Abstract: Methods of fabricating an interconnection line in a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device including such an interconnection line. The method involves forming a lower interconnection line on a semiconductor substrate, forming a mold pattern that defines an opening through which the lower interconnection line is exposed, filling the opening with a conductive material to form a via, removing the mold pattern to make the via remain on the lower interconnection line, forming an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer that covers the lower interconnection line and the via, patterning the ILD layer, exposing the via, forming a trench that defines a region in which an interconnection line is to be formed, and filling the trench to fabricate a damascene interconnection line connected to the via.

Abstract: A selective copper alloy interconnection in a semiconductor device is provided. The interconnection includes a substrate, a dielectric formed on the substrate, and a first interconnection formed in the dielectric. The first interconnection has a first pure copper pattern. In addition, a second interconnection having a larger width than the first interconnection is formed in the dielectric. The second interconnection has a copper alloy pattern. The copper alloy pattern may be an alloy layer formed of copper (Cu) and an additive material. A method of forming the selective copper alloy pattern is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-layer dielectric layer structure for a semiconductor device. The multi-layer dielectric layer structure comprises a silicate interface layer having a dielectric constant greater than that of silicon nitride and a high-k dielectric layer overlying the silicate interface layer. The high-k dielectric layer comprises one or more ordered pairs of first and second layers. With the present invention, the dielectric constant of the high-k dielectric layer can be optimized while improving interface characteristics. With a higher crystallization temperature realized by forming the multi-layer structure, each of whose layers is not more than the critical thickness, leakage current can be reduced, thereby improving device performance.

Abstract: Methods of erasing a non-volatile memory device having discrete charge trap sites between a semiconductor substrate and a gate include applying a negative voltage to a gate at least partially spaced apart from a semiconductor substrate by a charge storage layer providing discrete charge trap sites. A first positive voltage is applied to a source formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to one sidewall of the gate. A second positive voltage, which is equal to or less than the first positive voltage, is applied to a drain formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate and located opposite the source.

Abstract: Byte-operational nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices are capable of erasing stored data one byte at a time. A byte memory cell may include a memory cell array of 1-byte memory transistors. The 1-byte memory transistors may be arranged in one direction, each including a junction region and a channel region formed in an active region. A byte memory cell may include a byte select transistor. The select transistor may be disposed in the active region and including a junction region that is directly adjacent to a junction of each of the 1-byte memory transistors. The byte select transistor may be disposed over or under the 1-byte memory transistors perpendicular to the arranged direction of the 1-byte memory transistors.

Abstract: A local SONOS structure having a two-piece gate and a self-aligned ONO structure includes: a substrate; an ONO structure on the substrate; a first gate layer on and aligned with the ONO structure; a gate insulator on the substrate aside the ONO structure; and a second gate layer on the first gate layer and on the gate insulator. The first and second gate layers are electrically connected together. Together, the ONO structure and first and second gate layers define at least a 1-bit local SONOS structure. A corresponding method of manufacture includes: providing a substrate; forming an ONO structure on the substrate; forming a first gate layer on and aligned with the ONO structure; forming a gate insulator on the substrate aside the ONO structure; forming a second gate layer on the first gate layer and on the gate insulator; and electrically connecting the first and second gate layers.

Abstract: High dielectric layers formed from layers of hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, yttrium oxide, and/or other metal oxides and silicates disposed on silicon substrates or ozone oxide layers over silicon substrates may be nitrided and post thermally treated by oxidation, annealing, or a combination of oxidation and annealing to form high dielectric layers having superior mobility and interfacial characteristics.

Abstract: High dielectric layers formed from layers of hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, yttrium oxide, and/or other metal oxides and silicates disposed on silicon substrates or ozone oxide layers over silicon substrates may be nitrided and post thermally treated by oxidation, annealing, or a combination of oxidation and annealing to form high dielectric layers having superior mobility and interfacial characteristics.

Abstract: Byte-operational nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices are capable of erasing stored data one byte at a time. A byte memory cell may include a memory cell array of 1-byte memory transistors. The 1-byte memory transistors may be arranged in one direction, each including a junction region and a channel region formed in an active region. A byte memory cell may include a byte select transistor. The select transistor may be disposed in the active region and including a junction region that is directly adjacent to a junction of each of the 1-byte memory transistors. The byte select transistor may be disposed over or under the 1-byte memory transistors perpendicular to the arranged direction of the 1-byte memory transistors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device begins by forming a dielectric layer pattern having an ONO composition on a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the substrate including over the dielectric layer pattern. The polysilicon layer is patterned to form a split polysilicon layer pattern that exposes part of the dielectric layer pattern. The exposed dielectric layer is etched, and then impurities are implanted into portions of the substrate using the split polysilicon layer pattern as a mask to thereby form a source region having a vertical profile in the substrate.

Abstract: CMOS integrated circuit devices include an electrically insulating layer and an unstrained silicon active layer on the electrically insulating layer. An insulated gate electrode is also provided on a surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. A Si1-xGex layer is also disposed between the electrically insulating layer and the unstrained silicon active layer. The Si1-xGex layer forms a first junction with the unstrained silicon active layer and has a graded concentration of Ge therein that decreases monotonically in a first direction extending from a peak level towards the surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. The peak Ge concentration level is greater than x=0.15 and the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level to a level less than about x=0.1 at the first junction. The concentration of Ge at the first junction may be abrupt. More preferably, the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level where 0.2<x<0.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device begins by forming a dielectric layer pattern having an ONO composition on a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed on the substrate including over the dielectric layer pattern. The polysilicon layer is patterned to form a split polysilicon layer pattern that exposes part of the dielectric layer pattern. The exposed dielectric layer is etched, and then impurities are implanted into portions of the substrate using the split polysilicon layer pattern as a mask to thereby form a source region having a vertical profile in the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a silicate interface layer and a high-k dielectric layer overlying the silicate interface layer. The high-k dielectric layer comprises metal alloy oxides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor transistor using an L-shaped spacer. The semiconductor transistor includes a gate pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate and an L-shaped third spacer formed beside the gate pattern and having a horizontal protruding portion. An L-shaped fourth spacer is formed between the third spacer and the gate pattern, and between the third spacer and the substrate. A high-concentration junction area is positioned in the substrate beyond the third spacer, and a low-concentration junction area is positioned under the horizontal protruding portion of the third spacer. A medium-concentration junction area is positioned between the high- and low-concentration junction areas.

Abstract: CMOS integrated circuit devices include an electrically insulating layer and an unstrained silicon active layer on the electrically insulating layer. An insulated gate electrode is also provided on a surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. A Si1-xGex layer is also disposed between the electrically insulating layer and the unstrained silicon active layer. The Si1-xGex layer forms a first junction with the unstrained silicon active layer and has a graded concentration of Ge therein that decreases monotonically in a first direction extending from a peak level towards the surface of the unstrained silicon active layer. The peak Ge concentration level is greater than x=0.15 and the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level to a level less than about x=0.1 at the first junction. The concentration of Ge at the first junction may be abrupt. More preferably, the concentration of Ge in the Si1-xGex layer varies from the peak level where 0.2<x<0.

Abstract: Methods of erasing a non-volatile memory device having discrete charge trap sites between a semiconductor substrate and a gate include applying a negative voltage to a gate at least partially spaced apart from a semiconductor substrate by a charge storage layer providing discrete charge trap sites. A first positive voltage is applied to a source formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to one sidewall of the gate. A second positive voltage, which is equal to or less than the first positive voltage, is applied to a drain formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate and located opposite the source.

Abstract: Provided is a radical assisted oxidation apparatus comprising a gas supply system, a radical source, a growth chamber, a load lock chamber, and a vacuum system, whereby it is possible to manufacture a high quality oxide film at a low temperature and improve a low frequency noise (1/f).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a hetero grain stack gate (HGSG). The device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface, a gate insulating layer formed over the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode formed over the gate insulating layer, wherein the gate electrode includes a lower poly-SiGe layer having a columnar crystalline structure, and an upper poly-Si layer having a random crystalline structure. In one embodiment, the gate electrode includes a lower poly-SiGe layer having a columnar crystalline structure, an intermediate layer having an random crystalline structure, and an upper poly-Si layer having a columnar crystalline structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a SOI substrate includes sequentially forming a first semiconductor layer, which may be either a porous semiconductor layer or a bubble layer, a second semiconductor layer and a buried oxide layer on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming an etch stopping layer, which may be a silicon nitride layer, on a front surface of a supporting substrate; contacting the etch stopping layer with the buried oxide layer to bond the semiconductor substrate to the supporting substrate; and selectively removing the semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor layer to expose the second semiconductor layer. The method may additionally include forming a buffer oxide layer between the supporting substrate and the etch stopping layer.

Abstract: A method for forming SOI substrates including a SOI layer containing germanium and a strained silicon layer disposed on the SOI layer, comprises forming a relaxed silicon-germanium layer on a first silicon substrate using an epitaxial growth method, and forming a porous silicon-germanium layer thereon. A silicon-germanium epitaxial layer is formed on the porous silicon-germanium layer, an oxide layer is formed on a second silicon substrate, the second silicon substrate is bonded where the oxide layer is formed to the first silicon substrate where the silicon-germanium epitaxial layer is formed. Layers are removed to expose the silicon-germanium epitaxial layer and a strained silicon epitaxial layer is formed thereon. The porous silicon-germanium layer prevents lattice defects of the relaxed silicon-germanium layer from transferring to the silicon-germanium epitaxial layer. Therefore, it is possible to form the silicon-germanium layer and the strained silicon layer of the SOI layer without defects.