Patents Examined by Marvin Payen
  • Patent number: 11672132
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory device includes lower conductive lines extending in a first direction on a substrate and spaced apart from each other in a second direction crossing the first direction, peripheral transistors on the substrate and arranged under the lower conductive lines in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, and lower contacts electrically connecting the lower conductive lines to the peripheral transistors and extending in the third direction. Each of the lower conductive lines includes a first lower extending portion extending in the first direction, a second lower extending portion offset in the second direction from the first lower extending portion and extending in the first direction, and a lower connecting portion connecting the first lower extending portion to the second lower extending portion. Each of the lower contacts is in the lower connecting portion of a respective one of the lower conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Tae Hong Ha, Jae Rok Kahng
  • Patent number: 11670695
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Patent number: 11665913
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a substrate. A transistor is disposed on the substrate. The transistor includes a gate structure, a source and a drain. A drain contact plug contacts the drain. A metal interlayer dielectric layer is disposed on the drain contact plug. An RRAM is disposed on the drain and within a first trench in the metal interlayer dielectric layer. The RRAM includes the drain contact plug, a metal oxide layer and a top electrode. The drain contact plug serves as a bottom electrode of the RRAM. The metal oxide layer contacts the drain contact plug. The top electrode contacts the metal oxide layer and a metal layer is disposed within the first trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Yu Lin, Po-Kai Hsu, Chung-Yi Chiu
  • Patent number: 11664463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing flash memory with a vertical cell stack structure. The method includes forming source lines in a cell area of a substrate having an ion-implanted well and forming an alignment mark relative to the source lines. The alignment mark is formed in the substrate outside the cell area of the substrate. After formation of the source lines, cell stacking layers are formed. After forming the cell stacking layers, cell pillars in the cell stacking layers are formed at locations relative to the previously formed source lines using the alignment mark to correctly locate the cell pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Hyoung Seub Rhie
  • Patent number: 11652001
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a substantially undoped channel region includes forming a plurality of fins extending from a substrate. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of fins includes a portion of a substrate, a portion of a first epitaxial layer on the portion of the substrate, and a portion of a second epitaxial layer on the portion of the first epitaxial layer. The portion of the first epitaxial layer of each of the plurality of fins is oxidized, and a liner layer is formed over each of the plurality of fins. Recessed isolation regions are then formed adjacent to the liner layer. The liner layer may then be etched to expose a residual material portion (e.g., Ge residue) adjacent to a bottom surface of the portion of the second epitaxial layer of each of the plurality of fins, and the residual material portion is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 11653581
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory cell includes a gate all around transistor and a resistor device. The resistor device includes a first electrode including a plurality of conductive nanosheets. The resistor device includes a high-K resistive element surrounds the conductive nanosheets. The resistor device includes a second electrode separated from the conductive nanosheets by the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11652153
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods for replacement gate formation in memory, and apparatuses and systems including memory formed accordingly. An embodiment includes forming a first oxide material in an opening through alternating layers of a second oxide material and a nitride material. An array of openings can be formed through the first oxide material formed in the opening. The layers of the nitride material can be removed. A metal material can be formed in voids resulting from the removal of the layers of the nitride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Patent number: 11647682
    Abstract: A memory array, a semiconductor chip and a method for forming the memory array are provided. The memory array includes first signal lines, second signal lines and memory cells. The first signal lines extend along a first direction. The second signal lines extend along a second direction over the first signal lines. The memory cells are defined at intersections of the first and second signal lines, and respectively include a resistance variable layer, a switching layer, an electrode layer and a carbon containing dielectric layer. The switching layer is overlapped with the resistance variable layer. The electrode layer lies between the resistance variable layer and the switching layer. The carbon containing layer laterally surrounds a stacking structure including the resistance variable layer, the switching layer and the electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chao Lin, Jung-Piao Chiu
  • Patent number: 11641788
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a resistive interface material are described. A memory device may be fabricated using a sequence of steps that include forming a stack of materials by depositing a first metal layer, depositing a first electrode layer on the metal layer, depositing a memory material on the first electrode layer to form one or more memory cells, depositing a second electrode layer on the memory material, and depositing a second metal layer on the second electrode layer. A lamina (or multiple) having a relatively high resistivity may be included in the stack of materials to reduce or eliminate a current spike that may otherwise occur across the memory cells during an access operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Gotti, Dale W. Collins, Fabio Pellizzer
  • Patent number: 11641748
    Abstract: A pretreatment method of a selector device is provided, which includes: (1) performing a first voltage scan of a selector through selecting a voltage scan range and setting a first limit current Icc1 to obtain a resistance state R1 of a sub-threshold region thereof; (2) setting an nth limit current Icc(n) and performing an nth voltage scan of the selector according to a resistance state Rn-1 of a sub-threshold region of the selector after an n?1th voltage scan to obtain a resistance state Rn of a sub-threshold region thereof, where, Icc(n-1)<Icc(n), and an initial value of n is 2; and (3) stopping a voltage scan of the selector device under a read voltage is applied when a resistance value of a high resistance state of the selector device after the nth voltage scan is greater than a resistance value of a high resistance state of the selector device after the first voltage scan; otherwise, n=n+1, and returning to Step (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hao Tong, Da He, Xiangshui Miao
  • Patent number: 11641789
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a memory cell. The memory cell may include a transistor, a dielectric member, an electrode and a contact member. The dielectric member may be disposed over the transistor. The electrode may be disposed over the dielectric member. The contact member has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is disposed towards the transistor, and the second end is disposed towards the dielectric member. The contact member has a side surface extending from the first end to the second end. The second end may have a recessed end surface that has a section that slopes towards the side surface so as to form a tip with the side surface at the second end. The dielectric member may be disposed over the second end of the contact member and may include at least a portion disposed over the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Jiang, Benfu Lin, Lup San Leong, Curtis Chun-I Hsieh, Wanbing Yi, Juan Boon Tan
  • Patent number: 11637171
    Abstract: A semiconductor package substrate includes an integral magnetic-helical inductor that is assembled during assembly of the semiconductor package substrate. The integral magnetic-helical inductor is located within a die footprint within the semiconductor package substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Shivasubramanian Balasubramanian, Dilan Seneviratne
  • Patent number: 11631678
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having vertically-stacked memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a transistor coupled with a charge-storage device, and each of the transistors has channel material with a bandgap greater than 2 electron-volts. Some embodiments include a memory array having digit lines extending along a vertical direction and wordlines extending along a horizontal direction. The memory array includes memory cells, with each of the memory cells being uniquely addressed by combination of one of the digit lines and one of the wordlines. Each of the memory cells includes a transistor which has GaP channel material. Each of the transistors has first and second source/drain regions spaced from one another by the GaP channel material. The first source/drain regions are coupled with the digit lines, and each of the memory cells includes a capacitor coupled with the second source/drain region of the associated transistor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Martin C. Roberts, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11605587
    Abstract: In some examples, a method comprises: obtaining a substrate having at a metal interconnect layer deposited over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer on the metal interconnect layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a capacitor metal layer on the second dielectric layer; patterning and etching the capacitor metal layer and the second dielectric layer to the first dielectric layer to leave a portion of the capacitor metal layer and the second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming an anti-reflective coating to cover the portion of the capacitor metal layer and the second dielectric layer, and to cover the metal interconnect layer; and patterning the metal interconnect layer to form a first metal layer and a second metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Poornika Fernandes, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Scott William Jessen, Guruvayurappan S. Mathur
  • Patent number: 11581279
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a conductive pattern on a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate and including an opening that partially exposes the conductive pattern, and a pad structure in the opening of the passivation layer and connected to the conductive pattern. The pad structure includes a first metal layer that fills the opening of the passivation layer and has a width greater than that of the opening, and a second metal layer on the first metal layer. The first metal layer has a first thickness at an outer wall of the first metal layer, a second thickness on a top surface of the passivation layer, and a third thickness on a top surface of the conductive pattern. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the third thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-il Choi, Kwangjin Moon, Sujeong Park, JuBin Seo, Jin Ho An, Dong-chan Lim, Atsushi Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 11581220
    Abstract: Methods for depositing a molybdenum metal film over a dielectric surface of a substrate by a cyclical deposition process are disclosed. The methods may include: providing a substrate comprising a dielectric surface into a reaction chamber; depositing a nucleation film directly on the dielectric surface; and depositing a molybdenum metal film directly on the nucleation film, wherein depositing the molybdenum metal film includes: contacting the substrate with a first vapor phase reactant comprising a molybdenum halide precursor; and contacting the substrate with a second vapor phase reactant comprising a reducing agent precursor. Semiconductor device structures including a molybdenum metal film disposed over a surface of a dielectric material with an intermediate nucleation film are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Bhushan Zope, Kiran Shrestha, Shankar Swaminathan, Chiyu Zhu, Henri Tuomas Antero Jussila, Qi Xie
  • Patent number: 11581485
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first interconnect, a second interconnect, a first storage layer, and a first insulating film. The first insulating film is provided along a surface of a part of the second interconnect and a surface of the first storage layer. The first insulating film is composed of Si, N, and O. The atomic ratio (N/O) between N and O in the first insulating film is not less than 1.0 at a first position which is the position of the second interconnect-side end surface of the first storage layer in a third direction. The atomic ratio (N/O) between N and O in the first insulating film is less than 1.0 at a second position which is the position of the end surface of the second interconnect, opposite to the first storage layer-side end surface, in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kotaro Noda, Kyoko Noda, Ken Hoshino, Shuichi Tsubata
  • Patent number: 11569229
    Abstract: Techniques regarding anchors for fins comprised within stacked VTFET devices are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can further comprise a fin extending from a semiconductor body. The fin can be comprised within a stacked vertical transport field effect transistor device. The apparatus can also comprise a dielectric anchor extending from the semiconductor body and adjacent to the fin. Further, the dielectric anchor can be coupled to the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chen Zhang, Kangguo Cheng, Tenko Yamashita, Wenyu Xu, Fee Li Lie
  • Patent number: 11563045
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an electromagnetic wave processing device that enables reduction of color mixture. Provided are a photoelectric conversion element formed in a silicon substrate, a narrow band filter stacked on a light incident surface side of the photoelectric conversion element and configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave having a desired wavelength, and interlayer films respectively formed above and below the narrow band filter, and the photoelectric conversion element is formed at a depth from an interface of the silicon substrate, the depth where a transmission wavelength of the narrow band filter is most absorbed. The depth of the photoelectric conversion element from the silicon substrate becomes deeper as the transmission wavelength of the narrow band filter is longer. The present technology can be applied to an imaging element or a sensor using a plasmon filter or a Fabry-Perot interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taro Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 11562933
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a buried semiconductor layer and semiconductor wells. A device for detecting a possible thinning of the semiconductor substrate via the rear face thereof is formed on and in the semiconductor wells. The device is a non-inverting buffer including an input terminal and an output terminal, the device being powered between a supply terminal and a reference terminal where the buried semiconductor layer provides the supply terminal. A control circuit delivers an input signal in a first state to the input terminal and outputs a control signal indicating a detection of a thinning of the substrate if a signal generated at the output terminal in response to the input signal is in a second state different from the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Alexandre Sarafianos, Abderrezak Marzaki