Patents by Inventor Toshinori Imai

Toshinori Imai 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: 20080233736
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20080203531
    Abstract: In this invention, the film thicknesses of an upper barrier film of a lower electrode of a capacitive element and an upper barrier film of a metallic interconnect layer formed in the same layer as this is made thicker than the film thicknesses of upper barrier films of other metallic interconnect layers. Moreover, in this invention, the film thickness of the upper barrier film of the lower electrode of the capacitive element is controlled to be 110 nm or more, more preferably, 160 nm or more. A decrease in the dielectric voltage of the capacitive dielectric film due to cracks in the upper barrier film does not occur and the deposition temperature of the capacitive dielectric film can be made higher, so that a semiconductor device having a MIM capacitor with high performance and high capacitance can be achieved, where the dielectric voltage of the capacitive dielectric film is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Hiroshi Ashihara, Akira Ootaguro, Yoshihiro Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20080042282
    Abstract: A barrier layer and a copper film are successively formed on a silicon oxide film including a groove for wiring in the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, both formed on a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the barrier layer and the copper film are removed from outside of the groove for wiring, thereby forming a wiring. Tungsten is selectively or preferentially grown on the wiring to selectively form a tungsten film on the wiring. After the formation of the copper film, a treatment with hydrogen may be performed. After the formation of the wiring, the semiconductor substrate may be cleaned with a cleaning solution capable of removing a foreign matter or a contaminant metal. After the formation of the wiring, a treatment with hydrogen is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki SAITO, Naohumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20080020540
    Abstract: The present invention provides an MIM capacitor using a high-k dielectric film preventing degradation of breakdown field strength of the MIM capacitor and suppressing the increase of the leakage current. The MIM capacitor comprises a first metal interconnect, a fabricated capacitance film, a fabricated upper electrode, and a third metal interconnect. The MIM capacitor is realized by forming an interlayer dielectric film comprising silicon oxide so as to cover the first metal interconnect, then forming a first opening in the interlayer dielectric film to a region corresponding to a via hole layer in the interlayer dielectric film just above the first metal interconnect so as not to expose the upper surface of the first metal interconnect, then forming a second opening to the inside of the first opening so as to expose the surface of the first metal interconnect and then forming a capacitance film and a third metal interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Kenichi TAKEDA, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Toshinori Imai
  • Patent number: 7321171
    Abstract: A barrier layer and a copper film are successively formed on a silicon oxide film including a groove for wiring in the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, both formed on a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the barrier layer and the copper film are removed from outside of the groove for wiring, thereby forming a wiring. Tungsten is selectively or preferentially grown on the wiring to selectively form a tungsten film on the wiring. After the formation of the copper film, a treatment with hydrogen may be performed. After the formation of the wiring, the semiconductor substrate may be cleaned with a cleaning solution capable of removing a foreign matter or a contaminant metal. After the formation of the wiring, a treatment with hydrogen is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naohumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20060289917
    Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of reducing parasitic capacitance of a capacitor while reducing the space occupied by the capacitor. A stacked structure is obtained by forming, over a capacitor composed of a lower electrode, a capacitor insulating film and an intermediate electrode, another capacitor composed of the intermediate electrode, another capacitor insulating film and an upper electrode. Since the intermediate electrode has a step difference, each of the distance between the intermediate electrode and lower electrode and the distance between the intermediate electrode and upper electrode in a region other than the capacitor formation region becomes greater than that in the capacitor formation region. For example, the lower electrode is brought into direct contact with the capacitor insulating film in the capacitor formation region, while the lower electrode is not brought into direct contact with the capacitor insulating film in the region other than the capacitor formation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Toshinori Imai, Takeshi Saikawa, Yoshihiro Kawasaki, Mitsuhiro Toya, Shunji Mori, Yoshiyuki Okabe
  • Publication number: 20060141792
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). method, a process for manufacturing. a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7053487
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has first interlayer insulating film having a wiring trench; a wiring portion having a first barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the wiring trench, a first conductor layer formed over the first barrier metal layer to embed the wiring trench, and a capping barrier metal film formed over the first conductor layer; second interlayer insulating film formed over the first interlayer insulating film and having a connecting hole; and a connecting portion having a second barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the connecting hole, and a second conductor layer formed over the second barrier metal layer to embed the connecting hole; wherein, at a joint between the connecting portion and wiring portion, at least one of the second barrier metal layer and capping barrier metal film on the bottom surface of the connecting hole is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: RenesasTechnology Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Patent number: 6982200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which has reliable buried interconnects (wirings) and a reliable MIM capacitor. An interconnect and a capacitor bottom electrode are formed inside a hole made in six insulation films. Then a barrier insulation film is formed on the uppermost film (of the above six insulation films) including the interconnect and the top face of the bottom electrode. After two insulation films are formed above the barrier insulation film, a hole is made in the two insulation films and a capacitor top electrode is buried in that hole. The barrier insulation film also functions as a capacity insulation film for the capacitor. Then, after three other insulation films are formed on the upper film (of the above two insulation films) including the top face of the top electrode, a hole is made in the barrier insulation film, the two insulation films, and the three other insulation films, and another interconnect is buried in that hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20050212082
    Abstract: An MIM capacitor using a high-permittivity dielectric film such as tantalum oxide. The MIM capacitor includes an upper electrode, a dielectric film, and a lower electrode. A second dielectric film and the dielectric film are formed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, at the end of the MIM capacitor. The second dielectric film is formed to have an opening at the top of the lower electrode. The dielectric film abuts the lower electrode via the opening. The upper electrode is formed on the dielectric film. The upper electrode and the dielectric film are formed in such a manner as to embrace the opening entirely, and the second dielectric film and the lower electrode are formed so that the respective widths are the same as, or greater than, the widths of the upper electrode and the dielectric film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Kenichi Takeda, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Ishikawa, Toshiyuki Mine, Makoto Miura
  • Patent number: 6908847
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has first interlayer insulating film having a wiring trench; a wiring portion having a first barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the wiring trench, a first conductor layer formed over the first barrier metal layer to embed the wiring trench, and a capping barrier metal film formed over the first conductor layer; second interlayer insulating film formed over the first interlayer insulating film and having a connecting hole; and a connecting portion having a second barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the connecting hole, and a second conductor layer formed over the second barrier metal layer to embed the connecting hole; wherein, at a joint between the connecting portion and wiring portion, at least one of the second barrier metal layer and capping barrier metal film on the bottom surface of the connecting hole is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20050095844
    Abstract: A barrier layer and a copper film are successively formed on a silicon oxide film including a groove for wiring in the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, both formed on a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the barrier layer and the copper film are removed from outside of the groove for wiring, thereby forming a wiring. Tungsten is selectively or preferentially grown on the wiring to selectively form a tungsten film on the wiring. After the formation of the copper film, a treatment with hydrogen may be performed. After the formation of the wiring, the semiconductor substrate may be cleaned with a cleaning solution capable of removing a foreign matter or a contaminant metal. After the formation of the wiring, a treatment with hydrogen is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naohumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Patent number: 6855035
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for producing a substrate having a substrate surface by polishing the substrate surface, which includes a metallic wire. A polishing liquid is supplied a clearance between the substrate surface and the surface of a polishing pad. The polishing liquid includes an acid which dissolves the oxidized part of the substrate surface and is substantially free of solid abrasive powder. A relative movement is generated between the substrate surface and the polishing pad surface while the substrate surface is pressed against the polishing pad surface while the polishing liquid is supplied so that the dissolved oxidized part of the substrate surface can be removed from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai
  • Patent number: 6818546
    Abstract: A barrier layer and a copper film are successively formed on a silicon oxide film including a groove for wiring in the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, both formed on a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the barrier layer and the copper film are removed from outside of the groove for wiring, thereby forming a wiring. Tungsten is selectively or preferentially grown on the wiring to selectively form a tungsten film on the wiring. After the formation of the copper film, a treatment with hydrogen may be performed. After the formation of the wiring, the semiconductor substrate may be cleaned with a cleaning solution capable of removing a foreign matter or a contaminant metal. After the formation of the wiring, a treatment with hydrogen is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naohumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Patent number: 6800557
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20040152256
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which has reliable buried interconnects (wirings) and a reliable MIM capacitor. An interconnect and a capacitor bottom electrode are formed inside a hole made in six insulation films. Then a barrier insulation film is formed on the uppermost film (of the above six insulation films) including the interconnect and the top face of the bottom electrode. After two insulation films are formed above the barrier insulation film, a hole is made in the two insulation films and a capacitor top electrode is buried in that hole. The barrier insulation film also functions as a capacity insulation film for the capacitor. Then, after three other insulation films are formed on the upper film (of the above two insulation films) including the top face of the top electrode, a hole is made in the barrier insulation film, the two insulation films, and the three other insulation films, and another interconnect is buried in that hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20040152298
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6734104
    Abstract: Over a plug, a stopper insulating film made of an organic film is formed, followed by successive formation of an insulating film and a hard mask. In the presence of a patterned resist film, the hard mask is dry etched, whereby an interconnection groove pattern is transferred thereto. By ashing with oxygen plasma, the resist film is removed to form the interconnection-groove-pattern-transferred hard mask. At this time, the organic film constituting the stopper insulating film has been covered with the insulating film. Then, the insulating film, stopper insulating film and hard mask are removed to form the groove pattern of interconnection. Hydrogen annealing may be conducted after formation of the plug, or the stopper insulating film may be formed over the plug via an adhesion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kazusato Hara, Keisuke Funatsu, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Naohumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6696357
    Abstract: Peeling between a bonding pad and an insulating film which underlies the bonding pad is to be prevented. A laminate film constituted mainly by W which is higher in mechanical strength than a wiring layer using an Al alloy film as a main conductive layer and than a bonding pad, is formed within an aperture formed in silicon oxide films and is interposed between the wiring line and the bonding pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Tomohiro Shiraishi, Hiroshi Ashihara, Masaaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6638854
    Abstract: In order to suppress an increase of depressions, etc. to occur on a copper based alloy layer during polishing when a copper based alloy inlaid wiring is formed with the damascene method in grooves formed in an insulating film, the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer is set not less than five times faster than the etching rate for the same and the polishing rate for the insulating film is set lower than the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer when the upper metallic layer 13 to become a wiring and the lower metallic layer 12 to become a barrier are polished respectively. Thus, the object damascene wiring can be formed with less erosion on each of insulating layers and dishing on each of metallic layers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada