Abstract: A process for forming capacitors in a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of forming a pillar CMOS FET device, especially an inverter, and the device so formed is provided. The method includes forming abutting N wells and P wells in a silicon substrate and then forming N+ and P+ diffusions in the P and N wells respectively. A unitary pillar of the epitaxial silicon is grown on the substrate having a base at the substrate overlying both the N and P wells and preferably extending at least from said N+ diffusion to said P+ diffusion in said substrate. The pillar terminates at a distal end. An N well is formed on the side of the pillar overlying the N well in the substrate and a P well is formed on the side of the distal end of the pillar overlying the P well on the substrate and abuts the N well in the pillar. A P+ diffusion is formed in the N well in the pillar adjacent the distal end and a N+ diffusion is formed in the P well in the pillar adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: A non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) cell and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The NVRAM cell includes a substrate having source and drain regions. A spike having a sharp tip extends in the source region. Instead of a single spike, two adjacent spikes are included in the source. Alternatively, in addition to the single spike in the source, two adjacent spikes are included in the drain. The two adjacent spikes have one tip pointing toward the floating gate and two tips pointing away from the floating gate. The spikes provide high electric field to facilitate charge movement between the floating gate and the source region. A tunnel oxide layer separates the floating gate from the substrate. A gate oxide and a control gate are also formed over the floating gate. The single spike is formed by preferentially etching the substrate along a selected crystal plane through an opening formed in a mask that covers the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and fabrication method for an antifuse structure that includes a shallow trench oxide isolation region disposed in a silicon substrate, the oxide in the trench having a top surface recessed below the surface of the substrate to form sharp corners at each side of the trench. The substrate includes diffusion regions adjacent to the sharp corners, electrical insulation layers over the diffusion regions, and an electrical conductor is disposed over the recessed oxide in the trench. When voltage is applied on the electrical conductor, a high field point is produced at the sharp corners causing the electrical insulation layer at the corners to break down and create a short circuit between the electrical conductor and the diffusions, thus providing a fuse function.

Abstract: A method of forming a pillar CMOS FET device, especially an inverter, and the device so formed is provided. The method includes forming abutting N wells and P wells in a silicon substrate and then forming N.sup.+ and P.sup.+ diffusions in the P and N wells respectively. A unitary pillar of the epitaxial silicon is grown on the substrate having a base at the substrate overlying both the N and P wells and preferably extending at least from said N.sup.+ diffusion to said P.sup.+ diffusion in said substrate. The pillar terminates at a distal end. An N well is formed on the side of the pillar overlying the N well in the substrate and a P well is formed on the side of the distal end of the pillar overlying the P well on the substrate and abuts the N well in the pillar. A P.sup.+ diffusion is formed in the N well in the pillar adjacent the distal end and a N.sup.+ diffusion is formed in the P well in the pillar adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: A trench isolation structure for a semiconductor is provided including an isolation ring and an isolation path. The isolation ring surrounds active semiconductor areas and is bordered on the outside by inactive semiconductor area. The isolation path extends from the isolation ring through the inactive semiconductor area. A first level conductor on the isolation path electrically connects or capacitively couples a device in the active semiconductor area to a location on the substrate outside the isolation ring. The isolation path has a configuration derived from the layout of the conductor.

Abstract: Recessing the floating gate of a NVRAM cell within a substrate or semiconductor layer between isolation structures permits manufacture by a simplified self-aligned process of high yield and economy while supporting maximum integration density and reducing or eliminating severe topography of the control gate connections which are formed in strips having a generally planar lower surface and which are of improved robustness and potentially fine pitch. Impurity implants are facilitated by thicknesses of various material present during portions of the process and in various combinations which may be advantageously exploited to obtain tailoring of impurity concentrations and profiles of both NVRAM cells and damascene field effect transistors formed by similar and compatible processes.

Abstract: An array of anti-fuse cells forming rows and columns of a matrix is described. The anti-fuse cell includes an MOS capacitor connected to a source of high voltage which is capable of rendering the capacitor permanently conductive. A first voltage limiting transistor connects the free end of the MOS capacitor to a second transistor. An address decoder provides address signals to a source and gate of the second transistor within the cell. The MOS capacitor is rendered permanently conductive when the first and second transistors are rendered conductive. The high voltage is confined to the MOS capacitor, which is fused through the high current being drawn through the capacitor by the first and second transistors. Other components on the integrated circuit carrying the array of fusible cells are maintained free of any high voltage.

Abstract: A trench isolation structure for a semiconductor is provided including an isolation ring and an isolation path. The isolation ring surrounds active semiconductor areas and is bordered on the outside by inactive semiconductor area. The isolation path extends from the isolation ring through the inactive semiconductor area. A first level conductor on the isolation path electrically connects or capacitively couples a device in the active semiconductor area to a location on the substrate outside the isolation ring. The isolation path has a configuration derived from the layout of the conductor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lightly doped drain MOSFET device with a built in etch stop is disclosed. After forming a gate electrode on a substrate through conventional methods, a conformal doped layer is deposited on the gate electrode. A conformal layer of nitride is then deposited on the conformal doped layer. The nitride layer is etched, with the etch stopping on the conformal doped layer, thereby forming nitride spacers. Deep source and drain regions are formed by either ion implantation or diffusion. The device is then heat treated so that light diffusion occurs under the nitride spacers and heavy diffusion occurs outside the spacer region. The method is applicable to N-substrate (P-channel), P-substrate (N-channel), and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices.