Having Contacts Formed By Selective Growth Or Deposition Patents (Class 438/399)
  • Patent number: 11723185
    Abstract: The present application relates to a capacitor structure and a method for manufacturing the same, and a memory using the capacitor structure. The method includes the following operations: a substrate is provided; a stacked structure is formed on the substrate, the stacked structure including at least two support material layers arranged at an interval and a sacrificial material layer located between adjacent support material layers; capacitance holes is formed in the stacked structure, each of the capacitance holes including at least three through holes arranged in isolation; a lower electrode is formed, the lower electrode at least covering a side wall and a bottom of each through hole; the sacrificial material layer is removed, and a capacitance dielectric layer is formed on a surface of the lower electrode; and an upper electrode is formed on a surface of the capacitance dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: WenLi Chen
  • Patent number: 11670510
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Tessera LLC
    Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 11488963
    Abstract: A method including forming a first member having a first portion including a plurality of storage capacitors therein and a second portion surrounding the first portion; forming a second member of a concave shape having a third portion, which corresponds to a lower top surface of the concave shape, including a plurality of access transistors provided correspondingly to the plurality of storage capacitors therein and a fourth portion, which corresponds to an upper top surface of the concave shape, surrounding the third portion; stacking the first member on the second member to physically connect the second and fourth portions and have a gap between the first and third portions; cutting the first member to physically separate the first portion from the second portion; and joining the separated first portion and the third portion with filling the gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitsunari Sukekawa, Yoshitaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11152369
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device may include a support pattern over a substrate, a lower electrode pattern and a dielectric structure over the substrate, and an upper electrode structure on the dielectric structure. The support pattern may include a first support structure extending in a vertical direction. The lower electrode pattern may be between the support pattern and the dielectric structure. The lower electrode pattern may include a first group of N (e.g., an integer of 4 or more) lower electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and may extend in the vertical direction to a first level above the substrate. The dielectric structure may include a first dielectric protrusion that extends in the vertical direction and surrounds the first support structure and the first group of N lower electrodes. The upper electrode structure may include a first upper electrode protrusion that surrounds the first dielectric protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Jung Kim, Sung-hee Han, Ki-seok Lee, Bong-Soo Kim, Yoo-sang Hwang
  • Patent number: 11018234
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate structure. The semiconductor substrate includes a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin. The gate structure includes a work function metal structure crossing over the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The work function metal structure comprises a first portion over a portion of the first semiconductor fin, a second portion over a portion of the second semiconductor fin, and a third portion connecting the first portion to the second portion, wherein a thickness of the third portion is smaller than a thickness of the second portion and greater than a thickness of the first portion along an extension direction of the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Wen Hsieh, Wen-Hsin Chan
  • Patent number: 10629600
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device may include a support pattern over a substrate, a lower electrode pattern and a dielectric structure over the substrate, and an upper electrode structure on the dielectric structure. The support pattern may include a first support structure extending in a vertical direction. The lower electrode pattern may be between the support pattern and the dielectric structure. The lower electrode pattern may include a first group of N (e.g., an integer of 4 or more) lower electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and may extend in the vertical direction to a first level above the substrate. The dielectric structure may include a first dielectric protrusion that extends in the vertical direction and surrounds the first support structure and the first group of N lower electrodes. The upper electrode structure may include a first upper electrode protrusion that surrounds the first dielectric protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-jung Kim, Sung-hee Han, Ki-seok Lee, Bong-soo Kim, Yoo-sang Hwang
  • Patent number: 10090152
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes: forming a seed layer doped with a dopant on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: supplying a halogen-based first process gas to the substrate, supplying a non-halogen-based second process gas to the substrate, and supplying a dopant gas to the substrate; and supplying a third process gas to the substrate to form a film on the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Yugo Orihashi, Atsushi Moriya
  • Patent number: 9269610
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) substrate that includes a second patterned metal layer formed in between a first patterned metal layer is disclosed. A dielectric layer formed on the first patterned metal layer separates the two metal layers. A non-conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer and the second patterned metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hong Bok We, Chin-Kwan Kim, Dong Wook Kim, Jae Sik Lee, Kyu-Pyung Hwang, Young Kyu Song
  • Patent number: 9045825
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device manufacturing method and a substrate processing apparatus that are capable of increasing a work function of a film to be formed, in comparison with a related art. A cycle including (a) supplying a metal-containing gas into a processing chamber where a substrate is accommodated (b) supplying a nitrogen-containing gas into the processing chamber; and (c) supplying one of an oxygen-containing gas, a halogen-containing gas and a combination thereof into the processing chamber, is performed a plurality of times to form a metal-containing film on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinao Kaga, Tatsuyuki Saito, Masanori Sakai, Takashi Yokogawa
  • Patent number: 9023711
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive material comprises forming at least one opening extending through an organic material and an insulative material underlying the organic material to expose at least a portion of a substrate and a conductive contact in the substrate. The method further comprises lining exposed surfaces of the insulative material, the conductive contact, and the at least a portion of the substrate in the at least one opening with a conductive material without forming the conductive material on the organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9018097
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for a semiconductor device includes forming a lower antireflective coating layer over a dielectric layer; forming an organic planarizing layer on the lower antireflective coating layer; transferring a wiring pattern through the organic planarizing layer; transferring the wiring pattern through the lower antireflective coating layer; and transferring the wiring pattern through the dielectric layer, wherein unpatterned portions of the lower antireflective coating layer serve as an etch stop layer so as to prevent any bubble defects present in the organic planarizing layer from being transferred to the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Dyer, Hanako Henry, Tze-Man Ko, Yiheng Xu, Shaoning Yao
  • Patent number: 9012295
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method of forming a compressive polycrystalline semiconductive material layer is disclosed. The method comprises forming a polycrystalline semiconductive seed layer over a substrate and forming a silicon layer by depositing silicon directly on the polycrystalline silicon seed layer under amorphous process conditions at a temperature below 600 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lehnert, Stefan Pompl, Markus Meyer
  • Patent number: 8987119
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes providing an insulating layer containing a plurality of openings, forming a first semiconductor layer in the plurality of openings in the insulating layer and over the insulating layer, and removing a first portion of the first semiconductor layer, such that first conductivity type second portions of the first semiconductor layer remain in lower portions of the plurality of openings in the insulating layer, and upper portions of the plurality of openings in the insulating layer remain unfilled. The method also includes forming a second semiconductor layer in the upper portions of the plurality of openings in the insulating layer and over the insulating layer, and removing a first portion of the second semiconductor layer located over the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Vance Dunton, S. Brad Herner, Paul Wai Kie Poon, Chuanbin Pan, Michael Chan, Michael Konevecki, Usha Raghuram
  • Patent number: 8969170
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a first layer of an electrically insulating material over a semiconductor structure. A recess is formed in the first layer of electrically insulating material. A capacitor layer stack is deposited over the first layer of electrically insulating material. The capacitor layer stack includes one or more bottom electrode layers, a dielectric layer and a top electrode layer, wherein a first portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged in the recess and a second portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged over a portion of the first layer of electrically insulating material adjacent the recess. A chemical mechanical polishing process is performed. The chemical mechanical polishing process removes the second portion of the capacitor layer stack, wherein the first portion of the capacitor layer stack is not removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Maik Liebau, Ronny Pfuetzner
  • Patent number: 8921977
    Abstract: A capacitor array includes a plurality of capacitors and a support frame. Each capacitor includes an electrode. The support frame supports the plurality of electrodes and includes a plurality of support structures corresponding to the plurality of electrodes. Each support structure may surround the respective electrode. The support frame may include oxide of a doped oxidizable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nan Ya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jen Jui Huang, Che Chi Lee, Shih Shu Tsai, Cheng Shun Chen, Shao Ta Hsu, Chao Wen Lay, Chun I Hsieh, Ching Kai Lin
  • Patent number: 8883602
    Abstract: Memory devices having memory cells comprising variable resistance material include an electrode comprising a single nanowire. Various methods may be used to form such memory devices, and such methods may comprise establishing contact between one end of a single nanowire and a volume of variable resistance material in a memory cell. Electronic systems include such memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 8853050
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of making stud-type capacitors utilizing carbon-containing support material. Openings may be formed through the carbon-containing support material to electrical nodes, and subsequently conductive material may be grown within the openings. The carbon-containing support material may then be removed, and the conductive material utilized as stud-type storage nodes of stud-type capacitors. The stud-type capacitors may be incorporated into DRAM, and the DRAM may be utilized in electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology
    Inventors: Mark Kiehlbauch, Kevin R. Shea
  • Patent number: 8846477
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a sacrificial gate structure above a fin, wherein the sacrificial gate structure is comprised of a sacrificial gate insulation layer, a layer of insulating material, a sacrificial gate electrode layer and a gate cap layer, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposite sides of the sacrificial gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity that exposes a portion of the fin, and forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity. One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a plurality of fin structures that are separated by a trench formed in a substrate, a local isolation material positioned within the trench, a gate structure positioned around portions of the fin structures and above the local isolation material and an etch stop layer positioned between the gate structure and the local isolation material within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Ruilong Xie
  • Publication number: 20140273396
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a first layer of an electrically insulating material over a semiconductor structure. A recess is formed in the first layer of electrically insulating material. A capacitor layer stack is deposited over the first layer of electrically insulating material. The capacitor layer stack includes one or more bottom electrode layers, a dielectric layer and a top electrode layer, wherein a first portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged in the recess and a second portion of the capacitor layer stack is arranged over a portion of the first layer of electrically insulating material adjacent the recess. A chemical mechanical polishing process is performed. The chemical mechanical polishing process removes the second portion of the capacitor layer stack, wherein the first portion of the capacitor layer stack is not removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Maik Liebau, Ronny Pfuetzner
  • Patent number: 8809160
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device, such as a capacitor or DRAM cell. In such a device, a high-K zirconia-based layer may be used as the primary dielectric together with a relatively inexpensive metal electrode based on titanium nitride. To prevent corruption of the electrode during device formation, a thin barrier layer can be used seal the electrode prior to the use of a high temperature process and a (high-concentration or dosage) ozone reagent (i.e., to create a high-K zirconia-based layer). In some embodiments, the barrier layer can also be zirconia-based, for example, a thin layer of doped or un-doped amorphous zirconia. Fabrication of a device in this manner facilitates formation of a device with dielectric constant of greater than 40 based on zirconia and titanium nitride, and generally helps produce less costly, increasingly dense DRAM cells and other semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Edward Haywood, Pragati Kumar, Sandra G Malhotra, Xiangxin Rui
  • Publication number: 20140227854
    Abstract: Openings are formed by lithography and subsequent dry etching at the portions of a first protective film which correspond to connecting holes of second plugs which will be described later, namely at the portions thereof which align with first plugs, wherein the openings have a diameter greater than that of connecting holes by about 0.4 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasutaka OZAKI
  • Publication number: 20140203404
    Abstract: Spiral metal-on-metal (MoM or SMoM) capacitors and related systems and methods of forming MoM capacitors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a MoM capacitor disposed in a semiconductor die is disclosed. The MoM capacitor comprises a first electrode coupled to a first trace. The first trace is coiled in a first inwardly spiraling pattern and comprised of first parallel trace segments. The MoM capacitor also comprises a second electrode coupled to a second trace. The second trace is coiled in the first inwardly spiraling pattern and comprised of second parallel trace segments interdisposed between the first parallel trace segments. Reduced variations in the capacitance allow circuit designers to build circuits with tighter tolerances and generally improve circuit reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jihong Choi, John J. Zhu, PR Chidambaram, Bin Yang, Lixin Ge
  • Patent number: 8765570
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor stack is described. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first dielectric material is formed above a first electrode material. The first electrode material is rigid and has good mechanical strength and serves as a robust frame for the capacitor stack. The first dielectric material is sufficiently thin (<2 nm) or highly doped so that it remains amorphous after subsequent anneal treatments. A second dielectric material is formed above the first dielectric material. The second dielectric material is sufficiently thick (>3 nm) or lightly doped or non-doped so that it crystallizes after subsequent anneal treatments. A second electrode material is formed adjacent to the second dielectric material. The second electrode material has a high work function and a crystal structure that serves to promote the formation of the high k-value crystal structure of the second dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Malhotra, Wim Deweerd, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8765569
    Abstract: A metal oxide bilayer second electrode for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the layer of the electrode that is in contact with the dielectric layer (i.e. bottom layer) has a desired composition and crystal structure. An example is crystalline MoO2 if the dielectric layer is TiO2 in the rutile phase. The other component of the bilayer (i.e. top layer) is a sub-oxide of the same material as the bottom layer. The top layer serves to protect the bottom layer from oxidation during subsequent PMA or other DRAM fabrication steps by reacting with any oxygen species before they can reach the bottom layer of the bilayer second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8753953
    Abstract: A capacitor and method for fabricating the same. In one configuration, the capacitor has a silicon substrate, a first and a second silicon dioxide layer over the silicon substrate, and silicon nitride fins between the silicon dioxide layers. The capacitor further includes a dielectric layer over the silicon nitride fins and metal vias in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8753933
    Abstract: Methods of selectively forming a conductive material and methods of forming metal conductive structures are disclosed. An organic material may be patterned to expose regions of an underlying material. The underlying material may be exposed to a precursor gas, such as a platinum precursor gas, that reacts with the underlying material without reacting with the remaining portions of the organic material located over the underlying material. The precursor gas may be used in an atomic layer deposition process, during which the precursor gas may selectively react with the underlying material to form a conductive structure, but not react with the organic material. The conductive structures may be used, for example, as a mask for patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8741751
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A first contact layer of the semiconductor device is fabricated. An electrical connection is formed between a carbon nanotube and the first contact layer by electrically coupling of the carbon nanotube and a second contact layer. The first contact layer and second contact layer may be electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Aaron D. Franklin, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 8737036
    Abstract: This disclosure provides (a) methods of making an oxide layer (e.g., a dielectric layer) based on titanium oxide, to suppress the formation of anatase-phase titanium oxide and (b) related devices and structures. A metal-insulator-metal (“MIM”) stack is formed using an ozone pretreatment process of a bottom electrode (or other substrate) followed by an ALD process to form a TiO2 dielectric, rooted in the use of an amide-containing precursor. Following the ALD process, an oxidizing anneal process is applied in a manner is hot enough to heal defects in the TiO2 dielectric and reduce interface states between TiO2 and electrode; the anneal temperature is selected so as to not be so hot as to disrupt BEL surface roughness. Further process variants may include doping the titanium oxide, pedestal heating during the ALD process to 275-300 degrees Celsius, use of platinum or ruthenium for the BEL, and plural reagent pulses of ozone for each ALD process cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Nobumichi Fuchigami, Imran Hashim, Edward L. Haywood, Pragati Kumar, Sandra G. Malhotra, Monica Sawkar Mathur, Prashant B. Phatak, Sunil Shanker
  • Publication number: 20140113431
    Abstract: Methods of forming a storage node in a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming an interlayer insulation layer on a substrate, forming an etch stop layer and a first sacrificial layer on the interlayer insulation layer, patterning the first sacrificial layer and the etch stop layer to form a first sacrificial layer pattern and an etch stop layer pattern that define a storage node contact hole, forming a recessed first storage node conductive pattern that conformally covers a lower sidewall and a bottom surface of the storage node contact hole, forming a second storage node conductive pattern that includes a first portion surrounded by the recessed first storage node conductive pattern and a second portion conformally covering an upper sidewall of the storage node contact hole, and removing the first sacrificial layer pattern. The recessed first storage node conductive pattern and the second storage node conductive pattern constitute a storage node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Han Sang SONG, Jong Kook PARK
  • Patent number: 8697517
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides reduced substrate coupling for inductors in semiconductor devices. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having reduced substrate coupling includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region. The method also includes forming a first gate structure over the first region and a second gate structure over the second region, wherein the first and second gate structures each include a dummy gate. The method next includes forming an inter layer dielectric (ILD) over the substrate and forming a photoresist (PR) layer over the second gate structure. Then, the method includes removing the dummy gate from the first gate structure, thereby forming a trench and forming a metal gate in the trench so that a transistor may be formed in the first region, which includes a metal gate, and an inductor component may be formed over the second region, which does not include a metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay Chuang, Ming Zhu, Lee-Wee Teo
  • Patent number: 8664076
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor structure comprises: forming a doped polysilicon layer on an underlying dielectric layer; forming a dielectric stack on the doped polysilicon layer; forming a contact hole in the dielectric stack to expose a surface region of the doped polysilicon layer; forming a conductive contact plug that fills the contact hole and is in contact with the exposed surface of the doped polysilicon layer; forming a plurality of trenches in the dielectric stack such that each trench exposes a corresponding surface region of the doped polysilicon layer; forming a conductive bottom capacitor plate on exposed surfaces of the of the dielectric stack and on exposed surfaces of the doped polysilicon layer; forming a capacitor dielectric layer on the bottom capacitor plate; and forming a conductive top capacitor plate on the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Venkat Raghavan, Andrew Strachan
  • Publication number: 20140038384
    Abstract: A plurality of metal layers includes a top metal layer. An Ultra-Thick Metal (UTM) layer is disposed over the top metal layer, wherein no additional metal layer is located between the UTM layer and the top metal layer. A Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed under the UTM layer and over the top metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Mao Wu, Chih-Hsun Lin, Yu-Lung Yeh, Kuan-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8551851
    Abstract: This disclosure provides (a) methods of making an oxide layer (e.g., a dielectric layer) based on titanium oxide, to suppress the formation of anatase-phase titanium oxide and (b) related devices and structures. A metal-insulator-metal (“MIM”) stack is formed using an ozone pretreatment process of a bottom electrode (or other substrate) followed by an ALD process to form a TiO2 dielectric, rooted in the use of an amide-containing precursor. Following the ALD process, an oxidizing anneal process is applied in a manner is hot enough to heal defects in the TiO2 dielectric and reduce interface states between TiO2 and electrode; the anneal temperature is selected so as to not be so hot as to disrupt BEL surface roughness. Further process variants may include doping the titanium oxide, pedestal heating during the ALD process to 275-300 degrees Celsius, use of platinum or ruthenium for the BEL, and plural reagent pulses of ozone for each ALD process cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Pragati Kumar, Sunil Shanker, Edward Haywood, Sandra Malhotra, Imran Hashim, Nobi Fuchigami, Prashant Phatak, Monica Mathur
  • Patent number: 8530322
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device, such as a capacitor or DRAM cell. In such a device, a high-K zirconia-based layer may be used as the primary dielectric together with a relatively inexpensive metal electrode based on titanium nitride. To prevent corruption of the electrode during device formation, a thin barrier layer can be used seal the electrode prior to the use of a high temperature process and a (high-concentration or dosage) ozone reagent (i.e., to create a high-K zirconia-based layer). In some embodiments, the barrier layer can also be zirconia-based, for example, a thin layer of doped or un-doped amorphous zirconia. Fabrication of a device in this manner facilitates formation of a device with dielectric constant of greater than 40 based on zirconia and titanium nitride, and generally helps produce less costly, increasingly dense DRAM cells and other semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Edward Haywood, Pragati Kumar, Sandra Malhotra, Xiangxin Rui
  • Patent number: 8492273
    Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a substrate comprising an insulating material and a second semiconductor material and pre-treating the substrate with a plasma produced from a gas selected from the group consisting of a carbon-containing gas, a halogen-containing gas, and a carbon-and-halogen containing gas. The method further comprises depositing a first semiconductor material on the pre-treated substrate by chemical vapor deposition, where the first semiconductor material is selectively deposited on the second semiconductor material. The method may be used to manufacture a semiconducting device, such as a microelectromechanical system device, or to manufacture a semiconducting device feature, such as an interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: George Bryce, Simone Severi, Peter Verheyen
  • Publication number: 20130168813
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film that is formed over the semiconductor substrate; a capacitor that is formed over the first insulating film and is formed by sequentially stacking a lower electrode, a capacitor dielectric film, and an upper electrode; a second insulating film that is formed over the capacitor and has a hole including the entire region of the upper electrode in plan view; and a conductor plug that is formed in the hole and contains tungsten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8461012
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an isolation region in a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive layer over the isolation region; forming a first dielectric layer over the conductive layer; forming a plurality of conductive vias extending through the first dielectric layer to the conductive layer and electrically contacting the conductive layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and forming a conductive ground plane in the second dielectric layer. Each of the plurality of conductive vias is in electrical contact with the conductive ground plane, and the conductive ground plane includes an opening, wherein the opening is located directly over the conductive layer. At least one interconnect layer may be formed over the second dielectric layer and may include a transmission line which transmits a signal having a frequency of at least 30 gigahertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Vishal P. Trivedi
  • Patent number: 8440537
    Abstract: A method for doping a dielectric material by pulsing a first dopant precursor, purging the non-adsorbed precursor, pulsing a second precursor, purging the non-adsorbed precursor, and pulsing a oxidant to form an intermixed layer of two (or more) metal oxide dielectric dopant materials. The method may also be used to form a blocking layer between a bulk dielectric layer and a second electrode layer. The method improves the control of the composition and the control of the uniformity of the dopants throughout the thickness of the doped dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Malhotra, Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Toshiyuki Hirota, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8384226
    Abstract: A device fabricated on a chip is disclosed. The device generally includes (A) a first pattern and a second pattern both created in an intermediate conductive layer of the chip, (B) at least one via created in an insulating layer above the intermediate conductive layer and (C) a first bump created in a top conductive layer above the insulating layer. The first pattern generally establishes a first of a plurality of plates of a first capacitor. The via may be aligned with the second pattern. The first bump may (i) be located directly above the first plate, (ii) establish a second of the plates of the first capacitor, (iii) be suitable for flip-chip bonding, (iv) connect to the second pattern through the via such that both of the plates of the first capacitor are accessible in the intermediate conductive layer. The first pattern and the second pattern may be shaped as interlocking combs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Yikui (Jen) Dong, Steven L. Howard, Freeman Y. Zhong, David S. Lowrie
  • Patent number: 8377792
    Abstract: An interdigitated semiconductor capacitor with a large number of plates and a capacitance in the micro-farad range is formed on a wafer with only a single lithography step by depositing each odd layer of metal through a first shadow mask that lies spaced apart from the wafer, and each even layer of metal through a second shadow mask that lies spaced apart from the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Hopper, William French, Peter Smeys, Peter Johnson
  • Patent number: 8338871
    Abstract: A group III nitride-based transistor capable of achieving terahertz-range cutoff and maximum frequencies of operation at relatively high drain voltages is provided. In an embodiment, two additional independently biased electrodes are used to control the electric field and space-charge close to the gate edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Grigory Simin, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 8329534
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of forming contacts for a memory device. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a layer of insulating material above an active area of a dual bit memory cell, forming a hard mask layer above the layer of insulating material, the hard mask layer having an original thickness, performing at least two partial etching processes on the hard mask layer to thereby define a patterned hard mask layer above the layer of insulating material, wherein each of the partial etching processes is designed to etch through less than the original thickness of the hard mask layer, the hard mask layer having openings formed therein that correspond to a digitline contact and a plurality of storage node contacts for the dual bit memory cell, and performing at least one etching process to form openings in the layer of insulating material for the digitline contact and the plurality of storage node contacts using the patterned hard mask layer as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Doebler
  • Patent number: 8318575
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method of forming a compressive polycrystalline semiconductive material layer is disclosed. The method comprises forming a polycrystalline semiconductive seed layer over a substrate and forming a silicon layer by depositing silicon directly on the polycrystalline silicon seed layer under amorphous process conditions at a temperature below 600 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lehnert, Stefan Pompl, Markus Meyer
  • Patent number: 8298909
    Abstract: A capacitor includes a lower electrode, a dielectric layer, an upper electrode, and a ruthenium oxide layer. At least one of the lower electrode and the upper electrode is formed of a ruthenium layer, and the ruthenium oxide layer is disposed next to the ruthenium layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan-Woo Do, Jae-Sung Roh, Kee-Jeung Lee, Deok-Sin Kil, Young-Dae Kim, Jin-Hyock Kim, Kyung-Woong Park, Han-Sang Song
  • Patent number: 8268695
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of making stud-type capacitors utilizing carbon-containing support material. Openings may be formed through the carbon-containing support material to electrical nodes, and subsequently conductive material may be grown within the openings. The carbon-containing support material may then be removed, and the conductive material utilized as stud-type storage nodes of stud-type capacitors. The stud-type capacitors may be incorporated into DRAM, and the DRAM may be utilized in electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kiehlbauch, Kevin R. Shea
  • Patent number: 8247305
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor structure includes forming a pad oxide layer overlying a substrate, a nitride layer overlying the pad oxide layer, an interlayer dielectric layer overlying the nitride layer, and a patterned polysilicon mask layer overlying the interlayer dielectric layer. The method then applies a first RIE process to form a trench region through a portion of the interlayer dielectric layer using the patterned polysilicon mask layer and maintaining the first RIE to etch through a portion of the nitride layer and through a portion of the pad oxide layer. The method stops the first RIE when a portion of the substrate has been exposed. The method then forms an oxide layer overlying the exposed portion of the substrate and applies a second RIE process to continue to form the trench region by removing the oxide layer and removing a portion of the substrate to a predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Liao, Weijun Song, Dang Quan Liao
  • Patent number: 8241987
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes providing material having an opening therein over a node location on a substrate. A shield is provided within and across the opening, with a void being received within the opening above the shield and a void being received within the opening below the shield. The shield is etched through within the opening. After the etching, a first capacitor electrode is formed within the opening in electrical connection with the node location. A capacitor dielectric and a second capacitor electrode are formed operatively adjacent the first capacitor electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kiehlbauch, Kevin R. Shea
  • Patent number: 8236643
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a ferroelectric capacitor, including, forming a lower insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, covering a MOS transistor, forming a lower electrode on the lower insulating film, forming a ferroelectric dielectric oxide film on the lower electrode, forming a first upper electrode on the dielectric oxide film, made of conductive oxide having a composition poor in oxygen, forming a second upper electrode on the first upper electrode, made of conductive oxide having a composition nearer to the stoichiometry, forming a third upper electrode on the second upper electrode, having a composition containing metal of the platinum group, constituting a ferroelectric capacitor, and forming a multilayer wiring structure above the lower interlevel insulating film, covering the ferroelectric capacitor, wherein the third upper electrode has a less oxygen composition than the first and second upper electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Wensheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8232175
    Abstract: A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening, providing a switching body in the opening, the first conductive body and switching body filling the opening, and providing a second conductive body over the switching body. In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer, and the switching body is provided in an opening in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Suzette K. Pangrle, Steven Avanzino, Sameer Haddad, Michael VanBuskirk, Manuj Rathor, James Xie, Kevin Song, Christie Marrian, Bryan Choo, Fei Wang, Jeffrey A. Shields
  • Patent number: 8216898
    Abstract: Fabrication methods for electronic devices with via through holes and thin film transistor devices are presented. The fabrication method the electronic device includes providing a substrate, forming a patterned lower electrode on the substrate, and forming a photosensitive insulating layer on the substrate covering the patterned lower electrode. A patterned optical shielding layer is applied on the photosensitive insulating layer. Exposure procedure is performed curing the exposed photosensitive insulating layer. The optical shielding layer and the underlying photosensitive insulating layer are sequentially removed, thereby forming an opening. A patterned upper electrode is formed on the photosensitive insulating layer filling the opening to create a conductive via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Chun Chen, Kuo-Tung Lin, Yuh-Zheng Lee, Chao-Feng Sung