Having Additional Gate Electrode Surrounded By Dielectric (i.e., Floating Gate) Patents (Class 438/257)
  • Patent number: 9276090
    Abstract: A self-rectified device is provided, comprising a bottom electrode, a patterned dielectric layer with a contact hole formed on the bottom electrode, a memory formed at the bottom electrode and substantially aligned with the contact hole, and a top electrode formed on the bottom electrode and filling into the contact hole to contact with the memory, wherein the top electrode comprises a N+ type semiconductor material or a P+ type semiconductor material, and the memory and the top electrode produce a self-rectified property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Chien, Dai-Ying Lee, Erh-Kun Lai, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 9269893
    Abstract: A multi-step etch technique for fabricating a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) apparatus includes forming a first conductive hard mask on a first electrode of the MTJ apparatus for etching the first electrode during a first etching step. The method also includes forming a second conductive hard mask on the first conductive hard mask for etching magnetic layers of the MTJ apparatus during a second etching step. A spacer layer is conformally deposited on sidewalls of the first conductive hard mask. The second conductive hard mask is deposited on the first conductive hard mask and aligned with the spacer layer on the sidewalls of the first conductive hard mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Chando Park, Wei-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9263396
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions being isolated from each other, a plurality of transistors formed in the first region, an alignment mark formed in the second region, the alignment mark having a plurality of active regions in a first direction, and a dummy gate structure formed over the alignment mark, the dummy gate structure having a plurality of lines in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Liang Shen, Ming-Yuan Wu, Chiung-Han Yeh, Kong-Beng Thei, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang
  • Patent number: 9263458
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-volatile memory includes a first non-volatile memory cell and a first selected transistor. A first cell block is formed by connecting a plurality of first non-volatile memory cells in series. An area S1 of the first insulating film at which the first floating gate is in contact with the first silicon channel is larger than an area S2 of the second insulating film at which the first floating gate is in contact with the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Daisaburo Takashima
  • Patent number: 9257436
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a cell region and a peripheral region, a buried gate formed over the substrate of the cell region, a peripheral gate formed over the substrate of the peripheral region and comprising a conductive layer, an inter-layer dielectric layer that covers the substrate, and a peripheral bit line formed inside the inter-layer dielectric layer and contacting the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong-Han Shin
  • Patent number: 9257445
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for making semiconductor structures include a split gate non-volatile memory (NVM) cell in an NVM region. A charge storage layer, a first conductive layer, and a capping layer are formed over the substrate, which are patterned to form a control gate stack in the NVM region of the substrate. A high-k dielectric layer, a metal layer, and a second conductive layer are formed over the substrate. The second conductive layer and the metal layer are patterned to form remaining portions of the second conductive layer and the metal layer over and adjacent to a first side of the control gate stack. The remaining portion of the second conductive layer is removed to form a select gate stack, which includes the remaining portion of the metal layer. A stressor layer is formed over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Konstantin V. Loiko, Brian A. Winstead
  • Patent number: 9257568
    Abstract: A flash memory cell structure is provided. A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate overlying the semiconductor substrate, a word-line adjacent to the floating gate, an erase gate adjacent to a side of the floating gate opposite the word-line, a first sidewall disposed between the floating gate and the word-line, and a second sidewall disposed between the floating gate and the erase gate. The first sidewall has a first characteristic and the second sidewall has a second characteristic. The first characteristic is different from the second characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Shen, Shih-Chang Liu, Chi-Hsin Lo, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Tsun Kai Tsao
  • Patent number: 9236482
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for semiconductor device structures and methods for forming semiconductor device structures, wherein a field-inducing structure is provided lower than an active portion of a fin along a height dimension of that fin, the height dimension extending in parallel to a normal direction of a semiconductor substrate surface in which the fin is formed. The field-inducing structure hereby implements a permanent field effect below the active portion. The active portion of the fin is to be understood as a portion of the fin covered by a gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Goldbach, Martin Trentzsch
  • Patent number: 9236390
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pillar-shaped silicon layer including a first diffusion layer, a channel region, and a second diffusion layer formed in that order from the silicon substrate side, floating gates respectively disposed in two symmetrical directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer, and a control gate line disposed in two symmetrical directions other than the two directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer. A tunnel insulating film is formed between the pillar-shaped silicon layer and each of the floating gates. The control gate line is disposed so as to surround the floating gates and the pillar-shaped silicon layer with an inter-polysilicon insulating film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Ptd. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9236125
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a tunnel structure that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and tunnel dielectric layer disposed between the electrodes. In a particular embodiment, the tunnel structure may or may not include an intermediate doped region that is at the primary surface, abuts a lightly doped region, and has a second conductivity type opposite from and a dopant concentration greater than the lightly doped region. In another embodiment, the electrodes have opposite conductivity types. In a further embodiment, an electrode can be formed from a portion of a substrate or well region, and the other electrode can be formed over such portion of the substrate or well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thierry Coffi Herve Yao, Gregory James Scott
  • Patent number: 9224748
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating memory devices. A method comprises fabricating charge-trapping stacks overlying a silicon substrate and forming bit line regions in the substrate between the charge trapping stacks. Insulating elements are formed overlying the bit line regions between the stacks. The charge-trapping stacks are etched to form two complementary charge storage nodes and to expose portions of the silicon substrate. Silicon is grown on the exposed silicon substrate by selective epitaxial growth and is oxidized. A control gate layer is formed overlying the complementary charge storage nodes and the oxidized epitaxially-grown silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Ning Cheng, Minghao Shen
  • Patent number: 9224944
    Abstract: A magnetic memory according to an embodiment includes: at least one memory cell comprising a magnetoresistive element as a memory element, and first and second electrodes that energize the magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element includes: a first magnetic layer having a variable magnetization direction perpendicular to a film plane; a tunnel barrier layer on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer on the tunnel barrier layer, and having a fixed magnetization direction perpendicular to the film plane. The first magnetic layer including: a first region; and a second region outside the first region so as to surround the first region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the first region. The second magnetic layer including: a third region; and a fourth region outside the third region, and having a smaller perpendicular magnetic anisotropy energy than that of the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Yuichi Ohsawa, Junichi Ito, Chikayoshi Kamata, Saori Kashiwada, Minoru Amano, Hiroaki Yoda
  • Patent number: 9224458
    Abstract: A memory array is disclosed having bipolar current-voltage (IV) resistive random access memory cells with built-in “on” state rectifying IV characteristics. In one embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/semiconductor stack that forms a Schottky diode when switched to the “on” state. In another embodiment, a bipolar switching resistive random access memory cell may have a metal/solid electrolyte/tunnel barrier/electrode stack that forms a metal-insulator-metal device when switched to the “on” state. Methods of operating the memory array are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9224654
    Abstract: Spacer structures are formed around an array of disposable mandrel structures and above a doped semiconductor material portion. A sidewall image transfer process is employed to pattern an upper portion of the doped semiconductor material portion into an array of doped semiconductor fins. After formation of a dielectric material layer on the top surfaces and sidewall surfaces of the doped semiconductor fins, gate-level mandrel structures are formed to straddle multiple semiconductor fins. A conductive hole-containing structure is formed to laterally surround a plurality of gate-level mandrel structures, which is subsequently removed. A contact-level dielectric layer is formed over the conductive hole-containing structure and the plurality of doped semiconductor fins. The semiconductor fins function as a lower electrode of a fin capacitor, and the conductive hole-containing structure functions as an upper electrode of the fin capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Shom S. Ponoth, Theodorus E. Standaert, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9219167
    Abstract: A method of forming a flash memory cell includes forming a first hard mask and a second hard mask on a substrate. A select gate is formed as a spacer around the first hard mask. A charge storage layer is formed over the first and second hard masks and the select gate. A control gate is formed as a spacer around the second hard mask. A recess in the control gate is filled with a dielectric material. The recess is formed between a curved sidewall of the control gate and a sidewall of the charge storage layer directly adjacent the curved sidewall of the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob T. Williams, Cheong Min Hong, Sung-Taeg Kang, David G. Kolar, Jane A. Yater
  • Patent number: 9208434
    Abstract: A neuromorphic system comprises a set of at least one input neuron, a set of at least one output neuron and a synaptic network formed from a set of at least one variable-resistance memristive component, said synaptic network connecting at least one input neuron to at least one output neuron, the resistance of the at least one memristive component being adjusted by delivering to the synaptic network write pulses generated by the at least one input neuron, and return pulses generated by the at least one output neuron, the characteristics of the write and return pulses being deduced from the intrinsic characteristics of the at least one memristive component so that the combination of a write pulse and a return pulse in the at least one memristive component results in a modification of its resistance according to a learning rule chosen beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Manan Suri, Olivier Bichler, Barbara De Salvo, Christian Gamrat, Damien Querlioz
  • Patent number: 9196748
    Abstract: The performances of a semiconductor device are improved. The semiconductor device has a first control gate electrode and a second control gate electrode spaced along the gate length direction, a first cap insulation film formed over the first control gate electrode, and a second cap insulation film formed over the second control gate electrode. Further, the semiconductor device has a first memory gate electrode arranged on the side of the first control gate electrode opposite to the second control gate electrode, and a second memory gate electrode arranged on the side of the second control gate electrode opposite to the first control gate electrode. The end at the top surface of the first cap insulation film on the second control gate electrode side is situated closer to the first memory gate electrode side than the side surface of the first control gate electrode on the second control gate electrode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Saito, Hiraku Chakihara
  • Patent number: 9184252
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a flash memory cell and a logic MOS device. The flash memory cell includes a floating gate dielectric, a floating gate overlying the floating gate dielectric, a control gate overlying the floating gate, a word-line on a first side of the floating gate and the control gate, and an erase gate on a second side of the floating gate and the control gate. The logic MOS device includes a high-k gate dielectric, and a gate electrode over the high-k gate dielectric. The gate electrode, the control gate, the word-line, and the erase gate are formed of a same metal-containing material, and have top surfaces coplanar with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 9184164
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors, and a ground selection transistor electrically connected in series to the string selection transistor and to the pluralities of memory cell transistors. First impurity layers are formed at boundaries of the channels and the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. The first impurity layers are doped with opposite conductivity type impurities relative to the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. Second impurity layers are formed at boundaries between a channel and a drain region of the string selection transistor and between a channel and a source region of the ground selection transistor. The second impurity layers are doped with the same conductivity type impurities as the first impurity layers and have a higher impurity concentration than the first impurity layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hyun Lee, Jung-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 9177853
    Abstract: Air gaps are formed between conductive metal lines that have an inner barrier layer and an outer barrier layer. An etch step to remove sacrificial material is performed under a first set of process conditions producing a byproduct that suppresses further etching. A byproduct removal step performed under a second set of process conditions removes the byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Futase, Katsuo Yamada, Tomoyasu Kakegawa, Noritaka Fukuo, Yuji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9177800
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes, forming, on a substrate, an element isolation insulating film which includes a protruding portion protruding above a level of a surface of the substrate, forming a first film on the substrate and on the element isolation insulating film, polishing the first film to expose the protruding portion, forming a first resist pattern which straddles the first film and the protruding portion after polishing the first film, patterning the first film using the first resist pattern as a mask to form a first pattern, and forming a sidewall film at side surfaces of the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Yusuke Morisaki
  • Patent number: 9171727
    Abstract: After forming a first film over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, the first film is patterned, thereby forming a control gate electrode for a non-volatile memory, a dummy gate electrode, and a first film pattern. Subsequently, a memory gate electrode for the non-volatile memory adjacent to the control gate electrode is formed. Then, the first film pattern is patterned thereby forming a gate electrode and a dummy gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishikizawa, Takuro Homma, Hiraku Chakihara, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9165939
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming a first insulation layer and a first conductive layer on a substrate including a first region and a second region, forming a first isolation trench in the first region by etching the first conductive layer, the first insulation layer, and the substrate, forming a first isolation layer filled in the first isolation trench, forming a second insulation layer and a conductive capping layer, etching the capping layer and the second insulation layer, forming a second conductive layer, and forming first gate patterns by etching the second conductive layer, the capping layer, the second insulation layer, the first conductive layer, and the first insulation layer of the first region, and forming a second isolation trench in the second region by etching the second conductive layer, the first conductive layer, the first insulation layer, and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9166012
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor memory device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor memory device may include a semiconductor substrate with a first trench defining active regions in a first region and a second trench provided in a second region around the first region, a gate electrode provided on the first region to cross the active regions, a charge storing pattern disposed between the gate electrode and the active regions, a blocking insulating layer provided between the gate electrode and the charge storing pattern and extending over the first trench to define a first air gap in the first trench, and an insulating pattern provided spaced apart from a bottom surface of the second trench to define a second air gap in the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hwang Sim, Jinhyun Shin, Jong-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9159914
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a bottom electrode on a semiconductor substrate, a data storage layer on the bottom electrode, the data storage layer including a transition metal oxide, and a switching layer provided on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of the data storage layer, wherein a bond energy of material included in the switching layer and oxygen is more than a bond energy of a transition metal in the transition metal oxide and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Kyung Yim, In-Gyu Baek, Jang-Eun Lee, Se-Chung Oh, Kyung-Tae Nam, Jin-Shi Zhao
  • Patent number: 9153596
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having reduced parasitic current and methods of malting the semiconductor devices are provided. Further provided are memory devices having reduced adjacent wordline disturb. The memory devices contain wordlines formed over a semiconductor substrate, wherein at least one wordline space is formed between the wordlines. Adjacent wordline disturb is reduced by implanting one or more of indium, boron, and a combination of boron and indium in the surface of the at least one wordline space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gulzar A. Kathawala, Zhizheng Liu, Kuo Tung Chang, Lei Xue
  • Patent number: 9153594
    Abstract: The present invention discloses use of quantum dot gate FETs as a nonvolatile memory element that can be used in flash memory architecture as well as in a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) configuration that does not require refreshing of data as in dynamic random access memories. Another innovation is the design of quantum dot gate nonvolatile memory and 3-state devices using modulation doped field-effect transistors (MODFETs), particularly MOS-gate field effect transistors. The cladded quantum dot gate MODFETs can be designed in Si—SiGe, InGaAs—InP and other material systems. The incorporation of 3-state FET devices in static random access memory (SRAM) cell is described to result in advanced multi-state memory operation. Unlike conventional SRAMs, the 3-state QD-FET based of SRAMs provides 3 and 4-state memory operation due to the utilization of the intermediate states particularly in CMOS configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Faquir C. Jain
  • Patent number: 9153524
    Abstract: A method of forming a stacked-layer wiring includes forming first wettability variable layer on a substrate using material that changes surface energy by energy application; forming first conductive layer in or on the first wettability variable layer; forming second wettability variable layer on the first wettability variable layer using material that changes surface energy by energy application; forming concave portion to become wiring pattern of second conductive layer to the second wettability variable layer while concurrently forming high surface energy area on surface exposed by forming the concave portion by changing surface energy; forming via hole by exposing a part of the first conductive layer while concurrently forming high surface energy area on surface exposed by forming the via hole by changing surface energy; and applying conductive ink to the high surface energy area to form the second conductive layer and via simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Koei Suzuki, Takanori Tano, Hiroshi Miura, Atsushi Onodera
  • Patent number: 9153454
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a high voltage device includes the step of forming a patterned photoresist layer on a conductive layer and a dielectric below the conductive. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer are patterned by taking the patterned photoresist layer as a mask. Subsequently the patterned photoresist layer is shrunk. The conductive layer and the dielectric layer are then patterned by taking the shrunk photoresist layer as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Hao Chen, Wen-Yu Lee, Hsiao-Wen Liu, Jung-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 9129856
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for concurrently fabricating a memory region with a logic region in a common substrate includes forming a lower dielectric segment in the common substrate in the memory and logic regions. The method also includes forming a polysilicon segment over the lower dielectric segment in the memory region, while concurrently forming a sacrificial polysilicon segment over the lower dielectric segment in the logic region. Furthermore, the method includes removing from the logic region the lower dielectric segment and the sacrificial polysilicon segment. The method additionally includes forming a high-k segment in the logic region over the common substrate, and in the memory region over the polysilicon segment and forming a metal segment over the high-k segment in the logic and memory regions. An exemplary structure achieved by the described exemplary method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Xia, Xiangdong Chen
  • Patent number: 9117752
    Abstract: A memory cell having a kinked polysilicon layer structure, or a polysilicon layer structure with a top portion being narrower than a bottom portion, may greatly reduce random single bit (RSB) failures and may improve high density plasma (HDP) oxide layer fill-in by reducing defects caused by various impurities and/or a polysilicon layer short path. A kinked polysilicon layer structure may also be applied to floating gate memory cells either at the floating gate structure or the control gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shing Ann Luo, Yung-Tai Hung, Chin-Ta Su, Tahone Yagn
  • Patent number: 9118006
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory device that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first chalcogenide material layer between the first and second electrodes, the chalcogenide layer including carbon incorporated into germanium selenide chalcogenide glass. The variable resistance memory device may include a second chalcogenide material layer between the first chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode. The variable resistance memory device may include a first metallic layer between the second chalcogenide material layer and the second electrode. The variable resistance memory device may include a third chalcogenide material layer between the first metallic layer and the second electrode. The variable resistance memory device may include a fourth chalcogenide material layer between the first chalcogenide material layer and the first electrode. The first chalcogenide layer may be formed by co-sputtering carbon with Ge40Se60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Boise State University
    Inventor: Kristy A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9117904
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate electrode disposed on the substrate, wherein the gate electrode has a first top surface. Agate dielectric layer is disposed between the substrate and the gate electrode. A silicon carbon nitride spacer surrounds the gate electrode, wherein the silicon carbon nitride spacer has a second top surface not higher than the first top surface. A silicon oxide spacer surrounds the silicon carbon nitride spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shyan-Liang Chou, Tsung-Min Kuo, Po-Wen Su, Chun-Mao Chiou, Feng-Mou Chen
  • Patent number: 9111871
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide semiconductor structures and methods for forming the same. In an exemplary method, a substrate can be provided. The substrate can have a plurality of isolation structures. A top surface of the plurality of isolation structures can be higher than a surface of the substrate. A device layer can be formed on the substrate and on the plurality of isolation structures. The device layer can be polished using a polishing process, such that the top surface of the plurality of isolation structures are exposed, with residue remaining on the device layer and on the plurality of isolation structures. The residue can be removed from the device layer and from the plurality of isolation structures using a non-polishing-removal process, such that the top surface of the plurality of isolation structures and a top surface of the device layer are substantially leveled and smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xinpeng Wang, Xianjie Ning
  • Patent number: 9111867
    Abstract: A process integration is disclosed for fabricating non-volatile memory (NVM) cells having spacer control gates (108) along with a high-k-metal-poly select gate (121, 123, 127) and one or more additional in-laid high-k metal CMOS transistor gates (121, 124, 128) using a gate-last HKMG CMOS process flow without interfering with the operation or reliability of the NVM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantin V Loiko, Brian A Winstead
  • Patent number: 9112137
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a word line region is formed, and a barrier metal layer arranged on the word line region and causing a Schottky junction. The barrier metal layer includes a first nitride material, in which a first material is nitrified, and a second nitride material, in which a second material is nitrified. The barrier metal layer is formed of a mixture of the first nitride material and the second nitride material. At least one of the first material or the second material is rich in a metal used to form the first nitride material or the second nitride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Hyock Kim, Keun Lee, Young Seok Kwon
  • Patent number: 9111863
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dummy gate in a gate-last process and a dummy gate in a gate-last process are provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; growing a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; depositing bottom-layer amorphous silicon on the gate oxide layer; depositing an ONO structured hard mask on the bottom-layer amorphous silicon; depositing top-layer amorphous silicon on the ONO structured hard mask; depositing a hard mask layer on the top-layer amorphous silicon, and trimming the hard mask layer so that the trimmed hard mask layer has a width less than or equal to 22 nm; and etching the top-layer amorphous silicon, the ONO structured hard mask and the bottom-layer amorphous silicon in accordance with the trimmed hard mask layer, and removing the hard mask layer and the top-layer amorphous silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Chunlong Li, Junfeng Li, Jiang Yan, Chao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9087737
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed that include selectively etching diffused regions to form recesses in semiconductor material, and forming charge storage structures in the recesses. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Schrinsky, Anish Khandekar, Pavan Aella, Niraj B. Rana
  • Patent number: 9082651
    Abstract: A device comprises a control gate structure over a substrate, a memory gate structure over the substrate, wherein a charge storage layer formed between the control gate structure and the memory gate structure, a first spacer along a sidewall of the memory gate structure, a second spacer over a top surface of the memory gate structure, a first drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the memory gate structure and a second drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the control gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Ming Wu, Wei Cheng Wu, Shih-Chang Liu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang
  • Patent number: 9070870
    Abstract: Partial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PPMA) type magnetic random access memory cells are constructed using processes and structural configurations that induce a directed static strain/stress on an MTJ to increase the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Consequently, reduced switching current of the MTJ results. The directed static strain/stress on the MTJ is induced in a controlled direction and/or with a controlled magnitude during fabrication. The MTJ is permanently subject to a predetermined directed stress and permanently includes the directed static strain/strain that provides reduced switching current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiaochun Zhu, Xia Li, Wei-Chuan Chen, Seung Hyuk Kang
  • Patent number: 9070448
    Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device may include providing a feature layer having a first region and a second region. The methods may also include forming a dual mask layer on the feature layer. The methods may further include forming a variable mask layer on the dual mask layer. The methods may additionally include forming a first structure on the feature layer in the first region and a second structure on the feature layer in the second region by patterning the variable mask layer and the dual mask layer. The methods may also include forming a first spacer on a sidewall of the first structure and a second spacer on a sidewall of the second structure. The methods may further include removing the first structure while maintaining at least a portion of the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Ho Min, O-lk Kwon, Bum-Soo Kim, Dong-Chan Kim, Myeong-Cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 9064735
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that has a new structure is provided, in which memory cells are laminated in a three dimensional state so that the chip area may be reduced. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has a plurality of memory strings, in which a plurality of electrically programmable memory cells is connected in series. The memory strings comprise a pillar shaped semiconductor; a first insulation film formed around the pillar shaped semiconductor; a charge storage layer formed around the first insulation film; the second insulation film formed around the charge storage layer; and first or nth electrodes formed around the second insulation film (n is natural number more than 1). The first or nth electrodes of the memory strings and the other first or nth electrodes of the memory strings are respectively the first or nth conductor layers that are spread in a two dimensional state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kito, Hideaki Aochi, Ryota Katsumata, Akihiro Nitayama, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Yasuyuki Matsuoka, Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 9064970
    Abstract: Vertical memories and methods of making the same are discussed generally herein. In one embodiment, a vertical memory can include a vertical pillar extending to a source, an etch stop tier over the source, and a stack of alternating dielectric tiers and conductive tiers over the etch stop tier. The etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar. In another embodiment, the etch stop tier can comprise a blocking dielectric adjacent to the pillar, and a plurality of dielectric films horizontally extending from the blocking dielectric into the etch stop tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, John Hopkins, Srikant Jayanti
  • Patent number: 9059208
    Abstract: A plurality of disposable gate materials is employed to form multiple types of disposable gate stack structures. Different types of disposable gate stack structures are sequentially removed and replaced with different types of replacement gate stack structures. Sequential removal of the different types of disposable gate stack structures can be effected by employing etch chemistries that remove one type of disposable gate material while not etching at least another type of disposable gate material. Different types of replacement gate stack structures can employ different work function materials. Lithographic patterning of workfunction materials is avoided, and each replacement gate stack structure can have a workfunction material portion having a uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9054051
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, a target layer and a first material layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A plurality of second material layer patterns are formed on the first material layer, the second material layer patterns extending in a first horizontal direction. A plurality of hardmask patterns extending in a second horizontal direction are formed on the plurality of second material layer patterns and the first material layer, wherein the second horizontal direction is different from the first horizontal direction. A first material layer pattern is formed by etching the first material layer using the plurality of hardmask patterns and the plurality of second material layer patterns as etch masks. A target layer pattern with a plurality of holes is formed by etching the target layer using the first material layer pattern as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo-yeon Jeong, In-ho Kim, Hyung-yong Kim, Myeong-cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 9040375
    Abstract: A method for processing a carrier accordance with various embodiments may include: forming a structure over the carrier, the structure including at least two adjacent structure elements arranged at a first distance between the same; depositing a spacer layer over the structure, wherein the spacer layer may be deposited having a thickness greater than half of the first distance, wherein the spacer layer may include electrically conductive spacer material; removing a portion of the spacer layer, wherein spacer material of the spacer layer may remain in a region between the at least two adjacent structure elements; and electrically contacting the remaining spacer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES DRESDEN GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Strenz, Mayk Roehrich, Wolfram Langheinrich, John Power, Danny Shum, Martin Stiftinger
  • Patent number: 9041092
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pillar-shaped silicon layer including a first diffusion layer, a channel region, and a second diffusion layer formed in that order from the silicon substrate side, floating gates respectively disposed in two symmetrical directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer, and a control gate line disposed in two symmetrical directions other than the two directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer. A tunnel insulating film is formed between the pillar-shaped silicon layer and each of the floating gates. The control gate line is disposed so as to surround the floating gates and the pillar-shaped silicon layer with an inter-polysilicon insulating film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150123185
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 9023700
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selective one-step nitridation of semiconductor substrates is provided. Nitrogen is selectively incorporated in silicon regions of a semiconductor substrate having silicon regions and silicon oxide regions by use of a selective nitridation process. Nitrogen containing radicals may be directed toward the substrate by forming a nitrogen containing plasma and filtering or removing ions from the plasma, or a thermal nitridation process using selective precursors may be performed. A remote plasma generator may be coupled to a processing chamber, optionally including one or more ion filters, showerheads, and radical distributors, or an in situ plasma may be generated and one or more ion filters or shields disposed in the chamber between the plasma generation zone and the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Udayan Ganguly, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Matthew Scott Rogers, Yoshitaka Yokota, Johanes S. Swenberg, Malcolm J. Bevan
  • Patent number: 9024425
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional memory (3D-M). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least an integrated intermediate-circuit die comprising both a read/write-voltage generator (VR/VW-generator) and an address/data translator (A/D-translator). The intermediate-circuit die performs voltage, address and/or data conversion between the 3D-M core region and the host. Discrete 3D-M support multiple 3D-array dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guobiao Zhang
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang