Patents Assigned to United Microelectronics Corporation
  • Patent number: 7449407
    Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing capacitance in a dual damascene based interconnect structure is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the damascene interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. Multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Water Lur, David Lee, Kuang-Chih Wang, Ming-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 7271101
    Abstract: A method for depositing dielectric material into gaps between wiring lines in the formation of a semiconductor device includes the formation of a cap layer and the formation of gaps into which high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) dielectric material is deposited. First and second antireflective coatings may be formed on the wiring line layer, the first and second antireflective coatings being made from different materials. Both antireflective coatings and the wiring line layer are etched through to form wiring lines separated by gaps. The gaps between wiring lines may be filled using high density plasma chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chien Liu, Ta-Shan Tseng, Wen-Bin Shieh, Juan-Yuan Wu, Water Lur, Shih-Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 7253095
    Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with either damascene or conventional integrated circuit metallization schemes. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Water Lur, David Lee, Kuang-Chih Wang, Ming-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 7246284
    Abstract: An input interface circuit is provided which includes an input transistor for receiving a digital input signal, a circuit for generating a reference value, and an integrating capacitor connected in series to a pair of current conducting electrodes of the input transistor for integrating the input signal. A logic level of the input signal is discriminated by comparing an integration of the input signal with the reference value. To provide a testing function, a test transistor is connected to a junction between the pair of current conducting electrodes of the input transistor and the integrating capacitor so that a current driving capability may be determined. Additionally, a discharge path circuit for controllably discharging the integrating capacitor is connected to the junction between the input transistor and the integrating capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7244653
    Abstract: A method and structure of manufacture of mask ROM device is provided. Firstly, a semiconductor structure is provided that comprises a first dielectric layer, a plurality of buried bit lines and a plurality of code areas, wherein each of the code areas is placed between two buried bit lines. Next, a second dielectric layer having a plurality of contact plugs is formed on the semiconductor structure, wherein the contact plug comprises a second dielectric layer and a first glue layer, furthermore; the first glue layer is placed on the side-wall and bottom of the contact plugs. In addition, the contact plugs filled with the first metal layer. Then, a second glue layer, a second metal layer and a pad layer having an opening pattern are respectively formed on the second dielectric layer and contact plug. Thus, the processes of the present invention can improve the stability and accuracy in the electricity of the mask ROM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Liu, Yuan Kao
  • Patent number: 7179740
    Abstract: A semiconductor die and an associated low resistance interconnect located primarily on the bottom surface of such die is disclosed. This arrangement provides a flexible packaging structure permitting easy interconnected with other integrated circuits; in this manner, a number of such circuits can be stacked to create high circuit density multi-chip modules. A process for making the device is further disclosed. To preserve structural integrity of a wafer containing such die during manufacturing, a through-hole via formed as part of the interconnect is filled with an inert material during operations associated with subsequent active device formation on such die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Min-Chih John Hsuan
  • Patent number: 7138329
    Abstract: An air gap structure and formation method for substantially reducing the undesired capacitance between adjacent interconnects, metal lines or other features in an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The air gap extends above, and may also additionally extend below, the interconnects desired to be isolated thus minimizing fringing fields between the lines. The integrated air gap structure and formation method can be utilized in conjunction with a tungsten plug process. Also, multiple levels of the integrated air gap structure can be fabricated to accommodate multiple metal levels while always ensuring that physical dielectric layer support is provided to the device structure underlying the interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Water Lur, David Lee, Kuang-Chih Wang, Ming-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 7087464
    Abstract: A method and structure for a wafer level package is provided, which utilizes a plurality of spacer walls on a semiconductor wafer or a transparent substrate, which has the ability to decide the position of the sealant. As a result, the dimension of a device is decided by the position of the sealant and the spacer walls, therefore, shrinking the distance between the photosensitive zone and the sealant will enhance the gross dies after performing a die sawing process to the whole semiconductor wafer. In addition, the semiconductor process decides the height of the spacer walls so that the yield will be improved due to the fact that a uniformity of the gap, which is between the semiconductor wafer and the transparent substrate, and the width of sealant, will be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Dylan Yu, Gary Guan, Jolas Chen, Yi-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7078346
    Abstract: A method for depositing dielectric material into gaps between wiring lines in the formation of a semiconductor device includes the formation of a cap layer and the formation of gaps into which high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) dielectric material is deposited. First and second antireflective coatings may be formed on the wiring line layer, the first and second antireflective coatings being made from different materials. Both antireflective coatings and the wiring line layer are etched through to form wiring lines separated by gaps. The gaps between wiring lines may be filled using high density plasma chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chien Liu, Ta-Shan Tseng, Wen-Bin Shieh, Juan-Yuan Wu, Water Lur, Shih-Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 7064029
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device has access transistors with a gate and a pair of impurity diffusion layers formed on a semiconductor substrate and memory capacitors with a storage node electrode and a cell plate electrode. The electrodes are connected to each other via a capacitive insulating layer made of a ferroelectric material. The storage node electrode has a surface covered with the capacitive insulating layer and is formed in a shape of column on one of the pair of impurity diffusion layers in a hole formed from an inter-layer insulating film covering the access transistor to the one of the pair of impurity diffusion layers. A upper surface of the column does not exceed the inter-layer insulating film. The storage node electrode formed in the hole face the cell plate electrode via the inter-layer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Hirohiko Izumi
  • Patent number: 7037802
    Abstract: A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number of relatively large active regions and a number of relative small active regions, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer on the substrate is formed. A number of shallow trenches are formed between the active regions one or more of which may constitute an alignment mark. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed on the oxide layer. The partial reverse active mask exposes a portion of the oxide layer over the large active area and over the alignment mark. The oxide layer of each large active region and the alignment mark is removed. The partial reverse active mask is removed. The oxide layer is planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Sheng Yang, Juan-Yuan Wu, Water Lur
  • Patent number: 7030466
    Abstract: A semiconductor die and an associated low resistance interconnect located primarily on the bottom surface of such die is disclosed. This arrangement provides a flexible packaging structure permitting easy interconnected with other integrated circuits; in this manner, a number of such circuits can be stacked to create high circuit density multi-chip modules. A process for making the device is further disclosed. To preserve structural integrity of a wafer containing such die during manufacturing, a through-hole via formed as part of the interconnect is filled with an inert material during operations associated with subsequent active device formation on such die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Min-Chih John Hsuan
  • Patent number: 7018906
    Abstract: A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number of relatively large active regions and a number of relatively small active regions, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer on the substrate is first formed. A number of shallow trenches are formed between the active regions. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed on the oxide layer. The partial reverse active mask has an opening at a central part of each relatively large active region. The opening exposes a portion of the oxide layer. The opening has at least a dummy pattern. The oxide layer on the central part of each large active region is removed to expose the silicon nitride layer. The partial reverse active mask is removed. The oxide layer is planarized to expose the silicon nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Coming Chen, Juan-Yuan Wu, Water Lur
  • Publication number: 20050242377
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same and method for deleting information in use of the semiconductor device, in which field shield isolation or a trench type isolation between elements is used with suppression of penetration of field oxide into element active region of the device, that is, a defect involved in conventional LOGOS type process, are disclosed. A non-LOCOS insulating device isolation block is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The non-LOCOS insulating device isolation block uses a field shield element isolation structure or trench type element isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Eguchi, Yuichi Egawa, Shoichi Iwasa, Hideki Fujikake, Wataru Yokozeki, Tatsuya Kawamata
  • Patent number: 6917076
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same and method for deleting information in use of the semiconductor device, in which field shield isolation or a trench type isolation between elements is used with suppression of penetration of field oxide into element active region of the device, that is, a defect involved in conventional LOCOS type process, are disclosed. A non-LOCOS insulating device isolation block is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The non-LOCOS insulating device isolation block uses a field shield element isolation structure or trench type element isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Eguchi, Yuichi Egawa, Shoichi Iwasa, Hideki Fujikake, Wataru Yokozeki, Tatsuya Kawamata
  • Publication number: 20050145917
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device has access transistors with a gate and a pair of impurity diffusion layers formed on a semiconductor substrate and memory capacitors with a storage node electrode and a cell plate electrode. The electrodes are connected to each other via a capacitive insulating layer made of a ferroelectric material. The storage node electrode has a surface covered with the capacitive insulating layer and is formed in a shape of column on one of the pair of impurity diffusion layers in a hole formed from an inter-layer insulating film covering the access transistor to the one of the pair of impurity diffusion layers. A upper surface of the column does not exceed the inter-layer insulating film. The storage node electrode formed in the hole face the cell plate electrode via the inter-layer insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Hirohiko Izumi
  • Publication number: 20050127431
    Abstract: A quantum structure and the forming method based on the difference in characteristic of two matters is provided. The forming method includes several steps. At first, providing a first dielectric layer for forming a second dielectric layer thereon. The second dielectric layer has major elements and impurities contained. Treating the second dielectric layer to drive the impurities to form the quantum structure. For example, oxidizing the major elements to drive the impurities in the first dielectric layer to form the quantum structure in said first dielectric layer because the oxidizing capability of the major elements is stronger than that of the impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ting-Chang Chang, Po-Tsun Liu
  • Patent number: 6878627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that includes cobalt-silicide based contacts is disclosed, as well as a process for making the same. Combinations of alloyed layers of Co—Ti— along with layers of Co— are arranged and heat treated so as to effectuate a silicide reaction on a silicon substrate. The resulting structures have extremely low resistance, and show little line width dependence, thus making them particularly attractive for use in semiconductor devices and processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Water Lur, David Lee, Kuang-Chih Wang
  • Publication number: 20050072993
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device in which a source/drain and a wiring layer are connected to each other through an associated buried conductive layer, a separation width of the buried conductive layer on a upper portion of a gate electrode is made small to manufacture a highly reliable and fine MOS transistor. After a silicon oxide film has been formed on a first polycrystalline silicon film to be aligned with a width of a gate electrode, a second polycrystalline silicon film formed on the whole surface of a substrate is selectively etched away so as to be left only on both side faces of a pattern of the silicon oxide film. Thereafter, the first polycrystalline silicon film is selectively etched away with both the silicon oxide film and the second polycrystalline silicon film as an etching mask so that the first polycrystalline film is separated with a width which is smaller than that of the gate electrode by a width of a pattern of the second polycrystalline silicon film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: RE39274
    Abstract: A voltage down converter with hysteresis generator combining a hysteresis signal to a reference voltage and an output voltage feedback signal applied to a comparator. The hysteresis generator is coupled to a control signal giving advance notice of when a high current load is to be activated. The hysteresis signal is switched to a first state prior to the high current load activation, and switched to a second state after the high current load activation. In the first state, the hysteresis voltage is added to a reference voltage. In the second state, the hysteresis voltage is added to the voltage output feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kim C. Hardee