Patents by Inventor Mitsuhiro Horikawa

Mitsuhiro Horikawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9281357
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor stack includes forming a first bottom electrode layer including a conductive metal nitride material. A second bottom electrode layer is formed above the first bottom electrode layer. The second bottom electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material, wherein the crystal structure of the conductive metal oxide material promotes a desired high-k crystal phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. A dielectric layer is formed above the second bottom electrode layer. Optionally, an oxygen-rich metal oxide layer is formed above the dielectric layer. Optionally, a third top electrode layer is formed above the oxygen-rich metal oxide layer. The third top electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material. A fourth top electrode layer is formed above the third top electrode layer. The fourth top electrode layer includes a conductive metal nitride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, David Chi, Imran Hashim, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Sandra G. Malhotra
  • Publication number: 20150137315
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor stack includes forming a first bottom electrode layer including a conductive metal nitride material. A second bottom electrode layer is formed above the first bottom electrode layer. The second bottom electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material, wherein the crystal structure of the conductive metal oxide material promotes a desired high-k crystal phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. A dielectric layer is formed above the second bottom electrode layer. Optionally, an oxygen-rich metal oxide layer is formed above the dielectric layer. Optionally, a third top electrode layer is formed above the oxygen-rich metal oxide layer. The third top electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material. A fourth top electrode layer is formed above the third top electrode layer. The fourth top electrode layer includes a conductive metal nitride material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, David Chi, Imran Hashim, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Sandra G. Malhotra
  • Publication number: 20150087130
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor stack includes forming a first bottom electrode layer including a conductive metal nitride material. A second bottom electrode layer is formed above the first bottom electrode layer. The second bottom electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material, wherein the crystal structure of the conductive metal oxide material promotes a desired high-k crystal phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. A dielectric layer is formed above the second bottom electrode layer. Optionally, an oxygen-rich metal oxide layer is formed above the dielectric layer. Optionally, a third top electrode layer is formed above the oxygen-rich metal oxide layer. The third top electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material. A fourth top electrode layer is formed above the third top electrode layer. The fourth top electrode layer includes a conductive metal nitride material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicants: Elpida Memory, Inc, Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, David Chi, Imran Hashim, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Sandra G. Malhotra
  • Patent number: 8969169
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor stack includes forming a first bottom electrode layer including a conductive metal nitride material. A second bottom electrode layer is formed above the first bottom electrode layer. The second bottom electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material, wherein the crystal structure of the conductive metal oxide material promotes a desired high-k crystal phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. A dielectric layer is formed above the second bottom electrode layer. Optionally, an oxygen-rich metal oxide layer is formed above the dielectric layer. Optionally, a third top electrode layer is formed above the oxygen-rich metal oxide layer. The third top electrode layer includes a conductive metal oxide material. A fourth top electrode layer is formed above the third top electrode layer. The fourth top electrode layer includes a conductive metal nitride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, David Chi, Imran Hashim, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Sandra G. Malhotra
  • Patent number: 8815695
    Abstract: A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. A second electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the second electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. In some embodiments, both the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer contain a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Hiroyuki Ode, Karthik Ramani
  • Publication number: 20140183696
    Abstract: A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. A second electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the second electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. In some embodiments, both the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer contain a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR INC.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Hiroyuki Ode, Karthik Ramani
  • Publication number: 20140187015
    Abstract: A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. A second electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the second electrode layer contains a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer. In some embodiments, both the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer contain a conductive base layer and conductive metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC, INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Hiroyuki Ode, Karthik Ramani
  • Patent number: 8748325
    Abstract: A polyimide film is effectively formed on a complicated surface. The polyimide film is formed by reacting, on the surface, diamine monomer and tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride monomer both of which are dissolved within carbon dioxide in a supercritical states, together with a polyamic acid resulting from a reaction between the diamine monomer and the tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride reached to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Hiroyuki Ode, Masashi Haruki, Shigeki Takishima, Shinichi Kihara
  • Publication number: 20140038424
    Abstract: A polyimide film is effectively formed on a complicated surface. The polyimide film is formed by reacting, on the surface, diamine monomer and tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride monomer both of which are dissolved within carbon dioxide in a supercritical states, together with a polyamic acid resulting from a reaction between the diamine monomer and the tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride reached to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro HORIKAWA, Hiroyuki ODE, Masashi HARUKI, Shigeki TAKISHIMA, Shinichi KIHARA
  • Patent number: 8546236
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra G. Malhotra, Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Kenichi Koyanagi, Hiroyuki Ode, Xiangxin Rui
  • Patent number: 8541283
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra G. Malhotra, Hanhong Chen, Wim Y. Deweerd, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Kenichi Koyanagi, Hiroyuki Ode, Xiangxin Rui
  • Patent number: 8476141
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Malhotra, Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Kenichi Koyanagi, Hiroyuki Ode, Xiangxin Rui
  • Patent number: 8415227
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Malhotra, Wim Deweerd, Hanhong Chen, Xiangxin Rui, Hiroyuki Ode, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Kenichi Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20130052792
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicants: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC., INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Sandra Malhotra, Wim Deweerd, Hanhong Chen, Xiangxin Rui, Hiroyuki Ode, Mitsuhiro Horikawa, Kenichi Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 8026184
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device formed by laminating a capacitor including a bottom metal electrode, a capacitive insulating film, and an upper metal electrode. When the capacitive insulating film is formed by performing a first step of forming a first dielectric layer on the bottom metal electrode by a vapor phase film forming method using a precursor gas that contains constituent elements of a dielectric; and a second step of forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer by a vapor phase film forming method using a precursor gas that contains constituent elements of a dielectric, a film forming temperature in the first step is set so as to be lower than a film forming temperature in the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Horikawa
  • Patent number: 7790613
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a memory cell selection transistor that is formed on the semiconductor substrate and has a source and a drain; a contact plug; a polysilicon interlayer film that is formed above the memory cell selection transistor and has a cylinder-shaped through-hole; and a storage capacity part that is formed in the through-hole and is connected to the source and the drain of the memory cell selection transistor via the contact plug, wherein a boundary between a bottom and a side wall of the through-hole has a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Horikawa
  • Publication number: 20090230510
    Abstract: A rutile phase can be formed even in the case of a thin film by adding nickel or cobalt to titanium dioxide in the range of 0.5 to 10 atm %, and the use of this element-added titanium dioxide film in a capacitor dielectric film results in an increase in capacitance per unit area of a DRAM memory cell and enables a high-integration DRAM to be realized at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miki, Tomoko Sekiguchi, Naomi Inada, Mitsuhiro Horikawa
  • Publication number: 20090152677
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a conducting plug provided in an interlayer insulating film over a semiconductor substrate; and a capacitor including a lower electrode provided over the conducting plug, the lower electrode being connected to the conducting plug, a dielectric film provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode provided on the dielectric film. The lower electrode includes a conducting pillar and a conducting outer layer provided over at least a circumferential side surface of the conducting pillar. The dielectric film covers at least a circumferential side surface of the lower electrode, and is contact with the conducting outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Horikawa
  • Publication number: 20080210999
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a memory cell selection transistor that is formed on the semiconductor substrate and has a source and a drain; a contact plug; a polysilicon interlayer film that is formed above the memory cell selection transistor and has a cylinder-shaped through-hole; and a storage capacity part that is formed in the through-hole and is connected to the source and the drain of the memory cell selection transistor via the contact plug, wherein a boundary between a bottom and a side wall of the through-hole has a curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro HORIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20080157279
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device formed by laminating a capacitor including a bottom metal electrode, a capacitive insulating film, and an upper metal electrode. When the capacitive insulating film is formed by performing a first step of forming a first dielectric layer on the bottom metal electrode by a vapor phase film forming method using a precursor gas that contains constituent elements of a dielectric; and a second step of forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer by a vapor phase film forming method using a precursor gas that contains constituent elements of a dielectric, a film forming temperature in the first step is set so as to be lower than a film forming temperature in the second step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro HORIKAWA