Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of forming an ultra-thin dielectric layer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having a semiconductor surface; forming an oxygen-containing layer on the semiconductor surface; exposing the oxygen-containing layer to a nitrogen-containing plasma to create a uniform nitrogen distribution throughout the oxygen-containing layer; and re-oxidizing and annealing the layer to stabilize the nitrogen distribution, heal plasma-induced damage, and reduce interfacial defect density.

Abstract: A method of integrated circuit component integration in copper interconnects, including the following steps of the first embodiment. A wafer is provided having an exposed top-most planar copper interconnect. The wafer being divided into one or more areas selected from the group consisting of: a spiral inductor area having an exposed planar copper interconnect bottom half of a stacked spiral inductor; a MIM capacitor area having an exposed planar copper interconnect bottom plate and an exposed planar copper interconnect contact point of a MIM capacitor; and a precision resistor area having a two exposed planar copper interconnect routing points of a precision resistor. A spiral inductor is formed within the spiral inductor area; a MIM capacitor is formed within the MIM capacitor area; and a precision resistor is formed within the precision resistor area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning polysilicon circuit elements includes a supply source configured to impress a desired voltage or current upon a polysilicon circuit element including at least a polysilicon resistor for a desired signal duration. The desired voltage or current and signal duration are chosen to cause an irreversible decrease in the resistance of the polysilicon circuit element without generating enough heat to re-alloy the resistor contacts or fuse open the resistor. The process of the present invention may be selectively performed on desired ones of a number of polysilicon resistors forming an array or matrix to thereby program the array or matrix with a desired binary code. Alternatively, the process may be used to pre-condition all the resistors in an array or matrix to thereby facilitate subsequent programming thereof via conventional fusing techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container capacitor structure and method of constructing it. An etch mask and etch are used to expose portions of an exterior surface of electrode (“bottom electrodes”) of the container capacitor structure. The etch provides a recess between proximal pairs of container capacitor structures, which recess is available for forming additional capacitance. Accordingly, a capacitor dielectric and a top electrode are formed on and adjacent to, respectively, both an interior surface and portions of the exterior surface of the first electrode. Advantageously, surface area common to both the first electrode and second electrodes is increased over using only the interior surface, which provides additional capacitance without a decrease in spacing for clearing portions of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode away from a contact hole location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a thin-film resistor on a dielectric layer of a semiconductor wafer. First, a resistance layer, a buffering layer and a protective layer are formed in a predetermined area of the dielectric layer. Then, an insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor wafer to cover the upper and side surface of the protective layer, the side surface of the buffering layer and the resistance layer, and the surface of the dielectric layer outside of the predetermined area. Next, two openings extending down to the protective layer are formed by performing a dry-etching process on the insulating layer. Later, two openings extending down to the buffering layer are formed by performing a first wet-etching process on the protective layer below the two openings of the insulating layer. Next, two openings extending down to the resistance layer are formed by performing a second wet-etching process on the buffering layer below the two openings of the protective layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polycrystalline silicon conducting structure (e.g., a resistor) whose resistance value is controlled, and can be less variable and less dependent on temperature with respect to any resistant value, and a process of producing the same. Use is made of at least a two-layer structure including a first polycrystalline silicon layer of large crystal grain size and a second polycrystalline silicon layer of small crystal grain size, and the first polycrystalline silicon layer has a positive temperature dependence of resistances while the second polycrystalline layer has a negative temperature dependance of resistance, or vise versa. Moreover, the polycrystalline silicon layer of large grain size can be formed by high dose ion implantation and annealing, or by depositing the layers by chemical vapor deposition at different temperatures so as to form large-grain and small-grain layers.

Abstract: The present invention creates an operating method for a semiconductor component having a substrate; having a conductive polysilicon strip which is applied to the substrate; having a first and a second electrical contact which are connected to the conductive polysilicon strip such that this forms an electrical resistance in between them; with the semiconductor component being operated reversibly in a current/voltage range in which it has a first differential resistance (Rdiff1) up to a current limit value (It) corresponding to an upper voltage limit value (Vt) and, at current values greater than this, has a second differential resistance (Rdiff2), which is less than the first differential resistance (Rdiff1).

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition (ALD) process deposits thin films for microelectronic structures, such as advanced gap and tunnel junction applications, by plasma annealing at varying film thicknesses to obtain desired intrinsic film stress and breakdown film strength. The primary advantage of the ALD process is the near 100% step coverage with properties that are uniform along sidewalls. The process provides smooth (Ra˜2 Å), pure (impurities <1 at. %), AlOx films with improved breakdown strength (9-10 MV/cm) with a commercially feasible throughput.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making a semiconductor device. A damascene metal layer (16) is formed in an insulating dielectric layer (12), which is in direct electrical communication with a substrate (10). A layer of a passive element, such as first capacitor electrode layer (20) is disposed on metal layer (16) and preferably is offset relative to metal layer (16) to allow a direct electrical interconnect through a via (36) to metal layer (16). In one embodiment a capacitor and a resistor are formed as passive elements in the device. In another embodiment, the passive element includes at least one resistor (28) and optionally a second resistor (32). In yet another embodiment, metal layer (16) is a damascene copper layer.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a gate oxide film, and a gate electrode which is formed by a lamination of first and second conductor films. A capacitive element includes a lower capacitive electrode formed of the first conductor film, a capacitive film made of an insulating film which is different from the gate oxide film, an upper capacitive electrode formed of the second conductor film on the capacitive film, and a leading electrode of the lower capacitive electrode formed of the second conductor film. At the same number of steps as in the case where the gate oxide film is used as the capacitive film, a semiconductor device can be manufactured with the capacitive film provided, the capacitive film being made of a nitride film or the like that is different from the gate oxide film. Consequently, a capacitive film having a great capacitance value per unit area is used so that the occupied area can be reduced and an increase in manufacturing cost can be controlled.

Abstract: Performance of the high resistance resistor, which is polysilicon, is improved by treating the surface of the polysilicon layer in mixed signal integrated circuits for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadband service application. This treated surface of the polysilicon layer will prevent ions in the resistor from out-diffusion when performing an annealing step after forming the resistor.

Abstract: A method for making a thin film device on integrated circuits including the steps of applying a first photoresist layer to a first surface, and patterning the first photoresist layer to have at least a first opening that exposes the first surface. A film is deposited onto the first photoresist layer, wherein a portion of the deposited film is deposited onto the exposed first surface. A second photoresist layer is applied onto the deposited layer, wherein the second photoresist layer is applied to the portion of the deposited film within the first opening and covers a second portion of the deposited layer, wherein the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer assist in the defining of the deposited layer. The deposited layer, first photoresist layer, and second photoresist layer are selectively removed, therein exposing the first surface and the second portion of the deposited layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a controlled resistance value within a predetermined range. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and an oxide layer provided above the substrate. There is also included a first dielectric layer that is silicon-rich above the oxide layer. There is further included a second dielectric layer above the silicon-rich layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing interconnections with electrically conductive cross connections between the top and the bottom part of a substrate and interconnections having such cross connections. The substrate (S1) is given a slanted, roof-shaped or convex contour (K1) in the area of at least one front face and/or in the area of at least one inner wall of a recess. After metallizing the substrate (S1), printed-board conductor-shaped cross connections (Q) are produced in the area of the above-mentioned contours (K1) simultaneously with laser structuring of printed board conductors (L) on the top part (0) and the bottom part (U) of the substrate (S1).

Abstract: A coincidence detection circuit 42 is furnished to check whether a plurality of output signals read from a plurality of memory cell arrays CELL0 through CELL3 coincide with one another. A representative output buffer 36 is provided to have the output signal from the cell array CELL0 reach a representative pin DQ0 if the output signals are judged to coincide with one another, and to block the output signal from the cell array CELL0 while putting the representative pin DQ0 in a high-impedance state if the output signals are not judged to coincide. Input/output pins DQ1 through DQ3 are furnished with ordinary output buffers 32.

Abstract: A new and improved method of forming a thin film resistor is provided herein that overcomes many of the drawbacks of prior art methods. More specifically, the new method of forming a thin film provides for a well-controlled dielectric thickness under the thin film resistor which is useful for laser trimming purpose. The preferred thickness of the dielectric layer is an integer of a quarter wavelength of the optical energy used to laser trim the resistor. The new method also provides contacts to the thin film resistor that do not directly contact the thin film resistor so as to prevent any adverse process effects to the thin film resistor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor for use in a liquid crystal display device in which includes crystallizing an amorphous silicon layer formed over a substrate using a first SLS (sequential lateral solidification) laser annealing technique to form a polysilicon layer; forming sequentially a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode on the polysilicon layer; ion-doping the polysilicon layer using the gate electrode as a mask to form source and drain regions; and activating the gate electrode and the source and drain regions using a second SLS laser annealing technique. The gate electrode comprises an amorphous silicon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified method of fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT), including the steps of preparing a first conductive type TFT including a first semiconductor layer and a first gate electrode and a second conductive type TFT including a second semiconductor layer and a second gate electrode on a substrate; doping the first and second semiconductor layers with a first conductive type impurity using the first and second gate electrodes as a mask; forming a doping mask covering the first conductive type TFT; counter-doping the second semiconductor layer with a second conductive type impurity using the doping mask and the second gate electrode as masks; and forming a CMOS TFT by electrically connecting the first conductive type TFT to the second conductive type TFT.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment a layer is formed over a transistor gate and a field oxide region. For example, a polycrystalline silicon layer can be deposited over a PFET gate oxide and a silicon dioxide isolation region on the same chip. The layer is then doped over the transistor gate without doping the layer over the field oxide. A photoresist layer can be used as a barrier to implant doping, for example, to block N+ doping over the field oxide region. The entire layer is then doped, for example, with P type dopant after removal of the doping barrier. The second doping results in formation of a high resistivity resistor over the field oxide region, without affecting the transistor gate. Contact regions are then formed of a silicide, for example, for connecting the resistor to other devices.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a field plated resistor having enhanced area thereover for routing metal conductors, formed in the same layer of metal as forms contacts to the resistor, is fabricated by a sequence of processing steps. A resistor having a resistor body and a contact region at each end thereof is formed in an active region of a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of insulative material is formed over the resistor and a window is created through the first layer of insulative material to the resistor body to form a first contact region. A layer of polysilicon is formed over the first insulative layer to define a field plate, the polysilicon field plate being contiguous with the first contact region of the resistor and extending over the resistor body to substantially to the other contact region, as layout, design, and fabrication rules permit. A second insulative layer is formed over the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A multilayer wiring substrate has a passive circuit element disposed on an insulating base substrate, and an insulating layer is disposed on the insulating base substrate with the passive circuit element interposed therebetween. The insulating layer is formed to have via holes for exposing specific portions of the passive circuit element, and a terminal electrodes are disposed in the via holes. Accordingly, the entire area of the multilayer wiring substrate can be reduced, and cracks caused by residual stress produced by a firing step can be prevented.

Abstract: A thin film resistor element which maintains its resistance value when stress is applied such as during packaging, so that the resistor element may be used in a high precision bleeder resistor circuit to maintain an accurate voltage dividing ratio. The thin film resistor element has a P-type thin film resistor formed of a P-type semiconductor thin film and an N-type thin film resistor formed of an N-type semiconductor thin film, so that a change in resistance value when stress is applied is prevented. In a bleeder resistor circuit, a resistance value of one unit is regulated by a resistance value formed by a combination of the P-type thin film resistor and the N-type thin film resistor so that, even in the case where stress is applied, a change in resistance values of the respective resistor elements cancel out each other and an accurate voltage dividing ratio can be maintained.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method of forming the source voltage lines, connection lines, and high load resistors for use in HLR SRAM devices. The source voltage lines, connection lines, and high load resistors are formed from a single polysilicon film that is selectively silicided to produce the low resistance structures while preserving the as-deposited polysilicon resistivity for formation of the high load resistor. The improved resistance control allows reduced feature size and increased pattern density.

Abstract: A thin film resistor (60) is contained between two metal interconnect layers (40, 100) of an integrated circuit. Contact may be made to the resistor (60) through vias (95) from the metal layer (100) above the resistor (60) to both the thin film resistor (60) and the underlying metal layer (40) simultaneously. The resistor (60) may include portions of a hard mask (70) under the vias (95) to protect the resistor material (60) during the via (95) etch. This design provides increased flexibility in fabricating the resistor (60) since processes, materials, and chemicals do not have to satisfy the conditions of both the resistor (60) and the rest of the integrated circuit (especially the interconnect layer 40) simultaneously.

Abstract: A thin film resistor fabrication method requires that an IC's active devices be fabricated on a substrate, and a dielectric layer be deposited over the devices to protect them from subsequent process steps. A layer of thin film material is deposited next, followed by a barrier layer and a first layer of metal. These three layers are patterned and etched to form isolated material stacks wherever a TFR is to be located, and a first level of metal interconnections. The first metal layer is removed from the TFR stacks, and the barrier layer is patterned and etched to provide respective openings which define the active areas of each TFR. In a preferred embodiment, a dielectric layer is deposited after the first metal layer is removed, to protect the interconnect metal from corrosion and as an adhesion layer for the patterning of the openings which define resistor length.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming resistors and diodes from semiconductive material, and static random access memory (SRAM) cells incorporating resistors, and to integrated circuitry incorporating resistors and diodes. A node to which electrical connection is to be made is provided. An electrically insulative layer is provided outwardly of the node. An opening is provided in the electrically insulative layer over the node. The opening is filled with semiconductive material which depending on configuration serves as one or both of a vertically elongated diode and resistor.

Abstract: A touch screen assembly for contact input systems, with the touch screen including a base substrate with an electrically resistive coating thereon. An array of reticulated spaced raised projections are formed on the inner surface, with the raised projections consisting of a developed/cured photoresist. In its formation, the photoresist is applied as an adherent layer with a release-film backing, with the layer being applied onto a heated substrate. Thereafter, a laminate is formed by passing the photoresist layer beneath a heated pneumatically actuated nip roll to cause the photoresist layer to flow, thereby forming a layer of uniform thickness. Thereafter, the laminate is masked, exposed to incident radiation, and developed so as to provide a reticulated pattern of adherent raised projections. A flexible plastic film having a resistive coating thereon is thereafter mounted on the substrate in superimposed relationship to the raised projections.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a buried stack capacitor structure, to be used in a one transistor, RAM cell, has been developed. The process features formation of a self-aligned, ring shaped storage node opening, formed in a top portion of an silicon oxide filled, shallow trench shape, via a selective dry etch procedure. The selective dry etch procedure in combination with subsequent selective wet etch procedures, create bare portions of semiconductor substrate at the junction of the ring shaped storage node opening and the adjacent top surface of semiconductor, allowing a heavily doped region to be created in this region. The presence of the heavily doped region reduces the node to substrate resistance encountered when a storage node structure is formed in the ring shaped storage node structure, as well as on the overlying the heavily doped region.

Abstract: A method of forming a ruthenium dioxide film for such purposes as the fabrication of stable thin-film resistors for microcircuits. The method generally entails forming an inorganic ruthenium-based film on a substrate, and then thermally decomposing at least a portion of the ruthenium-based film by exposure to a high-intensity beam of radiation, preferably visible light, to yield a ruthenium dioxide film on the substrate. Particular ruthenium-based precursors useful for forming the ruthenium-based film include ruthenium (III) chloride (RuCl3.nH2O) and ruthenium (III) nitrosyl nitrate. The method does not require a thermal treatment that heats the bulk of the substrate on which the ruthenium dioxide film is formed, and is therefore suitable for non-ceramic substrate materials, e.g., polymers such as those used as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array substrate that includes photolithographically forming an active layer on a substrate. The photoresist mask remaining on the substrate is then removed using a stripper. After stripping, the substrate is immersed in a thin alkali-based solution. The array substrate is then cleaned using distilled water. Source and drain electrodes are then formed on the active layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method is provided for fabricating a resistor and a capacitor electrode in an integrated circuit, which can help enhance the quality of the resultant integrated circuit. In this method, the first step is to form a polysilicon layer. Then, optionally, a first oxide layer is formed over the polysilicon layer. Next, a first ion-implantation process is performed on the entire polysilicon layer so as to convert it into a lightly-doped polysilicon layer with a first predefined impurity concentration. After this, a second ion-implantation process is performed solely on the predefined electrode part of the polysilicon layer so as to convert this part into a heavily-doped polysilicon layer with a second predefined impurity concentration higher than the first impurity concentration. Subsequently, a selective removal process is performed to remove selected parts of the lightly-doped part and the heavily-doped part of the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor device. A lower polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited on a substrate surface and on one or more structures that protrude from the substrate surface. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower polycrystalline silicon layer. An upper polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited on the dielectric layer. The upper polycrystalline silicon layer is patterned to form one or more upper capacitor plates. Next, the exposed portions of the dielectric layer not covered by the one or more upper capacitor plates are removed. After the steps of patterning the upper polycrystalline silicon area and removing the exposed portions of the dielectric layer, the lower polycrystalline silicon layer is patterned to form at least one or more lower capacitor plates. Each lower capacitor plate underlies a corresponding one of the upper capacitor plates and a portion of the dielectric layer covered by the corresponding upper capacitor plate.

Abstract: An improved thin-film capacitor and methods for forming the same on a surface of a substrate are disclosed. The capacitor includes a bottom conducting plate formed by depositing conductive material within a trench of an insulating layer and planarizing the conducting and insulating layers. A dielectric film is then deposited on the substrate surface, such that at least a portion of the dielectric material remains over the bottom conducting plate. A second conductive layer is then deposited over the surface of the substrate, patterned and etched such that at least a portion of the second conducting material resides over at least a portion of the dielectric material.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a thin film transistor, which comprises crystallizing an amorphous silicon film, forming thereon a gate insulating film and a gate electrode, implanting impurities in a self-aligned manner, adhering a coating containing a catalyst element which accelerates the crystallization of the silicon film, and annealing the resulting structure at a temperature lower than the deformation temperature of the substrate to activate the doped impurities. Otherwise, the catalyst element can be incorporated into the structure by introducing it into the impurity region by means of ion implantation and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a thin film resistor, which comprises the following steps: providing an insulator substrate; forming a patterned conductive layer over the insulator substrate by a non-photolithographic method; forming a thin film resistive layer on the patterned conductive layer and the insulator substrate; patterning the thin film resistive layer by photolithography. Using the method for forming a thin film resistor in accordance with the invention, the fabrication costs of the thin film resistor can be lowered.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing thin film structures fabricated on an I.C. wafer requires the performance of a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) step after the thin film material, preferably silicon-chromium (SiCr) or silicon chromium carbide (SiCrC), is sputtered onto the wafer. The RTA step stabilizes the TF and thereby increases the film's integrity. With the TF structures stabilized, the effect of subsequent high temperature process steps on the film is reduced. The stabilization method enables TF resistors thereby formed to attain a higher degree of accuracy, and thus to improve the ability with which resistors can be matched. Resistor TCR and sheet rho consistency are also improved, both within a given wafer and from wafer to wafer.

Abstract: A resistor has a low resistance which precisely falls within a prescribed range regardless of the variation in the contact position of the probes. The resistor comprises a substrate, a pair of upper-surface electrode layers having respectively a notched section, provided on both sides of upper surface of the substrate, a resistor layer provided so that it is connected electrically to said upper-surface electrode layers, a protective layer formed to cover at least the resistor layer and side-face electrode layers provided respectively on side faces of said substrate so that the side-face electrode layers are overlapping on part of upper surface of said upper-surface electrode layers for electrical connection. The above construction reduces the dispersion in measuring the resistance even if contact positions of the probes for the resistance measurement vary.

Abstract: A method of making resistors includes providing a sacrificial layer. Conductive material is then formed over a region of the sacrificial layer. Resistive material is then deposited over the first surface of the sacrificial layer such that the resistive material covers the sacrificial layer and the conductive material. A portion of the sacrificial layer is then removed to expose the conductive material. A method of making resistors includes the steps of providing a sacrificial layer, removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer from regions of the sacrificial layer so as to create a plurality of cavities within the sacrificial layer, plating said cavities with a conductive material, disposing resistive material over the first surface of the sacrificial layer such that resistive material covers the sacrificial layer and said conductive material, and removing at least a portion of said sacrificial layer to expose the conductive material.

Abstract: A thin film resistor processing flow solves the problem of accurately incorporating the resistor (80) to be trimmed in an optimized multilayer stack (60,70). This is achieved by measuring the total thickness of the dielectric stack (60) between the silicon substrate and the top of the dielectric stack just prior to the formation of the thin film resistor (80). Then, the thickness of the dielectric stack (60) is adjusted (60+70) to be an odd integer number of laser quarter wavelengths. The thin film resistor (60) is then formed and overlying dielectric (120) is deposited. The thickness of the overlying dielectric (120) may likewise be adjusted (120+130) to be an odd integer number of laser quarter wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a flexible interconnect film includes applying a resistor layer over one or both surfaces of a dielectric film; applying a metallization layer over the resistor layer with the resistor layer including a material facilitating adhesion of the dielectric film and the metallization layer; applying a capacitor dielectric layer over the metallization layer; and applying a capacitor electrode layer over the capacitor dielectric layer. The capacitor electrode layer is patterned to form a first capacitor electrode; the capacitor dielectric layer is patterned; the metallization layer is patterned to form a resistor; and the metallization layer and the resistor layer are patterned to form an inductor and a second capacitor electrode. In one embodiment, the dielectric film includes a polyimide, the resistor layer includes tantalum nitride, and the capacitor dielectric layer includes amorphous hydrogenated carbon or tantalum oxide.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed to measure spacing and misalignment of features in semiconductor integrated circuits. Three equally spaced, parallel first level conductive lines are formed on a first insulating layer with staircase patterns projecting both out of and into the inner edges of the outer lines. A second insulating layer is deposited and step contact vias are opened through the second insulating layer over the steps of the staircase patterns. The inner edge of the step contact via coincides with the inner edge of the step. Contact pad vias are opened through the second insulating layer over the outer lines and the step contact vias and the contact pad vias are filled with conductive material. A second level conductive line is formed over the second insulating layer parallel to said first level conductive lines and above the central first level conductive line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a bleeder resistance circuit in which the resistance value does not fluctuate in response to the stress applied thereto. A thin film resistor of the semiconductor device manufactured by a manufacturing method according to the present invention is constituted of a P-type thin film resistor formed of a P-type semiconductor thin film and an N-type thin film resistor formed of an N-type semiconductor thin film in order to cancel the changes of the resistance values thereof when the stress is applied thereto. In addition, in the process of forming a source/drain of an NMOS transistor, at the same time, a low resistance region in an N-type polycrystalline silicon resistor is formed, while in the process of forming a source/drain of a PMOS transistor, at the same time, a low resistance region in a P-type polycrystalline silicon resistor is formed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin film resistor is provided. The method contains forming a patterned conductive layer on a dielectric layer, which is formed over a substrate having a semiconductor device. The patterned conductive layer has a first opening to expose a portion of the substrate. An insulating layer is formed over the substrate and is planarized, in which the first opening is filled by the insulating layer. Patterning the insulating layer forms a second opening that exposes the first opening and a portion of the patterned conductive layer at a place, where a thin film resistor is desired to be formed. A thin film resistor conformal to the second opening is formed over the dielectric layer to at least cover the opening.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the contacts of a polysilicon resistor for semiconductor integrated circuits. The polysilicon resistor has a resistor pattern of a doped polysilicon film formed on a first dielectric film on a semiconductor substrate. The first dielectric film and the polysilicon resistor pattern are overlaid with a second dielectric film. Each contact window for the polysilicon resistor pattern is opened in the second dielectric film and the polysilicon resistor pattern so as to reach the upper surface of the first dielectric film. It is preferable that the contact windows intrudes into the first dielectric film. As a result, side surfaces of the polysilicon film are exposed in each contact window. The contact windows are filled with a contact metal. The etching process for forming the contact windows does not affect the thickness of the polysilicon film, and only side surfaces of the polysilicon film make contact with the contact metal.

Abstract: The invention encompasses resistors comprising a thin layer of dielectric material and methods of forming such resistors. The invention also encompasses integrated circuitry comprising such resistors, including SRAM circuitry, and encompasses methods of forming such integrated circuitry. In one aspect, the invention includes a resistor construction for electrically connecting a first node location to a second node location comprising: a) a first conductive layer in electrical connection with the first node location; b) a second conductive layer in electrical connection with the second node location; and c) a dielectric material intermediate the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer and having a thickness of from about 15 Angstroms to about 60 Angstroms.

Abstract: When a barrier metal disposed on a thin film resistor material is wet-etched to expose the underlying thin film resistor material as a thin film resistor, the wet etching is performed at first and second steps. The first step is performed using H2O2/NH4OH solution, and is stopped before the thin film resistor material is exposed. Then, the second step is performed using H2O2/H2O solution until the thin film resistor material is exposed with a desired length, thereby forming the thin film resistor.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor static random access memory (SRAM) includes NMOS transistors and resistor structures implemented without multiple polysilicon layers. According to a first embodiment, the SRAM cell comprises a plurality of appropriately interconnected NMOS transistors having transistor gates formed of a polysilicon layer and resistors formed of the same polysilicon layer. In accordance with a second embodiment, the SRAM cell comprises a plurality of appropriately interconnected NMOS transistors, a dielectric layer overlying the NMOS transistors, and polysilicon resistors passing through the dielectric layer to connect the NMOS transistors to a first metal layer. The dielectric layer, deposited on the NMOS transistors, defines holes exposing drain regions in the NMOS transistors. A polysilicon layer is deposited on the dielectric layer to fill the holes, and the excess polysilicon is removed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor memory, in which a resistive layer is formed of a material identical to a material of a cell plug layer at a time of formation of the cell plug layer.

Abstract: A film, typically a silicon-based film, is formed on a substrate by means of a plasma CVD process using a high frequency wave in a condition where a resistance element made of a different material than that of the substrate is provided on the electric path between the substrate and the earth. The resultant film shows a high quality and an improved adhesion strength while it can be formed at a practically high rate.

Abstract: A method of forming a high polysilicon resistor over a dielectric layer, comprising the following steps. A polysilicon resistor over a semiconductor structure is provided. The polysilicon resistor has a doped polysilicon layer having a first voltage coefficient of resistance and grain boundaries having a first trapping density. A to a first level of DC current is provided for a predetermined duration through the doped polysilicon layer to stress the doped polysilicon layer to partially melt the doped polysilicon layer without causing breakdown of the doped polysilicon layer. The to a first level of DC current is removed to allow recrystallization of the melted doped polysilicon layer, whereby the recrystallized doped polysilicon layer has a second voltage coefficient of resistance less than the first voltage coefficient of resistance and grain boundaries having a second trapping density that is less than the first trapping density. This makes the Rs of the polysilicon to be stable and saturated.