Abstract: A method of forming an integrated barrier/contact for stacked capacitors is provided which results in reduced cost of ownership and in a barrier which is nominally several times thicker than convention structures. The resulting structure results in decreased contact plug resistance as compared with conventional devices.

Abstract: Providing an active signal that increases the gate overdrive voltage of the driver of a sense amplifier enables the use of smaller drivers. This facilitates more efficient layouts and/or smaller sense amplifiers, thereby reducing the chip size.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can be fabricated using a photomask that has been modified using an assist feature design method (see e.g., FIG. 4A) based on normalized feature spacing. Before the device can be fabricated, a layout of original shapes is designed (402). For at least some of the original shapes, the width of the shape and a distance to at least one neighboring shape are measured (404). A modified shape can then be generated by moving edges of the original shape based on the width and distance measurements (406). This modification can be performed on some or all of the original shapes (408). For each of the modified shapes, a normalized space and correct number of assist features can be computed (410). The layout is then modified by adding the correct number of assist features in a space between the modified shape and the neighboring shape (412). This modified layout can then be used in producing a photomask, which can in turn be used to produce a semiconductor device.

Abstract: In the exposure and development of available deep ultraviolet (DUV) sensitive photoresist it has been observed that following the standard prior art methods of exposure and development results in a high density of undesirable pieces of components of the photoresist material, Blob Defects, remaining on the semiconductor substrate (body). A method of exposing and developing the photoresist material which results in a reduced incidence of these Blob Defects consists of introducing a low level uniform flood exposure of light in addition to the commonly used exposure to patterned light, followed by standard development. The flood exposure is in the range of 5 to 50% of the dose-to-clear for a non-patterned exposure.

Abstract: In semiconductor dynamic random access memory circuits using stacked capacitor storage elements formed using high permittivity dielectric material, it is typical to form the stacked capacitors using noble metal electrodes. Typically, the etching process for the noble metal electrodes requires the use of a hard mask patterning material such as silicon oxide. Removal of this hard mask frequently results in damage to the dielectric surface surrounding the patterned noble metal electrode.

Abstract: A deep trench capacitor, in accordance with the present invention, includes a deep trench formed in a substrate having a storage node formed therein. A center node is capacitively coupled to the storage node. The center node is disposed within the deep trench and formed inside the storage node. A first buried strap is provided for accessing the storage node, and a second buried strap is electrically isolated from the storage node and formed in contact with the center node and a buried plate. The center node is formed to provide additional capacitive area to the deep trench capacitor. A method for forming the deep trench capacitor in accordance with the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: A fuse latch for a memory circuit according to the present invention comprises a plurality of address lines, a control signal line provided from a fuse, a multiplexer for multiplexing the plurality of address lines in response to the control signal wherein the multiplexer has only one type transistors, and a decoder for receiving a multiplexed signal from the multiplexer. Since the multiplexer has a smaller size than that of a conventional CMOS multiplexer, a fuse latch circuit of the present invention has a smaller size than that of a conventional fuse latch. The multiplexer preferably has only NMOS transistors. To overcome a voltage drop due to an NMOS threshold voltage, the present invention uses low-threshold NMOSs and/or boosts the transistors in the multiplexer. Alternatively, the voltage drop is successfully converted into a CMOS level by using a dynamic logic circuit.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) having redundant components includes steps for concurrently forming normal (i.e. non-fused) contacts to components of the DRAMs and anti-fused contacts to the redundant components. The process by which the normal and anti-fused contacts are made is readily implemented using standard integrated circuit processing techniques. An anti-fuse contact (20) and a normal (i.e. non-fused) contact (10) are formed by opening respective contact areas in a dielectric (110), selectively forming an insulating layer (210) over the anti-fuse contact, applying polysilicon (212, 410) to cover the insulating layer of the anti-fuse contact and to fill the opening over the normal contact. In one embodiment of the invention, the circuit region served by the anti-fuse contact is subject to ion implantation (810) to improve its conductivity before the anti-fuse contact is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming a vertically-oriented device in an integrated circuit using a selective wet etch to remove only a part of the sidewalls in a deep trench, and the device formed therefrom. While a portion of the trench perimeter (e.g., isolation collar 304) is protected by a mask (e.g., polysilicon 318), the exposed portion is selectively wet etched to remove selected crystal planes from the exposed portion of the trench, leaving a flat substrate sidewall (324) with a single crystal plane. A single side vertical trench transistor may be formed on the flat sidewall. A vertical gate oxide (e.g. silicon dioxide 330) of the transistor formed on the single crystal plane is substantially uniform across the transistor channel, providing reduced chance of leakage and consistent threshold voltages from device to device. In addition, trench widening is substantially reduced, increasing the device to device isolation distance in a single sided buried strap junction device layout.

Abstract: A light absorption layer deposited onto a dielectric layer having an interconnect positioned below converts light into heat during laser deleting of the interconnect. This approach allows for minimum reflectance of the laser when contacting the light absorption layer with the light from the laser thereby melting the interconnect more efficiently. The light absorption layer also functions as (1) a buried anti-reflective layer for via opening lithography which connects the interconnect and a metal level position above and (2) an etch stopper when forming a fuse opening by RIE.

Abstract: A circuit for storing a bit of data is provided, where the circuit includes a first fuse having a first end and a second end and a second fuse having a third end and a fourth end. The first end of the first fuse is connected to a logic 0 input and its second end is connected to a common output. The third end of the second fuse is connected to a logic 1 input and the fourth end is connected to the common output. To store the bit of data, one of the first and second fuses is selectively blown. Hence, two fuses can be used to store a bit of information.

Abstract: A method for forming source/drain contacts to source/drain regions of an array of transistors. The method includes providing a semiconductor body with a gate oxide layer over the surface of the semiconductor body. The gate oxide layer extends over active areas in the semiconductor body. Gate stacks are provided on the gate oxide layer in columns across the rows of active areas. A dielectric material is deposited over the surface of the provided semiconductor body. Vias are etched through the dielectric material over source/drain regions in portions of the active area between the columns of gate stacks. First portion of sidewalls of such vias are formed over portions of adjacent columns of the gate stacks and second portions of the sidewalls of such vias are formed between adjacent columns of the gate stacks. The vias expose portions of the gate oxide layer over the source/drain regions.

Abstract: A two-step progressive thermal oxidation process is provided to improve the thickness uniformity of a thin oxide layer in semiconductor wafer fabrication. A semiconductor wafer, e.g., of silicon, with a surface subject to formation of an oxide layer thereon but which is substantially oxide layer-free, is loaded, e.g., at room temperature, into an oxidation furnace maintained at a low loading temperature, e.g., of 400-600° C., and the wafer temperature is adjusted to a low oxidizing temperature, e.g., of 400-600° C., all while the wafer is under an inert, e.g., nitrogen, atmosphere. The wafer is then subjected to initial oxidation, e.g., in dry oxygen, at the low oxidizing temperature to form a uniform initial thickness oxide, e.g., silicon dioxide, layer, e.g., of up to 10 angstroms, on the surface, after which the furnace temperature is increased to a high oxidizing temperature, e.g., of 700-1200° C., while the wafer is under an inert atmosphere. The wafer is next subjected to final oxidation, e.

Abstract: A process for forming a DRAM in a silicon chip that includes N-MOSFETs of the memory cells in its central area and C-MOSFETs of the support circuitry in the peripheral area. By the inclusion of a masking oxide layer over the peripheral area during the formation of the memory cells, there are formed N-MOSFETs that use N-doped polycide gates and P-MOSFETs that use P-doped polycide gates. The sources and drains include self-aligned silicide contacts.

Abstract: A method, in an RF-based plasma processing chamber 600, for performing a planarization etch and a recess etch of a first layer on a semiconductor wafer 614. The method includes placing the semiconductor wafer, including a trench formed therein, into the plasma processing chamber. The method also includes depositing the first layer over a surface of the semiconductor and into the trench. There is further included performing the planarization etch to substantially planarize the first layer in the plasma processing chamber, the planarization etch being performed with a first ion density level. Additionally, there is included performing, using the plasma processing chamber, the recess etch on the first layer to recess the first layer within the trench. The recess etch is performed with a second ion density level in the plasma processing chamber, with the second ion density level being higher than the first ion density level.

Abstract: A delay line, in accordance with the invention, includes a plurality of delay elements connecting an input and an output, the delay elements for causing a delay to be introduced to a signal passing through the delay elements. A voltage device is included for regulating power to the plurality of delay elements, the voltage device being adjustable to provide at least one predetermined voltage to the delay elements such that the delay in the delay elements is modified according to the predetermined voltage(s). The delay line may be employed in a delay locked loop, a clock circuit or other circuits.

Abstract: A two-step chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is provided for low dishing of metal lines in trenches in an insulation (oxide) layer, e.g., of silicon dioxide of a thickness of about 100-2000 nm, of a semiconductor wafer, e.g., of silicon, during its fabrication. The first step involves chemically mechanically polishing a metal layer, e.g., of copper of a thickness of about 200-2000 nm, disposed on the oxide layer and having a lower portion located in the trenches for forming metal lines and an upper portion overlying the lower portion. The first step polishing is effected at a high downforce, e.g., 3-8 psi, to remove at a high rate the upper portion of the metal layer substantially without removing the lower portion thereof and substantially without dishing of the lower portion located in the trenches. The second step involves continuing the CMP at a lower downforce, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating stacked capacitor structures, which include barrier layers, are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing outdiffusion within an integrated circuit includes forming a gate oxide layer over a substrate, and further forming a silicon plug over a portion of the gate oxide layer. A silicon dioxide layer is then formed over the gate oxide layer, and is arranged around the silicon plug. A first barrier film is formed over the silicon plug, and a dielectric layer is formed over the silicon dioxide layer. In one embodiment, forming the first barrier film includes forming a first oxide layer over the silicon plug, nitridizing the first oxide layer, and etching the nitridized first oxide layer.

Abstract: A system is provided for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a semiconductor wafer by periodically relatively moving a polishing pad on a rotating platen, and the wafer, retained in the aperture of a rotating and oscillating ring having a wear surface surrounding the aperture and wafer, with respect to each other while the wafer and wear surface frictionally contact the pad. A CMP slurry is dispensed to the wafer periphery in the vicinity of the pad at a plurality of perimetrically spaced apart channels in the wear surface maintained in fixed relation to the wafer during the relative movement. The ring is fixed to the underside of a carrier in turn fixed at its upper portion to the bottom end of a spindle which is rotatably mounted at its top end on an oscillating support beam, such that the wafer, ring, carrier and spindle rotate and oscillate in common. The carrier has a heat exchanger to heat or cool the slurry.

Abstract: In a method of forming a microelectronic structure of a Pt/BSTO/Pt capacitor stack for use in a DRAM device, the improvement comprising substantially eliminating or preventing oxygen out-diffusion from the BSTO material layer, comprising: a) preparing a bottom Pt electrode formation; b) subjecting the bottom Pt electrode formation to an oxygen plasma treatment to form an oxygen enriched Pt layer on the bottom Pt electrode; c) depositing a BSTO layer on said oxygen enriched Pt layer; d) depositing an upper Pt electrode layer on the BSTO layer; e) subjecting the upper Pt electrode layer to an oxygen plasma treatment to form an oxygen incorporated Pt layer; and f) depositing a Pt layer on the oxygen incorporated Pt layer upper Pt elect.