Abstract: A system comprising a first layer comprising one or more metal sub-layers and a protective overcoat (PO) layer adjacent to the first layer. The PO layer is adapted to protect the first layer, and a circuit logic is at least partially embedded within the PO layer. The circuit logic couples to one of the metal sub-layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises forming an oxide layer over a substrate. A polysilicon layer is disposed outwardly from the oxide layer, wherein the polysilicon layer forms a floating gate. A PSG layer is disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer and planarized. The device is pattern etched to form a capacitor channel, wherein the capacitor channel is disposed substantially above the floating gate formed from the polysilicon layer. A dielectric layer is formed in the capacitor channel disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer. A tungsten plug operable to substantially fill the capacitor channel is formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises forming an oxide layer over a substrate. A polysilicon layer is disposed outwardly from the oxide layer, wherein the polysilicon layer forms a floating gate. A PSG layer is disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer and planarized. The device is pattern etched to form a capacitor channel, wherein the capacitor channel is disposed substantially above the floating gate formed from the polysilicon layer. A dielectric layer is formed in the capacitor channel disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer. A tungsten plug operable to substantially fill the capacitor channel is formed.

Abstract: A method for integrating a thin film resistor into an interconnect process flow where one of the metal layers is used as a hardmask. After a via (42) etch and fill, the thin film resistor material (62) is deposited. The metal interconnect layer (76) is then deposited, including any barrier layers desired. The metal leads (70) are then etched together with the shape of the thin film resistor (60). The metal (76) over the thin film resistor (60) is then removed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises forming an oxide layer over a substrate. A polysilicon layer is disposed outwardly from the oxide layer, wherein the polysilicon layer forms a floating gate. A PSG layer is disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer and planarized. The device is pattern etched to form a capacitor channel, wherein the capacitor channel is disposed substantially above the floating gate formed from the polysilicon layer. A dielectric layer is formed in the capacitor channel disposed outwardly from the polysilicon layer. A tungsten plug operable to substantially fill the capacitor channel is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an anlog capacitor on a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises forming a field oxide over a portion of the substrate, and forming a polysilicon layer over the field oxide layer, and subsequently forming a silicide over the polysilicon layer. A first interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, and a capacitor masking pattern is formed. The first interlayer dielectric is etched using the capacitor masking pattern as a mask and the silicide layer as an etch stop, and a thin dielectric is formed over the substrate. A contact masking pattern is formed over the substrate, and a subsequent etch is performed on the thin dielectric and the first interlayer dielectric using the silicide and substrate as an etch stop. A metal layer is deposited over the substrate, and is subsequently planarized, thereby defining an analog capacitor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device (10) with a bonding surface (12) directly over its active circuitry, and a method of making such integrated circuits (FIGS. 2A-2E). To make the bonding surface (12), a wafer (20) is provided with vias (24) to its metallization layer (21) and then coated with a seed metal layer (25). A plating pattern (26) is formed on the wafer (20), exposing portions of the seed metal layer (25) and blocking the rest of the seed metal layer (25). These exposed portions are plated with successive metal layers (27, 28, 29), thereby forming a bonding surface (12) having a number of layered stacks (200) that fill the vias (24). The plating pattern and the nonplated portions of the seed metal layer (25) are then removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming an analog capacitor on a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises forming a field oxide over a portion of the substrate, and forming a polysilicon layer over the field oxide layer, and subsequently forming a silicide over the polysilicon layer. A first interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, and a capacitor masking pattern is formed. The first interlayer dielectric is etched using the capacitor masking pattern as a mask and the silicide layer as an etch stop, and a thin dielectric is formed over the substrate. A contact masking pattern is formed over the substrate, and a subsequent etch is performed on the thin dielectric and the first interlayer dielectric using the silicide and substrate as an etch stop. A metal layer is deposited over the substrate, and is subsequently planarized, thereby defining an analog capacitor.

Abstract: A tunnel diode construction 12 for an EEPROM device 10, and method for making it are shown. A tank 13 is provided at a surface of a semiconductor substrate 5 containing a doped diffused tunnel region 46. A layer of insulation 38 is provided over the surface of the substrate with a first thickness 48 to provide a tunnel oxide over at least part of the tunnel region and a second, larger, thickness 39 elsewhere. A conducting floating gate 19 is provided above the doped diffused tunnel region 46 and at least part of the tank 13, on the layer of insulation 38. The floating gate 19 extends over the oxide 38 beyond the lateral boundaries of the doped diffused tunnel region 46 in every direction to terminate over the second thickness of oxide 39 over the tank 13.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device (10) with a bonding surface (12) directly over its active circuitry, and a method of making such integrated circuits (FIGS. 2A-2E). To make the bonding surface (12), a wafer (20) is provided with vias (24) to its metallization layer (21) and then coated with a seed metal layer (25). A plating pattern (26) is formed on the wafer (20), exposing portions of the seed metal layer (25) and blocking the rest of the seed metal layer (25). These exposed portions are plated with successive metal layers (27, 28, 29), thereby forming a bonding surface (12) having a number of layered stacks (200) that fill the vias (24). The plating pattern and the nonplated portions of the seed metal layer (25) are then removed.

Abstract: Capacitors for integrated circuits with a common polysilicon layer for both MOS gates (274, 276, 278) and capacitor (270) lower plates but with implanted doping for the gates and masked diffusive doping for the capacitor plates.

Abstract: An LDMOS device (10, 20, 50, 60) that is made with minimal feature size fabrication methods, but overcomes potential problems of misaligned Dwells (13). The Dwell (13) is slightly overstated so that its n-type dopant is implanted past the source edge of the gate region (18), which permits the n-type region of the Dwell to diffuse under the gate region (18) an sufficient distance to eliminate misalignment effects.

Abstract: A method for making an isolated NMOS transistor (10) in a BiCMOS process includes forming an N− conductivity type DUF layer (19) in a P conductivity type semiconductor substrate (12), followed by forming alternate contiguous N+ and P conductivity type buried regions (30,26) in the substrate (12). A layer of substantially intrinsic semiconductor material (32) is then formed on the substrate (12) in which alternate and contiguous N and P conductivity type wells (35,36) are formed, respectively above and extending to the N+ and P conductivity type buried regions (30,26). Finally, NMOS source and drain regions (48) are formed in at least one of the P conductivity type wells (35). The method is preferably performed concurrently with the construction of a bipolar transistor structure (11) elsewhere on the substrate (12).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a BiCMOS integrated circuit. The method includes the steps of forming in a single implantation step a base region 211 of a bipolar transistor and a p-well 212 of an n-channel MOS transistor; and forming in a single implantation step a collector contact well 213 of a bipolar transistor and an n-well 208 of a p-channel MOS transistor.

Abstract: A method for integrating a thin film resistor into an interconnect process flow where one of the metal layers is used as a hardmask. After a via (42) etch and fill, the thin film resistor material (62) is deposited. The metal interconnect layer (76) is then deposited, including any barrier layers desired. The metal leads (70) are then etched together with the shape of the thin film resistor (60). The metal (76) over the thin film resistor (60) is then removed.

Abstract: A power field effect transistor is disclosed that includes polysilicon gate bodies (40) and (42), which includes platinum silicide contact layers (74) and (78) disposed on the outer surfaces of bodies (40) and (42), respectively. In addition, the device comprises an n+drain region (64) which also has a platinum silicide drain contact layer (76) formed on its outer surface and platinum silicide source contact layers (75) and (77). During formation, sidewall spacers (50) and (52), as well as mask bodies (70) and (72) are used to ensure that platinum silicide layer (76) spaced apart from both gate bodies (40) and (42) and platinum silicide gate contact layers (74) and (78).

Abstract: A method for increasing the operating voltage of a transistor formed on a substrate of a first conductivity region of a second conductivity type in a surface of the substrate. An N-well adjust region of the first conductivity type is then formed in the N-well region. The N-well adjust region extends to a first depth in the N-well region. A double diffusion well of the first conductivity type is then formed in the N-well. The double diffusion well extends to a second depth greater than the first depth of the N-well adjust region, and contains a portion of the N-well. Two N- channel stop regions are then formed in the N-well. The two N-channel stop regions extending to a third depth greater than the depth of the N-well adjust region, and contain a portion of the N-well.

Abstract: A method for making an isolated NMOS transistor (10) in a BiCMOS process includes forming an N- conductivity type DUF layer (19) in a P conductivity type semiconductor substrate (12), followed by forming alternate contiguous N+ and P conductivity type buried regions (30,26) in the substrate (12). A layer of substantially intrinsic semiconductor material (32) is then formed on the substrate (12) in which alternate and contiguous N and P conductivity type wells (35,36) are formed, respectively above and extending to the N+ and P conductivity type buried regions (30,26). Finally, NMOS source and drain regions (48) are formed in at least one of the P conductivity type wells (35). The method is preferably performed concurrently with the construction of a bipolar transistor structure (11) elsewhere on the substrate (12).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a self-aligned DMOS transistor is provided. The method includes forming a passivation layer (18, 68) on an oxide layer (16, 66) of a substrate (12, 56). The oxide layer (16, 66) is then removed from the surface of the substrate (12, 56) where it is exposed through the passivation layer (18, 68). A reduced surface field region (36, 74) is then formed where the surface of the substrate (12, 56) is exposed through the passivation layer (18, 68). An oxide layer (38, 80) is then formed on the reduced surface field region (36, 74).

Abstract: A vertical PNP transistor (11) and method for making it includes forming an N- region (19) in a P substrate (12), and forming an N+ region (26) in the substrate (12) laterally surrounding and partially extending into the N- region (19). A P region (30) is formed above the N- region (19), bounded laterally by the N+ region (26) to be horizontally and vertically isolated from the substrate (12) by the N- and N+ regions (19 and 26). A layer of semiconductor material (32) is formed overall, and an N well (35) and a surrounding P well (36) are formed, each extending to the P region (30). An isolating N+ well (38) is formed surrounding the P well (36), extending to the buried N+ region (26). A P emitter region (40) and an N base contact region (41) are formed at a surface of the N well (35), and a P collector contact region (44) is formed at a surface of the P well (36).