Abstract: A memory cell, device, and system include a memory cell having a shared digitline, a storage capacitor, and a plurality of access transistors configured to selectively electrically couple the storage capacitor with the shared digitline. The digitline couples with adjacent memory cells and the plurality of access transistors selects which adjacent memory cell is coupled to the shared digitline. A method of forming the memory cell includes forming a buried digitline in the substrate and a vertical pillar in the substrate immediately adjacent to the buried digitline. A dual gate transistor is formed on the vertical pillar with a first end electrically coupled to the buried digitline and a second end coupled to a storage capacitor formed thereto.

Abstract: A process may include first etching a trench isolation dielectric through a dielectric hard mask that abuts the sidewall of a fin semiconductor. The first etch can be carried out to expose at least a portion of the sidewall, causing the dielectric hard mask to recede to a greater degree in the lateral direction than the vertical direction. The process may include second etching the fin semiconductor to achieve a thinned semiconductor fin, which has receded beneath the shadow of the laterally receded hard mask. The thinned semiconductor fin may have a characteristic dimension that can exceed photolithography limits. Electronic devices may include the thinned semiconductor fin as part of a field effect transistor.

Abstract: Pitch multiplied and non-pitch multiplied features of an integrated circuit, e.g., features in the array, interface and periphery areas of the integrated circuit, are formed by processing a substrate through a mask. The mask is formed by patterning a photoresist layer which simultaneously defines mask elements corresponding to features in the array, interface and periphery areas of the integrated circuit. The pattern is transferred to an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the patterned amorphous carbon layer. A layer of protective material is deposited and then patterned to expose mask elements in the array region and in selected parts of the interface or periphery areas. Amorphous carbon in the array region or other exposed parts is removed, thereby leaving a pattern including free-standing, pitch multiplied spacers in the array region.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) has substantially non-orthogonal word and bit lines. For a given memory cell size, such as six square lithographic features (6F2), the non-orthogonal layout allows for larger-pitch word and bit lines when compared to the orthogonal layout of the word and bit lines.

Abstract: A DRAM array includes for each column a pair of complimentary digit lines that are coupled to a sense amplifier. Each of the global digit lines is selectively coupled to a plurality of local digit lines by respective coupling circuits. The length of the local digit lines is substantially shorter than the length of the global digit lines. As a result, the local digit lines have substantially less capacitance so that a voltage stored by a memory cell capacitor can be more easily transferred to the local digit line. The coupling circuits provide current amplification so that the voltage on the local digit lines can be more easily transferred to the global digit lines. A write back circuit is coupled to the local digit line to restore the voltage of the memory cell capacitor.

Abstract: A memory device having a field effect transistor with a stepped gate dielectric and a method of making the same are herein disclosed. The stepped gate dielectric is formed on a semiconductor substrate and consists of a pair of charge trapping dielectrics separated by a gate dielectric; a gate conductor is formed thereover. Source and drain areas are formed in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the pair of charge trapping dielectrics. The memory device is made by forming a charge trapping dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed through the charge trapping dielectric layer to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed within the trench and a gate conductor layer is formed over the charge trapping and gate dielectric layers.

Abstract: A method of forming at least one undercut structure in a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one doped region in the semiconductor substrate, and removing the at least one doped region to form at least one undercut structure in the semiconductor substrate. The at least one undercut structure may include at least one substantially vertical shelf, at least one substantially horizontal shelf, and at least one faceted surface. The at least one doped region may be formed by implanting an impurity in the semiconductor substrate, which is, optionally, annealed. The at least one doped region may be removed selective to the undoped portion of the semiconductor substrate by at least one of wet etching or dry etching. An intermediate semiconductor structure that comprises a single crystalline silicon substrate and at least one undercut structure formed in the single crystalline silicon substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming trench isolation regions. In one implementation, a masking material is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The masking material comprises at least one of tungsten, titanium nitride and amorphous carbon. An opening is formed through the masking material and into the semiconductor substrate effective to form an isolation trench within semiconductive material of the semiconductor substrate. A trench isolation material is formed within the isolation trench and over the masking material outside of the trench effective to overfill the isolation trench. The trench isolation material is polished at least to an outermost surface of the at least one of tungsten, titanium nitride and amorphous carbon of the masking material. The at least one of tungsten, titanium nitride and amorphous carbon is/are etched from the substrate. Other implementations and aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor constructions, and also includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitor devices. An exemplary method of the invention includes forming conductive storage node material within openings in an insulative material to form conductive containers. A retaining structure lattice is formed in physical contact with at least some of the containers, and subsequently the insulative material is removed to expose outer surfaces of the containers. The retaining structure can alleviate toppling or other loss of structural integrity of the container structures. The electrically conductive containers correspond to first capacitor electrodes. After the outer sidewalls of the containers are exposed, dielectric material is formed within the containers and along the exposed outer sidewalls. Subsequently, a second capacitor electrode is formed over the dielectric material. The first and second capacitor electrodes, together with the dielectric material, form a plurality of capacitor devices.

Abstract: A memory device having a field effect transistor with a stepped gate dielectric and a method of making the same are herein disclosed. The stepped gate dielectric is formed on a semiconductor substrate and consists of a pair of charge trapping dielectrics separated by a gate dielectric; a gate conductor is formed thereover. Source and drain areas are formed in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the pair of charge trapping dielectrics. The memory device is made by forming a charge trapping dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. A trench is formed through the charge trapping dielectric layer to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed within the trench and a gate conductor layer is formed over the charge trapping and gate dielectric layers.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor structures having buried silicide-containing bitlines. Vertical surround gate transistor structures can be formed over the bitlines. The surround gate transistor structures can be incorporated into memory devices, such as, for example, DRAM devices. The invention can be utilized for forming 4F2 DRAM devices.

Abstract: A mass of material is formed over a semiconductor substrate. Semiconductive material is formed laterally proximate the mass of material. A space is provided laterally between the mass of material and the semiconductive material. The space comprises an outermost portion and a portion immediately adjacent thereto. The outermost portion has a maximum lateral width which is greater than that of the adjacent portion. Gate dielectric material and conductive gate material are formed within the space. The gate dielectric material and the conductive gate material in combination fill the adjacent portion of the space but do not fill the outermost portion of the space. At least the conductive gate material is etched from at least a majority of the outermost portion of the space. Source/drain regions are formed operatively proximate the conductive gate material and the semiconductive material is used as a channel region of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor, and methods of forming local interconnects. In one implementation, a method of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor includes providing gate dielectric material intermediate a transistor gate and a channel region of a field effect transistor. At least some of the gate dielectric material extends to be received over at least one source/drain region of the field effect transistor. The gate dielectric material received over the one source/drain region is exposed to conditions effective to change it from being electrically insulative to being electrically conductive and in conductive contact with the one source/drain region. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor constructions, and also includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitor devices. An exemplary method of the invention includes forming conductive storage node material within openings in an insulative material to form conductive containers. A retaining structure lattice is formed in physical contact with at least some of the containers, and subsequently the insulative material is removed to expose outer surfaces of the containers. The retaining structure can alleviate toppling or other loss of structural integrity of the container structures. The electrically conductive containers correspond to first capacitor electrodes. After the outer sidewalls of the containers are exposed, dielectric material is formed within the containers and along the exposed outer sidewalls. Subsequently, a second capacitor electrode is formed over the dielectric material. The first and second capacitor electrodes, together with the dielectric material, form a plurality of capacitor devices.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of forming pluralities of capacitors. In one implementation, metal is formed over individual capacitor storage node locations on a substrate. A patterned masking layer is formed over the metal. The patterned masking layer comprises openings therethrough to an outer surface of the metal. Individual of the openings are received over individual of the capacitor storage node locations. A pit is formed in the metal outer surface within individual of the openings. After forming the pits, the metal is anodically oxidized through the openings effective to form a single metal oxide-lined channel in individual of the openings over the individual capacitor storage nodes. Individual capacitor electrodes are formed within the channels in electrical connection with the individual capacitor storage node locations. At least some of the metal oxide is removed from the substrate, and the individual capacitor electrodes are incorporated into a plurality of capacitors.

Abstract: This invention includes gated field effect devices, and methods of forming gated field effect devices. In one implementation, a gated field effect device includes a pair of source/drain regions having a channel region therebetween. A gate is received proximate the channel region between the source/drain regions. The gate has a gate width between the source/drain regions. A gate dielectric is received intermediate the channel region and the gate. The gate dielectric has at least two different regions along the width of the gate. The different regions are characterized by different materials which are effective to define the two different regions to have different dielectric constants k. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor constructions, methods of forming gatelines, and methods of forming transistor structures. The invention can include, for example, a damascene method of forming a gateline. A thin segment of dielectric material is formed between two thicker segments of dielectric material, with the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material being within an opening. A gateline material is formed within the opening and over the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material. The construction comprising the gateline material over the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material can be supported by a semiconductor substrate having a primary surface which defines a horizontal direction. The thin and thicker segments of dielectric material can comprise upper surfaces substantially parallel to the primary surface of the substrate, and can join to one another at steps having primary surfaces substantially orthogonal to the primary surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present technique relates to a method and apparatus to provide a dielectric etch stop layer that prevents shorts for a buried digit layer as an interconnect. In a memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM, various layers are deposited to form structures, such as PMOS gates, NMOS gates, memory cells, P+ active areas, and N+ active areas. These structures are fabricated through the use of multiple masking processes, which may cause shorts when a buried digit layer is deposited if the masking processes are misaligned. Accordingly, a dielectric etch stop layer, such as aluminum oxide Al2O3 or silicon carbide SiC, may be utilized in the array to prevent shorts between the wordlines, active areas, and the buried digit layer when the contacts are misaligned.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor constructions, and also includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitor devices. An exemplary method of the invention includes forming conductive storage node material within openings in an insulative material to form conductive containers. A retaining structure lattice is formed in physical contact with at least some of the containers, and subsequently the insulative material is removed to expose outer surfaces of the containers. The retaining structure can alleviate toppling or other loss of structural integrity of the container structures. The electrically conductive containers correspond to first capacitor electrodes. After the outer sidewalls of the containers are exposed, dielectric material is formed within the containers and along the exposed outer sidewalls. Subsequently, a second capacitor electrode is formed over the dielectric material. The first and second capacitor electrodes, together with the dielectric material, form a plurality of capacitor devices.

Abstract: The invention includes semiconductor constructions, methods of forming gatelines, and methods of forming transistor structures. The invention can include, for example, a damascene method of forming a gateline. A thin segment of dielectric material is formed between two thicker segments of dielectric material, with the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material being within an opening. A gateline material is formed within the opening and over the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material. The construction comprising the gateline material over the thin and thicker segments of dielectric material can be supported by a semiconductor substrate having a primary surface which defines a horizontal direction. The thin and thicker segments of dielectric material can comprise upper surfaces substantially parallel to the primary surface of the substrate, and can join to one another at steps having primary surfaces substantially orthogonal to the primary surface of the substrate.