Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a base and a tapered wall formed on the base. The wall has a midline and also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are substantially symmetrical with each other in relation to the midline. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor capacitor structure can be improved and the throughput can be increased. Also, further scaling down of semiconductor devices can be facilitated with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a base and a tapered wall formed on the base. The wall has a midline and also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are substantially symmetrical with each other in relation to the midline. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor capacitor structure can be improved and the throughput can be increased. Also, further scaling down of semiconductor devices can be facilitated with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a substrate using the Marangoni effect is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable supporting portion on which a substrate is placed. A first nozzle for supplying de-ionized water and a second nozzle for supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor are provided on the supporting portion. When the isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied to the center of the substrate at the initial stage, the amount of alcohol that reaches the substrate is controlled by a controlling portion such that the amount of the second liquid gradually increases.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of fabricating semiconductor devices, wherein an alloy layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate to form a substrate structure, which methods include using an aqueous solution diluted ammonia and peroxide mixture (APM) to perform cleaning and/or wet etching treatment steps on the substrate structure.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure using a HF vapor etching process according to some embodiments of the invention, a trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate. A buffer layer and a first insulating layer, which fill the trench, are formed. A portion of the first insulating layer is removed by performing an etching process using HF vapor, thereby removing a void existing in the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer filling the trench is formed on the etched first insulating layer. Other embodiments of the invention are described and claimed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a base and a tapered wall formed on the base. The wall has a midline and also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall are substantially symmetrical with each other in relation to the midline. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor capacitor structure can be improved and the throughput can be increased. Also, further scaling down of semiconductor devices can be facilitated with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a polysilicon layer as an etching mask includes: (a) forming an interlayer dielectric over a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a polysilicon layer pattern over the interlayer dielectric; (c) forming a contact hole in the interlayer dielectric by etching the interlayer dielectric using the polysilicon layer pattern as an etching mask; (d) removing the polysilicon layer pattern by an etching process that has a large etching selectivity of the polisilicon layer with respect to the interlayer dielectric and about 3% or less etching uniformity; and (e) forming a contact by filling the contact hole with a conductive material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of forming a contact to a capacitor in a semiconductor device. A metal silicide layer is formed at a top surface of a conductive plug of the semiconductor device that is coupled to a bottom electrode of the capacitor to provide an ohmic contact therebetween. Forming a metal silicide layer may include exposing a surface of the conductive plug, depositing a metal layer of the bottom electrode on the exposed surface of the conductive plug and thermally processing the semiconductor device to react a part of the deposited metal layer and the conductive plug to form the metal silicide layer. Methods of forming a semiconductor device including a capacitor having a metal silicide layer connecting a bottom electrode of the capacitor and a conductive plug are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a storage electrode of a capacitor is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a contact hole perforating through an interlayer dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive plug to fill the contact hole and expose the surface of the interlayer dielectric layer; forming molds on the interlayer dielectric layer to expose the surface of the conductive plug; recessing the upper surface of the conductive plug to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the interlayer dielectric layer; forming an electrode layer to cover the recessed conductive plug, and the sidewalls of the interlayer dielectric layer and the molds; and removing upper surfaces of the electrode layer to make a storage electrode until molds are exposed.

Abstract: A cleanling apparatus for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate includes two parts: one which produces an aerosol including frozen particles and directs the aerosol onto the surface of the substrate to remove contaminants from the surface by physical force, and another part in which a fluid including a gaseous reactant is directed onto the surface of the substrate while the surface is irradiated to cause a chemical reaction between the reactant and organic contaminants on the surface, to chemically removing the organic contaminants. In the method of cleaning the substrate, the physical and chemical cleaning processes are carried out in a separate manner from one another so that the frozen particles of the aerosol are not exposed to the effects of the light used in irradiating the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the effectiveness of the aerosol in cleaning the substrate is maximized.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate includes two parts: one which produces an aerosol including frozen particles and directs the aerosol onto the surface of the substrate to remove contaminants from the surface by physical force, and another part in which a fluid including a gaseous reactant is directed onto the surface of the substrate while the surface is irradiated to cause a chemical reaction between the reactant and organic contaminants on the surface, to chemically removing the organic contaminants. In the method of cleaning the substrate, the physical and chemical cleaning processes are carried out in a separate manner from one another so that the frozen particles of the aerosol are not exposed to the effects of the light used in irradiating the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the effectiveness of the aerosol in cleaning the substrate is maximized.

Abstract: A wet process performed in the manufacture of semiconductor devices with cathode water and anode water produced from electrolyte using a 3-cell electrolyzer having an intermediate cell for the electrolyte. The 3-cell electrolyzer includes an anode cell, a cathode cell, and an intermediate cell between the anode and cathode cells, which are partitioned by ion exchange membranes. Deionized water is supplied into the anode and cathode cells, and the intermediate cell is filled with an electrolytic aqueous solution to perform electrolysis. The anode water containing oxidative substances or the cathode water containing reductive substances, which are produced by the electrolysis process, are used in the wet process.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate includes two parts: one which produces an aerosol including frozen particles and directs the aerosol onto the surface of the substrate to remove contaminants from the surface by physical force, and another part in which a fluid including a gaseous reactant is directed onto the surface of the substrate while the surface is irradiated to cause a chemical reaction between the reactant and organic contaminants on the surface, to chemically removing the organic contaminants. In the method of cleaning the substrate, the physical and chemical cleaning processes are carried out in a separate manner from one another so that the frozen particles of the aerosol are not exposed to the effects of the light used in irradiating the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the effectiveness of the aerosol in cleaning the substrate is maximized.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a storage electrode of a capacitor is provided. The method includes the steps of: forming a contact hole perforating through an interlayer dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a conductive plug to fill the contact hole and expose the surface of the interlayer dielectric layer; forming molds on the interlayer dielectric layer to expose the surface of the conductive plug; recessing the upper surface of the conductive plug to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the interlayer dielectric layer; forming an electrode layer to cover the recessed conductive plug, and the sidewalls of the interlayer dielectric layer and the molds; and removing upper surfaces of the electrode layer to make a storage electrode until molds are exposed.

Abstract: A wet process performed in the manufacture of semiconductor devices with cathode water and anode water produced from electrolyte using a 3-cell electrolyzer having an intermediate cell for the electrolyte. The 3-cell electrolyzer includes an anode cell, a cathode cell, and an intermediate cell between the anode and cathode cells, which are partitioned by ion exchange membranes. Deionized water is supplied into the anode and cathode cells, and the intermediate cell is filled with an electrolytic aqueous solution to perform electrolysis. The anode water containing oxidative substances or the cathode water containing reductive substances, which are produced by the electrolysis process, are used in the wet process.