Abstract: A memory device that includes a semiconductor substrate, and an array of memory cells, each cell being electrically isolated from adjacent cells and including an island formed from the substrate, the island having a top portion and at least one sidewall portion, and being spaced apart from other islands by a bottom surface on the substrate, a capacitor formed contiguous with the sidewall portion, and a transistor formed on the top portion of the island, the transistor including a gate oxide layer formed on a surface of the top portion, a gate formed on the gate oxide layer, and a first and a second diffused regions formed in the top portion, the first diffused region being spaced apart from the second diffused region.

Abstract: A structure and method of reducing junction capacitance of a source/drain region in a transistor. A gate structure is formed over on a first conductive type substrate. We perform a doped depletion region implantation by implanting ions being the second conductive type to the substrate using the gate structure as a mask, to form a doped depletion region beneath and separated from the source/drain regions. The doped depletion regions have an impurity concentration and thickness so that the doped depletion regions are depleted due to a built-in potential creatable between the doped depletion regions and the substrate. The doped depletion region and substrate form depletion regions between the source/drain regions and the doped depletion region. We perform a S/D implant by implanting ions having a second conductivity type into the substrate to form S/D regions. The doped depletion region and depletion regions reduce the capacitance between the source/drain regions and the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate dielectric layer is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. A substrate is provided having silicon regions containing surfaces upon which gate dielectrics are to be disposed. An oxide is formed over the surfaces. A silicon layer is formed over the oxide layer. A nitridation process is performed. An optional high temperature annealing step may be performed.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. Transistors are provided on a semiconductor substrate. A first interlayer insulating layer is provided on the transistors. A second interlayer insulating layer is provided on the first interlayer insulating layer. The second interlayer insulating layer defines a trench such that at least a portion of an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer is exposed. A resistor pattern is provided in the trench such that the at least a portion of the resistor pattern contacts the exposed portion of the first interlayer insulating layer. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferroelectric film capacitor includes forming a platinum film used as an electrode material over a whole surface of a silicon substrate, batch-etching the platinum film to form opposite electrodes that serve as a pair of capacitor electrodes, and embedding a ferroelectric film corresponding to a dielectric film of the capacitor into a portion interposed between the pair of opposite electrodes.

Abstract: A process for integrally fabricating a memory cell capacitor and a logic device is disclosed. A first conductive layer and second conductive layer are formed above a semiconductor substrate with a logic region and memory cell region. A first photoresist layer is formed to cover the logic region, and expose an inter-metal dielectric layer adjacent to the second conductive layer in the memory cell region. The exposed inter-metal dielectric layer is etched off to form an opening adjacent to the second conductive layer. A capacitor dielectric layer and third conductive layer are formed on inner walls of the opening to constitute a metal-insulator-metal capacitor.

Abstract: A high-density Germanium (Ge)-on-Insulator (GOI) photodiode array and corresponding fabrication method are provided. The method includes: forming an array of pixel driver nMOST devices, each device having a gate connected to a row line in a first orientation, a first source/drain (S/D) region, and a second S/D region connected to Vdd; forming a P-I-N Ge diode for each pixel as follows: forming a n+ region; forming an intrinsic Ge region overlying the n+ region; forming a p+ junction in the intrinsic Ge; and, isolating the P-I-N Ge diodes; and, forming an Indium Tin oxide (ITO) column in a second orientation, about orthogonal to the first orientation, overlying the P-I-N Ge diodes.

Abstract: A capacitor structure which has generally pyramidal or stepped profile to prevent or reduce dielectric layer breakdown is disclosed. The capacitor structure includes a first conductive layer, at least one dielectric layer having a first area provided on the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer provided on the at least one dielectric layer. The second conductive layer has a second area which is less than the first area of the at least one dielectric layer. A method of fabricating a capacitor structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for patterning layers made of ruthenium or ruthenium(IV) oxide and a capacitor comprising at least one electrode which is constructed from ruthenium or ruthenium(IV) oxide at least in sections. A layer made of ruthenium or ruthenium(IV) oxide is deposited on a substrate and said layer is subsequently covered with a covering layer at least in sections. Through heat treatment of the construction thus obtained in an oxygen atmosphere, the ruthenium is converted into RuO4 in the uncovered sections and removed by sublimation. The method enables the simple patterning of layers made of ruthenium or ruthenium(IV) oxide and the construction of complex structures, such as trench capacitors, for example.

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method and structure is provided for the creation of a capacitor. A contact pad and a lower capacitor plate have been provided over a substrate. Under the first embodiment of the invention, a layer of etch stop material, serving as the capacitor dielectric is deposited after which a triple layer of passivation is created over a substrate. The compound passivation layer is first etched, using a fuse mask, to define and expose the capacitor dielectric and a fuse area after which the passivation layer is second etched to define and expose the contact pad. A layer of AlCu is then deposited, patterned and etched to create a capacitor upper plate and a contact interconnect over the contact pad. Under a second embodiment of the invention, a triple layer of passivation is created over a layer of etch stop material deposited over a substrate, a contact pad and a lower capacitor plate have been provided over the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a fixed layer for a MRAM device. The method includes providing the fixed layer. The fixed layer includes an antiferromagnetic pinning layer over a substrate and a ferromagnetic pinned layer over the pinning layer, the pinned layer having a first thickness. The fixed layer further includes a spacer layer over the pinned layer, and a ferromagnetic reference layer over the spacer layer, the reference layer having a second thickness. The method further includes annealing the fixed layer using a temporal temperature/magnetic field profile, the profile having a maximum magnetic field magnitude (Hanneal). The profile is selected based on the first thickness of the pinned layer and the second thickness of the reference layer.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device including a cylindrical storage electrode and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor memory device includes an interlevel dielectric layer with storage contact plugs formed on a semiconductor substrate. Cylindrical storage electrodes are formed above the interlevel dielectric layer and are electrically connected to the storage contact plugs. A spacer is coupled to a predetermined portion of the outer wall of the storage electrodes. A dielectric layer is formed on the storage electrode and on the spacer, and a plate electrode is formed above the dielectric layer. Accordingly, leaning and bit fail of the storage electrode are prevented.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor memory device in which a logic circuit and a nonvolatile memory are provided on a semiconductor substrate includes the steps of: forming an isolation region; forming a protective film made of an insulating material over the semiconductor substrate in a logic circuit region and a nonvolatile memory region; selectively introducing impurity ions in part of the semiconductor substrate in the logic circuit region; and removing the protective film formed over the logic circuit region. The step of introducing the impurity ions is performed before the step of removing the protective film is performed.

Abstract: A DRAM cell in a substrate has a deep trench (DT) extending from a surface of the substrate into the substrate, a word line (WL) formed on the surface of the substrate adjacent the deep trench, and oxide (TTO) disposed in a top portion of the trench and extending beyond the trench in the direction of the word line. In this manner, when silicided, there is oxide rather than silicon on the surface of the substrate in a gap between the word line (WL) and a passing word line (PWL) disposed above the deep trench.

Abstract: A patterned mask can be formed as follows. A first patterned photoresist is formed over a masking layer and utilized during a first etch into the masking layer. The first etch extends to a depth in the masking layer that is less than entirely through the masking layer. A second patterned photoresist is subsequently formed over the masking layer and utilized during a second etch into the masking layer. The combined first and second etches form openings extending entirely through the masking layer and thus form the masking layer into the patterned mask. The patterned mask can be utilized to form a pattern in a substrate underlying the mask. The pattern formed in the substrate can correspond to an array of capacitor container openings. Capacitor structure can be formed within the openings. The capacitor structures can be incorporated within a DRAM array.

Abstract: A process of making a strained silicon-on-insulator structure is disclosed. A recess is formed in a substrate to laterally isolate an active area. An undercutting etch forms a bubble recess under the active area to partially vertically isolate the active area. A thermal oxidation completes the vertical isolation by use of a minifield oxidation process. The recess is filled to form a shallow trench isolation structure. An active device is also disclosed that is achieved by the process. A system is also disclosed that uses the active device.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a floating gate memory cell on a substrate comprises a step of forming a first spacer adjacent to a source sidewall of a stacked gate structure, where the stacked gate structure is situated over a channel region in the substrate. The method further comprises forming a high energy implant doped region adjacent to the first spacer in a source region of the substrate. The method further comprises forming a recess in the source region, where a sidewall of the recess is situated adjacent to a source of the floating gate memory cell, and where forming the recess comprises removing the first spacer. The method further comprises forming a second spacer adjacent to the source sidewall of the stacked gate structure, where the second spacer extends to a bottom of the recess, and where the second spacer comprises plasma-grown oxide.

Abstract: A method for reducing sidewall capacitance by 25% or more in an STI structure is described. A conformal barrier layer is deposited on sloped sidewalls in a shallow trench within a substrate. The trench is filled with a low k dielectric material which is planarized and etched back. Next a barrier cap layer is deposited that is different than the underlying low k dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the barrier cap layer is a SiCOH material that is modified for enhanced CMP performance that yields fewer surface scratches and defects. A nitride etch stop layer and a pad oxide are removed above an active area on the substrate to afford the final STI structure. Optionally, the barrier cap layer is omitted and the low k dielectric layer extends slightly above the substrate level. Total parasitic capacitance in the resulting MOS device is reduced by 15% or more.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a stack type capacitor having a lower electrode formed of an aluminum-doped metal, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a gate structure and an active region; an interlayer dielectric film formed on the active region; a lower electrode formed of a metal containing aluminum on the interlayer dielectric film; a dielectric layer formed on the lower electrode; an upper electrode formed on the dielectric layer; and a plug formed in the interlayer dielectric film to electrically connect the active region with the lower electrode.

Abstract: In a method for forming a ferroelectric film of insulating metal oxide on a surface of an electrode with a concave or a convex or in convex shape which is formed above a substrate, multiple types of source gases constituting a material gas and each containing an organometallic compound are introduced into a chamber and main components of the multiple types of source gases are allowed to chemically react with one another with the chemical reaction proceeding depending on the reaction rate. Then, the ferroelectric film is deposited on the surface of the electrode.