Abstract: Each of a system for qualifying a multiple die under test head and a system for qualifying the multiple die under test head employ selection of a sub-set of die arrays within a calibration standard substrate. The sub-set of die arrays is selected such as to: (1) not overlap in position within the calibration standard substrate; and (2) have in an aggregate no greater than one defective die within each of a series of die locations. The system and the method provide for accurate and efficient qualification of the multiple die under test head and thus accurate and efficient electrical test measurement of a microelectronic product.

Abstract: A new method of detecting a reticle option layer in an integrated circuit device has been achieved. The method may be applied to detect the presence of the threshold voltage implantation reticle option layer by direct die probing or by probing a pin of a package integrated circuit. The current through a first MOS transistor is measured by forcing a test voltage on the drain and the gate. The gate and the drain of the first MOS transistor are connected together while the source is connected to a reference voltage. The first MOS transistor has the standard threshold implantation but not the threshold voltage reticle option. The current through a second MOS transistor is measured by forcing the same test voltage on the drain and the gate. The gate and said drain of the second MOS transistor are connected together while the source is connected to a reference voltage. The second MOS transistor has the standard threshold voltage implantation and the threshold voltage implantation reticle option layer.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to a method of using slurry waste composition to determine the amount of metal removed during chemical mechanical polishing processes, and a system for accomplishing same. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a substrate having a metal layer formed thereabove, performing a chemical mechanical polishing process on the layer of metal in the presence of a polishing slurry, measuring at least a concentration of a material comprising the metal layer in the polishing slurry used during said polishing process after at least some of said polishing process has been performed, and determining a thickness of the layer of metal removed during the polishing process based upon at least the measured concentration of the material comprising the metal layer.

Abstract: An electronics module is assembled by demountably attaching integrated circuits to a module substrate. The module is then tested at a particular operating speed. If the module fails to operate correctly at the tested speed, the integrated circuit or circuits that caused the failure are removed and replaced with new integrated circuits, and the module is retested. Once it is determined that the module operates correctly at the tested speed, the module may be rated to operate at the tested speed and sold, or the module may be tested at a higher speed.

Abstract: A gallium nitride type semiconductor laser device includes: a substrate; and a layered structure formed on the substrate. The layered structure at least includes an active layer of a nitride type semiconductor material which is interposed between a pair of nitride type semiconductor layers each functioning as a cladding layer or a guide layer. A current is injected into a stripe region in the layered structure having a width smaller than a width of the active layer. The width of the stripe region is in a range between about 0.2 &mgr;m and about 1.8 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device comprising steps of forming a low-temperature deposited layer composed of a Group III-Group V nitride semiconductor containing at least Al onto a surface of substrate (101) at a first temperature; subjecting the low-temperature deposited layer to heat treatment at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, and converting the low-temperature deposited layer into a faceted layer (102); initially growing a GaN based semiconductor layer (103) onto a surface of the faceted layer at a third temperature; and fully growing the GaN based semiconductor layer at a fourth temperature that is lower than the third temperature. By employing the method for fabricating a nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nitride semiconductor device with high quality and high reliability.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical switch includes a substrate, an insulator layer disposed outwardly from the substrate, and an electrode disposed outwardly from the insulator layer. The switch also includes a dielectric layer disposed outwardly from the insulator layer and the electrode, the dielectric layer having a dielectric constant of greater than or equal to twenty. The switch also includes a membrane layer disposed outwardly from the dielectric layer, the membrane layer overlying a support layer, the support layer operable to space the membrane layer outwardly from the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer provided with a thermosetting porous insulating film, wherein the insulating film is made porous, cured and polymerized on the wafer. The film is characterized by a very low dielectric constant based on its constituency and porosity, the latter property of which is caused by the inclusion of liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide in the polymeric reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanotube structure which includes providing a substrate, depositing a supporting layer and an active catalyst film layer onto the substrate, and forming at least one nanotube on the surface of the substrate using a reaction chamber having a growth temperature of less than 850° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of hermetically passivating a semiconductor device includes sealing a lid directly onto a semiconductor substrate. An active device is formed on the surface of the substrate and is surrounded by a substantially planar lid sealing region, which in turn is surrounded by bonding pads. A first layer of solderable material is formed on the lid sealing region. A lid is provided which has a second layer of solderable material in a configuration corresponding to the first layer. A solder is provided between the first layer and second layer of solderable materials. In the preferred embodiment, the solder is formed over the second layer. Heat is provided to hermetically join the lid to the semiconductor device without requiring a conventional package. Preferably the first and second layers are sandwiches of conventionally known solderable materials which can be processed using conventional semiconductor techniques.

Abstract: A stress shield made of a material having a CTE similar to that of the material used in the fabrication of a microelectronic die, including but not limited silicon, molybdenum, and aluminum nitride, which abuts at least one corner and/or edge of the microelectronic die. When the stress shield is positioned to abut the microelectronic die corners and/or edges, the mechanical stresses on the microelectronic die are greatly reduced or substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissipating static electrical charge following a manufacturing operation is disclosed. A semiconductor package is provided with ground pads that are located to assure electrical contact with ejection pins used to translate the package from one position to another. Static electricity builds up on the semiconductor package. The ejection pins provide the pathway for dissipating static electrical charge out of the semiconductor package.

Abstract: In a ball grid array type semiconductor package, a semiconductor chip is mounted through an adhesive material on a surface of a flexible film substrate. Plural bump electrodes are arranged in an array on the opposite side of said substrate and the semiconductor chip is sealed by a resin. In this regard, an insulation layer is formed to cover an electric conductor layer pattern formed on the surface of the substrate, and the semiconductor chip is mounted through an adhesive material on the insulation layer. The insulation layer is divided into a plural number of parts that are mutually discontinuous in the area under the semiconductor chip. By this divided insulation layer, a short circuit between the semiconductor chip and the electric conductor layer pattern is prevented and a deformation of the substrate that comprises the flexible films is suppressed.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer of the present invention includes: a plurality of semiconductor chip areas each of which is to be a semiconductor chip; and a cut-off area for separating the plurality of semiconductor chip areas from one another so as to obtain the semiconductor chips, wherein: an integrated circuit and an electrode pad connected to the integrated circuit are provided in each of the semiconductor chip areas; and a probe pad connected to the electrode pad is provided in the cut-off area.

Abstract: A QFN semiconductor package and a fabrication method thereof are proposed, wherein a lead frame having a plurality of leads is adopted, and each lead is formed at its inner end with a protruding portion. A wire bonding region and a bump attach region are respectively defined on opposite surfaces of the protruding portion, and staggered in position. This allows a force applied from a wire bonder to the wire bonding regions not to adversely affect solder bumps implanted on the bump attach regions, so that the solder bumps can be structurally assured without cracking. Moreover, the wire bonding regions spaced apart from the bump attach regions can be prevented from being contaminated by an etching solution used in solder bump implantation, so that wire bonding quality can be well maintained.

Abstract: An array apparatus has a micromachined SOI structure, such as a MEMS array, mounted directly on a class of insulative substrate, such as low temperature co-fired ceramic or a thermal-coefficient of expansion matched glass, in which is embedded electrostatic electrodes disposed in alignment with the individual MEMS elements, where the electrostatic electrodes are configured for substantial fanout. In a specific embodiment in order to compensate for differences in thermal-expansion characteristics between SOI and ceramic, a flexible mounting is effected by means of posts, bridges and/or mechanical elements which allow uneven expansion in x and y while maintaining z-axis stability. Methods according to the invention include fabrication steps wherein electrodes are fabricated to a post-fired ceramic substrate and coupled via traces through the ceramic substrate to driver modules.

Abstract: A semiconductor card includes a printed circuit substrate upon which is mounted a card circuit including one or more semiconductor components such as dice or packages. External contacts link the card circuit to the circuit of another apparatus by removable insertion therein. The substrate is defined by a peripheral opening in a surrounding frame, which may be part of a multiframe strip. The substrate is connected to the frame by connecting segments. The card includes a first plastic casting molded to the substrate and encapsulating the semiconductor components while leaving a peripheral portion of the substrate uncovered. A second plastic casting is molded to the peripheral portion to abut the first plastic casting and form the card periphery. A method for fabricating the semiconductor card is also included.

Abstract: A method for forming a uniform layered structure comprising an ultra-thin layer of amorphous silicon and its thermal oxide is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for forming a nanolaminate of silicon oxide on a substrate is disclosed. In another aspect, a method for forming a patterned hard mask on a substrate is disclosed. The patterned hard mask includes a nanolaminate of silicon and silicon oxide. The methods are characterized by the oxidation of an amorphous silicon layer using atomic oxygen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a FinFET device includes forming a fin structure on an insulating layer. The fin structure includes a conductive fin. The method also includes forming source/drain regions and forming a dummy gate over the fin. The dummy gate may be removed and the width of the fin in the channel region may be reduced. The method further includes depositing a gate material to replace the removed dummy gate.

Abstract: A method for making a transistor device includes embossing to separate parts of a layer of electrically-conducting material, thereby separating a source and a drain. The gap between the source and the drain is filled with a semiconductor material, and the source and drain are operatively coupled to a gate to make a transistor. The electrically-conducting material and the semiconductor material may be deposited using printing processes, and the various steps in the method of making the device may be performed in one or more row-to-row operations.

Abstract: Island-like semiconductor films and markers are formed prior to laser irradiation. Markers are used as positional references so as not to perform laser irradiation all over the semiconductor within a substrate surface, but to perform a minimum crystallization on at least indispensable portion. Since the time required for laser crystallization can be reduced, it is possible to increase the substrate processing speed. By applying the above-described constitution to a conventional SLS method, a means for solving such problem in the conventional SLS method that the substrate processing efficiency is insufficient, is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film transistor on a transparent plate. A silicon layer having an active area is provided. A first ion implantation is performed to form a deeper doped region in the silicon layer. A second ion implantation is performed to form a shallower doped region in part of the silicon layer. A transistor structure is formed on the silicon layer located at the active area. A glass plate is formed on the transistor structure. An annealing process whose temperature is about 200° C.˜600° C. is performed to peel the silicon layer from the deeper doped region and the shallower doped region, and to form a silicon thin film adhered to the transistor structure. Thus, the silicon thin film transistor can be formed on the glass plate without a high temperature process.

Abstract: A method of producing nitride based heterostructure devices by using a quaternary layer comprised of AlInGaN. The quaternary layer may be used in conjunction with a ternary layer in varying thicknesses and compositions that independently adjust polarization charges and band offsets for device structure optimization by using strain compensation profiles. The profiles can be adjusted by altering profiles of molar fractions of In and Al.

Abstract: Methods of forming vertical MOSFETs include forming a base region of second conductivity type in a semiconductor substrate having a drift region of first conductivity type therein that forms a P-N junction with the base region. A source region of first conductivity type is formed in the base region and a deep trench, having a first sidewall that extends adjacent the base region, is formed in the substrate. The deep trench is lined with a first electrically insulating layer. The deep trench is then refilled with a trench-based source electrode. The trench-based source electrode is selectively etched to define a shallow trench therein and expose a first portion of the first electrically insulating layer that extends on the first sidewall of the deep trench. The first portion of the first electrically insulating layer is selectively etched to expose an upper portion of the first sidewall of the deep trench and reveal the base region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the threshold voltage of a first transistor is adjusted by implanting a dopant through a mask (e.g., photoresist material). The thickness of the mask may be varied to obtain a particular threshold voltage. The mask may be formed such that it covers a first transistor region where the first transistor is to be fabricated, while leaving a second transistor region exposed. This allows an implant step to adjust the threshold voltage of the first transistor and to form a well in the second transistor region.

Abstract: A differential varactor is physically defined in a CMOS process using a using the diffusion mask of a polycide gate rather than a P (+) mask, as is commonly used. The differential CMOS varactor may be used in a a phase locked loop (PLL) of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to enable a transceiver to communicate at OC-3/STM-1 data rates using SONET/SDH signaling formats.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit for multi-voltage operation having built-in electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is described, comprising a drain extended nMOS transistor and a pnpn silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) merged with the transistor so that a dual npn structure is created and both the source of the transistor and the cathode of the SCR are connected to electrical ground potential, forming a dual cathode, whereby the ESD protection is enhanced. The rectifier has a diffusion region, forming an abrupt junction, resistively coupled to the drain, whereby the electrical breakdown-to-substrate of the SCR can be triggered prior to the breakdown of the nMOS transistor drain. The SCR has anode and cathode regions spaced apart by semiconductor surface regions and insulating layers positioned over the surface regions with a thickness suitable for high voltage operation and ESD protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing loading capacitance.

Abstract: An elevated phase-change memory cell facilitates manufacture of phase-change memories by physically separating the fabrication of the phase-change memory components from the rest of the semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, a contact in the substrate may be electrically coupled to a cup-shaped conductor filled with an insulator. The conductor couples current up to the elevated pore while the insulator thermally and electrically isolates the pore.

Abstract: A method for use in the fabrication of integrated circuits includes providing a substrate assembly having a surface. An adhesion layer is formed over at least a portion of the surface. The adhesion layer is formed of RuSixOy, where x and y are in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The adhesion layer may be formed by depositing RuSixOy by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or physical vapor deposition or the adhesion layer may be formed by forming a layer of ruthenium or ruthenium oxide over a silicon-containing region and performing an anneal to form RuSixOy from the layer of ruthenium and silicon from the adjacent silicon-containing region. Capacitor electrodes, interconnects or other structures may be formed with such an adhesion layer. Semiconductor structures and devices can be formed to include adhesion layers formed of RuSixOy.

Abstract: Sputter etching of silicon oxide films is performed with an etching gas such as C4F8. Since a silicon nitride film is little etched at this time, when the etching is performed under a condition of sufficient overetching for the silicon oxide films, the silicon nitride film serves as an etching stopper, and the silicon oxide film on a platinum film and the silicon oxide film other than a portion below the platinum film are completely removed and the silicon oxide film remains only below the platinum film, to form a protrusion of a layer consisting of the silicon oxide film and the platinum film from a surface of the silicon nitride film. Thus, in patterning, a capacitor lower electrode by chemical etching, a nonuniform etching caused by temperature distribution on a substrate or among a plurality of substrates can be solved.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically operated memory element. The memory element having a contact in electrical communication with a memory material programmable to at least a first resistance state and a second resistance state. Preferably, the contact includes at least a first region having a first resistivity and a second region having a second resistivity greater than the first resistivity where the more resistive region is adjacent to the memory material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of fabricating a semiconductor device, including steps of providing a semiconductor wafer; depositing on the semiconductor wafer at least one layer comprising a high-K dielectric material layer; and subsequently removing a selected portion of the at least one layer comprising a high-K dielectric material by implanting ions into the selected portion, and removing the selected portion by etching. As a result of the implantation, the etch rate of the selected portion is increased relative to an etch rate without the implanting.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for forming a hydrogen barrier layer capable of protecting a bottom structure from damages occurring due to hydrogen produced during a semiconductor device fabrication. The method includes the steps of: forming a hafnium vanadium oxide (HfVOx) layer on a substrate structure providing a predetermined semiconductor device structure, the HfVOx layer being used as a hydrogen diffusion barrier layer; and forming an insulation layer on the HfVOx layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an X-ray detector array element. A gate and a gate insulation layer are formed on a substrate. A silicon island is formed on the insulation layer in a transistor area. A common line is formed on the insulation layer, simultaneously; source and drain are formed on the island to form a TFT. A bottom electrode is formed on the insulation layer in a capacitor area and covers the common line. A passivation layer is formed on the insulation layer, the bottom electrode and the TFT. A first via hole penetrates the passivation layer to expose the source. A planarization layer is formed on the passivation layer and fills the first via hole. Second and third via holes penetrate the planarization layer. The second via hole exposes the source. The third via hole exposes part of the passivation layer. A top electrode is formed on the planarization layer and connects the source.

Abstract: A memory cell for a memory array in a folded bit line configuration. The memory cell includes an access transistor formed in a pillar of single crystal semiconductor material. The access transistor has first and second source/drain regions and a body region that are vertically aligned. The access transistor further includes a gate coupled to a wordline disposed adjacent to the body region. The memory cell also includes a passing wordline that is separated from the gate by an insulator for coupling to other memory cells adjacent to the memory cell. The memory cell also includes a trench capacitor. The trench capacitor includes a first plate that is formed integral with the first source/drain region of the access transistor. The trench capacitor also includes a second plate that is disposed adjacent to the first plate and separated from the first plate by a gate oxide.

Abstract: Described is a semiconductor device having a silicon oxide (SiO2) film into which nitrogen atoms, in a range between approximately 2×1020 atoms/cm3 or more and 2×1021 atoms/cm3 or less, are introduced, used as an insulator film in the semiconductor device. For example, the device can be a nonvolatile memory device, and the silicon oxide film can be used as an insulator film between, e.g., a floating gate electrode and control gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory device. Stable operations and a retention capability of a nonvolatile memory device are obtained even if the nonvolatile memory device is scaled. Moreover, a programming voltage can be lowered. Also described are methods of fabricating the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method for forming a patterned target layer from a blanket target layer employs a pair of blanket hard mask layers laminated upon the blanket target layer. A patterned third mask layer is formed thereover. The method also employs four separate etch steps. One etch step is an anisotropic etch step for forming a patterned upper lying hard mask layer from the blanket upper lying hard mask layer. The patterned upper lying hard mask layer is then isotropically etched in a second etch step to form an isotropically etched patterned upper lying hard mask layer. The method is particularly useful for forming gate electrodes of diminished linewidths and enhanced dimensional control within semiconductor products.

Abstract: A device structure and method for a non-volatile semiconductor device comprises a trenched floating gate and a control gate and further includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, and an inter-gate dielectric layer. The trenched floating gate is formed in a trench etched into the semiconductor substrate. The trenched floating gate has a top surface which is substantially planar with a top surface of the substrate. The source and drain region have a depth approximately equal to or greater than the depth of the trench and partially extend laterally underneath the bottom of the trench. The inter-gate dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the trenched floating gate, and the control gate is formed on the inter-gate dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the device structure also includes sidewall dopings that are implanted regions formed in the semiconductor substrate which extend substantially vertically along the length of the trench.

Abstract: A scalable flash EEPROM cell having a semiconductor substrate with a drain and a source and a channel therebetween. A select gate is positioned over a portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. A floating gate is a spacer having a bottom surface positioned over a second portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. The floating gate has two side surfaces extending from the bottom surface. A control gate is over the floating gate and includes a first portion that is adjacent the floating gate first side surface, and a second portion adjacent the floating gate second side surface.

Abstract: A trench MOSFET is formed in a structure which includes a P-type epitaxial layer overlying an N+ substrate. A trench is formed in the epitaxial layer. A deep implanted N layer is formed below the trench at the interface between the substrate and the epitaxial layer, and N-type dopant is implant through the bottom of the trench to form an N region in the epitaxial layer below the trench but above and separated from the deep N layer. The structure is heated to cause the N layer to diffuse upward and the N region to diffuse downward. The diffusions merge to form a continuous N-type drain-drift region extending from the bottom of the trench to the substrate. Alternatively, the drain-drift region may be formed by implanting N-type dopant through the bottom of the trench at different energies, creating a stack of N-type regions that extend from the bottom of the trench to the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of constructing silicon carbide semiconductor devices in a self-aligned manner. According to one aspect of the invention, the method may include forming a mesa structure in a multi-layer laminate including at least a first and second layer of silicon carbide material. The mesa structure may then be utilized in combination with at least one planarization step to construct devices in a self-aligned manner. According to another aspect of the present invention, the mesa structure may be formed subsequent to an ion implantation and anneal steps to construct devices in a self-aligned manner. According to another aspect of the present invention, a high temperature mask capable of withstanding the high temperatures of the anneal process may be utilized to form devices in a self-aligned manner.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an upper, tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer and a lower, unstressed semiconductor layer; and (b) forming at least one MOS transistor on or within the tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer, wherein the forming comprises a step of regulating the drive current of the at least one MOS transistor by adjusting the thickness of the tensilely strained lattice semiconductor layer. Embodiments include CMOS devices formed in substrates including a strained Si layer lattice-matched to a graded composition Si—Ge layer, wherein the thickness of the strained Si layer of each of the PMOS and NMOS transistors is adjusted to provide each transistor type with maximum drive current.

Abstract: Structure and fabrication method of a lateral MOS transistor, positioned on the surface of an integrated circuit fabricated in a semiconductor of a first conductivity type, comprising a source and a drain, each having at the surface a region of the opposite conductivity type extending to the centrally located gate, defining the active area of said transistor; and a semiconductor region within said semiconductor of the first conductivity type, having a resistivity higher than the remainder of the semiconductor, this region extending vertically below the transistor while laterally limited to the area of the transistor such that the resistivity under the gate is different from the resistivity under the source and drain regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The structure of a semiconductor device includes gate electrodes having a T-shaped structure comprised of first and second gate electrodes having low gate resistance and low parasitic capacitance and a halo ion-implanted region in which a short channel effect can be effectively suppressed. The method for manufacturing the device is capable of performing high angle ion implantation without extending gate-to-gate space.

Abstract: Within a method for forming a spacer layer from a second layer formed of a second material laminated upon a first layer formed of a first material, in turn formed over a topographic feature, there is employed a three step etch method. The three step etch method employs: (1) a first etch method having a first enhanced etch selectivity for the second material with respect to the first material; (2) a second etch method having a second substantially neutral etch selectivity for the second material with respect to the first material; and (3) a third etch method having a third enhanced etch selectivity for the first material with respect to the second material. In accord with the three step etch method, the spacer layer is fabricated with enhanced dimensional control.

Abstract: The formation of metal silicides in silicon nitride spacers on a gate electrode causes bridging between a gate electrode and the source and drain regions of a semiconductor device. The bridging is prevented by forming a thin layer of silicon oxide on the silicon nitride spacers prior to forming the metal silicide layers on the device.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a heterojunction bipolar transistor comprises a base having a top surface. The heterojunction bipolar transistor further comprises a first spacer and a second spacer situated on the top surface of the base. The heterojunction bipolar transistor further comprises an intermediate oxide layer situated on the first and second oxide spacers. The heterojunction bipolar transistor further comprises an amorphous layer situated on the intermediate oxide layer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor further comprises an antireflective coating layer on the amorphous layer. The heterojunction bipolar transistor further comprises an emitter window opening situated between the first and second spacers, where the emitter window opening is defined by the top surface of the base, the first and second spacers, the intermediate oxide layer, the amorphous layer, and the antireflective coating layer.

Abstract: A process for forming a high dielectric constant, (High K), layer, for a metal-oxide-metal, capacitor structure, featuring localized oxidation of an underlying metal layer, performed at a temperature higher than the temperature experienced by surrounding structures, has been developed. A first iteration of this process features the use of a laser ablation procedure, performed to a local region of an underlying metal layer, in an oxidizing ambient. The laser ablation procedure creates the desired, high temperature, only at the laser spot, allowing a high K layer to be created at this temperature, while the surrounding structures on a semiconductor substrate, not directly exposed to the laser ablation procedure remain at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A metal-insulator metal (MIM) capacitor structure has a copper layer within a dielectric layer positioned on a substrate, an alloy layer atop the copper layer, a metal oxide layer atop the alloy layer and a top pad layer atop the metal oxide layer.