electrically couple pairs of individual of the buried and outer access lines. A plurality of the pillars is between immediately adjacent of the vias along the pairs. Electrically conductive metal material is directly against tops of the buried access lines and extends between the pillars along the individual buried access lines. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Patent number: 8791513
    Abstract: A metal wiring suitable for a substrate of large size is provided. The present invention is characterized in that at least one layer of conductive film is formed on an insulating surface, a resist pattern is formed on the conductive film, and the conductive film having the resist pattern is etched to form a metal wiring while controlling its taper angle ? in accordance with the bias power density, the ICP power density, the temperature of lower electrode, the pressure, the total flow rate of etching gas, or the ratio of oxygen or chlorine in etching gas. The thus formed metal wiring has less fluctuation in width or length and can satisfactorily deal with an increase in size of substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ono, Hideomi Suzawa
  • Patent number: 8791507
    Abstract: A layout of a semiconductor device is capable of reliably reducing a variation in gate length due to the optical proximity effect, and enables flexible layout design to be implemented. Gate patterns (G1, G2, G3) of a cell (C1) are arranged at the same pitch, and terminal ends (e1, e2, e3) of the gate patterns are located at the same position in the Y direction, and have the same width in the X direction. A gate pattern (G4) of a cell (C2) has protruding portions (4b) protruding toward the cell (C1) in the Y direction, and the protruding portions (4b) form opposing terminal ends (eo1, eo2, eo3). The opposing terminal ends (eo1, eo2, eo3) are arranged at the same pitch as the gate patterns (G1, G2, G3), are located at the same position in the Y direction, and have the same width in the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Nakanishi, Masaki Tamaru
  • Patent number: 8791447
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory cell includes first and second electrodes. Programmable material and a select device are received in series between and with the first and second electrodes. Current conductive material is in series between and with the programmable material and the select device. An array of vertically stacked tiers of such nonvolatile memory cells is disclosed. Methods of forming arrays of nonvolatile memory cells are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, David H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20140197463
    Abstract: A metal-programmable integrated circuit may include an array of metal-programmable cells. Each cell may include multi-gate transistor structures in which multiple surfaces of a gate structure serve to control current flow through at least one channel structure. The multi-gate transistor structures may form one or more fin-shaped field effect transistors. The gate structure may at least partially enclose multiple channel structures. Pairs of source-drain structures may be coupled to the channel structures. The transistor structures of each cell may be formed in a substrate covered with one or more metal interconnect layers. Paths formed in the metal interconnect layers may configure the cells to perform desired logic functions. The paths associated with a given cell may be selectively coupled to transistor structures of the cell to configure the cell for a desired logic function and/or for desired output drive strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Altera Corporation
  • Patent number: 8778710
    Abstract: A display substrate is provided that can prevent the opening of an upper conduction layer. The display substrate comprises a semiconductor layer pattern formed on a substrate, a data interconnection pattern formed on the semiconductor layer pattern, a protection layer formed on the substrate and the data interconnection pattern, contact holes formed on the substrate to expose at least a portion of an upper surface of the semiconductor pattern and at least a portion of an upper surface of the data interconnection pattern, and contact electrodes formed in the contact holes to be in contact with the exposed upper surfaces of the data interconnection pattern and the semiconductor layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byeong-Jae Ahn
  • Patent number: 8778742
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for gate dimension control in multi-gate structures for integrated circuit devices. Processing steps for formation of one or more subsequent gate structures are adjusted based upon dimensions determined for one or more previously formed gate structures. In this way, one or more features of the resulting multi-gate structures can be controlled with greater accuracy, and variations between a plurality of multi-gate structures can be reduced. Example multi-gate features and/or dimensions that can be controlled include overall gate length, overlap of gate structures, and/or any other desired features and/or dimensions of the multi-gate structures. Example multi-gate structures include multi-gate NVM (non-volatile memory) cells for NVM systems, such as for example, split-gate NVM cells having select gates (SGs) and control gates (CGs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Taeg Kang, ShanShan Du
  • Patent number: 8779434
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array is disclosed. The thin film transistor array includes plural gate electrodes formed on an insulation substrate, plural source electrodes formed above or under the gate electrodes via a gate insulation film so that the source electrodes cross the gate electrodes in a planar view, plural drain electrodes formed at corresponding positions surrounded by the gate electrodes and the source electrodes in a planar view in the same layer as that of the source electrodes, semiconductor layers formed via the gate insulation film to face the gate electrodes for forming corresponding channel regions between the source electrodes and the drain electrodes. The plural gate electrodes are linearly formed, and the channel regions are disposed to face the gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Takumi Yamaga, Atsushi Onodera
  • Patent number: 8772783
    Abstract: The invention provides a technique to manufacture a display device with high image quality and reliability at low cost with high yield. According to the invention, a spacer is provided over a pixel electrode layer in a pixel region. Moreover, a surface of an insulating layer which functions as a partition which covers the periphery of the pixel electrode layer is formed at a high position from the surface of the pixel electrode due to stacked layers under the insulating layer. These spacer and insulator which function as a spacer support a mask used for selectively forming a light emitting material over a pixel electrode layer, thereby preventing the mask from contacting the pixel electrode layer due to a twist and deflection of the mask. Accordingly, such a damage as a crack does not occur in the pixel electrode layer which results in having no defect in shape. Therefore, a display device which performs a high resolution display with high reliability can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misako Hirosue, Masahiro Katayama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8772754
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes: stacking a first wiring layer; stacking a memory cell layer on the first wiring layer; and stacking a stopper film on the memory cell layer. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor storage device also includes: etching the stopper film, the memory cell layer, and the first wiring layer; polishing an interlayer insulating film to the stopper film after burying the stopper film, the memory cell layer, and the first wiring layer with the interlayer insulating film; performing a nitridation process to the stopper film and the interlayer insulating film to form an adjustment film and a block film on surfaces of the stopper film and the interlayer insulating film, respectively; and forming a second wiring layer on the adjustment film, the second wiring layer being electrically connected to the adjustment film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Murato Kawai
  • Patent number: 8775112
    Abstract: The present invention systems and methods facilitate increased die yields by flexibly changing the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die. The present invention system and method enable integrated circuit chips with defective functional components to be salvaged. Defective functional components in the die are disabled in a manner that maintains the basic functionality of the chip. A chip is tested and a functional component configuration process is performed on the chip based upon results of the testing. If an indication of a defective functional component is received, the functional component is disabled. Workflow is diverted from disabled functional components to enabled functional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Van Dyke, John S. Montrym, Michael B. Nagy, Sean J. Treichler
  • Publication number: 20140183602
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of N wells disposed on a P substrate. A plurality of tap columns is located across the plurality of N wells and a plurality of standard cells is located between the tap columns. A plurality of tap cells is disposed consecutively in the plurality of tap columns. Each tap cell further includes a first tap active and a second tap active. The first tap active of a first tap cell extends to the first tap active of a second tap cell which further extends to a well boundary of either the first tap cell or the second tap cell. The first tap active of the first tap cell and the first tap active of the second tap cell are adjacent to each other in the tap column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Girishankar Gurumurthy
  • Publication number: 20140179068
    Abstract: A three-dimensional array read/write (R/W) memory elements is formed across multiple layers of planes positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. It is preferable to operate the R/W elements with low current and high resistive states. The resistance of these resistive states depends also on the dimension of the R/W elements and is predetermined by the process technology. A sheet electrode in series with the R/W element and a method of forming it provide another degree of freedom to adjust the resistance of the R/W memory element. The thickness of the sheet electrode is adjusted to obtain a reduced cross-sectional contact in the circuit path from the word line to the bit line. This allows the R/W memory element to have a much increased resistance and therefore to operate with much reduced currents. The sheet electrode is formed with little increase in cell size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: George Samachisa, Johann Alsmeier
  • Patent number: 8759163
    Abstract: A multi-step density gradient smoothing layout style is disclosed in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged into an array with a feature density. One or more edges of the array is bordered by a first edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the array. The first edge sub-array is bordered by second edge sub-array which has a feature density that is less than the feature density of the first edge sub-array, and is approaching that of the background circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Chow Peng, Wen-Shen Chou, Jui-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8759162
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory string, and a wiring. The memory string comprises a semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer, and a plurality of first conductive layers. The plurality of first conductive layers comprises a stepped portion formed in a stepped shape such that positions of ends of the plurality of first conductive layers differ from one another. The wiring comprises a plurality of second conductive layers extending upwardly from an upper surface of the first conductive layers comprising the stepped portion. The plurality of second conductive layers are formed such that upper ends thereof are aligned with a surface parallel to the substrate, and such that a diameter thereof decreases from the upper end thereof to a lower end thereof. The plurality of second conductive layers are formed such that the greater a length thereof in the perpendicular direction, the larger a diameter of the upper end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Wada, Kazuyuki Higashi, Naofumi Nakamura, Tsuneo Uenaka
  • Patent number: 8754463
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a memory includes wordline jogs and adjacent spacers. Spacers from different wordlines may contact one another on either side of a drain contact and consequently isolate and self-align the contact in the horizontal and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Fastow
  • Publication number: 20140159135
    Abstract: Electrical isolation in non-volatile memory is provided by air gaps formed using sacrificial films of differing etch rates. A high etch rate material is formed in an isolation trench. Flowable chemical vapor deposition processes are used to form high etch rate films, and curing is performed to increase their etch rate. A low etch material is formed over the high etch rate material and provides a controlled etch back between charge storage regions in a row direction. A discrete low etch rate layer can be formed or the high etch rate material can be oxidized to form an upper region with a lower etch rate. A controlled etch back enables formation of a wrap-around dielectric and control gate structure in the row direction with minimized variability in the dimensions of the structures. At least a portion of the high etch rate material is removed to form air gaps for isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Hitomi Fujimoto, Hiroaki Iuchi, Ming Tian, Daisuke Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20140154845
    Abstract: An example embodiment is a memory array. The memory array includes a SOI substrate and lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) fabricated on the SOI substrate. The BJTs form first and second inverters cross coupled to form a memory cell. A read circuit outputs the binary state of the memory cell. A power supply is configured to supply a Vdd voltage to the read circuit and to supply a Vcc and a Vee voltage to the first set of lateral bipolar transistors and the second set of lateral bipolar transistors, wherein the Vee voltage is at least zero volts and the Vcc voltage is greater than the Vee voltage and is equal to or less than the Vdd voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Cai, Leland Chang, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Publication number: 20140151751
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for mitigating density gradients between two or more regions of cells are provided herein. In some embodiments, an array of cells is associated with a dummy region. For example, the array of cells includes an array of gates and an array of OD regions. In some embodiments, the array of gates includes a first set of gates associated with a first gate dimension and a second set of gates associated with a second gate dimension. In some embodiments, the array of OD regions includes a first set of OD regions associated with a first OD dimension and a second set of OD regions associated with a second OD dimension. In this manner, at least one of a pattern density, gate density, or OD density is customized to a region associated with active cells, thus mitigating density gradients between respective regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
  • Patent number: 8741696
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, methods, and systems for fabricating memory structures methods of forming pillars for memory cells using sequential sidewall patterning. The invention includes forming first features from a first template layer disposed above a memory layer stack; forming first sidewall spacers adjacent the first features; forming second features that extend in a first direction in a mask layer by using the first sidewall spacers as a hardmask; depositing a second template layer on the mask layer; forming third features from the second template layer; forming second sidewall spacers adjacent the third features; and forming fourth features that extend in a second direction in the mask layer by using the second sidewall spacers as a hardmask. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Roy E. Scheuerlein, Christopher J. Petti, Yoichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8742386
    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 a substoichiometric oxide over the first conductive element, forming a second conductive element over the substoichiometric oxide, and oxidizing edges of the substoichiometric oxide by subjecting the substoichiometric oxide to an oxidizing environment to define a controlled oxygen vacancy conduction path near a center of the oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8735884
    Abstract: An object is to provide a display device which operates stably with use of a transistor having stable electric characteristics. In manufacture of a display device using transistors in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, a gate electrode is further provided over at least a transistor which is applied to a driver circuit. In manufacture of a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to heat treatment so as to be dehydrated or dehydrogenated; thus, impurities such as moisture existing in an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer provided below and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichiro Sakata, Toshinari Sasaki, Miyuki Hosoba
  • Patent number: 8735861
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes a first conductive layer, a variable resistance layer, an electrode layer, a first liner layer, a stopper layer, and a second conductive layer. The first liner layer is configured by a material having a property for canceling an influence of an orientation of a lower layer of the first liner layer, the property of the first liner layer being superior compared with that of the stopper layer. The stopper layer is acted upon by an internal stress in a compressive direction at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kotaro Noda
  • Patent number: 8735226
    Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Karen Chu Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, J. Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 8735892
    Abstract: An object of one embodiment of the disclosed invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and the number of times of writing is not limited. The semiconductor device is formed using an insulating layer formed over a supporting substrate and, over the insulating layer, a highly purified oxide semiconductor and single crystal silicon which is used as a sililcon on insulator (SOI). A transistor formed using a highly purified oxide semiconductor can hold data for a long time because leakage current thereof is extremely small. Further, by using an SOI substrate and utilizing features of thin single crystal silicon formed over an insulating layer, fully-depleted transistors can be formed; therefore, a semiconductor integrated circuit with high added values such as high integration, high-speed driving, and low power consumption can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8729702
    Abstract: A trench is opened in a dielectric layer. The trench is then lined with a barrier layer and a metal seed layer. The metal seed layer is non-uniformly doped and exhibits a vertical doping gradient varying as a function of trench depth. The lined trench is then filled with a metal fill material. A dielectric cap layer is then deposited over the metal filled trench. Dopant from the non-uniformly doped metal seed layer is then migrated to an interface between the metal filled trench and the dielectric cap layer to form a self-aligned metal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chengyu Niu, Andrew Simon, Keith Kwong Hon Wong, Yun-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 8728875
    Abstract: A polycrystalline fuse includes a first layer of polycrystalline material on a substrate and a second layer of a silicide material on the first layer. The first and second layers are shaped to form first and second terminal portions of a first width joined along a length of the fuse by a fuse portion of a second width narrower than the first width. First and second contacts are connected to the first and second terminal portions respectively. The silicide material being discontinuous in a terminal region of the second layer along the length of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventor: Michael David Church
  • Patent number: 8709880
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices: providing a first device including a first die and second die, where the first die is diced from a first wafer, the second die is diced from a second wafer, the first die is connected to the second die using at least one through-silicon-via; providing a second device including a third die and fourth die, where the third die is diced from a third wafer, the fourth die is diced from a fourth wafer, the third die is connected to the fourth die using at least one through-silicon-via; where the first die includes a first functionality and the third die includes a second functionality, the first functionality is different than the second functionality, a majority of the masks used for processing the first wafer and the third wafer are the same; and the second die size is substantially different than the fourth die size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Monolithic 3D Inc
    Inventors: Zvi Or-Bach, Deepak C. Sekar, Brian Cronquist, Israel Beinglass, Jan Lodewijk de Jong
  • Patent number: 8710504
    Abstract: The present invention proposes to a flat display panel and a method for forming the same. The flat display panel includes a plurality of rows of scan lines, a plurality of columns of data lines and a plurality of blocking lines which are parallel and overlapped to the data lines. The plurality of blocking lines are placed at one side of pixel electrodes one on one and made of the same metallic layer with the plurality of scan lines. Each blocking line made of the same metallic layer with the scan line is wider than a corresponding data line, so that light not blocked by the data line is blocked by the wider blocking line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyh-Feng Chen, Ming Hung Shih, Haiying He
  • Patent number: 8704353
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing is provided that includes fabricating a first plurality of electrically functional interconnects on a front side of a first semiconductor chip and fabricating a first plurality of electrically non-functional interconnects on a back side of the first semiconductor chip. Additional chips may be stacked on the first semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Su, Bryan Black, Neil McLellan, Joe Siegel, Michael Alfano