Patents Issued in July 6, 2004
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Patent number: 6759302Abstract: A method of forming multiple gate oxide thicknesses on active areas that are separated by STI isolation regions on a substrate. A first layer of oxide is grown to a thickness of about 50 Angstroms and selected regions are then removed. A second layer of oxide is grown that is thinner than first growth oxide. For three different gate oxide thicknesses, selected second oxide growth regions are nitridated with a N2 plasma which increases the dielectric constant of a gate oxide and reduces the effective oxide thickness. To achieve four different gate oxide thicknesses, nitridation is performed on selected first growth oxides and on selected second growth oxide regions. Nitridation of gate oxides also prevents impurity dopants from migrating across the gate oxide layer and reduces leakage of standby current. The method also reduces corner loss of STI regions caused by HF etchant.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Chia-Lin Chen, Chien-Hao Chen, Mo-Chiun Yu
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Patent number: 6759303Abstract: A method for fabricating complementary vertical bipolar junction transistors of silicon-on-sapphire in fewer steps than required for true complimentary vertical bipolar junction transistors is disclosed. Initially a thin layer of silicon is grown on a sapphire substrate. The silicon is improved using double solid phase epitaxy. The silicon is then patterned and implanted with P+-type and N+-type dopants. Subsequently a micrometer scale N-type layer is grown that acts as the intrinsic base for both an PNP transistor and as the collector for an NPN transistor. The extrinsic base for the NPN is then formed and the emitter, collector and ohmic contact regions are next selectively masked and implanted. Conductive metal is then formed between protecting oxide to complete the complementary vertical bipolar junction transistors.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Eric N. Cartagena
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Patent number: 6759304Abstract: The invention relates to a DRAM integration method that does away with the alignment margins inherent to the photoetching step of the upper electrode of the capacitance for inserting the bit line contact. The removal of the upper electrode is self-aligned on the lower electrode of the capacitance. This is accomplished by forming a difference in topography at the point where the opening of the upper electrode is to be made, and depositing a non-doped polysilicon layer on the upper electrode. An implantation of dopants is performed on this layer, and the part of the non-doped layer located in the lower part of the zone showing the difference in topography is selectively etched. The remainder of the polysilicon layer and the part of the upper electrode located in the lower layer are also etched.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: STMicroelectronics SAInventors: Philippe Coronel, Marc Piazza, François Leverd
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Patent number: 6759305Abstract: A method for increasing the capacity of an integrated circuit device. The method includes the steps of defining a catalyst area on a substrate, forming a nanotube, nanowire, or nanobelt on the catalyst area, forming a first dielectric layer on the nanotube, nanowire, or nanobelt and the substrate, and forming an electrode layer on the first dielectric layer. According to above method, the capacity is substantially increased without extending the original bottom area of the capacitor electrode by using the surface area of the nanotube, nanowire, or nanobelt as the area of the capacitor electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chun-Tao Lee, Cheng-Chung Lee, Bing-Yue Tsui
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Patent number: 6759306Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a silicon dioxide layer, including: a) forming a high density plasma proximate a substrate, the plasma including silicon dioxide precursors; b) forming silicon dioxide from the precursors, the silicon dioxide being deposited over the substrate at a deposition rate; and c) while depositing, etching the deposited silicon dioxide with the plasma at an etch rate; a ratio of the deposition rate to the etch rate being at least about 4:1. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a silicon dioxide layer, including: a) forming a high density plasma proximate a substrate; b) flowing gases into the plasma, at least some of the gases forming silicon dioxide; c) depositing the silicon dioxide formed from the gases over the substrate; and d) while depositing the silicon dioxide, maintaining a temperature of the substrate at greater than or equal to about 500° C.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Sujit Sharan, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Patent number: 6759307Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus related to preventing adhesive contamination of the electrical contacts of a semiconductor device in a stacked semiconductor device package. The methods and apparatus include providing a first semiconductor device with an adhesive flow control dam located on an upper surface thereof. The dam is positioned between electrical contacts and a substrate attach site on the upper surface of the first semiconductor device. The dam is rendered of a sufficient height and shape to block applied adhesive from flowing over the electrical contacts of the first semiconductor device when a second substrate is mounted onto the upper surface of the first semiconductor device. The semiconductor device package may be encapsulated with the dam in place or with the dam removed. The adhesive flow control dam thus protects the electrical contacts of the first semiconductor device from contamination by excess adhesive, which can result in unusable electrical contacts.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Jicheng Yang
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Patent number: 6759308Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) is formed on a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate in the thin silicon layer above the insulating buried oxide layer. The channel region is lightly doped with a first impurity to increase free carrier conductivity of a first type. The source region and the drain region are heavily dopes with the first impurity. A gate and a back gate are positioned along the side of the channel region and extending from the source region and is implanted with a second semiconductor with an energy gap greater than silicon and is implanted with an impurity to increase free carrier flow of a second type.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Qi Xiang, Matthew S. Buynoski
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Patent number: 6759309Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing vertical electrical interconnects within multiple layers of substrates, where a portion of the substrate layers are glass and a portion of the substrate layers are single-crystal silicon. The methods taught herein can be used to prepare basic “units” which can be stacked and anodically bonded together to form electrically connected, multi-unit structures. The methods of the invention are particularly advantageous in the fabrication of microcolumns, and especially an array of microcolumns of the kind used in electron optics, including electron microscopes and lithography apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Harald S. Gross
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Patent number: 6759310Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a porous semiconductor having: a porous layer, with an impurity concentration on varying in the depth direction, or having a porous semiconductor containing an impurity with a content of 1×1018cm−3 or more, or provided by pore formation in an epitaxial growth layer. A method of making a semiconductor substrate; includes forming a variant impurity layer with an impurity concentration varying in the depth direction on one surface of a supporting substrate, and converting the variant impurity layer into a porous layer having a variant porosity in the depth direction. A method of making a thin-film semiconductive member; includes forming a semiconductive thin film on the supporting substrate and separating it by cleavage in the porous phase, in addition to the method for making the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Tayanaka
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Patent number: 6759311Abstract: An unsingulated semiconductor wafer is provided. Electrical interconnect elements are formed on the unsingulated wafer such that the interconnect elements are electrically connected to terminals of the semiconductor dice composing the wafer. At least a portion of the interconnect elements extend beyond the boundaries of the dice into the scribe streets separating the individual dice. Thereafter, the wafer is singulated into individual dice.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Igor Y. Khandros
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Patent number: 6759312Abstract: Non-alloyed, low resistivity contacts for semiconductors using Group III-V and Group II-VI compounds and methods of making are disclosed. Co-implantation techniques are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Wladyslaw Walukiewicz, Kin M. Yu
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Patent number: 6759313Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device using a substrate having low heat resistance, such as a class substrate, there is provided a method of efficiently carrying out crystallization of a semiconductor film and gettering treatment of a catalytic element used for the crystallization by a heating treatment in a short time without deforming the substrate. A heating treatment method of the present invention is characterized in that a light source is controlled in a pulsed manner to irradiate a semiconductor film, so that a heating treatment of the semiconductor film is efficiently carried out in a short time, and damage of the substrate due to heat is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., LTDInventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Tamae Takano, Koji Dairiki
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Patent number: 6759314Abstract: A thermal nitride film is formed as a gate insulating film on a silicon substrate, and after a gate electrode material is formed on the insulating film, it is patterned to form gate electrodes. After processing the electrodes, part of the gate insulating film other than a portion thereof which lies under the gate electrodes is removed. Further, an insulating film (a post oxidation film) is formed on side walls and upper surfaces of the stacked gate structures and the exposed main surface of the silicon substrate by use of thermal oxidation method.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Wakako Moriyama, Naoki Kai, Hiroaki Hazama, Keiki Nagai, Yuji Fukazawa, Kazuo Saki, Yoshio Ozawa, Yasumasa Suizu
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Patent number: 6759315Abstract: A method for forming a trimmed gate in a transistor comprises the steps of forming a polysilicon gate conductor on a semiconductor substrate and trimming the polysilicon portion by a film growth method chosen from among selective surface oxidation and selective surface nitridation. The trimming step may selectively compensate n-channel and p-channel devices. Also, the trimming film may optionally be removed by a method chosen from among anisotropic and isotropic etching. Further, gate conductor spacers may be formed by anisotropic etching of the grown film. The resulting transistor may comprise a trimmed polysilicon portion of a gate conductor, wherein the trimming occurred by a film growth method chosen from among selective surface oxidation and selective surface nitridation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark C. Hakey, Steven J. Holmes, David V. Horak, Paul A. Rabidoux
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Patent number: 6759316Abstract: A semiconductor device having a multilayer structure and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device according to the present invention has a semiconductor element including pad electrodes formed on the electrode area thereof, a first insulation layer formed on the circuit formation area of the semiconductor element, and a first circuit pattern formed on said first insulation layer. The first circuit pattern electrically connected to the pad electrodes. The semiconductor device of the present invention further has a second insulation layer formed on the first circuit pattern including a first through hole for exposing the first circuit pattern, and a second circuit pattern formed on the second insulation layer. The second circuit pattern is electrically connected to the pad electrodes and has a second through hole for exposing the first circuit pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Yamada
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Patent number: 6759317Abstract: An interconnection is formed on a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor element formed thereon. Next, a passivation film is formed on the semiconductor substrate including the interconnection. Further, a polyimide film, which is served as a buffer coating film, is formed on the passivation film. Further, the polyimide film is patterned. Next, the passivation film is subject to etching while the patterned polyimide film is taken as a mask. Next, a hardened layer, which is formed on the surface of the polyimide film as a result of etching, is removed through ashing process. Next, the semiconductor substrate after ashing process is cured so as to transform the polyimide film into imide.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.Inventors: Hiroshi Tobimatsu, Yuuki Kamiura, Seiji Okura, Mahito Sawada
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Patent number: 6759318Abstract: A method for a manufacturing process of micro bump pitch IC substrates uses a dielectric layer to replace the conventional solder resist, then uses CCD high precision alignment laser drill to open up the defined bump pad lands, and fills them with via plating filled metal accompanied by etching to enlarge the bump pads, and finally plates the bum pads with Sn/Pb. This can simultaneously solve the problems of insufficient strength of bump pads, limitation of printing technology and being unable to apply the solder in the conventional technologies. The method can provide a higher packaging density, higher yield rate, and provides a total solution to the next generation high density IC design.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kinsus Interconnect Technology Corp.Inventor: Chien-Wei Chang
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Patent number: 6759319Abstract: A new method of fabricating solder bumps in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. Contact pads are provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is provided overlying the contact pads. The passivation layer has openings that expose a top surface of the contact pads. A sacrificial layer is deposited overlying the passivation layer and the exposed top surface of the contact pads. The sacrificial layer is not wettable to solder. Under bump metallurgy (UBM) caps may be formed either by deposition and patterning of a UBM layer stack or by selective electroless deposition of a material such as nickel and gold. An aperture mask is formed overlying the sacrificial layer. The aperture mask has openings that expose a part of the sacrificial layer overlying the contact pads. A solder layer is printed into the openings in the aperture mask. The solder layer is reflowed to form solder bumps overlying the contact pads. The aperture mask is stripped away.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Institute of MicroelectronicsInventors: Gautham Viswanadam, Chee Chong Wong
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Patent number: 6759320Abstract: A method of forming a transistor for a semiconductor device from a semiconductor wafer comprises forming a first nitride layer over the front and back of the wafer, and forming a second nitride layer over the front and back of the wafer and over the first nitride layer. A first resist layer is formed over the front of the wafer and at least a portion of the second nitride layer over the front of the wafer is exposed. The first and second nitride layers are removed from the back of the wafer while, simultaneously, at least a portion of the exposed portion of the second nitride layer over the front of the wafer is removed. Next, a second layer of resist is formed leaving at least a portion of the first nitride layer exposed. Finally, the exposed portion of the first nitride layer is etched.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: David S. Becker
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Patent number: 6759321Abstract: A method for providing regions of substantially lower fluorine content in a fluorine containing dielectric is described incorporating exposing a region to ultraviolet radiation and annealing at an elevated temperature to remove partially disrupted fluorine from the region. The invention overcomes the problem of fluorine from a fluorine containing dielectric reacting with other materials while maintaining a bulk dielectric material of sufficiently high or original fluorine content to maintain an effective low dielectric constant in semiconductor chip wiring interconnect structures.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Katherina Babich, Alessandro Callegari, Stephen Alan Cohen, Alfred Grill, Christopher Vincent Jahnes, Vishnubhai Vitthalbhai Patel, Sampath Purushothaman, Katherine Lynn Saenger
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Patent number: 6759322Abstract: After a plurality of grooves are formed in an insulating film and in an anti-reflection film on the insulating film, a barrier metal film and a conductive film are deposited on the anti-reflection film such that each of the wiring grooves is filled therewith. Subsequently, the portions of the conductive film outside the grooves are removed by polishing and then the portions of the barrier metal film outside the wiring are removed by polishing. Thereafter, a foreign matter adhered to a surface to be polished during polishing is removed and then a surface of the anti-reflection film is polished.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Yoshida, Tetsuya Ueda, Masashi Hamanaka, Takeshi Harada
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Patent number: 6759323Abstract: A method for filling depressions in a surface of a semiconductor structure, and a semiconductor structure filled in this way. On a semiconductor structure, in depressions on the surface, in particular below the first metal structure plane, a diffusion barrier layer is deposited, preferably with the aid of plasma-enhanced vapor phase deposition, during which the ions contained in the plasma are accelerated perpendicularly to the surface, resulting in non-conformal deposition of the diffusion barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Markus Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 6759324Abstract: Structures and processes are disclosed for reducing electrical contact resistance between two metal layers. Specifically, a resistive aluminum oxide layer forms spontaneously on metal lines including aluminum, within a V-shaped contact via which is opened in an insulating layer through a mask. The mask includes an opening with a width of less than about 0.75 &mgr;m. After removing the mask, the via is treated with an RF etch. The resultant contact has a width at the bottom of less than 0.9 &mgr;m. A titanium layer of 300 Å to 400 Å is deposited into the via, with about 60 Å to 300 Å reaching the via bottom and reacted with the underlying aluminum. The reaction produces a titanium-aluminum complex (TiAlx) with a thickness of about 150 Å to 900 Å. Advantageously, this composite layer provides a low resistivity contact between the aluminum-containing layer and a subsequently deposited metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Inventors: Howard E. Rhodes, Sanh Tang
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Patent number: 6759325Abstract: Method and structures are provided for conformal lining of dual damascene structures in integrated circuits, and particularly of openings formed in porous materials. Trenches and contact vias are formed in insulating layers. The pores on the sidewalls of the trenches and vias are blocked, and then the structure is exposed to alternating chemistries to form monolayers of a desired lining material. In exemplary process flows chemical or physical vapor deposition (CVD or PVD) of a sealing layer blocks the pores due to imperfect conformality. An alternating process can also be arranged by selection of pulse separation and/or pulse duration to achieve reduced conformality relative to a self-saturating, self-limiting atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. In still another arrangement, layers with anisotropic pore structures can be sealed by selectively melting upper surfaces. Blocking is followed by a self-limiting, self-saturating atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactions without significantly filling the pores.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: ASM Microchemistry OyInventors: Ivo Raaijmakers, Pekka T. Soininen, Ernst Granneman, Suvi Haukka, Kai-Erik Elers, Marko Tuominen, Hessel Sprey, Herbert Terhorst, Menso Hendriks
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Patent number: 6759326Abstract: A touch-sensitive semiconductor chip having a physical interface to the environment, where the surface of the physical interface is coated with a fluorocarbon polymer. The polymer is highly scratch resistant and has a characteristic low dielectric constant for providing a low attenuation to electric fields. The polymer can be used instead of conventional passivation layers, thereby allowing a thin, low dielectric constant layer between the object touching the physical interface, and the capacitive sensing circuits underlying the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: Harry M. Siegel, Fred P. Lane
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Patent number: 6759327Abstract: A method is provided for processing a substrate including providing a processing gas comprising an organosilicon compound comprising a phenyl group to the processing chamber, and reacting the processing gas to deposit a low k silicon carbide barrier layer useful as a barrier layer in damascene or dual damascene applications with low k dielectric materials.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.Inventors: Li-Qun Xia, Ping Xu, Louis Yang
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Patent number: 6759328Abstract: A mask and method for contact hole exposure. First, a mask including a transparent substrate, a phase shift layer installed on the transparent substrate to define a series of patterns having contact hole areas set in array, an a plurality of metal lines installed on the phase shift layer between the adjacent contact hole areas is provided. Then, an exposure is performed by transmitting a light source, such as deep ultraviolet (UV), extreme ultraviolet, or X-ray, through the mask after the metal lines absorb high degree diffraction waves.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Nanya Technology CorporationInventor: Yuan-Hsun Wu
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Patent number: 6759329Abstract: An internal circuit structure of a semiconductor chip with array-type bonding pads. The semiconductor chip has a plurality of bonding pads located about periphery of the semiconductor chip, a plurality of signal circuit macros being positioned inside the bonding pads of the semiconductor chip, and an electro-static discharge clamping circuit ring between the signal circuit macros and the inner row of the bonding pads. The bonding pads are positioned in at least four rows along each side of the semiconductor chip, in which the four rows has an inner row, a mid-inner row, a mid-outer row, and an outer row. The inner row and the mid-inner row of the bonding pads consist of signal pads, and the outer row and the mid-outer row of the bonding pads consist of power pads and ground pads. Each of the signal circuit macros is positioned to align to the corresponding bonding pads.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Ali CorporationInventors: Wen-Lung Cheng, Hung-Cheng Huang, I-Feng Chang
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Patent number: 6759330Abstract: In a copper plating process, a seed layer is uniformly deposited over a surface, including lining a high aspect ratio trench defined by that surface. A mask layer is provided using a process that fails to deposit in the trench. In one exemplary embodiment, the failure is due to the decrease in the isotropic flux of neutrals toward the bottom of the trench. Copper is subsequently electroplated. Because the seed layer is exposed only within the trench, copper deposits only therein. The self-aligned mask prevents plating outside of the trench. A chemical-mechanical planarization step removes the mask and the seed layer extending beyond the trench, leaving a copper structure within the trench. The structure may serve as a conductive line, an interconnect, or a capacitor plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dinesh Chopra, Kevin G. Donohoe, Cem Basceri
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Patent number: 6759331Abstract: Drift in the reverse breakdown voltage of a surface zener diode is substantially reduced by forming a layer of material that includes titanium before or after the metallization steps that are used to form the first layer of metal (the metal-1 layer) or the second layer of metal (the metal-2 layer).Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Heikyung Min, Steven Kurihara, Robert Spence
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Patent number: 6759332Abstract: A method (and structure) of forming an interconnect on a semiconductor substrate, includes forming a relatively narrow first structure in a dielectric formed on a semiconductor substrate, forming a relatively wider second structure in the dielectric formed on the semiconductor substrate, forming a liner in the first and second structures such that the first structure is substantially filled and the second structure is substantially unfilled, and forming a metallization over the liner to completely fill the second structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Larry A. Nesbit
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Patent number: 6759333Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a first conductor formed inside or on the top surface of a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film formed on the top surface of said semiconductor substrate or on the top surface of said first conductor; contact holes penetrating said insulating layer to reach said first conductor; a second conductor filled inside said contact holes and electrically connected to said first conductor; and an interconnection extending across contact regions on a top surface region of said insulating layer where said contact holes are formed respectively, and having opposite sides at least one of which is in contact with said second conductor inside said contact regions.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Mutsumi Okajima
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Patent number: 6759334Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus which includes a chamber having an environment-controlled inside space, a stage disposed in the inside space of the chamber and for holding a substrate to perform a predetermined process to the substrate, a temporary storage for temporarily storing one or more substrates in a local environment being independent from the chamber inside, a robot for conveying a substrate between the stage and the temporary storage, and a controller for controlling the robot so that the substrate is stored into the temporary storage when the environment control of the chamber inside space is suspended.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6759335Abstract: An improved buried strap method in the fabrication of a DRAM integrated circuit device is described. A deep trench is etched into a substrate. A collar is formed on an upper portion of the deep trench. A buried plate is formed by doping around a lower portion of the deep trench and a capacitor dielectric layer is formed within the deep trench. The deep trench is filled with a silicon layer wherein the silicon layer forms a deep trench capacitor and covers the collar. The silicon layer is recessed below a top surface of the substrate to leave a recess. A top portion of the collar is etched away to leave a collar divot. A hemispherical grain polysilicon layer is selectively deposited into the deep trench and filling the collar divot. The HSG layer is doped in-situ or by post plasma doping. The doped hemispherical grain polysilicon layer forms a buried strap in the fabrication of a deep trench DRAM integrated circuit device.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: ProMos Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Brian Lee
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Patent number: 6759336Abstract: Methods for reducing contamination of semiconductor substrates after processing are provided. The methods include heating the processed substrate to remove absorbed chemical species from the substrate surface by thermal desorption. Thermal desorption can be performed either in-situ or ex-situ. The substrate can be heated by convection, conduction, and/or radiant heating. The substrate can also be heated by treating the surface of the processed substrate with an inert plasma during which treatment ions in the plasma bombard the substrate surface raising the temperature thereof. Thermal desorption can also be performed ex-situ by applying thermal energy to the substrate during transport of the substrate from the processing chamber and/or by transporting the substrate to a transport module (e.g., a load lock) or to a second processing chamber for heating. Thermal desorption during transport can be enhanced by purging an inert gas over the substrate surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Robert Chebi, David Hemker
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Patent number: 6759337Abstract: A process for etching oxide is disclosed wherein a reproducibly accurate and uniform amount of silicon oxide can be removed from a surface of an oxide previously formed over a semiconductor substrate by exposing the oxide to a nitrogen plasma in an etch chamber while applying an rf bias to a substrate support on which the substrate is supported in the etch chamber. The thickness of the oxide removed in a given period of time may be changed by changing the amount of rf bias applied to the substrate through the substrate support.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: LSI Logic CorporationInventors: Sheldon Aronowitz, Valeriy Sukharev, John Haywood, James P. Kimball, Helmut Puchner, Ravindra Manohar Kapre, Nicholas Eib
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Patent number: 6759338Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method for processing a wafer of a large diameter to produce a high speed semiconductor circuit at a high yield are provided. A thickness of an insulating film formed on a surface of an electrode opposing to a substrate to be processed is locally changed, an electrode is provided in the insulating film and a bypassed bias current is supplied to the electrode. An electrode is provided in an insulating film on a surface of the electrode opposing to a material adjacent to the substrate to be processed and a bypassed bias current is supplied to the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Ohmoto, Hironobu Kawahara, Ken Yoshioka, Kazue Takahashi, Saburou Kanai
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Patent number: 6759339Abstract: A method is provided which includes pulsing power applied to a microelectronic topography between a high level and a low level during a plasma etch process. In particular, the high level may be sufficient to form etch byproducts at a faster rate than a rate of removal of the etch byproducts from the reaction chamber at the high level. In contrast, the low level may be sufficient to form etch byproducts at a rate that is less than a rate of removal of the etch byproducts at the low level. In this manner, an etched topography may be formed without an accumulation of residue upon its periphery. Such a method may be particularly beneficial in an embodiment in which the etch byproducts include a plurality of nonvolatile compounds, such as in the fabrication of a magnetic junction of an MRAM device, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Silicon Magnetic SystemsInventors: Chang Ju Choi, Benjamin Schwarz
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Patent number: 6759340Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of etching a trench in silicon overlying a dielectric material which reduces or substantially eliminates notching at the base of the trench, while reducing scalloping on the sidewalls of the trench. The method comprises etching a first portion of a trench by exposing a silicon substrate, through a patterned masking layer, to a plasma generated from a fluorine-containing gas. This etching is followed by a polymer deposition step comprising exposing the substrate to a plasma generated from a gas which is capable of forming a polymer on etched silicon surfaces. The etching and polymer deposition steps are repeated for a number of cycles, depending on the desired depth of the first portion of the trench. The final portion of the trench is etched by exposing the silicon to a plasma generated from a combination of a fluorine-containing gas and a polymer-forming gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Inventors: Padmapani C. Nallan, Ajay Kumar, Anisul H. Khan, Chan-Syun David Yang
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Patent number: 6759341Abstract: To reduce the edge roll off in a semiconductor wafering process, the wafer (110) is subject to a plasma etch with an edge underetch. The edge underetch is achieved by means of a wafer holder (410) that emits gas towards the wafer (e.g. a gas vortex) to draw the wafer towards the holder's body (460). The plasma impinges on the wafer surface (110.1) opposite to the body. Some of the gas emitted by the holder wraps around the wafer edge and dilutes the etchant near the wafer edge. Consequently, the etch proceeds slower near the edge (the edge is underetched). In some embodiments, the wafer is rotated around an axis (440) passing through the wafer to increase the underetch.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Tru-Si Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chih-Yang Li
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Patent number: 6759342Abstract: A method for reducing electrical charge imbalances in a semiconductor process wafer including providing a semiconductor process wafer including a dielectric insulating layer; exposing the semiconductor process wafer to a semiconductor process whereby an electrical charge imbalance accumulates in charge imbalance portions of the dielectric insulating layer; and, treating the semiconductor process wafer with a controlled atmosphere of treatment gas including at least one of inert gas and hydrogen to reduce an accumulated charge imbalance in the charge imbalance portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., LtdInventors: Chih-Hsiang Yao, Lain-Jong Li, Bi-Troug Chen, Syun-Ming Jan
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Patent number: 6759343Abstract: An etching method for use in integrated circuit fabrication includes providing a metal nitride layer on a substrate assembly, providing regions of cobalt silicide on first portions of the metal nitride layer, and providing regions of cobalt on second portions of the metal nitride layer. The regions of cobalt and the second portions of the metal nitride layer are removed with at least one solution including a mineral acid and a peroxide. Further, the removal of the regions of cobalt and the second portions of the metal nitride layer may include a one-step process or a two-step process. In the one-step process, the regions of cobalt and the second portions of the metal nitride layer are removed with a single solution including the mineral acid and the peroxide. In the two-step process, the regions of cobalt are removed with a first solution containing a mineral acid and a peroxide and the second portions of the metal nitride layer are removed with a second solution containing a peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology , Inc.Inventors: Whonchee Lee, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Patent number: 6759344Abstract: An insulation film is formed on a semiconductor substrate by a method including the steps of: (i) introducing a source gas comprising a compound composed of at least Si, C, and H into a chamber; (ii) introducing in pulses an oxidizing gas into the chamber, wherein the source gas and the oxidizing gas form a reaction gas; and (iii) forming an insulation film on a semiconductor substrate by plasma treatment of the reaction gas. The plasma treatment may be plasma CVD processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.Inventors: Nobuo Matsuki, Yoshinori Morisada, Atsuki Fukazawa, Manabu Kato
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Patent number: 6759345Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the formation of a dielectric film on a substrate having an effective device area surrounded by a peripheral area. A resist pattern exposing part of the dielectric film in the peripheral area is formed, and the dielectric film is etched to reduce the thickness of the exposed part. After the resist pattern has been removed, the dielectric film is planarized by chemical-mechanical polishing. Good planarity is achieved because the etching step removes high parts of the dielectric film from the peripheral area. This method of achieving improved planarity is less expensive than conventional methods employing dummy devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawano
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Patent number: 6759346Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric layer includes placing a semiconductor wafer in a reaction chamber. Oxygen, hafnium and silicon sources are separately provided to the reaction chamber to react with the wafer. After each source has reacted, a monolayer or near-monolayer film is produced. Each source may also be provided to the reaction chamber a number of times to achieve a film having the desired thickness.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventor: Joong Jeon
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Patent number: 6759347Abstract: A method of reducing plasma induced damage in semiconductor devices and fluorine damage to a metal containing layer including providing a semiconductor wafer including semiconductor devices including a gate oxide and a process surface including metal lines; carrying out a first high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process to controllably produce a silicon rich oxide (SRO) layer including a relatively increased thickness at a center portion of the process surface compared to a peripheral portion of the process surface; and, carrying out a second HDP-CVD process in-situ to deposit a fluorine doped silicon dioxide layer over the SRO layer to fill a space between the metal lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., LtdInventors: Yi-Lung Cheng, Ming-Hwa Yoo, Sze-An Wu, Ying Lung Wang
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Patent number: 6759348Abstract: A method for forming a pattern includes filling a resist in a groove of a cliché corresponding to the position of the pattern to be formed, transferring the resist which is filled in the groove onto a printing roll by rotating the printing roll in a direction parallel to the longest portion lengthwise direction of a pattern formed in cliché, and applying the resist on an etching object layer by rotating the printing roll along the etching object layer on a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: So-Haeng Cho, Yong-Jin Cho, Dong-Hoon Lee
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Patent number: 6759349Abstract: A two-step chlorination/alkylation technique used to introduce alkyl groups, —CnH2n+1 (n=1-6), functionally onto single-crystal, (111)-oriented, n-type Si surfaces. H-terminated Si photoanodes were unstable under illumination in contact with an aqueous 0.35 M K4Fe(CN)6-0.05 MK3Fe(CN)6 electrolyte. Such electrodes displayed low open-circuit voltages and exhibited a pronounced time-dependent deterioration in their current density vs potential characteristics due to anodic oxidation. In contrast, Si surfaces functionalized with —CH3 and —C2H5 groups displayed significant improvements in stability while displaying excellent electrochemical properties when used as photoelectrodes in the aqueous Fe(CN)63−/4− electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Ashish Bansal
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Patent number: 6759350Abstract: An LCD panel is provided, the LCD panel having a substrate, a conductive layer positioned on the substrate, and a dielectric layer disposed on the surface of the conductive layer. First, a photoresist layer with an opening is formed on the dielectric layer. An etching process is then performed to form a contact hole along the opening. After that, a post treatment process is performed to form a protective layer to reduce damage on the conductive layer when the photoresist layer is stripped.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.Inventor: Yaw-Ming Tsai
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Patent number: 6759351Abstract: Polymer blobs that are development related defects are substantially eliminated in patterned photoresist masks by a heat treatment of the wafer performed at a development step in two different manners according to the present invention. In the first method, after the development has been performed as standard, the wafer is heated at 140° C. and before cooling takes place, it is rinsed with deionized water (DIW) at room temperature. In the second method, the wafer is either developed as standard but rinsed with 60° C. DIW instead of 22° C. DIW, or, after standard development, it is submitted to an extra rinse step with 60° C. DIW.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Caroline Boulenger