Patents Examined by Pauline Vu
  • Patent number: 8927387
    Abstract: A thin BOX ETSOI device with robust isolation and method of manufacturing. The method includes providing a wafer with at least a pad layer overlying a first semiconductor layer overlying an oxide layer overlying a second semiconductor layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer has a thickness of 10 nm or less. The process continues with etching a shallow trench into the wafer, extending partially into the second semiconductor layer and forming first spacers on the sidewalls of said shallow trench. After spacer formation, the process continues by etching an area directly below and between the first spacers, exposing the underside of the first spacers, forming second spacers covering all exposed portions of the first spacers, wherein the pad oxide layer is removed, and forming a gate structure over the first semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B Doris, Balasubramanian S Haran, Sanjay Mehta, Stefan Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8927432
    Abstract: Arbitrarily and continuously scalable on-currents can be provided for fin field effect transistors by providing two independent variables for physical dimensions for semiconductor fins that are employed for the fin field effect transistors. A recessed region is formed on a semiconductor layer over a buried insulator layer. A dielectric cap layer is formed over the semiconductor layer. Disposable mandrel structures are formed over the dielectric cap layer and spacer structures are formed around the disposable mandrel structures. Selected spacer structures can be structurally damaged during a masked ion implantation. An etch is employed to remove structurally damaged spacer structures at a greater etch rate than undamaged spacer structures. After removal of the disposable mandrel structures, the semiconductor layer is patterned into a plurality of semiconductor fins having different heights and/or different width. Fin field effect transistors having different widths and/or heights can be subsequently formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dechao Guo, Yang Liu, Chengwen Pei, Yue Tan
  • Patent number: 8916443
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing an active layer and forming adjacent gate structures on the active layer. The gate structures each have sidewalls such that first spacers are formed on the sidewalls. A raised region is epitaxially grown on the active layer between the adjacent gate structures and at least one trench that extends through the raised region and through the active region is formed, whereby the at least one trench separates the raised region into a first raised region corresponding to a first transistor and a second raised region corresponding to a second transistor. The first raised region and second raised region are electrically isolated by the at least one trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8900936
    Abstract: A fin field-effect transistor (finFET) device having reduced capacitance, access resistance, and contact resistance is formed. A buried oxide, a fin, a gate, and first spacers are provided. The fin is doped to form extension junctions extending under the gate. Second spacers are formed on top of the extension junctions. Each second spacer is adjacent to one of the first spacers to either side of the gate. The extension junctions and the buried oxide not protected by the gate, the first spacers, and the second spacers are etched back to create voids. The voids are filled with a semiconductor material such that a top surface of the semiconductor material extending below top surfaces of the extension junctions, to form recessed source-drain regions. A silicide layer is formed on the recessed source-drain regions, the extension junctions, and the gate not protected by the first spacers and the second spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pranita Kulkarni, Ali Khakifirooz, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ghavam Shahidi, Hemanth Jagannathan
  • Patent number: 8889544
    Abstract: The disclosure provides mechanisms of performing metal chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) without significant loss of copper and a dielectric film of damascene structures. The mechanisms use a metal CMP stop layer made of a low-k dielectric film with a porogen, which significantly reduces the removal rate of the metal CMP stop layer by metal CMP. The metal CMP stop layer is converted into a porous low-k dielectric film after a cure (or curing) to remove or convert the porogen. The low-k value, such as equal to or less than about 2.6, of the metal CMP stop layer makes the impact of using of the metal CMP stop layer on RC delay from minimum to none. Further the CMP stop layer protects the porous low-k dielectric film underneath from exposure to water, organic compounds, and mobile ions in the CMP slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsu Wu, Hsin-Hsien Lu, Tien-I Bao, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 8828851
    Abstract: An SOI substrate has a first region isolated from a second region. An SiGe layer is deposited on top of the SOI substrate in the second region. The substrate is subjected to a thermal oxidation process which drives in Ge from the SiGe layer to form an SiGeOI structure in the second region and an overlying oxide layer. If the SOI substrate is exposed in the first region, the thermal oxidation process further produces an oxide layer overlying the first region. The oxide layer(s) is(are) removed to expose an Si channel layer in the first region and an SiGe channel layer in the second region. Transistor gate stacks are formed over each of the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer. Raised source and drain regions are formed from the Si channel layer and SiGe channel layer adjacent the transistor gate stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroeletronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Prasanna Khare, Qing Liu
  • Patent number: 8796754
    Abstract: A memory structure including a memory cell is provided, and the memory cell includes following elements. A first gate is disposed on a substrate. A stacked structure includes a first dielectric structure, a channel layer, a second dielectric structure and a second gate disposed on the first gate, a first charge storage structure disposed in the first dielectric structure and a second charge storage structure disposed in the second dielectric structure. At least one of the first charge storage structure and the second charge storage structure includes two charge storage units which are physically separated. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the first gate at two sides of the stacked structure. A first source and drain and a second source and drain are disposed on the first dielectric layer and located at two sides of the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai, Shih-Guei Yan, Chih-Chieh Cheng, Jyun-Siang Huang
  • Patent number: 8785262
    Abstract: Self-aligned carbon nanostructure field effect transistor structures are provided, which are foamed using selective dielectric deposition techniques. For example, a transistor device includes an insulating substrate and a gate electrode embedded in the insulating substrate. A dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer is formed on a surface of the insulating substrate surrounding the gate electrode. A gate dielectric is selectively formed on the gate electrode. A channel structure (such as a carbon nanostructure) is disposed on the gate dielectric A passivation layer is selectively formed on the gate dielectric. Source and drain contacts are formed on opposing sides of the passivation layer in contact with the channel structure. The dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer prevents deposition of dielectric material on a surface of the insulating layer surrounding the gate electrode when selectively forming the gate dielectric and passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Damon B. Farmer, Aaron D. Franklin, Shu-Jen Han, George S. Tulevski
  • Patent number: 8786018
    Abstract: Self-aligned carbon nanostructure field effect transistor structures are provided, which are formed using selective dielectric deposition techniques. For example, a transistor device includes an insulating substrate and a gate electrode embedded in the insulating substrate. A dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer is formed on a surface of the insulating substrate surrounding the gate electrode. A gate dielectric is selectively formed on the gate electrode. A channel structure (such as a carbon nanostructure) is disposed on the gate dielectric A passivation layer is selectively formed on the gate dielectric. Source and drain contacts are formed on opposing sides of the passivation layer in contact with the channel structure. The dielectric deposition-prohibiting layer prevents deposition of dielectric material on a surface of the insulating layer surrounding the gate electrode when selectively forming the gate dielectric and passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Damon B. Farmer, Aaron D. Franklin, Shu-Jen Han, George S. Tulevski
  • Patent number: 8703577
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a deep trench isolation structure, wherein the method comprising steps as follows: A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer and a third hard mask layer are firstly formed in sequence on a substrate. The third hard mask layer is then patterned using the second hard mask layer as an etching stop layer. Subsequently, a trench etching process is performed using the patterned third hard mask layer as a mask to form a deep trench in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Meng-Kai Zhu
  • Patent number: 8673758
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal gate includes the following steps. First, a substrate having an interfacial dielectric layer above the substrate is provided. Then, a gate trench having a barrier layer is formed in the interfacial dielectric layer. A source layer is disposed above the barrier layer. Next, a process is performed to have at least one element in the source layer move into the barrier layer. Finally, the source layer is removed and a metal layer fills up the gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yu Ma, Wen-Han Hung
  • Patent number: 8664050
    Abstract: A structure and method to improve ETSOI MOSFET devices. A wafer is provided including regions with at least a first semiconductor layer overlying an oxide layer overlying a second semiconductor layer. The regions are separated by a STI which extends at least partially into the second semiconductor layer and is partially filled with a dielectric. A gate structure is formed over the first semiconductor layer and during the wet cleans involved, the STI divot erodes until it is at a level below the oxide layer. Another dielectric layer is deposited over the device and a hole is etched to reach source and drain regions. The hole is not fully landed, extending at least partially into the STI, and an insulating material is deposited in said hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Balasubramanian S. Haran, Ali Khakifirooz, Pranita Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8664053
    Abstract: A device isolation region is made of a silicon oxide film embedded in a trench, an upper portion thereof is protruded from a semiconductor substrate, and a sidewall insulating film made of silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride is formed on a sidewall of a portion of the device isolation region which is protruded from the semiconductor substrate. A gate insulating film of a MISFET is made of an Hf-containing insulating film containing hafnium, oxygen and an element for threshold reduction as main components, and a gate electrode that is a metal gate electrode extends on an active region, the sidewall insulating film and the device isolation region. The element for threshold reduction is a rare earth or Mg when the MISFET is an n-channel MISFET, and the element for threshold reduction is Al, Ti or Ta when the MISFET is a p-channel MISFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Yugami
  • Patent number: 8659052
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate in which a diode region and an IGBT region are formed is provided. The diode region includes a first layer embedded in a diode trench reaching a diode drift layer from an upper surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and a second layer which is buried in the first layer and which has a lower end located deeper than a boundary between a diode body layer and the diode drift layer. The second layer pressures the first layer in a direction from inside to outside of the diode trench. A lifetime control region is formed in the diode drift layer at least at the depth of the lower end of the second layer, and a crystal defect density inside the lifetime control region is higher than a crystal defect density outside the lifetime control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoharu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8642415
    Abstract: A method of creating a semiconductor integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes forming a first field effect transistor (FET) device and a second FET device on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes epitaxially growing raised source/drain (RSD) structures for the first FET device at a first height. The method includes epitaxially growing raised source/drain (RSD) structures for the second FET device at a second height. The second height is greater than the first height such that a threshold voltage of the second FET device is greater than a threshold voltage of the first FET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Balasubramanian S. Haran, Pranita Kulkarni, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8633053
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device is described. The photovoltaic device comprises an organic-based antireflection layer. A method of making a photovoltaic device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Martin Detje, Iris Maege, Lars Voelkel
  • Patent number: 8592264
    Abstract: A method includes forming on a surface of a semiconductor a dummy gate structure comprised of a plug; forming a first spacer surrounding the plug, the first spacer being a sacrificial spacer; and performing an angled ion implant so as to implant a dopant species into the surface of the semiconductor adjacent to an outer sidewall of the first spacer to form a source extension region and a drain extension region, where the implanted dopant species extends under the outer sidewall of the first spacer by an amount that is a function of the angle of the ion implant. The method further includes performing a laser anneal to activate the source extension and the drain extension implant. The method further includes forming a second spacer surrounding the first spacer, removing the first spacer and the plug to form an opening, and depositing a gate stack in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Huiming Bu, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Bruce B. Doris, Chung-Hsun Lin, Huiling Shang, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8580623
    Abstract: A TFT (20) includes a semiconductor layer (12s1) of an oxide semiconductor, a source electrode (13sd) and a drain electrode (13dd) provided on the semiconductor layer (12s1) and separated from each other, a gate insulating film (15) covering a portion of the semiconductor layer between the source electrode (13sd) and the drain electrode (13dd), a gate electrode (18gd) provided over the semiconductor layer (12s1) with the gate insulating film (15) being interposed between the gate electrode (18gd) and the semiconductor layer (12s1). The source electrode (13sd) is integrally formed with the source line (13s1). The gate electrode (18gd) is integrally formed with the gate line (18g1). The semiconductor layer (12s1) extends below the source line (13s1). The entireties of the source line (13s1), the source electrode (13sd), and the drain electrode (13dd) are provided on the semiconductor layer (12s1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhide Tomiyasu, Tomohiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8518769
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: an insulating film including: a first region extending in a first direction; second and third regions arranged at a distance from each other; and fourth and fifth regions each having a concave shape, the fourth and fifth regions each having a smaller film thickness than a film thickness of each of the first through third regions; a semiconductor layer formed in a direction from the fourth region toward the fifth region, the semiconductor layer having a smaller width than a width of each of source and drain regions, the semiconductor layer being connected to the source and drain regions; a gate electrode placed on the opposite side of a gate insulating film from the semiconductor layer on the first region; and a gate sidewall formed on a side face of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kensuke Ota, Toshinori Numata, Masumi Saitoh, Chika Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8330196
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; source and drain regions in the semiconductor layer; a magnetic metal semiconductor compound film on each of the source and drain regions, the magnetic metal semiconductor compound film including the same semiconductor as a semiconductor of the semiconductor layer and a magnetic metal; a gate insulating film on the semiconductor layer between the source region and the drain region; a gate electrode on the gate insulating film; a gate sidewall formed at a side portion of the gate electrode, the gate sidewall being made of an insulating material; a film stack formed on the magnetic metal semiconductor compound film on each of the source and drain regions, the film stack including a magnetic layer; and an oxide layer formed on the gate sidewall, the oxide layer containing the same element as an element in the film stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takao Marukame, Mizue Ishikawa, Tomoaki Inokuchi, Hideyuki Sugiyama, Yoshiaki Saito