Abstract: A game apparatus includes an apparatus body; and a plurality of small playing members each having a data carrier for transmitting driving electric power and performing mutual communications with the apparatus body. The number of points is added by the apparatus body when a change is given from the outside to an arbitrarily selected small playing member among the plurality of small playing members under a predetermined condition. In another aspect, an automated traveling control system for executing a process corresponding to a kind of a carrier object traveling by a gate is disclosed.

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.

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.

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 relative 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 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 rever active mask has an opening at a central part of each relative 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.

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 in order to manufacture a highly reliable and fine MOS transistor. After a silicon oxide film has been formed on a first polycrystalline silicon film so as 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 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. In such a way, the buried conductive layer including the first and second polycrystalline silicon films is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and a conductive layer formed above the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer has a silicon film, a silicide film formed on the silicon film, and a high melting-point metal film formed on the silicide film. The silicon film has a non-doped layer, which does not contain impurities, and an impurity layer which is formed on the non-doped layer and contains impurities. The silicide film is formed on the impurity layer of the silicon film.

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.

Abstract: An input interface circuit is provided. The circuit 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.

Abstract: First of all, a breakthrough process is performed for removing the polymer and oxidized residues remained on top surface of the hard-mask layers, wherein the breakthrough process utilizes a CFx-based mixed-gas, such as Ar/O2/CF4, to slightly flush out the top surface of the hard-mask layers so as to strip the polymer and oxidized residues remained thereon. Afterward, an etching process is performed to etch through the hard-mask layers until a predetermined thickness of the dielectric layer. Finally, another etching process is performed to etch through the hard-mask layer and the dielectric layer and form the damascene structure in the dielectric layer, wherein this etching process utilizes the mixed gas having chlorine, such as O2/Cl2.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a pattern defect process is disclosed, in which a layer is formed to raise a signal-to-noise ratio on the substrate. This invention also provides a method for inspecting a pattern defect process. First of all, a substrate is provided. Then, a device profile is formed on the substrate, wherein the device profile comprises a defect portion. Then, a layer is formed on the device profile and the substrate, wherein the layer has an etch selectivity different from the etch selectivity of the device profile. Next, the layer is removed partially to stop on the device profile and to cause a revere mask. Then, the device profile is etched on the substrate by using the revere mask as a mask. Finally, the revere mask is removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a first conductive layer formed thereon, and then sequentially forming a first dielectric layer, an anti-reflection layer and a second dielectric layer over the substrate. Next, the first dielectric layer, the anti-reflection layer and the second dielectric layer are patterned to form a first opening that exposes the conductive layer. Thereafter, the second dielectric layer is patterned to form a trench (or second opening) in a position above the first conductive layer. The trench and the first opening together form an opening of the dual damascene structure. Finally, a second conductive material is deposited into the opening and the trench to form conductive lines and the dual damascene structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has field shield isolation or trench type isolation between elements which suppresses penetration of field oxide into an element active region of the device. A common gate is located between two MOS transistors, which may be of opposite conductivity type. After gate electrode wiring layers are formed in a field region and an active region to the same level, a pad polysilicon film formed on the entire surface to cover the patterns of these gate electrode wiring layers, which are in separated patterns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming an antifuse via structure. The antifuse via structures comprising a substrate that having a first conductive wire therein. Then, a first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and a photoresist layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. Next, an etching process is performed to etch the first dielectric layer to form a via open in the first dielectric layer. Then, a first conductive layer is deposited to fill the via open and performing a polishing process to form a conductive plug, wherein the conductive plug is on the first conductive wire. Next, a buffer layer deposited on the partial first dielectric layer and on the surface of conductive plug. Then another polishing process is performed to the buffer layer to expose the portion of the conductive plug. Thereafter, a first electrode of capacitor is deposited on the buffer layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and a conductive layer formed above the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer has a silicon film, a silicide film formed on the silicon film, and a high melting-point metal film formed on the silicide film. The silicon film has a non-doped layer, which does not contain impurities, and an impurity layer which is formed on the non-doped layer and contains impurities. The silicide film is formed on the impurity layer of the silicon film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and a conductive layer formed above the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer has a silicon film, a silicide film formed on the silicon film, and a high melting-point metal film formed on the silicide film. The silicon film has a non-doped layer, which does not contain impurities, and an impurity layer which is formed on the non-doped layer and contains impurities. The silicide film is formed on the impurity layer of the silicon film.

Abstract: A method of forming a dual damascene structure comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a first conductive layer formed thereon, and then sequentially forming a first dielectric layer, an anti-reflection layer and a second dielectric layer over the substrate. Next, the first dielectric layer, the anti-reflection layer and the second dielectric layer are patterned to form a first opening that exposes the conductive layer. Thereafter, the second dielectric layer is patterned to form a trench (or second opening) in a position above the first conductive layer. The trench and the first opening together form an opening of the dual damascene structure. Finally, a second conductive material is deposited into the opening and the trench to form conductive lines and the dual damascene structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second conductive layers which are electrically connected to each other through a contact plug. A first insulating film is formed on the first conductive layer and has a first opening which reaches the surface of the first conductive layer. A second insulating film is formed on the first insulating film and has a second opening at the same position as the first opening. The contact plug is filled in the first and second openings and has the surface which is substantially flush with the surface of the second insulating film and also contains a metal having a high melting point. The second conductive layer is formed on the second insulating film and on the contact plug.

Abstract: A method for reducing hole defects in the polysilicon layer. The method at least includes the following steps. First of all, a semiconductor substrate is provided, a polysilicon layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate. Then, no hole defects bottom anti-reflective coating process is performed, wherein the no hole defect bottom anti-reflective coating process is selected from the group consisting of dehydration baking, hydrophobic solvent treatment, and steady baking. Finally, a bottom anti-reflective coating is formed over the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same prevent the spread of a tungsten film out of an opening portion of a contact hole when the tungsten is grown in the contact hole and avoid inferior wiring shape and inter-wiring shirt-circuit. After a titanium/titanium nitride film is formed along an inner surface of the contact hole, a photo-resist film is applied. Then, the photo-resist film is etched away until a distance from an upper end of the contact hole to the surface of photo-resist film is not smaller than one-half of a width of the contact hole when the titanium/titanium nitride film is formed. After the titanium/titanium nitride film is etched by using the photo-resist as a mask, the photo-resist film is removed and a tungsten layer is selectively grown by using the titanium/titanium nitride film as a seed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring bipolar junction transistor emitter window etching process is disclosed. The method at least includes the following steps. First of all, a substrate is provided having a silicon oxide layer thereon and a silicon nitride layer on the silicon oxide layer. Then, a semiconductor layer is deposited on the silicon nitride layer. Next, a conductive region of a first conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor layer. Then, a dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor layer. Then, the dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer are anisotropically etched to stop on the silicon oxide layer to define an emitter region of the bipolar junction transistor. Finally, the silicon oxide layer is isotropically etched.