Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including element layers that are stacked. A first wiring layer and a second wiring layer are stacked between a first element layer and a second element layer. A third wiring layer and a fourth wiring layer are stacked over the second element layer. Transistors of logic cells are provided in the first element layer. Wirings of the logic cells are provided in the first wiring layer or the second wiring layer. Input ports and output ports of the logic cells are provided in the third wiring layer. The input port of one of the logic cells is connected to the output port of another logic cell through the wiring of the third wiring layer or the fourth wiring layer. Connecting the logic cells through the wiring layers over the second element layer improves the efficiency of steps of arranging and connecting the logic cells.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device which has low power consumption and can operate at high speed. The semiconductor device includes a memory element including a first transistor including crystalline silicon in a channel formation region, a capacitor for storing data of the memory element, and a second transistor which is a switching element for controlling supply, storage, and release of charge in the capacitor. The second transistor is provided over an insulating film covering the first transistor. The first and second transistors have a source electrode or a drain electrode in common.

Abstract: It is an object to manufacture a semiconductor device in which a transistor including an oxide semiconductor has normally-off characteristics, small fluctuation in electric characteristics, and high reliability. First, first heat treatment is performed on a substrate, a base insulating layer is formed over the substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the base insulating layer, and the step of performing the first heat treatment to the step of forming the oxide semiconductor layer are performed without exposure to the air. Next, after the oxide semiconductor layer is formed, second heat treatment is performed. An insulating layer from which oxygen is released by heating is used as the base insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a novel structure is provided in which a transistor including an oxide semiconductor and a transistor including a semiconductor material which is not an oxide semiconductor are stacked. Further, a semiconductor device in which a semiconductor element and a capacitor are formed efficiently is provided. In a semiconductor device, a first semiconductor element layer including a transistor formed using a semiconductor material which is not an oxide semiconductor, such as silicon, and a second semiconductor element layer including a transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor are stacked. A capacitor is formed using a wiring layer, or a conductive film or an insulating film which is in the same layer as a conductive film or an insulating film of the second semiconductor element layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes modifying a first laser beam from a first laser to form a first linear-shaped laser beam and modifying a second laser beam from a second laser to form a second linear-shaped laser beam. The method further includes overlaying the first linear-shaped laser beam and the second linear-shaped laser beam to form an overlayed linear-shaped laser beam, wherein the overlayed linear-shaped laser beam has a width and a length where the length is ten times or more as large as the width. The method also includes scanning a semiconductor film formed over a substrate with the overlayed linear-shaped laser beam to increase crystallinity of the semiconductor film, and patterning the semiconductor film to form a semiconductor layer which includes a channel formation region of a transistor.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including element layers that are stacked. A first wiring layer and a second wiring layer are stacked between a first element layer and a second element layer. A third wiring layer and a fourth wiring layer are stacked over the second element layer. Transistors of logic cells are provided in the first element layer. Wirings of the logic cells are provided in the first wiring layer or the second wiring layer. Input ports and output ports of the logic cells are provided in the third wiring layer. The input port of one of the logic cells is connected to the output port of another logic cell through the wiring of the third wiring layer or the fourth wiring layer. Connecting the logic cells through the wiring layers over the second element layer improves the efficiency of steps of arranging and connecting the logic cells.

Abstract: A retention circuit provided in a logic circuit enables power gating. The retention circuit includes a first terminal, a node, a capacitor, and first to third transistors. The first transistor controls electrical connection between the first terminal and an input terminal of the logic circuit. The second transistor controls electrical connection between an output terminal of the logic circuit and the node. The third transistor controls electrical connection between the node and the input terminal of the logic circuit. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor. In a data retention period, the node becomes electrically floating. The voltage of the node is held by the capacitor.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device which has low power consumption and can operate at high speed. The semiconductor device includes a memory element including a first transistor including crystalline silicon in a channel formation region, a capacitor for storing data of the memory element, and a second transistor which is a switching element for controlling supply, storage, and release of charge in the capacitor. The second transistor is provided over an insulating film covering the first transistor. The first and second transistors have a source electrode or a drain electrode in common.

Abstract: Stable electric characteristics and high reliability are provided to a miniaturized and integrated semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor. In a transistor (a semiconductor device) including an oxide semiconductor film, the oxide semiconductor film is provided along a trench (groove) formed in an insulating layer. The trench includes a lower end corner portion having a curved shape with a curvature radius of longer than or equal to 20 nm and shorter than or equal to 60 nm, and the oxide semiconductor film is provided in contact with a bottom surface, the lower end corner portion, and an inner wall surface of the trench. The oxide semiconductor film includes a crystal having a c-axis substantially perpendicular to a surface at least over the lower end corner portion.

Abstract: It is an object to manufacture a semiconductor device in which a transistor including an oxide semiconductor has normally-off characteristics, small fluctuation in electric characteristics, and high reliability. First, first heat treatment is performed on a substrate, a base insulating layer is formed over the substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the base insulating layer, and the step of performing the first heat treatment to the step of forming the oxide semiconductor layer are performed without exposure to the air. Next, after the oxide semiconductor layer is formed, second heat treatment is performed. An insulating layer from which oxygen is released by heating is used as the base insulating layer.

Abstract: Stable electric characteristics and high reliability are provided to a miniaturized and integrated semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor. In a transistor (a semiconductor device) including an oxide semiconductor film, the oxide semiconductor film is provided along a trench (groove) formed in an insulating layer. The trench includes a lower end corner portion having a curved shape with a curvature radius of longer than or equal to 20 nm and shorter than or equal to 60 nm, and the oxide semiconductor film is provided in contact with a bottom surface, the lower end corner portion, and an inner wall surface of the trench. The oxide semiconductor film includes a crystal having a c-axis substantially perpendicular to a surface at least over the lower end corner portion.

Abstract: An oxide semiconductor layer is formed, a gate insulating layer is formed over the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode layer is formed to overlap with the oxide semiconductor layer with the gate insulating layer interposed therebetween, a first insulating layer is formed to cover the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode layer, an impurity element is introduced through the insulating layer to form a pair of impurity regions in the oxide semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are anisotropically etched to form a sidewall insulating layer in contact with a side surface of the gate electrode layer, and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer in contact with the pair of impurity regions are formed.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that by laser beam being slantly incident to the convex lens, an aberration such as astigmatism or the like is occurred, and the shape of the laser beam is made linear on the irradiation surface or in its neighborhood. Since the present invention has a very simple configuration, the optical adjustment is easier, and the device becomes compact in size. Furthermore, since the beam is slantly incident with respect to the irradiated body, the return beam can be prevented.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which is miniaturized while favorable characteristics thereof are maintained is provided. In addition, the miniaturized semiconductor device is provided with a high yield. The semiconductor device has a structure including an oxide semiconductor film provided over a substrate having an insulating surface; a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer which are provided in contact with side surfaces of the oxide semiconductor film and have a thickness larger than that of the oxide semiconductor film; a gate insulating film provided over the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode layer, and the drain electrode layer; and a gate electrode layer provided in a depressed portion formed by a step between a top surface of the oxide semiconductor film and top surfaces of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer.

Abstract: A variation in electrical characteristics, such as a negative shift of the threshold voltage or an increase in S value, of a fin-type transistor including an oxide semiconductor material is prevented. An oxide semiconductor film is sandwiched between a plurality of gate electrodes with an insulating film provided between the oxide semiconductor film and each of the gate electrodes. Specifically, a first gate insulating film is provided to cover a first gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor film is provided to be in contact with the first gate insulating film and extend beyond the first gate electrode, a second gate insulating film is provided to cover at least the oxide semiconductor film, and a second gate electrode is provided to be in contact with part of the second gate insulating film and extend beyond the first gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, the oxide semiconductor film is provided along a trench formed in an insulating layer. The trench includes a lower end corner portion and an upper end corner portion having a curved shape with a curvature radius of longer than or equal to 20 nm and shorter than or equal to 60 nm, and the oxide semiconductor film is provided in contact with a bottom surface, the lower end corner portion, the upper end corner portion, and an inner wall surface of the trench. The oxide semiconductor film includes a crystal having a c-axis substantially perpendicular to a surface at least over the upper end corner portion.

Abstract: An oxide semiconductor layer is formed, a gate insulating layer is formed over the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode layer is formed to overlap with the oxide semiconductor layer with the gate insulating layer interposed therebetween, a first insulating layer is formed to cover the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode layer, an impurity element is introduced through the insulating layer to form a pair of impurity regions in the oxide semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer, the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are anisotropically etched to form a sidewall insulating layer in contact with a side surface of the gate electrode layer, and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer in contact with the pair of impurity regions are formed.

Abstract: A retention circuit provided in a logic circuit enables power gating. The retention circuit includes a first terminal, a node, a capacitor, and first to third transistors. The first transistor controls electrical connection between the first terminal and an input terminal of the logic circuit. The second transistor controls electrical connection between an output terminal of the logic circuit and the node. The third transistor controls electrical connection between the node and the input terminal of the logic circuit. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor. In a data retention period, the node becomes electrically floating. The voltage of the node is held by the capacitor.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory circuit including a silicon transistor, a selection circuit including a silicon transistor, and a second memory circuit including oxide semiconductor transistors and a storage capacitor, in which one terminal of the storage capacitor is connected to a portion where two oxide semiconductor transistors are connected in series, an output of the second memory circuit is connected to a second input terminal of the selection circuit, and an input of the second memory circuit is connected to a first input terminal of the selection circuit or an output terminal of the first memory circuit.

Abstract: A minute transistor and the method of manufacturing the minute transistor. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are each formed in a corresponding opening formed in an insulating layer covering a semiconductor layer. The opening of the source electrode layer and the opening of the drain electrode layer are formed separately in two distinct steps. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed by depositing a conductive layer over the insulating layer and in the openings, and subsequently removing the part located over the insulating layer by polishing. This manufacturing method allows for the source electrode later and the drain electrode layer to be formed close to each other and close to a channel forming region of the semiconductor layer. Such a structure leads to a transistor having high electrical characteristics and a high manufacturing yield even in the case of a minute structure.