Patents Issued in September 14, 2004
  • Patent number: 6790718
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capable of electrically writing and erasing data has a plurality of cell transistors for storing data, each of the cell transistors having a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode, and a plurality of select transistors for controlling and selecting the cell transistors. Before the control gate electrodes of the cell transistors are formed, the surface of a substrate directly above channel regions of the select transistors fabricated in the same process as the cell transistors is exposed, and gate insulating films of the select transistors are formed on the exposed surface of the substrate. The control gate electrodes of the cell transistors are formed, and gate electrodes of the select transistors are formed on the gate insulating films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6790719
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a P channel gate stack comprising a first metal type and a second metal type over the first metal type and an N channel gate stack comprising the second metal type in direct contact with the a gate dielectric. The N channel gate stack and a portion of the P channel gate stack are etched by a dry etch. The etch of P channel gate stack is completed with a wet etch. The wet etch is very selective to the gate dielectric and to the second metal type so that the N channel transistor is not adversely effected by completing the etch of the P channel gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Olubunmi O. Adetutu, Eric D. Luckowski, Srikanth B. Samavedam, Arturo M. Martinez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6790720
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a MOSFET is provided. The method comprises: providing a substrate, the substrate having a gate structure; forming a drain region and a source region in the substrate, the drain region and the source region being on two sides of the gate structure respectively; forming a metal suicide layer on the surface of the gate structure, the drain region, and the source region; forming a patterned block on the metal silicide layer above the gate structure, and forming a first dielectric layer above the substrate except the gate strcutre, the patterned block being formed above the center of the gate structure and the metal silicide layer above the gate structure beside two sides of the patterned block being exposed; removing a portion of the metal silicide layer and a portion of the gate structure by using the patterned block as a mask; and forming a drain extension region and a source extension region in the substrate, beside two sides of the remaining gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 6790721
    Abstract: A flash memory cell comprising a series of floating gate devices being connected to one-another through their source electrodes, which are self-aligned to their respective gate electrodes, where a local tungsten interconnect makes a substantially continuous connection to the self-aligned sources. The flash memory cell is formed by forming floating gate devices having their source electrodes connected together by a conductively doped active area, forming a nitride barrier layer overlying each transistor gate, forming a planarized insulation layer over the nitride barrier layer, removing portions of the planarized insulation layer while using the nitride barrier layer to self-align an interconnect via to the source electrodes, forming a tungsten-based interconnect into the interconnect via, the tungsten-based interconnect running a major length of the source electrodes being connected together and making contact therebetween, and forming a tungsten-based drain plug for each floating gate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly T. Hurley
  • Patent number: 6790722
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming an emitter in a vertical bipolar transistor includes providing a substrate having a collector layer and a base layer over the collector layer, forming a patterning mask over the collector layer, and filling openings in the mask with emitter material in a damascene process. The CMOS/vertical bipolar structure has the collector, base regions, and emitter regions vertically disposed on one another, the collector region having a peak dopant concentration adjacent the inter-substrate isolation oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ramachandra Divakaruni, Russell J. Houghton, Jack A. Mandelman, Wilbur D. Pricer, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 6790723
    Abstract: Hexachlorodisilane (Si2Cl6) is used as a Si raw material for forming a silicon nitride film that can be widely different in the etching rate from a silicon oxide film. The silicon nitride film is formed by an LPCVD method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masayuki Tanaka, Shigehiko Saida, Yoshitaka Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 6790724
    Abstract: The invention forms a 1T Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) with a low concentration cell node region and a higher concentration bit line region (e.g., second bit line region). The method of the invention forms a 1T Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) that uses a resist mask to block a high concentration implant into the cell node region, but allows the high concentration implant into the bit line region to form a second (high concentration) bit line. The invention's 1T SRAM, with the low concentration cell node, has reduced p-n junction leakage at the cell node and increase date retention time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Pin-Shyne Chin, Wen-Jye Yue, Hsien-Chin Peng
  • Patent number: 6790725
    Abstract: A method used to manufacture a semiconductor device comprises providing a first conductive container capacitor top plate layer and etching the first conductive container capacitor top plate layer to form a plurality of openings therein. Subsequently, a container capacitor bottom plate layer is formed within the plurality of openings in the top plate layer such that the bottom plate layer defines a plurality of openings. A second conductive container capacitor top plate layer is formed within the plurality of openings in the bottom plate layer. The first conductive container capacitor top plate layer is electrically coupled with the second conductive container capacitor top plate layer. The first and second conductive container capacitor top plate layers and the container capacitor bottom plate layer form a plurality of container capacitors. A structure resulting from the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Belford T. Coursey
  • Patent number: 6790726
    Abstract: A method for producing an integrated semiconductor memory configuration includes forming two capacitor modules for each selection transistor from the front and rear side of the substrate wafer respectively. Thus, a higher packing density of memory cells is engendered by the utilization of the rear side of the wafer. A twofold memory read signal can be used for the same cell surface area. Conditions in addition to “0” or “1” can also be saved for each selection transistor in a ferroelectric memory configuration, if the two capacitor modules have a different structure in terms of layer thickness, surface area, or material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Marcus Kastner, Thomas Mikolajick
  • Patent number: 6790727
    Abstract: Both a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a dynamic nanocrystal memory (DNM) are integrated on a semiconductor substrate. Control gates and control dielectrics with embedded nanocrystals or discrete storage elements are formed over differing thicknesses of tunnel dielectrics to form the two memories. Source and drain regions are formed within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the tunnel dielectrics. Various methods can be used to form a thin tunnel oxide and a thick tunnel oxide by adding minimum processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Jones, Jr., Bruce E. White, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6790728
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a flash memory device. A sidewall oxidization process using a mixed gas of O2 and TCA is implemented to reinforce isolation of the floating gate, and prevent a phenomenon that the thickness of the sidewall of the oxide film included within the dielectric film is thickness and a phenomenon that the thickness of the sidewall of the tunnel oxide film is thickened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Cha Deok Dong, Il Keoun Han
  • Patent number: 6790729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a NAND flash memory device. Drain select transistors, source select transistors and memory cells are formed in a cell region. After forming peri-transistors in a peripheral circuit region, a metal contact process for electrically connecting them is performed. Upon the metal contact process, the common source line connecting a source region of each of the source select transistors is formed, by patterning the interlayer insulating film to expose the source regions, removing the isolation films between respective source regions to form a common source line contact hole, forming an ion implantation region in the semiconductor substrate at the bottom of the common source line contact hole by means of an ion implantation process, forming a conductive layer so that the common source line contact hole is filled, and blanket-etching the interlayer insulating film as well as the conductive layer by a given thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Won Sic Woo
  • Patent number: 6790730
    Abstract: A fabrication method for a mask read only memory device is described. The method provides a substrate, and a doped conductive layer is formed on the substrate. After this, the doped conductive layer is patterned to form a plurality of bar-shaped doped conductive layers, followed by forming a dielectric layer on the substrate and on the bar-shaped conductive layers by thermal oxidation. A plurality of diffusion regions are concurrently formed under the bar-shaped conductive layers in the substrate. A patterned conductive layer is further formed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tso-Hung Fan, Yen-Hung Yeh, Kwang-Yang Chan, Mu-Yi Liu, Tao-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 6790731
    Abstract: A method for creating insulated gate field effect transistors having gate electrodes with at least two layers of materials to provide gate electrode work function values that are similar to those of doped polysilicon, to eliminate the poly depletion effect, and to substantially prevent impurity diffusion into the gate dielectric. Depositing bi-layer stacks of relatively thick Al and thin TiN for n-channel FETs and bi-layer stacks of relatively thick Pd and thin TiN, or relatively thick Pd and thin TaN for p-channel FETs is disclosed. Varying the thickness of the thin TiN or TaN layers between a first and second critical thickness may be used to modulate the work function of the gate electrode and thereby obtain the desired trade-off between channel doping and drive currents in FETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jun-Fei Zheng, Brian Doyle, Gang Bai, Chunlin Liang
  • Patent number: 6790732
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide methods of forming a dual gated semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) device. Such methods encompass forming a first transistor structure operatively adjacent a first side of the semiconductor layer of an SOI substrate. Insulator layer material is removed from the second side of the semiconductor layer, between the source/drain contact structures of the first transistor structure and a second transistor structure there formed operatively adjacent the second side of the semiconductor layer and aligned to the first transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Zahurak, Brent Keeth, Charles H. Dennison
  • Patent number: 6790733
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preserving an oxide hard mask for the purpose of avoiding growth of epi Si on the gate stack during raised source/drain formation. The oxide hard mask is preserved in the present invention by utilizing a method which includes a chemical oxide removal processing step instead of an aqueous HF etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley C. Natzle, Bruce B. Doris, Sadanand V. Deshpande, Renee T. Mo, Patricia A. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 6790734
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention comprises the steps of patterning to form a gate electrode pattern as well as an oxide film pattern by applying dry etching to a layered film which is formed, on a semiconductor substrate, of an oxide film and a SiGe film, being laid in this order; a first cleaning wherein, after the step of the patterning, the semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a first cleaning solution containing hydrofluoric acid; and a second cleaning wherein, after the step of the first cleaning, the semiconductor substrate is cleaned with a second cleaning solution containing ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michihisa Kohno, Yuji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6790735
    Abstract: A method of forming source/drain regions in semiconductor devices. First, a substrate having at least one gate structure is provided. Next, first, second, and third insulating spacers are successively formed over the sidewall of the gate structure. Subsequently, ion implantation is performed on the substrate on both sides of the gate structure using the third insulating spacer as a mask to form first doping regions. After the third insulating spacer is removed, ion implantation is performed on the substrate on both sides of the gate structure using the second insulating spacer as a mask to form second doping regions serving as source/drain regions with the first doping regions. Finally, after the second insulating spacer is removed, ion implantation is performed on the substrate on both sides of the gate structure using the first insulating spacer as a mask to form third doping regions, thereby preventing punchthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hui-Min Mao, Sheng-Tsung Chen, Yi-Nan Chen, Bo-Ching Jiang, Chih-Yuan Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6790736
    Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a buried layer of a semiconductor substrate. An active region is formed adjacent at least a portion of the buried layer, and an isolation structure is formed adjacent at least a portion of the active region. A gate oxide is formed adjacent at least a portion of the active region. The method also includes forming a polysilicon layer adjacent at least a portion of the gate oxide. At least a portion of the polysilicon layer is removed to form a polysilicon definition structure. The polysilicon definition structure at least substantially surrounds and defines an emitter contact region. The method also includes forming an implant region of the emitter contact region, wherein the implant region is self-aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Xiaoju Wu
  • Patent number: 6790737
    Abstract: A method for producing metal layers on surfaces of semiconductor substrates includes the step of providing a semiconductor substrate having a surface. In this case, a precursor compound of a metal to be deposited is condensed out on the semiconductor surface and subsequently decomposed thermally. The method makes it possible to fill trenches with a high aspect ratio, it being possible to effectively suppress the formation of voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schneegans, Wolfgang Jaeger, Michael Rogalli
  • Patent number: 6790738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor integrated circuits and, in particular, to capacitor arrays formed over the bit line of an integrated circuit substrate. The present invention provides a method for forming stacked capacitors, in which a plurality of patterned capacitor outlines, or walls, are formed over the bit line of a semiconductor device. In one aspect of the invention, spacers are formed on the patterned capacitor outlines and become part of the cell poly after being covered with cell nitride. In another aspect, the spacers are formed of a material capable of being etched back, such as titanium nitride. In another aspect, a metal layer is patterned and annealed to a polysilicon layer to form a mask for a capacitor array, and subsequently etched to form the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Darwin A. Clampitt
  • Patent number: 6790739
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor memory device is disclosed, the memory device including an array area and a support area thereon. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes removing, from the array area, an initial pad nitride material formed on the device. The initial pad nitride material in the support area, however, is still maintained. Active device areas are then formed within the array area, wherein the initial pad nitride maintained in the support area helps to protect the support area from wet etch processes implemented during the formation of active device areas within the array area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rajeev Malik, Larry Nesbit, Jochen Beintner, Rama Divakaruni
  • Patent number: 6790740
    Abstract: A process for filling a polysilicon seam. First, a semiconducting substrate or an insulating layer having a trench is provided, and a first polysilicon layer having a seam is filled in the trench. Next, the first polysilicon layer is etched to expose the seam. Next, a second polysilicon layer is formed to fill the top portion of the seam and close the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tse-Yao Huang, Tzu-Ching Tsai, Yi-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 6790741
    Abstract: In forming a metal oxide dielectric film of perovskite type for capacitor, an array of lower electrodes and a crystallization-assisting conductive film are simultaneously formed. The crystallization-assisting conductive film is formed outside the lower electrode array, at a distance of about 10 &mgr;m or less from the outermost lower electrodes, in a width of 20 &mgr;m or more. Then, a metal oxide dielectric film is formed thereon. Since the crystallization-assisting conductive film assists the crystallization of metal oxide dielectric film, capacitor elements which are superior in properties and reliability even when the capacitor elements are produced in a fine structure is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6790742
    Abstract: A method of chemical-mechanical polishing for forming a shallow trench isolation is disclosed. A substrate having a number of active regions, including a number of relatively large active regions and a number of relative small active regions, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A silicon nitride layer on the substrate is formed. A number of shallow trenches are formed between the active regions one or more of which may constitute an alignment mark. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate, so that the shallow trenches are filled with the oxide layer. A partial reverse active mask is formed on the oxide layer. The partial reverse active mask exposes a portion of the oxide layer over the large active area and over the alignment mark. The oxide layer of each large active region and the alignment mark is removed. The partial reverse active mask is removed. The oxide layer is planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Sheng Yang, Juan-Yuan Wu, Water Lur
  • Patent number: 6790743
    Abstract: A method to relax the alignment accuracy requirement in an integrate circuit manufacturing is described. The method comprises forming a mask layer over a substrate, and the mask layer comprises a plurality of first openings. Thereafter, a buffer layer fills the first opening, followed by forming a photoresist layer over the substrate. The photoresist layer is then patterned to form a second opening that corresponds to the first opening, and the second opening exposes a portion of the buffer layer. Isotropic etching is then performed to remove the buffer layer exposed by the second opening to expose a sidewall of the first opening that corresponds to the second opening. The photoresist layer is further removed to expose the mask layer that comprises the embedded buffer layer and the opening pattern, which is used as a hard mask layer in a subsequent process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Chung
  • Patent number: 6790744
    Abstract: A method and structure for a semiconductor structure that includes a substrate having at least one integrated circuit heat generating structure is disclosed. The invention has at least one integrated circuit cooling device on the substrate adjacent the heat generating structure. The cooling device is adapted to remove heat from the heat generating structure. The cooling device includes a cold region and a hot region. The cold region is positioned adjacent the heat generating structure. The cooling device has one of a silicon germanium super lattice structure. The cooling device also has a plurality of cooling devices that surround the heat generating structure. The cooling device includes a thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fen Chen, Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6790745
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising of the steps of creating an oxide layer on a first surface of an epitaxial layer having damage layer located at a predetermined depth from the first surface, the damaged layer being in parallel alignment with the first surface. Then, using the oxide layer as a masked, etch the epitaxial layer to create a plurality of pillars, the plurality of pillars being enclosed in a first area of the top surface of the epitaxial layer, the first area having a predefine perimeter and the plurality of pillars being separated from each other by inner trenches and from the perimeter by a perimeter trench, the inner trenches and perimeter trench extend from the first surface to at least the predetermined depth of damaged layer. Form an oxide layer that coats the pillars, fills the perimeter trench and coats the sides and bottoms of the inner trenches prior to removing the oxide layer from at least the sidewalls and bottom of the inner trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: JBCR Innovations
    Inventor: Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6790746
    Abstract: To improve the edge breakdown caused by edge electrical field at the tunnel oxide of high-density flash memory, a bird's beak is formed at the edge of the active region of the flash memory to prevent the corner of the tunnel oxide layer formed later on the active region from being excessively sharp, which will result in localized intense electrical field, and further lead to breakdown caused by the edge electrical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 6790747
    Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of forming a stressed region in a selected manner at a selected depth (20) underneath the surface. An energy source such as pressurized fluid is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Genesis Corporation
    Inventors: Francois J. Henley, Nathan W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 6790748
    Abstract: Methods for thinning wafer-to-wafer vertical stacks in the fabrication of stacked microelectronic devices. The methods include physically removing unsupported portions of a wafer to be thinned in the vertical stack. The removal of the unsupported portions substantially eliminates potential cracking and chipping of the wafer, which can occur during the thinning process when the unsupported portions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah E. Kim, R. Scott List, Mauro J. Kobrinsky
  • Patent number: 6790749
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a semiconductor device manufacturing method in which a semiconductor film is formed over a substrate, the semiconductor film is crystallized by irradiating a laser light, a silicon oxide film is formed in contact with the crystalline semiconductor film by using organic silane, a gate electrode is formed in contact with the silicon oxide film, an impurity element is introduced into the crystalline semiconductor film, the impurity element is activated, an interlayer insulating film is formed over the gate electrode, and then a wiring comprising aluminum is formed over the interlayer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Takemura, Hongyong Zhang, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Patent number: 6790750
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a wafer having a semiconductor layer with source, body and drain regions. A electrically-conducting region of the semiconductor region overlaps and electrically couples the source region and the body region. The electrical coupling of the source and body regions reduces floating body effects in the semiconductor device. A method of constructing the semiconductor device utilizes spacers, masking, and/or tilted implantation to form an source-body electrically-conducting region that overlaps the source and body regions of the semiconductor layer, and a drain electrically-conducting region that is within the drain region of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Long, Qi Xiang, Yowjuang W. Liu
  • Patent number: 6790751
    Abstract: A plurality of grooves, each having a depth of 10 &mgr;m or more and arranged adjacent to each other, are formed at a predetermined portion of a semiconductor substrate where a passive element is formed. Then, a thermal oxidation treatment is performed to let an oxide film grow from an inside surface of each groove so as to fill an inside space of the groove with a thermal oxide film thus grown and turn an entire portion intervening between adjacent grooves into a thermal oxide layer. Each groove has a width of 1 &mgr;m or less, and a width of a semiconductor material intervening between two adjacent grooves is 81.8% or more with respect to the groove width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tsuruta, Nobuaki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6790752
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods of controlling Vss implants on memory devices, and a system for performing same. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconducting substrate, measuring at least one physical characteristic of at least one of the trenches and determining at least one parameter of a VSS implant process to be performed on the substrate based upon the measured at least one physical characteristic of at least one trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Purdy
  • Patent number: 6790753
    Abstract: A Schottky diode is fabricated by a sequence of fabrication by a sequence of fabrication steps. An active region of a semiconductor substrate is defined in which a Schottky diode is fabricated. At least first and second layers of insulating material are applied over the active area. A first layer of insulating material, having a first etching rate, is applied over the active area. A second layer of insulating material having a second, greater, etch rate is applied over the first layer of insulating material to a thickness that is about twice the thickness of the first layer of insulating material. The insulating material is patterned and a window is etched through the layers of insulating material to the semiconductor substrate. Metal is applied and unwanted metal is etched away leaving metal in the window forming a Schottky contact therein. One or more barrier layers may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc
    Inventors: John Charles Desko, Michael J Evans, Chung-Ming Hsieh, Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Bailey R Jones, Thomas J. Krutsick, John Michael Siket, Jr., Brian Eric Thompson, Steven W. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6790754
    Abstract: Method for forming contact electrodes in a semiconductor device are disclosed. An example method comprises sequentially forming a pad oxide layer, a pad nitrate layer, a dummy oxide layer, and a capping nitride layer on a substrate. These layers and the substrate are then patterned to form a trench. The trench us filled with an insulating material to form a device isolation stripe. The resulting structure is then patterned to form a trench. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the trench and ions are implanted into the substrate beneath the trench to form local channel portions. A gate insulating layer and a gate electrode are then formed by deposition. Thereafter, the dummy oxide layer and the capping nitride layer are removed and source/drain portions are defined. Contact electrodes are then formed by deposition of a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics
    Inventor: Cheolsoo Park
  • Patent number: 6790755
    Abstract: Numerous methods for forming various semiconductor structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a layered dielectric structure of alternating sub-layers of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material is formed on a suitable semiconductor substrate. In this embodiment, the layered dielectric structure comprises an alternating pattern of at least two sub-layers of a first dielectric material which is a high-K dielectric material and at least one layer of a second dielectric material which is a standard-K dielectric material, wherein at least one of the one or more second dielectric material sub-layers contain nitrogen implanted therein using a nitridation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Joong Jeon
  • Patent number: 6790756
    Abstract: A method for creating a self-aligned channel implant with elevated source/drain areas. Forming a thin dielectric layer on top of a silicon substrate, a thick layer of oxide is deposited over this dielectric. An opening is exposed and etched through the layer of oxide, through the dielectric and into the underlying silicon substrate creating a shallow trench in the substrate. By performing the channel implant LDD implant, pocket implant, forming the gate spacers and electrode, removing the thick layer of oxide and forming the S/D regions a gate electrode has been created with elevated S/D regions. By forming the gate spacers, performing channel implant, forming the gate electrode, removing the thick layer of oxide and performing S/D implant a gate electrode has been created with elevated S/D regions and disposable spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chu-Wei Hu, Jiue-Wen Weng, Chung-Te Lin, So Wein Kuo
  • Patent number: 6790757
    Abstract: The present invention uses wire bonding technology to bond interconnect materials that oxidize easily by using a wire with stable oxidation qualities. A passivation layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate to encapsulate the bonding pad made from the interconnect material such that the wire bonds with the passivation layer itself, not with the interconnect material. The passivation layer is selected to be a material that is metallurgically stable when bonded to the interconnect material. Since the wire is stable compared with the interconnect material, i.e., it does not readily corrode, a reliable mechanical and electrical connection is provided between the semiconductor device (interconnect material) and the wire, with the passivation layer disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sailesh Chittipeddi, Sailesh Mansinh Merchant
  • Patent number: 6790758
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a flip-chip substrate with metal bumps thereon. A flip-chip substrate is provided with conductive points thereon and a conductive film is formed over the surface of the flip-chip substrate to cover the conductive points. A photoresist layer is formed over the conductive layer and then patterned to form openings exposing the underlying conductive points. A copper plating is performed to fill the openings as copper bumps. The photoresist layer and the conductive film are removed. Finally, a solder mask layer is formed over the flip-chip substrate and exposing the copper bumps and an anti-oxidation treatment is performed to finish exposing the copper bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Han-Kun Hsieh, Wei-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 6790759
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (51) is provided. The device (51) comprises a die (53) having a contact pad (61) thereon, a redistribution conductor (59) having a base portion (64) which is in electrical communication with the contact pad (61) and a laterally extending portion (63), a bumped contact (65) which is in electrical communication with the redistribution conductor (59), and a passivation layer (57) disposed between the laterally extending portion (63) of the redistribution conductor (59) and the die (53). Preferably, the redistribution conductor (59) is convoluted and is adapted to peel or delaminate from the passivation layer (57) under sufficient stress so that it can shift relative to the passivation layer (57) and base portion (64) to relieve mechanical stress between substrate (69) and the die (53). Bump and coiled redistribution conductor (59) accommodating small CTE mis-match strain without failure allows DCA flip-chip to be reliable without underfill or additional assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James Jen-Ho Wang, Jin-Wook Jang, Alfredo Mendoza, Rajashi Runton, Russell Shumway
  • Patent number: 6790760
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package such as a BGA package for use with an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit package has a substrate formed with a cavity that exposes a lower conductive level in the package so that connections between the integrated circuit chip and the lower conductive level may be formed to reduce the through holes formed in the substrate. As a result, additional signal line interconnections may be included in the substrate circuit package and/or the size of the integrated circuit chip may be decreased. Each of these may be implemented for enhanced electrical performance. The multiple wire bonding tiers in the substrate may also provide greater wire separation that eases wire bonding and subsequent encapsulation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Cohn, Donald Earl Hawk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6790761
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having conductive paths separated by cavities is formed by depositing organic spin-on glass between the conductive paths, forming gaps between the organic spin-on glass and the conductive paths, and then removing the organic spin-on glass through the gaps. The gaps may be formed as a dummy pattern of via holes that are misaligned with the conductive paths, so that they extend past the upper surfaces of the conductive paths and form fine slits beside the conductive paths. This method of removing the spin-on glass leaves cavities that are free of unwanted oxide residue and debris, thereby minimizing the capacitive coupling between adjacent conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyokazu Sakata
  • Patent number: 6790762
    Abstract: As an alternative embodiment and in connection with the reduction of the amount of ammonia in the mixture, processing conditions may be altered from conditions that are less likely to cause formation to oxide husk 20 to conditions that are more likely. For example, processing temperatures sufficient to form passivation layer 32 may be initiated with an ammonia-rich mixture under conditions not likely to cause formation of oxide husk 20. As the amount of ammonia in the mixture is reduced, processing temperatures may be increased proportionally under conditions that are more likely to cause formation of oxide husk 20 than under conditions previously established when the amount of ammonia in the mixture is greater. The initial formation of some of passivation layer 32, however, resists the formation of oxide husk 20. Preferably, the processing temperature will be the same as the deposition temperature for ILD layer 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiping Yin, Mark Jost
  • Patent number: 6790763
    Abstract: A substrate processing method comprising steps for forming a copper film on a surface of a substrate. These steps includes the step of filling a first metal in the trenches so as to form a plated film of the first metal on an entire surface of the substrate by electroplating, wherein the electromagnetic field is adjusted by the virtual anode so that differences of thickness of the plated film between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the substrate being minimized, and polishing and removing the plated film by pressing the substrate to the polishing surface, wherein the pressures pressing the substrate to the polishing surface at a central portion and a peripheral portion are adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Kondo, Koji Mishima, Akira Tanaka, Yoko Suzuki, Tetsuji Togawa, Hiroaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 6790764
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a processing method, comprising: a) providing a substrate having a high aspect ratio opening therein; b) forming a metal-comprising layer over the opening; c) providing a first pressure against the metal-comprising layer; and d) ramping the pressure that is against the metal-comprising layer to a second pressure at a rate of from about 1 atmosphere per second about 100 atmospheres per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Givens
  • Patent number: 6790765
    Abstract: A method for forming contacts on a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes steps of forming an opening on a gate contact area, depositing a dielectric layer on a bit-line contact area and the opening, coating a photoresist to etch the dielectric layer, removing the photoresist and finally forming a conductive layer on a bit-line contact opening and a gate contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tse-Yao Huang, Yi-Nan Chen, Hui-Min Mao
  • Patent number: 6790766
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device capable of increasing the selectivity of a low dielectric constant insulator film to an etching mask layer such as an etching stopper film without increasing the thickness of the etching mask layer is obtained. This method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises steps of forming a first insulator film including a polymer film containing C and H, forming a first etching mask layer containing Si on a prescribed region of the first insulator film and plasma-etching the first insulator film with etching gas containing nitrogen and monochromated ion energy having a narrow energy width through a mask of the first etching mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Moritaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6790767
    Abstract: A method for formation of a copper diffusion barrier film using aluminum is disclosed. In the method, thin aluminum (Al) film is deposited on a dielectric, and a surface of the deposited aluminum film is plasma treated with NH3, thereby transforming the surface of the plasma treated aluminum film into a nitride film basically composed of aluminum nitride (AlxNy), and an aluminum film is deposited on the surface of the transformed aluminum nitride film, and copper is deposited on the surface of the deposited aluminum film. Therefore, because the diffusion of copper is suppressed, the problem that leakages between metal lines increase as pitches between the metals decrease due to high integration of parts of semiconductor can be settled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Suk Lee