Doping By Outdiffusion From A Dopant Source Layer (e.g., Doped Oxide, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/249)
  • Patent number: 6962847
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned buried strap in a vertical memory cell. A semiconductor substrate with a trench is provided. A collar dielectric layer is conformally formed on the trench bottom portion, and the trench is filled with a conducting layer. The collar dielectric layer is etched below the level of the surface of the conducting layer to form a groove between the conducting layer and the trench. The groove is filled with a doped conducting layer. The dopant in the doped conducting layer is diffused to the semiconductor substrate in an ion diffusion area as a buried strap. The conducting layer and the doped conducting layer are etched below the ion diffusion area. A top trench insulating layer is formed on the bottom of the trench, wherein the top trench insulating layer is lower than the ion diffusion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Chih Huang, Sheng-Wei Yang, Neng-Tai Shih, Chen-Chou Huang
  • Patent number: 6946344
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench capacitor. A semiconductor substrate with a trench is provided, and a trench capacitor is formed in the trench with a storage node and a node dielectric layer. The top portion of the trench is ion implanted to a predetermined angle to form an ion doped area on a sidewall of the top portion of the trench and a top surface of the trench capacitor. The ion doped area is oxidized to form an oxide layer. A sidewall semiconductor layer is formed on another sidewall using the oxide layer as a mask, and then the oxide layer is removed. A barrier layer is conformally formed on the surface of the trench, and the trench is filled with a conducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shih-Chung Chou, Yi-Nan Chen, Tzu-Ching Tsai
  • Patent number: 6946345
    Abstract: The invention provides a trench storage structure that includes a substrate having a trench, a capacitor conductor in the lower part of the trench, a conductive node strap in the trench adjacent the capacitor conductor, a trench top oxide above the capacitor conductor, and a conductive buried strap in the substrate adjacent the trench top oxide. The trench top oxide includes a doped trench top oxide layer above the conductive strap, and an undoped trench top oxide layer above the doped trench top oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jochen Beintner, Wolfgang Bergner, Richard A. Conti, Andreas Knorr, Rolf Weis
  • Patent number: 6929998
    Abstract: A method for forming a bottle-shaped trench. A conductive layer surrounded by a doped layer is filled in a lower portion of a trench formed in a substrate. A doping region is formed in the substrate around the doped layer by a heat treatment. A collar silicon nitride layer is formed over an upper portion of the sidewall of the trench. The conductive layer and the doped layer are successively removed using the collar silicon nitride layer as a mask. The doping region is partially oxidized to form a doped oxide region thereon. The doped oxide region is removed to form a bottle-shaped trench. A conformable rugged polysilicon layer is formed in the lower portion of the bottle-shaped trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Nan Chen, Hsin-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 6927123
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned buried strap in a vertical memory cell. A semiconductor substrate with a trench is provided, a capacitor wire is formed on the bottom portion of the trench, and a collar dielectric layer is formed between the capacitor wire and the semiconductor substrate to act as an isolation. The capacitor wire and the collar dielectric layer are etched to a predetermined depth, such that a gap is formed between the spacer and the capacitor wire and the collar dielectric layer. Ions are doped into the exposed semiconductor substrate to form an ion doped area acting as a buried strap. The spacer is removed, and an exposed collar dielectric layer is etched below the level of the surface of the capacitor wire, and a groove is formed between the capacitor wire and the trench sidewall to fill with a conducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Chih Huang, Sheng-Wei Yang, Neng-Tai Shih, Chen-Chou Huang
  • Patent number: 6924204
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a buried plate of a deep trench capacitor is described. A substrate having a deep trench therein is provided. A doped layer is formed on the surface of the deep trench and a material layer is formed on the doped layer. A passivation layer is formed on the sidewall of the deep trench that is not covered by the material layer. After removing the material layer, a thermal process is conducted to drive-in the dopants in the doped layer to the substrate to form a doped region, wherein the doped region serves as a buried plate of the deep trench capacitor. The doped layer also reacts with the substrate to form an oxide layer. After removing the oxide layer, a bottle-shaped deep trench is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Tsai, Yi-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6921691
    Abstract: A transistor and method of manufacturing thereof. A gate dielectric and gate are formed over a workpiece, and the source and drain regions of a transistor are recessed. The recesses are filled with a dopant-bearing metal, and a low-temperature anneal process is used to form doped regions within the workpiece adjacent the dopant-bearing metal regions. A transistor having a small effective oxide thickness and a well-controlled junction depth is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hong-Jyh Li, Nirmal Chaudhary
  • Patent number: 6919245
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell layout for arranging deep trenches and active areas and a fabrication method thereof. An active area comprises two vertical transistors, a common bitline contact and two deep trenches. The first vertical transistor is formed on a region where the first deep trench is partially overlapped with the first gate conductive line. The second vertical transistor is formed on a region where the second deep trench is partially overlapped with the second gate conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Cheng Chang, Tieh-Chiang Wu, Yi-Nan Chen, Jeng-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 6916703
    Abstract: A method for forming a uniform bottom electrode in a trench of a trench capacitor. A semiconductor substrate has a dense trench area and a less dense trench area with a plurality of trenches formed in both areas respectively. A hard mask layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and the trenches are filled with the mask layer. The hard mask layer is etched at an angle until the dense trench area and the less dense trench area in the semiconductor substrate are exposed to leave the hard mask layer in the trenches. Finally, the hard mask layers in the trenches are etched, and a uniform thickness of the hard mask layer in each trench is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Nan Chen, Yi-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6902982
    Abstract: A trench capacitor process for preventing parasitic leakage. The process is capable of blocking leakage current from a parasitic transistor adjacent to the trench, and includes the steps of forming a doping layer and a cap layer covering portions of the sidewall of the trench and performing an annealing process on the doping layer to form a dopant region in the substrate adjacent to each sidewall of the trench and blocks leakage current from a parasitic transistor adjacent to the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Promos Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 6884720
    Abstract: A copper interconnect with a Sn coating is formed in a damascene structure by forming a trench in a dielectric layer. The trench is formed by electroplating copper simultaneously with a metal dopant to form a doped copper layer. The top level of the doped copper layer is reduced to form a planarized surface level with the surface of the first dielectric layer. The doped copper is annealed to drive the metal dopants to form a metal dopant capping coating at the planarized top surface of the doped copper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Hongqiang Lu, Byung-Sung Kwak, Wilbur G. Catabay
  • Patent number: 6881620
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a deep trench capacitor is provided. A substrate with a deep trench thereon is provided. A bottom electrode is formed at a bottom of the deep trench and a capacitor dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a protective layer and a collar layer are sequentially formed on the surface of the deep trench. The protective layer and the collar oxide layer on the surface of the first conductive layer are removed, material is deposited into the deep trench to form a material layer. A portion of the material layer is removed to form a first opening. Thereafter, collar oxide layer and the protective layer not covered by the material layer is removed. A portion of the mask layer and the protective layer on the sidewall of the first opening is removed to form a second opening. After removing the material layer, a second conductive layer and a third conductive layer are sequentially formed in the deep trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: ProMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Chen Lai, Chao-Hsi Chung
  • Patent number: 6872621
    Abstract: A method for removal of hemispherical grained silicon (HSG) in a deep trench is described. A buried silicon germanium (SiGe) layer serving as an etch stop layer is formed in the collar region of the trench, followed by depositing a HSG layer. The HSG layer is then successfully striped by wet etching with a potassium hydroxide/propanone/water etchant, that is, without damage to the trench sidewalls, since a good etch rate selectivity between the HSG layer and the SiGe layer is obtained by the wet etchant. In addition, no etch stop layer exists between the HSG layer and the bottom of the trench when manufacturing trench capacitors in accordance with the method; capacitance degradation is therefore not of concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Promos Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yung-Hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 6861312
    Abstract: An insulation region, for example, an oxide collar, is formed in a trench structure for a DRAM by first widening a first trench region of the trench that is to be formed, in particular, a base region thereof. At least part of the widened region is then provided with a material region for the insulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albert Birner, Matthias Goldbach, Joern Luetzen
  • Patent number: 6852590
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a deep trench capacitor is described. A substrate having a deep trench therein is provided. A doped region is formed in the substrate at the bottom of the deep trench, a dielectric layer is formed on the bottom surface of the deep trench, and a first conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer. A collar oxide layer is formed on sidewalls of the deep trench that are not covered by the first conductive layer. A material layer is formed covering the first conductive layer and exposing a portion of the collar oxide layer. The exposed collar oxide layer is removed to expose the substrate. Then, the material layer is removed, and a second conductive layer is formed in the deep trench covering the first conductive layer and the collar oxide layer. In this invention, only the second conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer for electrically connecting the capacitor and an active device, hence the method is more simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Tsai, Shih-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 6828192
    Abstract: A trench capacitor is formed in a trench, which is disposed in a substrate. The trench is filled with a conductive trench filling which functions as an inner capacitor electrode. An epitaxial layer is grown on the sidewall of the trench on the substrate. A buried strap is disposed between the conductive trench filling with the second intermediate layer and the epitaxially grown layer. A dopant outdiffusion formed from the buried strap is disposed in the epitaxially grown layer. Through the epitaxially grown layer, the dopant outdiffusion is further removed from a selection transistor disposed beside the trench, as a result of which it is possible to avoid short-channel effects in the selection transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gustin, Ulrike Grüning-Von Schwerin, Dietmar Temmler, Martin Schrems, Stefan Rongen, Rudolf Strasser
  • Publication number: 20040235244
    Abstract: A method for forming a uniform bottom electrode in a trench of a trench capacitor. A semiconductor substrate has a dense trench area and a less dense trench area with a plurality of trenches formed in both areas respectively. A hard mask layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and the trenches are filled with the mask layer. The hard mask layer is etched at an angle until the dense trench area and the less dense trench area in the semiconductor substrate are exposed to leave the hard mask layer in the trenches. Finally, the hard mask layers in the trenches are etched, and a uniform thickness of the hard mask layer in each trench is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Nan Chen, Yi-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6821841
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a mask read-only-memory with diode cells is provided. A doped conductive layer with a first conductivity is formed on bit lines. Then, a photoresist layer with a mask ROM pattern is formed on an interlayer dielectric layer on the doped conductive layer for serving as an etching mask, thereby forming openings in the interlayer dielectric layer unto the exposed regions of the doped conductive layer. Performing ion implantation to form a diffusion region with a second conductivity opposite to the first conductivity in each exposed region of the doped conductive layer, so that the doped conductive layer and the diffusion regions formed therein constitute diode cells that are served as memory cells. A contact plug is formed in each opening unto the diode cell and a conductive layer is formed on the contact plug for serving as word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Pei Wu, Huei-Huarng Chen, Wen-Bin Tsai, Hsuan-Ling Kao
  • Patent number: 6821842
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) structure and a fabricating process thereof are provided. In the fabricating process, a channel region is formed with a doped region having identical conductivity as the substrate in a section adjacent to an isolation structure. The doped region is formed in a self-aligned process by conducting a tilt implantation implanting ions into the substrate through the upper portion of the capacitor trench adjacent to the channel region after forming the trench but before the definition of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: ProMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yueh-Chuan Lee, Shih-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 6821844
    Abstract: A collar dielectric process for reducing a top width of a deep trench. A semiconductor silicon substrate has a deep trench and a deep trench capacitor. The deep trench capacitor has a node dielectric formed on the sidewall and bottom of the deep trench, and a storage node formed in the deep trench and reaching a predetermined depth. An ion implantation process is performed to form an ion implantation area on the substrate at the top of the deep trench. Then, the node dielectric is removed until the top of the node dielectric is leveled off with the top of the storage node, thus exposing the sidewall of the deep trench outside the deep trench capacitor. Next, an oxidation process is performed to grow a first silicon oxide layer on the exposed sidewall of the deep trench, in which the first silicon layer is outside the ion implantation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ping Hsu
  • Publication number: 20040219747
    Abstract: A method for forming a vertical transistor and a trench capacitor. A semiconductor substrate having a pad stacked layer on the surface and a trench formed therein is provided. A capacitor is formed at the bottom part of the trench and a portion of the upper sidewall of the trench is exposed. A conductive wire is then formed on the capacitor, followed by forming a dielectric layer on the exposed sidewalls of the trench. A trench top dielectric is then formed by liquid phase deposition on the conductive wire. A transistor is then formed on the trench top dielectric, which isolates the transistor from the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shian-Jyh Lin, Yi-Nan Chen
  • Publication number: 20040214390
    Abstract: A method for forming a bottle-shaped trench. A conductive layer surrounded by a doped layer is filled in a lower portion of a trench formed in a substrate. A doping region is formed in the substrate around the doped layer by a heat treatment. A collar silicon nitride layer is formed over an upper portion of the sidewall of the trench. The conductive layer and the doped layer are successively removed using the collar silicon nitride layer as a mask. The doping region is partially oxidized to form a doped oxide region thereon. The doped oxide region is removed to form a bottle-shaped trench. A conformable rugged polysilicon layer is formed in the lower portion of the bottle-shaped trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Nan Chen, Hsin-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 6808979
    Abstract: A method for forming a vertical transistor and a trench capacitor. A semiconductor substrate having a pad stacked layer on the surface and a trench formed therein is provided. A capacitor is formed at the bottom part of the trench and a portion of the upper sidewall of the trench is exposed. A conductive wire is then formed on the capacitor, followed by forming a dielectric layer on the exposed sidewalls of the trench. A trench top dielectric is then formed by liquid phase deposition on the conductive wire. A transistor is then formed on the trench top dielectric, which isolates the transistor from the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shian-Jyh Lin, Yi-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6806138
    Abstract: The capacitance of deep trench capacitors is enhanced by increasing the surface area of the doped region of the trench to be used for one electrode of the capacitor. After formation of the deep trench and a collar on an upper region of the trench, and after optional bottling of the trench, hemispherical silicon grain (HSG) is deposited on a lower region of the trench. The HSG is then oxidized, along with that portion of the silicon substrate not covered by HSG, to form a roughened surface in the trench, thereby enhancing the trench capacitance. Oxidation of the HSG and the substrate occurs simultaneously with formation of the buried plate, and the formed oxide may be stripped along with the collar, thereby providing a simpler and more robust capacitance enhancement scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Hiroyuki Akatsu, Rama Divakaruni
  • Publication number: 20040192007
    Abstract: A memory cell and method of forming the same is provided. To make contact between a bit line and a select transistor of a dynamic memory unit on a semiconductor wafer, a contact hole is filled with a metal or a metal alloy. A liner layer may be introduced between the semiconductor substrate and the metal filling. The semiconductor substrate has a doped region in the contact hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Ralf Staub, Jurgen Amon, Norbert Urbansky
  • Patent number: 6794698
    Abstract: A DRAM cell capacitor is described. Capacitor formation and cell isolation methods are integrated by using existing isolation trench sidewalls to form DRAM capacitors. A doped silicon substrate adjacent to the vertical sidewalls of the isolation trench provides one DRAM cell capacitor plate. The DRAM capacitor also contains a dielectric material that partially covers the interior vertical sidewalls of the isolation trench. A conductive layer covering the dielectric material on the vertical sidewalls of the isolation trench forms the second capacitor plate and completes the DRAM capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Dung-Ching Perng, Yauh-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20040121533
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a DRAM cell, comprising the following steps. A substrate is provided. An isolation structure is formed within the substrate. The substrate is patterned to form nodes adjacent the isolation structure. Doped regions are formed with the substrate adjacent the nodes. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the patterned substrate, lining the nodes. A conductive layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer, filling the nodes. The conductive layer is patterned to form: a top electrode capacitor within the nodes; and respective word lines over the substrate adjacent the top electrode capacitor; each word line having exposed side walls. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent the word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jenn-Ming Huang, Chen-Yong Lin
  • Patent number: 6750096
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench with a buried plate includes the steps of forming a trench in a substrate, depositing a non-doped silicate oxide in the trench and placing a doped silicate glass filling thereon. A buried trench plate is formed around the lower region of the trench in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Sabine Steck, Martin Schrems
  • Patent number: 6706577
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously forming differential gate oxide for both high and low voltage transistors using a two-step wet oxidation process is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided wherein active areas of the substrate are isolated from other active areas and wherein there is at least one low voltage area in which a low voltage transistor will be formed and at least one high voltage area in which a high voltage transistor will be formed. The surface of the semiconductor substrate is wet oxidized to form a first layer of gate oxide on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the active areas. The low voltage active area is covered with a mask. The surface of the semiconductor substrate is wet oxidized again where it is not covered by the mask to form a second layer of gate oxide under the first gate oxide layer in the high voltage active area. The mask is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jih-Churng Twu, Syun-Ming Jang, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 6706587
    Abstract: Method for forming buried plates. The method includes providing a substrate formed with a pad stacked layer on the surface, a bottle trench and a protective layer on the upper sidewalls of the bottle trench, forming a doped hemispherical silicon grain (HSG) layer on the protective layer and the sidewalls and bottom of the bottle trench, removing the hemispherical silicon grain layer on the protective layer without removing the hemispherical silicon grain layer from the lower sidewalls and bottom of the bottle trench, forming a covering layer on the protective layer, and subjecting the doped hemispherical silicon grain layer to drive-in annealing so that ions in the HSG layer diffuse out to the substrate, thereby forming a buried plate within the lower sidewalls of the bottle trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Tsai, Hui Min Mao, Ying Huan Chuang
  • Patent number: 6682983
    Abstract: A method of forming a bottom electrode of a capacitor in a memory device. A plurality of deep trenches is formed, in which the number of first deep trenches within an active area is higher than that of the second deep trenches within a peripheral area. After a doped oxide layer is formed, a photoresist layer is formed on the doped oxide layer to fill the deep trenches. Then, exposure is employed on the photoresist layer with a predetermined incident angle of light source, wherein the photoresist layer outside the level of the deep trenches is exposed, and the photoresist layer inside the deep trenches is not. Thus, the photoresist layer exposed and outside the level of the deep trenches is removed, and the photoresist layer that is not exposed and inside the deep trenches is retained. Next, a part of the photoresist layer inside the deep trenches is removed, as is the doped oxide layer outside the level of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shih-Chi Shu
  • Patent number: 6680237
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a deep trench capacitor. A deep trench is formed in a substrate. A conformal capacitor dielectric layer and a first conductive layer are sequentially formed, completely filling the deep trench. The first conductive layer has a seam. The first conductive layer is etched to open up the seam. A collar oxide layer is formed over the interior surface of the deep trench. A collar liner layer is formed over the collar oxide layer inside the deep trench. Using the collar liner layer as a mask, the collar oxide material above the first conductive layer and within the seam is removed. The collar liner layer is removed. Finally, a second conductive layer and a third conductive layer are sequentially formed inside the deep trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: ProMos Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Lung Chen, Hsiao-Lei Wang, Hwei-Lin Chuang, Yueh-Chuan Lee
  • Patent number: 6649539
    Abstract: A method for reducing damage to a semiconductor structure resulting from migration of constituents of a first component part (3) of the structure into a subsequently deposited second component part (8) of the structure which makes contact with a surface of the first component part (3). A third component part (10) of the structure is deposited before the second component part (8), the third component part (10) being positioned so as to be contacted by the second component part (8) adjacent the said surface of the first component part (3). The third component part (10) has a composition such that it acts as a donor of constituents (12) to the second component part. The donor constituents (12) migrate into the second component part (8) when the second component part (8) is deposited and reduce the migration of constituents (11) of the first component part (3) into the second component part (8). If the first component part (3) is silicon, the third component part (10) may be polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Zetex PLC
    Inventor: David Neil Casey
  • Publication number: 20030203587
    Abstract: A 3D microelectronic structure is provided which includes a substrate having at least one opening present therein, the at least one opening having sidewalls which extend to a common bottom wall; and a thermal nitride layer present on at least an upper portion of each sidewall of openings. A method for fabricating the above-mentioned 3D microelectronic structure is also provided. Specifically, the method includes a step of selectively forming a thermal nitride layer on at least an upper portion of each sidewall of an opening formed in a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Michael P. Chudzik, Rajarao Jammy, Christopher C. Parks, Kenneth T. Settlemyer, Radhika Srinivasan, Kathryn H. Varian
  • Patent number: 6638815
    Abstract: In a vertical-transistor based semiconductor structure, the problem of making a reliable electrical connection between the node of the deep trench capacitor and the lower electrode of the vertical transistor is solved by; depositing a sacrificial insulator layer, forming a vertical hardmask on the inner trench walls above the sacrificial insulator, then stripping the insulator to expose the substrate walls; diffusing dopant into the substrate walls to form a self-aligned extension of the buried strap; depositing the final gate insulator; and then forming the upper portion of the vertical transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Bela Bronner, Ramachandra Divakaruni
  • Patent number: 6627973
    Abstract: A method of eliminating voids in the interlayer dielectric material of 0.18-&mgr;m flash memory semiconductor devices and a semiconductor device formed by the method. The present invention provides a method for eliminating voids in the interlayer dielectric of a 0.18-&mgr;m flash memory semiconductor device by providing a first BPTEOS layer, using a very low deposition rate and having a thickness in a range of approximately 3 kÅ; and providing a second BPTEOS layer, using a standard deposition rate and having a thickness in a range of approximately 13 kÅ, wherein both layers have an atomic dopant concentration of approximately 4.5% B and approximately 5% P. This two-step deposition process completely eliminates voids in the ILD for a 0.5-&mgr;m distance (gate-to-gate) as well as 0.38-&mgr;m distance (gate-to-gate) which is the future flash technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Minh Van Ngo, Robert A. Huertas, Lu You, King Wai Kelwin Ko, Pei-Yuan Gao
  • Patent number: 6599798
    Abstract: The vertical DRAM capacitor with a buried LOCOS collar characterized by: a self-aligned bottle and gas phase doping; no consumption of silicon at the depth of the buried strap; no reduction of trench diameter; and a nitride layer to protect trench sidewalls during gas phase doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Helmut Tews, Stephan Kudelka, Uwe Schroeder, Rolf Weis
  • Publication number: 20030134469
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising a semiconductor substrate in the shape of a slice, the method comprising the steps of: step 1) selectively applying a pattern of a solids-based dopant source to a first major surface of said semiconducting substrate; step 2) diffusing the dopant atoms from said solids-based dopant source into said substrate by a controlled heat treatment step in a gaseous environment surrounding said semi-conducting substrate, the dopant from said solids-based dopant source diffusing directly into said substrate to form a first diffusion region and, at the same time, diffusing said dopant from said solids-based dopant source indirectly via said gaseous environment into said substrate to form a second diffusion region in at least some areas of said substrate to form a second diffusion region in at least some areas of said substrate not covered by said pattern; and step 3) forming a metal contact pattern substantially in alignment with
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: IMEC vzw, a research center in the country of Belgium
    Inventors: Jorg Horzel, Jozef Szlufcik, Mia Honore, Johan Nijs
  • Patent number: 6586300
    Abstract: A trench top isolation (TTI) layer (148) and method of forming thereof for a vertical DRAM. A first assist layer (134) is disposed over trench sidewalls (133) and trench capacitor top surfaces (131). A second assist layer (136) is disposed over the first assist layer (134). The second assist layer (136) is removed from over the trench capacitor top surface (131), and the first assist layer (134) is removed from the trench capacitor top surface (131) using the second assist layer (136) as a mask. The second assist layer (136) is removed, and a first insulating layer (140) is disposed over the first assist layer (134) and trench capacitor top surface (131). A second insulating layer (142) is disposed over the first insulating layer (140), and the second insulating layer (142) is removed from the trench sidewalls (133). The first insulating layer (140) and the first assist layer (134) are removed from the trench sidewalls (133).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus M. Hummler, Arnd R. Scholz
  • Patent number: 6579759
    Abstract: In a vertical-transistor DRAM cell, the problem of making a reliable electrical connection between the node of the deep trench capacitor and the lower electrode of the vertical transistor is solved by; depositing a temporary insulator layer, forming a vertical spacer on the trench walls above the temporary insulator, then stripping the insulator to expose the substrate walls; diffusing dopant into the substrate walls to form a self-aligned extension of the buried strap; depositing the final gate insulator; and then forming the upper portion of the DRAM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Chudzik, Jochen Beintner, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Rajarao Jammy
  • Patent number: 6573137
    Abstract: A method for clearing an isolation collar from a first interior surface of a deep trench at a location above a storage capacitor while leaving the isolation collar at other surfaces of the deep trench. A barrier material is deposited above a node conductor of the storage capacitor. A layer of silicon is deposited over the barrier material. Dopant ions are implanted at an angle into the layer of deposited silicon within the deep trench, thereby leaving the deposited silicon unimplanted along one side of the deep trench. The unimplanted silicon is etched. The isolation collar is removed in locations previously covered by the unimplanted silicon, leaving the isolation collar in locations covered by the implanted silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ramachandra Divakaruni, Jack A. Mandelman, Wolfgang Bergner, Gary B. Bronner, Ulrike Gruening, Stephan Kudelka, Alexander Michaelis, Larry Nesbit, Carl J. Radens, Till Schloesser, Helmut Tews
  • Patent number: 6566192
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a trench capacitor of a memory cell. A pad layer is formed on the substrate, and a deep trench is then formed. A residual first insulating layer is conformably formed on the sidewall and bottom of the trench, wherein the upper surface of the residual first insulating layer is lower than that of the substrate. A residual non-doped layer is conformably formed on the first insulating layer, wherein the upper surface of the residual non-doped layer is between the upper surfaces the residual first insulating layer and the substrate. A residual doped insulating layer is conformably formed on the residual non-doped layer, wherein the upper surface of the residual doped insulating layer is substantially level with that of the residual non-doped layer. A second insulating layer is conformably formed on the pad layer and the inner surface of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shian-Jyh Lin
  • Patent number: 6566187
    Abstract: DRAM cell arrangement and method for fabricating it Word lines and bit lines are arranged above a main area of a substrate, with the result that they have a planar construction and can be produced together with gate electrodes of transistors of a periphery of the cell arrangement. A depression of the substrate is provided per memory cell, a storage node of a storage capacitor being arranged in the lower region of said depression and a gate electrode of a vertical transistor being arranged in the upper region of said depression. The depressions of the memory cells are arranged between trenches filled with isolating structures. Upper source/drain regions of the transistors are arranged between two mutually adjacent isolating structures and between two mutually adjacent depressions. Lower source/drain regions are arranged in the substrate and adjoin the storage nodes. For process steps, alignment tolerances are so large that the space requirement for the memory cell can amount to 4F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Josef Willer, Franz Hoffmann, Till Schlösser
  • Patent number: 6562634
    Abstract: A magneto-resistive memory cell and a method of forming the memory cell, includes a substrate, a single crystalline semiconductor diode formed in the substrate; and a first thin film conductor recessed in the substrate, and a second thin film conductor formed above a magnetic tunnel junction formed on the diode. The diode and the first thin film conductor share a non-planar common surface, such that the metal tunnel junction is a predetermined distance from the thin film conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Bela Bronner, Stephen McConnell Gates, Roy Edwin Scheuerlein
  • Publication number: 20030087492
    Abstract: The present invention discloses structure and manufacturing method of binary nitride-oxide (NO) dielectric node for deep trench based DRAM devices. In the present invention, a thin strained SiGe layer is deposited prior to poly deposition to modulate the chemical potential unbalance caused by work-function (WF) differences between buried plate and poly. The thin strained SiGe layer will lower the differences by its lower band-gap characteristics at the same doping level, thereby balancing the chemical potential despite of a different doping. The modulation of the chemical potential can be achieved by a proper control of a stochimetric x value. The optimized chemical potential will assure the reliability and robustness of the dielectric node, especially the binary NO dielectric node by suppressing asymmetric charging trapping and charge injection nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: PROMOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lee, Jan G. Zieleman
  • Patent number: 6548344
    Abstract: In the formation of a semiconductor structure, where spacer formation is strongly dependent on the structure (e.g. taper), the improvement of a spacer formation on a poly stud planarized to pad nitride where an oxide is formed on top of the poly prior to the pad nitride strip, so that after pad nitride removal, the poly is etched back and nitride is deposited conformal followed by anisotropic nitride RIE etch, so that the oxide protects the nitride underneath from being etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jochen Beintner, Stephan Kudelka, Thomas Dyer
  • Patent number: 6544856
    Abstract: A method for increasing a trench capacitance in deep trench capacitors is described, in which, in a standard method, after the etching of the arsenic glass, a wet-chemical etching is additionally performed. An n+-doped substrate results from the driving-out of the arsenic glass being widened in the trench, by about 20 nm, selectively both with respect to the lightly doped substrate and with respect to the oxide layer and with respect to the nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Morhard, Irene Sperl, Klaus Penner
  • Patent number: 6537872
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a capacitor of a DRAM cell. First, an insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate at the top portion of the trench. Afterward, a seed layer on the ringed insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate at the bottom portion of the trench. A photoresist is coated in the trench at the bottom portion. Next, the seed layer is partially removed to expose the ringed insulating layer while the photoresist is used as the shield. The photoresist is then removed to expose the remaining seed layer at the bottom portion. A hemispherical silicon grain layer is deposited from the remaining seed layer on the semiconductor substrate. Ions are doped the hemispherical silicon grain layer and the semiconductor substrate so as to create a doped area to serve as the lower electrode of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Wu Tsao, Chih-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 6528384
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a trench capacitor uses a low-pressure gas phase doping for forming a buried plate as a capacitor plate. The use of the low-pressure gas phase doping reduces process costs and improves capacitor properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gustav Beckmann, Moritz Haupt, Anke Krasemann, Alexandra Lamprecht, Dietmar Ottenwälder, Jens-Uwe Sachse, Martin Schrems
  • Patent number: 6525922
    Abstract: A capacitor structure is formed on a substrate member having one or more via holes therein. Metallization portions within the via holes of the substrate member form part of the plates of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Winer, Richard H. Livengood, Suresh Ramalingam