Patents by Inventor Sho Nagamatsu

Sho Nagamatsu 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).

  • Publication number: 20240006539
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a conductor, a first insulator in contact with a side surface of the conductor, a second insulator in contact with a top surface of the conductor and a top surface of the first insulator, and an oxide over the second insulator. The oxide includes a region that overlaps with the conductor with the second insulator interposed therebetween. The maximum height of a roughness curve (Rz) of the top surface of the conductor is 6.0 nm or smaller. The region includes crystals, and c-axes of the crystals are aligned in the normal direction of the top surface of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hiromi SAWAI, Ryo TOKUMARU, Toshihiko TAKEUCHI, Tsutomu MURAKAWA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Tomoaki MORIWAKA
  • Patent number: 11784259
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a conductor, a first insulator in contact with a side surface of the conductor, a second insulator in contact with a top surface of the conductor and a top surface of the first insulator, and an oxide over the second insulator. The oxide includes a region that overlaps with the conductor with the second insulator interposed therebetween. The maximum height of a roughness curve (Rz) of the top surface of the conductor is 6.0 nm or smaller. The region includes crystals, and c-axes of the crystals are aligned in the normal direction of the top surface of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hiromi Sawai, Ryo Tokumaru, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Tsutomu Murakawa, Sho Nagamatsu, Tomoaki Moriwaka
  • Publication number: 20220336670
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a conductor, a first insulator in contact with a side surface of the conductor, a second insulator in contact with a top surface of the conductor and a top surface of the first insulator, and an oxide over the second insulator. The oxide includes a region that overlaps with the conductor with the second insulator interposed therebetween. The maximum height of a roughness curve (Rz) of the top surface of the conductor is 6.0 nm or smaller. The region includes crystals, and c-axes of the crystals are aligned in the normal direction of the top surface of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hiromi SAWAI, Ryo TOKUMARU, Toshihiko TAKEUCHI, Tsutomu MURAKAWA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Tomoaki MORIWAKA
  • Patent number: 11282964
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a conductor, a first insulator in contact with a side surface of the conductor, a second insulator in contact with a top surface of the conductor and a top surface of the first insulator, and an oxide over the second insulator. The oxide includes a region that overlaps with the conductor with the second insulator interposed therebetween. The maximum height of a roughness curve (Rz) of the top surface of the conductor is 6.0 nm or smaller. The region includes crystals, and c-axes of the crystals are aligned in the normal direction of the top surface of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hiromi Sawai, Ryo Tokumaru, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Tsutomu Murakawa, Sho Nagamatsu, Tomoaki Moriwaka
  • Patent number: 11211500
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a high on-state current is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulator, a first oxide over the first insulator, a second oxide over the first oxide, a first conductor and a second conductor over the second oxide, a third oxide over the second oxide, a second insulator over the third oxide, a third conductor that is located over the second insulator and overlaps with the third oxide, a third insulator that is located over the first insulator and in contact with a side surface of the first oxide, a side surface of the second oxide, a side surface of the first conductor, a top surface of the first conductor, a side surface of the second conductor, and a top surface of the second conductor, and a fourth insulator over the third conductor, the second insulator, the third oxide, and the third insulator. The fourth insulator is in contact with a top surface of each of the third conductor, the second insulator, and the third oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hiromi Sawai, Ryo Tokumaru, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Tsutomu Murakawa, Sho Nagamatsu, Tomoaki Moriwaka
  • Publication number: 20210210635
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes a conductor, a first insulator in contact with a side surface of the conductor, a second insulator in contact with a top surface of the conductor and a top surface of the first insulator, and an oxide over the second insulator. The oxide includes a region that overlaps with the conductor with the second insulator interposed therebetween. The maximum height of a roughness curve (Rz) of the top surface of the conductor is 6.0 nm or smaller. The region includes crystals, and c-axes of the crystals are aligned in the normal direction of the top surface of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hiromi SAWAI, Ryo TOKUMARU, Toshihiko TAKEUCHI, Tsutomu MURAKAWA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Tomoaki MORIWAKA
  • Publication number: 20200357923
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a high on-state current is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulator, a first oxide over the first insulator, a second oxide over the first oxide, a first conductor and a second conductor over the second oxide, a third oxide over the second oxide, a second insulator over the third oxide, a third conductor that is located over the second insulator and overlaps with the third oxide, a third insulator that is located over the first insulator and in contact with a side surface of the first oxide, a side surface of the second oxide, a side surface of the first conductor, a top surface of the first conductor, a side surface of the second conductor, and a top surface of the second conductor, and a fourth insulator over the third conductor, the second insulator, the third oxide, and the third insulator. The fourth insulator is in contact with a top surface of each of the third conductor, the second insulator, and the third oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Hiromi SAWAI, Ryo TOKUMARU, Toshihiko TAKEUCHI, Tsutomu MURAKAWA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Tomoaki MORIWAKA
  • Patent number: 10069014
    Abstract: A base insulating film is formed over a substrate. A first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the base insulating film, and then first heat treatment is performed to form a second oxide semiconductor film. Then, selective etching is performed to form a third oxide semiconductor film. An insulating film is formed over the first insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A surface of the insulating film is polished to expose a surface of the third oxide semiconductor film, so that a sidewall insulating film is formed in contact with at least a side surface of the third oxide semiconductor film. Then, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed over the sidewall insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A gate insulating film and a gate electrode are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Teruyuki Fujii, Sho Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 9536994
    Abstract: A minute transistor and the method of manufacturing the minute transistor. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are each formed in a corresponding opening formed in an insulating layer covering a semiconductor layer. The opening of the source electrode layer and the opening of the drain electrode layer are formed separately in two distinct steps. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed by depositing a conductive layer over the insulating layer and in the openings, and subsequently removing the part located over the insulating layer by polishing. This manufacturing method allows for the source electrode later and the drain electrode layer to be formed close to each other and close to a channel forming region of the semiconductor layer. Such a structure leads to a transistor having high electrical characteristics and a high manufacturing yield even in the case of a minute structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Saito, Atsuo Isobe, Kazuya Hanaoka, Sho Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 9276091
    Abstract: A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics is provided. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has excellent on-state characteristics is also provided. A semiconductor device in which an oxide semiconductor film having low resistance is formed and the resistance of a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film is increased. Note that an oxide semiconductor film is subjected to a process for reducing the resistance to have low resistance. The process for reducing the resistance of the oxide semiconductor film may be a laser process or heat treatment at a temperature higher than or equal to 450° C. and lower than or equal to 740° C., for example. A process for increasing the resistance of the channel region of the oxide semiconductor film having low resistance may be performed by plasma oxidation or implantation of oxygen ions, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suguru Hondo, Akihisa Shimomura, Masaki Koyama, Motomu Kurata, Kazuya Hanaoka, Sho Nagamatsu, Kosei Nei, Toru Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20160035865
    Abstract: A first conductor is formed over a substrate. A first insulator is formed over the first conductor. A second insulator including aluminum oxide is formed over the first insulator. A third insulator is formed in contact with a top surface of the second insulator. A first opening portion reaching the first conductor is provided in the first to third insulators. A second conductor is formed over the third insulator and in the first opening portion. A third conductor is formed in the first opening portion by removing part of the second conductor over the third insulator so that a surface of the third conductor is parallel to a bottom surface of the substrate. A first transistor including an oxide semiconductor is formed over the third insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Sho NAGAMATSU, Tomoaki MORIWAKA
  • Publication number: 20150221754
    Abstract: A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics is provided. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has excellent on-state characteristics is also provided. A semiconductor device in which an oxide semiconductor film having low resistance is formed and the resistance of a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film is increased. Note that an oxide semiconductor film is subjected to a process for reducing the resistance to have low resistance. The process for reducing the resistance of the oxide semiconductor film may be a laser process or heat treatment at a temperature higher than or equal to 450° C. and lower than or equal to 740° C., for example. A process for increasing the resistance of the channel region of the oxide semiconductor film having low resistance may be performed by plasma oxidation or implantation of oxygen ions, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Suguru HONDO, Akihisa SHIMOMURA, Masaki KOYAMA, Motomu KURATA, Kazuya HANAOKA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Kosei NEI, Toru HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 9048265
    Abstract: A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics is provided. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has excellent on-state characteristics is also provided. A semiconductor device in which an oxide semiconductor film having low resistance is formed and the resistance of a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film is increased. Note that an oxide semiconductor film is subjected to a process for reducing the resistance to have low resistance. The process for reducing the resistance of the oxide semiconductor film may be a laser process or heat treatment at a temperature higher than or equal to 450° C. and lower than or equal to 740° C., for example. A process for increasing the resistance of the channel region of the oxide semiconductor film having low resistance may be performed by plasma oxidation or implantation of oxygen ions, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Hondo, Akihisa Shimomura, Masaki Koyama, Motomu Kurata, Kazuya Hanaoka, Sho Nagamatsu, Kosei Nei, Toru Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20150008430
    Abstract: A base insulating film is formed over a substrate. A first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the base insulating film, and then first heat treatment is performed to form a second oxide semiconductor film. Then, selective etching is performed to form a third oxide semiconductor film. An insulating film is formed over the first insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A surface of the insulating film is polished to expose a surface of the third oxide semiconductor film, so that a sidewall insulating film is formed in contact with at least a side surface of the third oxide semiconductor film. Then, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed over the sidewall insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A gate insulating film and a gate electrode are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Teruyuki FUJII, Sho NAGAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20140349444
    Abstract: A minute transistor and the method of manufacturing the minute transistor. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are each formed in a corresponding opening formed in an insulating layer covering a semiconductor layer. The opening of the source electrode layer and the opening of the drain electrode layer are formed separately in two distinct steps. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed by depositing a conductive layer over the insulating layer and in the openings, and subsequently removing the part located over the insulating layer by polishing. This manufacturing method allows for the source electrode later and the drain electrode layer to be formed close to each other and close to a channel forming region of the semiconductor layer. Such a structure leads to a transistor having high electrical characteristics and a high manufacturing yield even in the case of a minute structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Toshihiko SAITO, Atsuo ISOBE, Kazuya HANAOKA, Sho NAGAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8865555
    Abstract: A base insulating film is formed over a substrate. A first oxide semiconductor film is formed over the base insulating film, and then first heat treatment is performed to form a second oxide semiconductor film. Then, selective etching is performed to form a third oxide semiconductor film. An insulating film is formed over the first insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A surface of the insulating film is polished to expose a surface of the third oxide semiconductor film, so that a sidewall insulating film is formed in contact with at least a side surface of the third oxide semiconductor film. Then, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed over the sidewall insulating film and the third oxide semiconductor film. A gate insulating film and a gate electrode are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Teruyuki Fujii, Sho Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 8841675
    Abstract: A minute transistor and the method of manufacturing the minute transistor. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are each formed in a corresponding opening formed in an insulating layer covering a semiconductor layer. The opening of the source electrode layer and the opening of the drain electrode layer are formed separately in two distinct steps. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed by depositing a conductive layer over the insulating layer and in the openings, and subsequently removing the part located over the insulating layer by polishing. This manufacturing method allows for the source electrode later and the drain electrode layer to be formed close to each other and close to a channel forming region of the semiconductor layer. Such a structure leads to a transistor having high electrical characteristics and a high manufacturing yield even in the case of a minute structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Saito, Atsuo Isobe, Kazuya Hanaoka, Sho Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 8664118
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device having excellent characteristics, in which a channel layer includes an oxide semiconductor with high crystallinity. In addition, a semiconductor device including a base film with improved planarity is provided. CMP treatment is performed on the base film of the transistor and plasma treatment is performed thereon after the CMP treatment, whereby the base film can have a center line average roughness Ra75 of less than 0.1 nm. The oxide semiconductor layer with high crystallinity is formed over the base film having planarity, which is obtained by the combination of the plasma treatment and the CMP treatment, thereby improving the characteristics of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishizuka, Kazuya Hanaoka, Shinya Sasagawa, Sho Nagamatsu
  • Publication number: 20130320332
    Abstract: A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has stable electric characteristics is provided. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, which has excellent on-state characteristics is also provided. A semiconductor device in which an oxide semiconductor film having low resistance is formed and the resistance of a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film is increased. Note that an oxide semiconductor film is subjected to a process for reducing the resistance to have low resistance. The process for reducing the resistance of the oxide semiconductor film may be a laser process or heat treatment at a temperature higher than or equal to 450° C. and lower than or equal to 740° C., for example. A process for increasing the resistance of the channel region of the oxide semiconductor film having low resistance may be performed by plasma oxidation or implantation of oxygen ions, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru HONDO, Akihisa SHIMOMURA, Masaki KOYAMA, Motomu KURATA, Kazuya HANAOKA, Sho NAGAMATSU, Kosei NEI, Toru HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20130075733
    Abstract: A minute transistor and the method of manufacturing the minute transistor. A source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are each formed in a corresponding opening formed in an insulating layer covering a semiconductor layer. The opening of the source electrode layer and the opening of the drain electrode layer are formed separately in two distinct steps. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed by depositing a conductive layer over the insulating layer and in the openings, and subsequently removing the part located over the insulating layer by polishing. This manufacturing method allows for the source electrode later and the drain electrode layer to be formed close to each other and close to a channel forming region of the semiconductor layer. Such a structure leads to a transistor having high electrical characteristics and a high manufacturing yield even in the case of a minute structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko SAITO, Atsuo ISOBE, Kazuya HANAOKA, Sho NAGAMATSU