And Contact Formation (i.e., Metallization) Patents (Class 438/523)
  • Patent number: 11502106
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a multi-layered substrate having an interposed polymeric film and a device layer arranged over the multi-layered substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Vito Fasano, Koushik Ramachandran, Ian Douglas Walter Melville, Sarah Huffsmith Knickerbocker, Jorge Lubguban
  • Patent number: 10832957
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, a gate electrode over the semiconductor fin, a gate insulating layer between the semiconductor fin and the gate electrode, source and drain regions disposed on opposite sides of the semiconductor fin, a first stressor formed in a region between the source and drain regions. The first stressor is a grading strained stressor including multiple graded portions formed at graded depths. The first stressor is configured to create one of a graded compressive stress or a graded tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Che-Wei Yang, Hao-Hsiung Lin, Samuel C. Pan
  • Patent number: 9379223
    Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device is manufactured by giving stable electric characteristics to a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used. In a transistor using an oxide semiconductor film for an active layer, a microvoid is provided in a source region and a drain region adjacent to a channel region. By providing a microvoid in the source region and the drain region formed in an oxide semiconductor film, hydrogen contained in the channel region of an oxide semiconductor film can be captured in the microvoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Koezuka, Yuichi Sato, Shinji Ohno
  • Patent number: 9130044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode overlapping with a channel formation region of the oxide semiconductor layer, and a source electrode or a drain electrode overlapping with a first region of the oxide semiconductor layer, and a second region between the channel formation region and the first region. An upper layer of the second region includes a microvoid. The microvoid is formed by adding nitrogen to the upper layer of the second region. Thus, upper layer of the second region contains lager amount of nitrogen than a lower layer of the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Okazaki, Atsuo Isobe
  • Patent number: 9093521
    Abstract: This invention discloses a semiconductor power device that includes an active cell area having a plurality of power transistor cells. Each of said power transistor cells has a planar Schottky diode that includes a Schottky junction barrier metal covering areas above gaps between separated body regions between two adjacent power transistor cells. The separated body regions further provide a function of adjusting a leakage current of said Schottky diode in each of said power transistor cells. Each of the planar Schottky diodes further includes a Shannon implant region disposed in a gap between the separated body regions of two adjacent power transistor cells for further adjusting a leakage current of said Schottky diode. Each of the power transistor cells further includes heavy body doped regions in the separated body regions next to source regions surrounding said Schottky diode forming a junction barrier Schottky (JBS) pocket region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Anup Bhalla, Xiaobin Wang, Moses Ho
  • Patent number: 8975175
    Abstract: A contact region for a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. Embodiments can include forming a seed metal layer having an exposed solder pad region on the semiconductor substrate and forming a first metal layer on the seed metal layer. In an embodiment, a solderable material, such as silver, can be formed on the exposed solder pad region prior to forming the first metal layer. Embodiments can include forming a solderable material on the exposed solder pad region after forming the first metal layer. Embodiments can also include forming a plating contact region on the seed metal layer, where the plating contact region allows for electrical conduction during a plating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Pass
  • Patent number: 8900996
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a through silicon via (TSV) structure is provided, in which, a first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, the first dielectric layer is patterned to have at least one first opening, a via hole is formed in the first dielectric layer and the substrate, a second dielectric layer is conformally formed on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer has at least one second opening corresponding to the at least one first opening, and the second dielectric layer covers a sidewall of the via hole. A conductive material layer is formed to fill the via hole and the second opening. The conductive material layer is planarized to form a TSV within the via hole. A TSV structure is also provided, in which, the second dielectric layer is disposed within the first opening and on the sidewall of the via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yu Chen, Home-Been Cheng, Yu-Han Tsai, Ching-Li Yang
  • Publication number: 20140332374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a semiconductor surface by nitridation and deposition of a ruthenium alloy. Also disclosed are semiconductors treated with these methods, their incorporation into photoelectrochemical cells, and their use in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Todd DEUTSCH, John TURNER, Jennifer LEISCH, Heli WANG, Adam WELCH, Avery LINDEMAN, Kevin O'NEILL, Andrew PINKARD, Arrelaine DAMERON, Clemens HESKE, Kyle GEORGE, Lothar WEINHARDT, Michael WEIR
  • Patent number: 8865588
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first interconnection and a second interconnection above a semiconductor substrate, forming a first sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the first interconnection, and a second sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the second interconnection, forming a conductive film above the semiconductor substrate with the first interconnection, the first sidewall insulating film, the second interconnection and the second sidewall insulating film formed on, and selectively removing the conductive film above the first interconnection and the second interconnection to form in a region between the first interconnection and the second interconnection a third interconnection formed of the conductive film and spaced from the first interconnection and the second interconnection by the first sidewall insulating film and the second sidewall insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8822234
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a miniaturized semiconductor device so as to form MTJ elements therein include the steps of depositing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) precursor layer on a substrate and planarizing the precursor layer; forming a sacrificial and patternable dielectric layer on the MTJ precursor layer; patterning the sacrificial dielectric layer in accordance with predetermined placements and shapes of a to-be-formed hard mask, the patterning forming corresponding openings in the sacrificial dielectric layer; depositing an etch-resistant conductive material such as Cu in the openings for example by way of plating, and selectively removing the sacrificial dielectric layer so as to leave behind the etch-resistant conductive material in the form of a desired hard mask. Using the hard mask to etch and thus pattern the MTJ precursor layer so as to form MTJ elements having desired locations, sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Xinpeng Wang, Haiyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8802532
    Abstract: Disclosed are example bipolar transistors capable of reducing the area of a collector, reducing the distance between a base and a collector, and/or reducing the number of ion implantation processes. A bipolar transistor may includes a trench formed by etching a portion of a semiconductor substrate. A first collector may be formed on the inner wall of the trench. A second collector may be formed inside the semiconductor substrate in the inner wall of the trench. A first isolation film may be formed on the sidewall of the first collector. An intrinsic base may be connected to the third collector. An extrinsic base may be formed on the intrinsic base and inside the first isolation film. A second isolation film may be formed on the inner wall of the extrinsic base. An emitter may be formed by burying a conductive material inside the second isolation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam Joo Kim
  • 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: 8669153
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiung-Han Yeh, Ming-Yuan Wu, Kong-Beng Thei, Harry Chuang, Mong-Song Liang
  • Patent number: 8642464
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first interconnection and a second interconnection above a semiconductor substrate, forming a first sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the first interconnection, and a second sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the second interconnection, forming a conductive film above the semiconductor substrate with the first interconnection, the first sidewall insulating film, the second interconnection and the second sidewall insulating film formed on, and selectively removing the conductive film above the first interconnection and the second interconnection to form in a region between the first interconnection and the second interconnection a third interconnection formed of the conductive film and spaced from the first interconnection and the second interconnection by the first sidewall insulating film and the second sidewall insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20130288467
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of suppressing generation of a high electric field and preventing a dielectric breakdown from occurring, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes (a) preparing an n+ substrate to be a ground constituted by a silicon carbide semiconductor of a first conductivity type, (b) forming a recess structure surrounding an element region on the n+ substrate by using a resist pattern, and (c) forming a guard ring injection layer to be an impurity layer of a second conductivity type in a recess bottom surface and a recess side surface in the recess structure by impurity injection through the resist pattern, and a corner portion of the recess structure is covered with the impurity layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Ebiike, Takahiro Nakatani, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yoshio Fujii, Sunao Aya, Yoshiyuki Nakaki, Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Shuhei Nakata
  • Patent number: 8507375
    Abstract: An alignment tolerant electrical contact is formed by providing a substrate on which is a first electrically conductive region (e.g., a MOSFET gate) having an upper surface, the first electrically conductive region being laterally bounded by a first dielectric region, applying a mask having an opening extending partly over a contact region (e.g., for the MOSFET source or drain) on the substrate and over a part of the upper surface, forming a passage through the first dielectric region extending to the contact region and the part of the upper surface, thereby exposing the contact region and the part of the upper surface, converting the part of the upper surface to a second dielectric region and filling the opening with a conductor making electrical contact with the contact region but electrically insulated from the electrically conductive region by the second dielectric region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: André P. Labonté, Richard S. Wise
  • Patent number: 8476154
    Abstract: The present invention provides a charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method of making the device. The charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a drain region, and, consecutively formed over the semiconductor substrate, a channel insulation layer, a charge trapping layer, a blocking insulation layer, and a gate electrode. The drain region includes a P-N junction, and the source region includes a metal-semiconductor junction formed between the semiconductor substrate and a metal including titanium, cobalt, nickel, platinum or one of their various combinations. The charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to the present disclosure has low programming voltage, fast programming speed, low energy consumption, and relatively high device reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fudan University
    Inventors: Dongping Wu, Shi-Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 8394692
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiung-Han Yeh, Ming-Yuan Wu, Kong-Beng Thei, Harry Chuang, Mong-Song Liang
  • Patent number: 8361834
    Abstract: A method of forming an ohmic contact on a substrate is described. The method includes depositing a set of silicon particles on the substrate surface. The method also includes heating the substrate in a baking ambient to a baking temperature and for a baking time period in order to create a densified film ink pattern. The method further includes exposing the substrate to a dopant source in a diffusion furnace with a deposition ambient, the deposition ambient comprising POCl3, a carrier N2 gas, a main N2 gas, and a reactive O2 gas at a deposition temperature and for a deposition time period, wherein a PSG layer is formed on the substrate surface. The method also includes heating the substrate in a drive-in ambient to a drive-in temperature and for a drive-in time period; and depositing a silicon nitride layer. The method further includes depositing a set of metal contacts on the set of silicon particles; and heating the substrate to a firing temperature and for a firing time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Innovalight, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Poplavskyy, Malcolm Abbott
  • Patent number: 8319264
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate including an active region defined as a device isolation film; a bit line contact hole obtained by etching the semiconductor substrate; a bit line contact plug having a smaller width than that of the bit line contact hole; and a bit line connected to the upper portion of the bit line contact plug, thereby preventing a short of the bit line contact plug and the storage node contact plug to improve characteristics of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 8216928
    Abstract: Fabrication methods for semiconductor device structures are provided. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device structure that includes a gate structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and a doped region formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure involves the steps of forming a first layer of dielectric material overlying the gate structure and the doped region, isotropically etching the first layer of dielectric material, forming a second layer of dielectric material overlying the first layer of dielectric material after isotropically etching the first layer, and forming a conductive contact that is electrically connected to the doped region within the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Globalfoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Richter, Torsten Huisinga, Jens Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8143114
    Abstract: System and method for reducing contact resistance and prevent variations due to misalignment of contacts is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a non-planar transistor with source/drain regions located within a fin. An inter-layer dielectric overlies the non-planar transistor, and contacts are formed to the source/drain region through the inter-layer dielectric. The contacts preferably come into contact with multiple surfaces of the fin so as to increase the contact area between the contacts and the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Cheng-Hung Chang, Chen-Nan Yeh, Yu-Rung Hsu
  • Patent number: 8093120
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a substrate; forming a transistor in the substrate, the transistor having a dummy gate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and transistor; forming a contact feature in the dielectric layer; and after forming the contact feature, replacing the dummy gate of the transistor with a metal gate. An exemplary contact feature is a dual contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiung-Han Yeh, Ming-Yuan Wu, Kong-Beng Thei, Harry Chuang, Mong-Song Liang
  • Patent number: 8084293
    Abstract: An improved, lower cost method of processing substrates, such as to create solar cells, is disclosed. The doped regions are created on the substrate, using a mask or without the use of lithography or masks. After the implantation is complete, visual recognition is used to determine the exact region that was implanted. This information can then be used by subsequent process steps to crate a suitable metallization layer and provide alignment information. These techniques can also be used in other ion implanter applications. In another aspect, a dot pattern selective emitter is created and imaging is used to determine the appropriate metallization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Riordon, Russell Low, Atul Gupta, William Weaver
  • Patent number: 8008179
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a silicon semiconductor device, and a conductive thick film composition for use in a solar cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Haixin Yang, Roberto Irizarry, Patricia J. Ollivier
  • Patent number: 8008180
    Abstract: A method of forming an Ohmic contact on a P-type 4H—SiC and an Ohmic contact formed by the same are provided. A method of forming an Ohmic contact on a P-type 4H—SiC substrate including a deposition step of successively depositing a 1 to 60 nm thick first Al layer, Ti layer, and second Al layer on a P-type 4H—SiC substrate and an alloying step of forming an alloy layer between the SiC substrate and the Ti layer through the first Al layer by heat treatment in a nonoxidizing atmosphere. An Ohmic contact on a P-type 4H—SiC substrate formed by this method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka University
    Inventors: Yasuo Takahashi, Masakatsu Maeda, Akinori Seki, Akira Kawahashi, Masahiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7939439
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device which includes a substrate having an air layer or void therein, an interlayer dielectric film above the substrate, and a metal wiring having a spiral structure on the interlayer dielectric film corresponding to or over the air layer. The semiconductor device exhibits reduced parasitic capacitance between the metal wiring (used as an inductor) and the substrate, thereby improving a self-resonance frequency as well as an applicable frequency band of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 7863083
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a CMOS gate electrode by using Re, Rh, Pt, Ir or Ru metal and a CMOS structure that contains such gate electrodes are described. The work functions of these metals make them compatible with current pFET requirements. For instance, the metal can withstand the high hydrogen pressures necessary to produce properly passivated interfaces without undergoing chemical changes. The thermal stability of the metal on dielectric layers such as SiO2, Al2O3 and other suitable dielectric materials makes it compatible with post-processing temperatures up to 1000° C. A low temperature/low pressure CVD technique with Re2(CO)10 as the source material is used when Re is to be deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky Amos, Douglas A. Buchanan, Cyril Cabral, Jr., Alessandro C. Callegari, Supratik Guha, Hyungjun Kim, Fenton R. McFeely, Vijay Narayanan, Kenneth P. Rodbell, John J. Yurkas
  • Patent number: 7772110
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe electrical contacts for integrated circuits and methods of forming using gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) processing. The electrical contacts contain a fused metal-containing layer formed by exposing a patterned structure to a gas cluster ion beam containing a transition metal precursor or a rare earth metal precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Rodney L. Robison, Douglas Trickett
  • Patent number: 7704866
    Abstract: A method for forming a contact to a substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate, the substrate being doped with a first dopant; and diffusing a second dopant into at least a first side of the substrate to form a second dopant region, the first side further including a first side surface area. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer on the first side of the substrate. The method further includes forming a set of composite layer regions on the dielectric layer, wherein each composite layer region of the set of composite layer regions further includes a set of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles and a set of metal particles. The method also includes heating the set of composite layer regions to a first temperature, wherein at least some composite layer regions of the set of composite layer regions etch through the dielectric layer and form a set of contacts with the second dopant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Innovalight, Inc.
    Inventors: Karel Vanheusden, Francesco Lemmi, Dmitry Poplavskyy, Mason Terry, Malcolm Abbott
  • Patent number: 7678642
    Abstract: A phase change memory device is made by processes including forming a first interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor substrate that has junction regions. Then etching the first interlayer dielectric and thereby defining contact holes that expose the junction regions. A conductive layer is formed on the first interlayer dielectric to fill the contact holes. Forming a hard mask layer on the conductive layer and etching the hard mask layer and the conductive layer to form contact plugs in the contact holes. Finally, forming a conductive layer pattern that is located on the contact plug and portions of the first interlayer dielectric adjacent to the contact plug and having a hard mask thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Heon Yong Chang
  • Patent number: 7632736
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method includes forming a spacer layer over a substrate having patterned stacks formed therein and trenches between the patterned stacks. A sacrificial polysilicon layer is deposited over the substrate to fill the trenches. A patterning layer is deposited over the substrate and patterned to define contact regions over at least a portion of the trenches. The sacrificial polysilicon layer is etched using the patterned patterning layer to form open regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Max Wei, Been-Jon Woo
  • Publication number: 20090289262
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a silicon carbide drift region having a first conductivity type, a Schottky contact on the drift region, and a plurality of junction barrier Schottky (JBS) regions at a surface of the drift region adjacent the Schottky contact. The JBS regions have a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type and have a first spacing between adjacent ones of the JBS regions. The device further includes a plurality of surge protection subregions having the second conductivity type. Each of the surge protection subregions has a second spacing between adjacent ones of the surge protection subregions that is less than the first spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Qingchun Zhang, Sei-Hyung Ryu
  • Patent number: 7615401
    Abstract: A phase-changeable memory device includes a phase-changeable material pattern and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern. The first and second electrodes are configured to provide an electrical signal to the phase-changeable material pattern. The phase-changeable material pattern includes a first phase-changeable material layer and a second phase-changeable material layer. The first and second phase-changeable material patterns have different chemical, physical, and/or electrical characteristics. For example, the second phase-changeable material layer may have a greater resistivity than the first phase-changeable material layer. For instance, the first phase-changeable material layer may include nitrogen at a first concentration, and the second phase-changeable material layer may include nitrogen at a second concentration that is greater than the first concentration. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Hee Park, Ju-Chul Park, Jun-Soo Bae, Bong-Jin Kuh, Yong-Ho Ha
  • Publication number: 20090261348
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device using a SiC substrate, a Junction Termination Edge (JTE) layer is hardly affected by fixed charge so that a stable dielectric strength is obtained. A semiconductor device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a SiC epi-layer having n type conductivity, an impurity region in a surface of the SiC epi-layer and having p type conductivity, and JTE layers adjacent to the impurity region, having p type conductivity, and having a lower impurity concentration than the impurity region. The JTE layers are spaced by a distance from an upper surface of the SiC epi-layer, and SiC regions having n type conductivity are present on the JTE layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Tarui, Ken-ichi Ohtsuka, Masayuki Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 7601634
    Abstract: A region is locally modified so as to create a zone that extends as far as at least part of the surface of the region and is formed from a material that can be removed selectively with respect to the material of the region. The region is then covered with an insulating material. An orifice is formed in the insulating material emerging at the surface of the zone. The selectively removable material is removed from the zone through the orifice so as to form a cavity in place of the zone. The cavity and the orifice are then filled with at least one electrically conducting material so as to form a contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Damien Lenoble, Philippe Coronel, Robin Cerutti
  • Patent number: 7601604
    Abstract: A method of forming one or more capacitors on or in a substrate and a capacitor structure resulting therefrom is disclosed. The method includes forming a trench in the substrate, lining the trench with a first copper-barrier layer, and substantially filling the trench with a first copper layer. The first copper layer is substantially chemically isolated from the substrate by the first copper-barrier layer. A second copper-barrier layer is formed over the first copper layer and a first dielectric layer is formed over the second copper-barrier layer. The dielectric layer is substantially chemically isolated from the first copper layer by the second copper-barrier layer. A third copper-barrier layer is formed over the dielectric layer and a second copper layer is formed over the third copper-barrier layer. The second copper layer is formed in a non-damascene process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Isaiah O. Oladeji, Alan Cuthbertson
  • Publication number: 20090140295
    Abstract: A GaN-based semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; an active layer of a GaN-based semiconductor formed on the silicon substrate; a trench formed in the active layer and extending from a top surface of the active layer to the silicon substrate; a first electrode formed on an internal wall surface of the trench so that the first electrode extends from the top surface of the active layer to the silicon substrate; a second electrode formed on the active layer so that a current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode via the active layer; and a bottom electrode formed on a bottom surface of the silicon substrate. The first electrode is formed of a metal capable of being in ohmic contact with the silicon substrate and the active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Shusuke Kaya, Seikoh Yoshida, Sadahiro Kato, Takehiko Nomura, Nariaki Ikeda, Masayuki Iwami, Yoshihiro Sato, Hiroshi Kambayashi, Koh Li
  • Patent number: 7341931
    Abstract: Contact areas comprising doped semiconductor material at the bottom of contact holes are cleaned in a hot hydrogen plasma and exposed in situ during and/or separately from the hot hydrogen clean to a plasma containing the same dopant species as in the semiconductor material so as to partially, completely, or more than completely offset any loss of dopant due to the hot hydrogen clean. A protective conductive layer such as a metal silicide is then formed over the contact area in situ. The resulting integrated circuit has contacts with interfaces such as a silicide interfaces to contact areas having a particularly favorable dopant profile and concentration adjacent the silicide interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujit Sharan, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7276431
    Abstract: An structure for electrically isolating a semiconductor device is formed by implanting dopant into a semiconductor substrate that does not include an epitaxial layer. Following the implant the structure is exposed to a very limited thermal budget so that dopant does not diffuse significantly. As a result, the dimensions of the isolation structure are limited and defined, thereby allowing a higher packing density than obtainable using conventional processes which include the growth of an epitaxial layer and diffusion of the dopants. In one group of embodiments, the isolation structure includes a deep layer and a sidewall which together form a cup-shaped structure surrounding an enclosed region in which the isolated semiconductor device may be formed. The sidewalls may be formed by a series of pulsed implants at different energies, thereby creating a stack of overlapping implanted regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignees: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc., Advanced Analogic Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Michael E. Cornell, Wai Tien Chan
  • Patent number: 7268065
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device including forming an opening in a dielectric layer located over a substrate, forming a semi-conductive layer substantially conforming to the opening, and forming a conductive layer substantially conforming to the semi-conductive layer. At least a portion of the semi-conductive layer is doped by implanting through the conductive layer. The semi-conductive layer and the conductive layer may then be annealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Tung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Chii-Ming Wu, Mei-Yun Wang, Chiang-Ming Chuang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 7244660
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor component using a sacrificial masking structure. A semiconductor device is formed from a semiconductor substrate and a layer of dielectric material is formed over the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor device. The layer of dielectric material may be formed directly on the semiconductor substrate or spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate by an interlayer. Posts or protrusions having sidewalls are formed from the layer of dielectric material. An electrically insulating material that is preferably different from the layer of dielectric material is formed adjacent the sidewalls of the posts. The electrically insulating material is planarized and the posts are removed to form openings that may expose a portion of the semiconductor device or a portion of the interlayer material. An electrically conductive material is formed in the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Kelley Kyle Higgins, Sr., Joseph William Wiseman
  • Patent number: 7241705
    Abstract: The invention comprises methods of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor, and methods of forming local interconnects. In one implementation, a method of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor includes providing gate dielectric material intermediate a transistor gate and a channel region of a field effect transistor. At least some of the gate dielectric material extends to be received over at least one source/drain region of the field effect transistor. The gate dielectric material received over the one source/drain region is exposed to conditions effective to change it from being electrically insulative to being electrically conductive and in conductive contact with the one source/drain region. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cem Basceri, Gurtej S. Sandhu, H. Montgomery Manning
  • Patent number: 7214594
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided an interconnect cladding layer. In one embodiment, a first sacrificial layer is deposited over a substrate and patterned. In the vias created during the patterning operation, a conductive material is placed to create conductive interconnects. After planarizing the conductive material, the sacrificial layer is removed leaving the interconnect exposed. A cladding layer is then deposited over the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Wong, Jihperng Leu, Grant Kloster, Andrew Ott, Patrick Morrow
  • Patent number: 7172933
    Abstract: A method of forming a channel region for a MOSFET device in a strained silicon layer via employment of adjacent and surrounding silicon-germanium shapes, has been developed. The method features simultaneous formation of recesses in a top portion of a conductive gate structure and in portions of the semiconductor substrate not occupied by the gate structure or by dummy spacers located on the sides of the conductive gate structure. The selectively defined recesses will be used to subsequently accommodate silicon-germanium shapes, with the silicon-germanium shapes located in the recesses in the semiconductor substrate inducing the desired strained channel region. The recessing of the conductive gate structure and of semiconductor substrate portions reduces the risk of silicon-germanium bridging across the surface of sidewall spacers during epitaxial growth of the alloy layer, thus reducing the risk of gate to substrate leakage or shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Huang, Bow-Wen Chan, Baw-Ching Perng, Lawrence Sheu, Hun-Jan Tao, Chih-Hsin Ko, Chun-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 6979611
    Abstract: In a silicon substrate having a contact hole in a device region, the contact resistance between the contact plug and the silicon substrate is reduced by preventing formation of an undesirable layer therebetween by treating the exposed surface of the substrate before forming the contact plug. Further, a two-layered contact plug consisting of a first contact plug layer having high impurity concentration and a second contact plug layer having low impurity concentration, on the interlayer insulating film including the exposed surface of the substrate. The interface between the silicon substrate and the contact plug is thermally treated at low temperature, and the first contact plug layer having high impurity concentration and the second contact plug layer having low impurity concentration, are formed, so that the resistance between the silicon substrate and the contact plug can be reduced, thereby increasing the operation speed of the device. thereby increasing the operation speed of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Suk Shin, Seung Woo Jin, Sang Woon Park, Yun Hyuck Ji
  • Patent number: 6977204
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a contact plug in a semiconductor device capable of preventing an increase of contact resistance caused by a decrease in dopant concentration and suppressing diffusions of dopants implanted into the contact. The dopants are doped in a manner to allow the conductive layer to have different doping distributions with respect to a thickness. Particularly, the dopants are doped until reaching a target deposition thickness by gradually increasing a concentration of the dopants from a first concentration to a second concentration for an interval from an initial deposition of the conductive layer to the target deposition thickness, and the second concentration is consistently maintained throughout for an interval from the target deposition thickness to a complete deposition thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Sung-Jae Joo
  • Patent number: 6902992
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a semiconductor resistance element, which is capable of suppressing a variation in characteristics of the semiconductor resistance element due to an acceptor concentration difficult to be controlled, thereby stably improving the yield of a semiconductor integrated circuit using the semiconductor device. The device includes an n-type semiconductor resistance region formed in the surface of a compound semiconductor substrate, and a p-type buried region formed between the n-type semiconductor resistance region and a substrate region 21S of the compound semiconductor substrate. An acceptor of the p-type buried region is set to be higher than an acceptor concentration in the substrate region and lower than a doner concentration in the n-type semiconductor resistance region, whereby the effect of the acceptor concentration in the substrate on the semiconductor resistance region can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Imoto
  • Patent number: 6867115
    Abstract: The conventional compound semiconductor switching device is prone to have a large chip size as the gate width needs to be large for achieving a low insertion loss and the separation between the connecting pad and the circuit wiring needs to be larger than 20 ?m for obtaining a proper isolation between them. The overall chip size is reduced, first, by reducing the gate width of the switching FET operating at frequencies above 2.4 GHz to 700 ?m or smaller together with the omission of the shunt FET, and, then, by reducing the separation between the connecting pad and the circuit wiring to 20 ?m or smaller. This reduction of the separation is made possible by the introduction of an insulating film and a impurity region between the outermost portion of the connecting pad and the substrate for preventing the extension of the depletion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Asano, Toshikazu Hirai, Takayoshi Higashino, Koichi Hirata, Mikito Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 6864580
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a structure in which no short circuit occurs between plug interconnections even when a void occurs in an insulating layer in a gap between wiring layers and a method of manufacturing the same are attained. The method includes: a step of forming transfer gates so as to be close to each other with a gap on a semiconductor substrate; a step of burying the gap and covering a wiring layer; a step of opening a contact hole in an insulating layer in the gap portion; a step of depositing a short-circuit preventing insulating film in the contact hole; an etch back step of removing the short-circuit preventing insulating film at least on the bottom of the gap to expose the semiconductor substrate; and a step of forming a plug interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Ryoden Semiconductor System Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichiro Nakazawa, Heiji Kobayashi