Patents Examined by Colleen E. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7153787
    Abstract: A low dielectric constant film having silicon-carbon bonds and dielectric constant of about 3.0 or less, preferably about 2.5 or less, is provided. The low dielectric constant film is deposited by reacting a cyclic organosilicon compound and an aliphatic organosilicon compound with an oxidizing gas while applying RF power. The carbon content of the deposited film is between about 10 and about 30 atomic percent excluding hydrogen atoms, and is preferably between about 10 and about 20 atomic percent excluding hydrogen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Seon-Mee Cho, Peter Wai-Man Lee, Chi-I Lang, Dian Sugiarto, Chen-An Chen, Li-Qun Xia, Shankar Venkataraman, Ellie Yieh
  • Patent number: 7148122
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises placing a first and a second substrate into a reaction chamber, the first substrate being made of an indium antimonide material and having a first surface and the second substrate being made of a silicon or a silicon dioxide material and having a second surface; exposing the first and second surfaces to an oxygen plasma; forming a bond between the first and the second substrates by placing the first surface in contact with the second surface; and annealing the first and the second substrates to strengthen the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamad A. Shaheen, Ryan Z. Lei, Maxim B. Kelman
  • Patent number: 7144775
    Abstract: The present invention is an electronic memory cell and a method for the cell's fabrication comprising a first transistor configured to be coupled to a bit line. The first transistor has an essentially zero voltage drop when activated and is configured to control an operation of the memory cell. A second transistor is configured to operate as a memory transistor and is coupled to the first transistor. The second transistor is further configured to be programmable with a voltage about equal to a voltage on the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad I. Chaudhry, Damian A. Carver
  • Patent number: 7132729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device formed with a diode array together with bipolar transistors, which is capable of preventing the occurrence of crystal defects developed in cross patterns in deep trench regions and improving device yields, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a LOCOS oxide film which isolates a plurality of diodes in an X direction, and deep trenches which isolate the plurality of diodes in a Y direction. The depth of each of the deep trenches is deeper than a high density layer embedded below a collector layer of each bipolar transistor. A shallow trench may be used as an alternative to the LOCOS oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 7132682
    Abstract: An electronic device containing a polythiophene wherein R represents a side chain, m represents the number of R substituents; A is a divalent linkage; x, y and z represent, respectively, the number of Rm substituted thienylenes, unsubstituted thienylenes, and divalent linkages A, respectively, in the monomer segment subject to z being 0 or 1, and n represents the number of repeating monomer segments in the polymer or the degree of polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Beng S. Ong, Ping Liu, Lu Jiang, Yu Qi, Yiliang Wu
  • Patent number: 7125789
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip 903, which has a plurality of pads 903b and non-reflowable contact members 1201 to be connected by reflow attachment to external parts. Each of these contact members 1201 has a height-to-diameter ratio and uniform diameter favorable for absorbing strain under thermo-mechanical stress. The members have a solderable surface 1202 on each end and a layer of reflowable material on each end. Each member is solder-attached (1204) at one end to a chip contact pad 903b, while the other end (1203) of each member is operable for reflow attachment to external parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Tellkamp, Akira Matsunami
  • Patent number: 7122472
    Abstract: A method of forming a dual self-aligned fully silicided gate in a CMOS device requiring only one lithography level, wherein the method comprises forming a first type semiconductor device having a first well region in a semiconductor substrate, first source/drain silicide areas in the first well region, and a first type gate isolated from the first source/drain silicide areas; forming a second type semiconductor device having a second well region in the semiconductor substrate, second source/drain silicide areas in the second well region, and a second type gate isolated from the second source/drain silicide areas; selectively forming a first metal layer over the second type semiconductor device; performing a first fully silicided (FUSI) gate formation on only the second type gate; depositing a second metal layer over the first and second type semiconductor devices; and performing a second FUSI gate formation on only the first type gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sunfei Fang, Cyril Cabral, Jr., Chester T. Dziobkowski, Christian Lavoie, Clement H. Wann
  • Patent number: 7118966
    Abstract: This invention includes methods of forming conductive lines, and methods of forming conductive contacts adjacent conductive lines. In one implementation, a method of forming a conductive line includes forming a conductive line within an elongated trench within first insulative material over a semiconductive substrate. The conductive line is laterally spaced from opposing first insulative material sidewall surfaces of the trench. The conductive line includes a second conductive material received over a different first conductive material. The second conductive material is recessed relative to an elevationally outer surface of the first insulative material proximate the trench. A second insulative material different from the first insulative material is formed within the trench over a top surface of the conductive line and within laterally opposing spaces received between the first insulative material and the conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Southwick, Alex J. Schrinsky, Terrence B. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7112544
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Patent number: 7105393
    Abstract: A strained silicon layer fabrication employs a substrate having successively formed thereover: (1) a first silicon-germanium alloy material layer; (2) a first silicon layer; (3) a second silicon-germanium alloy material layer; and (4) a second silicon layer. Within the fabrication each of the first silicon-germanium alloy layer and the second silicon-germanium alloy layer is formed of a thickness less than a threshold thickness for dislocation defect formation, such as to provide attenuated dislocation defect formation within the strained silicon layer fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang-Gi Yao, Tien-Chih Chang, CC Lin, Shin-Chang Chen, Mong-Song Liang
  • Patent number: 7101723
    Abstract: After forming domain inverted layers 3 in an LiTaO3 substrate 1, an optical waveguide is formed. By performing low-temperature annealing for the optical wavelength conversion element thus formed, a stable proton exchange layer 8 is formed, where an increase in refractive index generated during high-temperature annealing is lowered, thereby providing a stable optical wavelength conversion element. Thus, the phase-matched wavelength becomes constant, and variation in harmonic wave output is eliminated. Consequently, with respect to an optical wavelength conversion element utilizing a non-linear optical effect, a highly reliable element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yamamoto, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Yasuo Kitaoka, Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 7095044
    Abstract: A field effect transistor in which a continuous semiconductor layer comprises: a) an organic semiconductor; and, b) an organic binder which has an inherent conductivity of less than 10?6Scm?1 and a permittivity at 1,000 Hz of less than 3.3 and a process for its production comprising: coating a substrate with a liquid layer which comprises the organic semiconductor and a material capable of reacting to form the binder; and, converting the liquid layer to a solid layer comprising the semiconductor and the binder by reacting the material to form the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Beverley Anne Brown, Domenico Carlo Cupertino, Janos Veres, John David Schofield, Stephen William Leeming, Stephen George Yeates
  • Patent number: 7094442
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming an amorphous carbon layer, deposited on a dielectric material such as oxide, nitride, silicon carbide, carbon doped oxide, etc., or a metal layer such as tungsten, aluminum or poly-silicon. The method includes the use of chamber seasoning, variable thickness of seasoning film, wider spacing, variable process gas flows, post-deposition purge with inert gas, and post-deposition plasma purge, among others, to make the deposition of an amorphous carbon film at low deposition temperatures possible without any defects or particle contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Jay Seamons, Wendy H. Yeh, Sudha S. R. Rathi, Heraldo L. Botelho
  • Patent number: 7084080
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing an aminosilane source reagent composition, by reacting an aminosilane precursor compound with an amine source reagent compound in a solvent medium comprising at least one activating solvent component, to yield an aminosilane source reagent composition having less than 1000 ppm halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander S. Borovik, Ziyun Wang, Chongying Xu, Thomas H. Baum, Brian L. Benac
  • Patent number: 7078332
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate on which cell strings are formed and in which a plurality of conductive regions are formed; sequentially forming a first interlayer insulation film and a first etch barrier film on the semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of contact holes by exposing the plurality of conductive regions formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein an impurity concentration of the conductive regions is reduced due to the process for forming the contact holes; filling a metal material in the contact holes and forming a plurality of contact plugs; sequentially forming a second interlayer insulation film, a second etch barrier film and a third interlayer insulation film over a resulting structure including the contact plugs; forming a plurality of metal line patterns, wherein the metal line patterns pass through the third interlayer insulation film, the second etch barrier film a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Cheol Mo Jeong, Tae Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 7074654
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory card. The method comprises the initial step of providing a leadframe which has a dambar and a plurality of contacts, each of the contacts being attached to the dambar by at least one tie bar. A layer of tape is applied to the leadframe such that the tape covers at least portions of the top contact surfaces of the contacts, at least portions of the top tie bar surfaces of the tie bars, and at least a portion of the top dambar surface of the dambar. Thereafter, the tie bars are removed from the leadframe. At least one semiconductor die is then electrically connected to the leadframe, with a body thereafter being formed on the leadframe such that the semiconductor die and the tape are covered by the body and the bottom contact surfaces are exposed in an exterior surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Miks, Curtis M. Zwenger, Maximilien d'Estries, Stephen G. Shermer
  • Patent number: 7074710
    Abstract: A method includes steps of: (a) providing a wafer on which a film has been deposited; (b) exposing an annular area in an edge exclusion zone of the wafer to radiation having a wavelength suitable for patterning the film in the annular area; and (c) modulating the radiation while exposing the annular area to form a pattern in the film in the annular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Whitefield, David Ambercrombie
  • Patent number: 7067389
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming an element isolation film of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: sequentially forming a pad oxide film, a pad nitride film and a mask oxide film on a semiconductor substrate on which a first region for forming a high voltage device and a second region for forming a low voltage device or a flash memory cell are defined; etching the mask oxide film, the pad nitride film and the pad oxide film in the first region and the mask oxide film in the second region, and forming an oxide film for the high voltage device in the first region; removing the residual pad nitride film in the second region; removing the nitride film and partially removing the oxide film for the high voltage device in the first region, wherein the oxide film for the high voltage device has a third thickness; removing the residual pad oxide film in the second region; partially removing the oxide film for the high voltage device in the first region according to a cleaning process, w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Cheol Lee, Sang Wook Park
  • Patent number: 7064068
    Abstract: Narrow trenches in a substrate tend to fill more rapidly than wide trenches This results in a non-planar surface once all trenches have been filled. The present invention solves this problem by performing the electro-deposition in two steps. The plating bath used during the first step, is optimized for filling narrow trenches while the plating bath used during the second step, is optimized for filling wide trenches. The net result is a final layer having a planar surface, with all trenches being properly filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Chou, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Ming-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 7064052
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes depositing a dielectric film and subjecting the dielectric film to a wet oxidation in a rapid thermal process chamber. The technique can be used, for example, in the formation of various elements in an integrated circuit, including gate dielectric films as well as capacitive elements. The tight temperature control provided by the RTP process allows the wet oxidation to be performed quickly so that the oxidizing species does not diffuse significantly through the dielectric film and diffuse into an underlying layer. In the case of capacitive elements, the technique also can help reduce the leakage current of the dielectric film without significantly reducing its capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Weimer, Scott J. DeBoer, Dan Gealy, Husam N. Al-Shareef