Patents Issued in February 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7183120
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetoresistive device having at least one active region, which may be formed into a magnetic memory bit, sensor element and/or other device, is provided. In forming the magnetoresistive device, a magnetoresistive stack, such as a giant magnetoresistive stack, is formed over a substrate. In addition, a substantially antireflective cap layer formed from titanium nitride, aluminum nitride, and/or other substantially antireflective material, as opposed to the materials commonly used to form a cap layer, is formed over the magnetoresistive stack. The substantially antireflective cap layer is usable as an etch stop for later processing in forming the magnetic memory bit, sensor element and/or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lonny Berg, Daniel Baseman, Wei (David) DZ Zou
  • Patent number: 7183121
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a ferrocapacitor comprises etching a layer of amorphous PZT formed over a layer having a low concentration of nucleation centres for PZT crystallisatlon. The etching step forms individual PZT elements. The side surfaces of the PZT elements are then coated with a layer of a material which promotes crystallisation of the PZT, such as one having a high concentration of PZT crystallisation centres (e.g. TiO2), and a PZT annealing step is carried out. The result is that the PZT has a high degree of crystallisation, with grain boundaries extending substantially horizontally through the PZT elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rainer Bruchhaus, Karl Hornik
  • Patent number: 7183122
    Abstract: Nano-machining for circuit edits through the front side or backside of an integrated circuit may be performed using a scanning probe system. The system may create access holes with smaller dimensions and facilitate nano-machining endpoint detection in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael DiBattista, Richard H. Livengood, Elizabeth B. Varner, Randall C. White
  • Patent number: 7183123
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of surface preparation and imaging for integrated circuits. First, a substrate is selected and an opening is cut in the substrate of a sufficient size to fit an integrated circuit to be analyzed. A second substrate is then selected. An adhesive film is applied to the top surface of the first substrate, the adhesive film having adhesive on both sides and covering the opening on the first substrate. An integrated circuit is then inserted into the opening and attached to the bottom side of the adhesive film. Next, the first substrate and integrated circuit are bonded to the second substrate using the adhesive film. The bottom side of the first substrate and the integrated circuit are then thinned until the substrate wafer of the integrated circuit is completely removed. Finally, an analytical imaging technique is performed on the integrated circuit from the bottom side of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Security Agency
    Inventors: Terrence Harold Brown, Larry Gene Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7183124
    Abstract: With a surface mount SAW device constituted so that an outer surface of a SAW chip is covered with a heated and softened sheet resin, a resin is filled into skirts of the SAW chip, and so that an airtight space is thereby formed below IDT electrode on a lower surface of the SAW chip, it is possible to dispense with negative pressure suction from through holes formed in a mounting substrate so as to ensure a filling amount of the resin into gaps, and dispense with strict management of heating temperature and suction profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhide Onozawa
  • Patent number: 7183125
    Abstract: To provide a high quality SAW device with enhanced productivity, wherein an outer face of a SAW chip mounted on a mounting substrate is covered with a heat-softened resin sheet and resin is filled on the SAW chip to form an airtight space below an IDT in the SAW device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Anzai, Yuji Ogawa, Yasuhide Onozawa
  • Patent number: 7183126
    Abstract: An article having an optical interfering effect includes a metal substrate with a surface, and a pattern of micro-cavities formed on the surface of the metal substrate and exhibiting an optical interfering effect on the reflection of the pattern of the micro-cavities. Each of the micro-cavities is indented inwardly from the surface of the metal substrate, and has a concave cross-section. A method for forming the pattern of the micro-cavities on the surface of the metal substrate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pro Magnus Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Yeh-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 7183127
    Abstract: A semiconductor device array comprising highly densely arranged nano-size semiconductor devices is prepared by a simple method. The array comprises a porous body having cylinder-shaped pores formed by removing cylinder-shaped regions from a structure that includes a matrix member formed so as to contain silicon or germanium and the cylinder-shaped regions containing aluminum and dispersed in the matrix member, semiconductor regions formed in the pores, each having at least a p-n or p-i-n junction, and a pair or electrodes, arranged respectively on the top and at the bottom of the semiconductor regions. The semiconductor regions and the pair of electrodes form a plurality of semiconductor devices on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kasha
    Inventors: Akira Kuriyama, Hirokatsu Miyata, Albrecht Otto, Miki Ogawa, Hiroshi Okura, Kazuhiko Fukutani, Tohru Den
  • Patent number: 7183128
    Abstract: A photo mask which is used for exposure of an isolated pattern and a dense pattern for a semiconductor substrate. The photo mask includes a transparent substrate, a pair of first patterns, a first assistant pattern and a plurality of second patterns. The pair of first patterns is separated from each other by a first distance, wherein one of the first pattern is arranged at one side of the isolated pattern, and another of the first pattern is arranged at another side. The first assistant pattern is provided apart from the one of the first pattern by the first distance. In the plurality of second patterns, each of the linear patterns is sandwiched between two of the second patterns that are adjacent to each other. One of the linear patterns is separated from adjacent the other of the linear patterns by a predetermined distance. A phase of light transmitted through the one of the first pattern and a phase of light transmitted through the assistant pattern are opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Tsuboi, Shinji Ishida
  • Patent number: 7183129
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor including a low voltage buried photodiode and a transfer transistor, includes the steps of: forming a field oxide for defining active area and field area on certain area of an epitaxial layer formed on a substrate, and forming a gate of transfer transistor on the epitaxial layer of the active area; forming the low voltage buried photodiode doping region in alignment with one side of the gate of transfer transistor and field oxide; forming a spacer insulation layer by stacking layers of oxide and nitride over the whole structure; forming a spacer block mask to open areas excluding doping region for the low voltage buried photodiode; and removing the spacer block mask, and forming a floating diffusion region on other side of the transfer transistor. Alternatively, the sacrificial nitride may be allowed to remain on the surface of the photodiode to improve optical properties for short wavelength lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ju-Il Lee
  • Patent number: 7183130
    Abstract: A device structure and method for forming an interconnect structure in a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a magnetic stack layer on a lower metallization level, the magnetic stack layer including a non-ferromagnetic layer disposed between a pair of ferromagnetic layers. A conductive hardmask is defined over the magnetic stack layer, and selected portions of the hardmask and the magnetic stack layer, are then removed, thereby creating an array of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks. The MTJ stacks include remaining portions of the magnetic stack layer and the hardmask, wherein the hardmask forms a self aligning contact between the magnetic stack layer and an upper metallization level subsequently formed above the MTJ stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joachim Nuetzel, Xian Jay Ning, William C. Wille
  • Patent number: 7183131
    Abstract: A process for producing a nanoelement arrangement and to a nanoelement arrangement. A first nanoelement is at least partially covered with catalyst material for catalyzing the growth of nanoelements. Furthermore, at least one second nanoelement is grown on the catalyst material. Also, a nanoelement arrangement having a first nanoelement on which at least one predetermined region is covered with catalyst material for catalyzing the growth of nanoelements, and at least one second nanoelement grown on the catalyst material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Eugen Unger, Georg Stefan Dusberg, Andrew Graham, Maik Liebau
  • Patent number: 7183132
    Abstract: A semiconductor device provided with one or more semiconductor pellets arranged on the bottom surface of a recess produced along a surface of a semiconductor plate having wirings arranged on the surface thereof, wirings extending toward the surface of the recess, and the recess being buried with a layer of a resin which is inclined to inflate, while it is hardened, resultantly producing a stress in the resin layer to expand toward the side wall of the recess engraved in the semiconductor plate, resultantly preventing breakage from happening for an interface between the side wall of the recess engraved in the semiconductor plate and the surface of the resin layer contacting the side wall, and remarkably improving the thermal conductivity efficiency to reduce the magnitude of a temperature rise of the semiconductor device, resultantly preventing a delay from happening for the operation speed of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7183133
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices with improved heat dissipation, methods of making microelectronic devices, and methods of cooling microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the microelectronic device includes a microelectronic substrate having a first surface, a second surface facing opposite from the first surface, and a plurality of active devices at least proximate to the first surface. The second surface has a plurality of heat transfer surface features that increase the surface area of the second surface. In another embodiment, an enclosure having a heat sink and a single or multi-phase thermal conductor can be positioned adjacent to the second surface to transfer heat from the active devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Lindgren, Warren M. Farnworth, William M. Hiatt, Nishant Sinha
  • Patent number: 7183134
    Abstract: A circuit package is formed using a leadframe. The leadframe is formed or etched to align a plurality of bond pad structures above a reference plane while supporting leadframe fingers are positioned below the reference plane. Jumper wires are wirebonded between terminals on the die and the bond pads to form a package subassembly. The subassembly is encapsulated and then background to remove the leadframe fingers and surrounding frame. The bond pads which remain embedded in the encapsulation material are exposed on the lower surface of the package for connection to further conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Teck Kheng Lee, Tan Yong Kian, Setho Sing Fee
  • Patent number: 7183135
    Abstract: This invention is a method for manufacturing a high-frequency module device. A high-frequency circuit unit (2) in which first to third unit wiring layers (5) to (7), each having a capacitor (12) or the like at a part, are stacked and formed on flattened one surface of a dummy board (30) so that a third pattern wiring is exposed from a connection surface (2a) of an uppermost layer is mounted on a mounting surface (3a) of a base board (3) where an input/output terminal part (18) is exposed, in such a manner that the third pattern wiring and the input/output terminal part are connected with each other, and after that, the dummy board is removed. A high-frequency module device is thus manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Takahiko Kosemura, Akira Muto, Akihiko Okubora
  • Patent number: 7183136
    Abstract: A plurality of Group III nitride compound semiconductor layers are formed on a substrate for performing the formation of elements and the formation of electrodes. The Group III nitride compound semiconductor layers on parting lines are removed by etching or dicing due to a dicer so that only an electrode-forming layer on a side near the substrate remains or no Group III nitride compound semiconductor layer remains on the parting lines. A protective film is formed on the whole front surface. Separation grooves are formed in the front surface of the substrate by laser beam irradiation. The protective film is removed together with reaction products produced by the laser beam irradiation. The rear surface of the substrate 1s is polished to reduce the thickness of the substrate. Then, rear grooves corresponding to the latticed frame-shaped parting lines are formed in the rear surface of the substrate. The substrate is divided into individual elements along the parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Hashimura, Shigeki Konishi, Naohisa Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 7183137
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for dicing a wafer having a base material with a diamond structure. The wafer first undergoes a polishing process, in which a predetermined portion of the wafer is polished away from its back side. The wafer is then diced through at least one line along a direction at a predetermined offset angle from a natural cleavage direction of the diamond structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hsin-Hui Lee, Chien-Chao Huang, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Fu-Liang Yang, Chenming Hu
  • Patent number: 7183138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoupling conductive portions of a microelectronic device package. In one embodiment, the package can include a microelectronic substrate and a conductive member positioned at least proximate to the microelectronic substrate. The conductive member can have first and second neighboring conductive portions with at least a part of the first conductive portions spaced apart from a part of the neighboring second conductive portion to define an intermediate region between the first and second conductive portions. Each conductive portion has a bond region electrically coupled to the microelectronic substrate. A dielectric material is positioned adjacent to the first and second conductive portions in the intermediate region and has a dielectric constant of less than about 3.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Corisis, Aaron M. Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: 7183139
    Abstract: A system for underfilling in a chip package includes an underfill mixture that ameliorates the CTE mismatch that typically exists between a packaged die and a resin-impregnated fiberglass mounting substrate. In one embodiment, the system includes an underfill mixture that alone exhibits a CTE that is characteristic of an inorganic-filled underfill composite previously known. An embodiment is also directed to the assembly of a flip-chip package that uses an underfill mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Saikumar Jayaraman, Vijay S. Wakharkar
  • Patent number: 7183140
    Abstract: An injection molded metal bonding tray may be utilized in the fabrication of integrated circuit devices. In one embodiment, a substrate of an integrated circuit device is placed in a pocket of an injection molded metal bonding tray. A plurality of conductors is placed on the substrate and the conductors are bonded to the substrate in an infrared reflow oven, for example. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Davison, Sabina J. Houle
  • Patent number: 7183141
    Abstract: A programmable interconnect structure and method of operating the same provides a programmable interconnection between electrical contacts. The interconnect includes material that has a reversibly programmable resistance. The material includes a molecular matrix with ionic complexes distributed through the molecular matrix. Application of an electrical field or electric current causes the molecular composite material to assume a desired resistivity (or conductivity) state. This state is retained by the molecular composite material to thus form a conductive or a non-conductive path between the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Bulovic, Aaron Mandell, Andrew Perlman
  • Patent number: 7183142
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing fin-type field effect transistors (FinFETs) forms a silicon layer above a substrate, forms a mask pattern above the silicon layer using a multi-step mask formation process, patterns the silicon layer into silicon fins using the mask pattern such that the silicon fins only remain below the mask pattern, removes the mask pattern to leave the fins on the substrate, and forms gate conductors over the fins at a non-perpendicular angle to the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Kerry Bernstein, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7183143
    Abstract: A method for forming a nitrided tunnel oxide layer is described. A silicon oxide layer as a tunnel oxide layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a plasma nitridation process is performed to implant nitrogen atoms into the silicon oxide layer. A thermal drive-in process is then performed to diffuse the implanted nitrogen atoms across the silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7183144
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a pixel TFT (an n-channel TFT) having a considerably low OFF current value and a high ratio of an ON current value to an OFF current value can be realized. In a pixel portion, an electrode having a taper portion with a width of 1 ?m or more is formed. An impurity region is formed by adding an impurity through the taper portion, so that the impurity region has a concentration gradient. Then, only the taper portion is removed to form the pixel TFT in the pixel portion. In the impurity region of the pixel TFT in the pixel portion, the concentration gradient is provided in a concentration distribution of the impurity imparting one conductivity, whereby a concentration is made small on the side of a channel forming region and a concentration is made large on the side of a semiconductor layer end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuko Fujimoto, Satoshi Murakami, Akira Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 7183145
    Abstract: In a crystallization process of an amorphous semiconductor film, a first polycrystalline semiconductor film, in which amorphous regions are dotted within the continuous crystal region, is obtained by performing heat treatment after introducing a metallic element which promotes crystallization on the amorphous semiconductor film. At this point, the amorphous regions are kept within a predetermined range. A laser beam having a wave length region, which can give more energy to the amorphous region than to the crystal region, is irradiated to the first polycrystalline semiconductor film, it is possible to crystallize the amorphous region without destroying the crystal region. If a TFT is manufactured based on a second polycrystalline semiconductor film, which is obtained through the above-mentioned crystallization processes, the TFT with high electric characteristics and less fluctuation can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Tanaka, Hideto Ohnuma, Chiho Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7183146
    Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing a wiring, a conductive layer, a display device, and a semiconductor device, each of which can meet a large sized substrate and which is manufactured with a higher throughput by using a material efficiently, the conductive layer is formed over the substrate having an insulating surface by discharging the conductive material, and heat treatment is performed by a lamp or a laser beam over the conductive layer. Furthermore, the conductive film is formed under reduced pressure according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yasuko Watanabe, Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 7183147
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a light emitting device capable of reducing deterioration of elements due to electrostatic charge caused in manufacturing the light emitting device. Another object of the invention is to provide a light emitting device in which defects due to the deterioration of elements caused by the electrostatic charge are reduced. The method for manufacturing the light emitting device includes a step of forming a top-gate type transistor for driving a light emitting element. In the step of forming the top-gate type transistor, when processing a semiconductor layer, a first grid-like semiconductor layer extending in rows and columns is formed over a substrate. The plurality of second island-like semiconductor layers are formed between the first semiconductor layer. The plurality of second island-like second semiconductor layers serve as an active layer of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Murakami, Masayuki Sakakura
  • Patent number: 7183148
    Abstract: An amorphous silicon film on an insulating substrate portion to be formed as an individual display panel in a large-sized insulating substrate is irradiated with a continuous-wave (CW) solid-state laser beam condensed linearly, while being scanned therewith at a fixed speed in the width direction of the condensed laser beam. A pixel portion and a peripheral circuit portion in the same insulating substrate portion are irradiated with the laser beam temporally modulated to have a power density high enough to provide predetermined crystallinity. The amorphous silicon film is transformed into a silicon film having crystallinity corresponding to performance required for thin film transistors to be built in each of the pixel portion and the peripheral circuit portion. In such a manner, a thin film transistor circuit having optimum crystallinity required in the pixel or peripheral circuit portion can be obtained while high throughput is kept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Yazaki, Mikio Hongo, Mutsuko Hatano, Hiroshi Saito, Makoto Ohkura
  • Patent number: 7183149
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a field effect transistor (FET).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ho Kyun Ahn, Jong Won Lim, Hong Gu Ji, Woo Jin Chang, Jae Kyoung Mun, Hae Cheon Kim
  • Patent number: 7183150
    Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new method is provided for the creation of a layer of a Resistance Protective Oxide (RPO) layer. A layer of ONO is deposited that is to function as the layer of RPO. The deposited layer of ONO is patterned and wet etched, removing the upper or first layer of silicon dioxide. The patterned and etch upper of first layer of silicon dioxide is used as a hardmask to remove the central layer of silicon nitride applying a wet etch. A wet etch is then applied to remove the remaining lower of second layer of silicon dioxide, completing the patterning of the layer of RPO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Hsieh, Hsun-Chih Tsao, Hung-Chih Tsai, Pin-Shyne Chin
  • Patent number: 7183151
    Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a filed effect transistor, the method comprising: depositing a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer on a substrate in sequence, which have a different bandgap from each other, and patterning the second semiconductor layer to have a mesa structure; forming a first resist pattern to expose the second semiconductor layer of a region where source and drain are to be formed; depositing a metal on a whole upper surface, and forming metallic source and drain by performing a lift-off process; performing heat treatment to form an ohmic contact between the source and the second semiconductor layer, and between the drain and the semiconductor layer; forming an insulating layer on the whole upper surface including the source and the drain, and forming a second photoresist pattern to expose the insulating layer at a portion where a gate is to be formed; exposing the second semiconductor layer at the portion where the gate is to be formed by etching the exposed por
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Mi Ran Park
  • Patent number: 7183152
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) includes defining a trench in a layer of first material, where a width of an opening of the trench is substantially smaller than a thickness of the layer. The method includes growing a second material in the trench to form the fin and removing the layer of first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Srikanteswara Dakshina-Murthy, Chih-Yuh Yang, Bin Yu
  • Patent number: 7183153
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of non-volatile memory cells includes forming a plurality of floating gate structures and shaping the plurality of floating gate structures to reduce the width of upper parts of floating gate structures. A first process forms floating gates by etching an upper portion of a polysilicon structure with masking elements in place to shape the floating gate. A second process etches recesses and protrusions in a polysilicon structure prior to etching the structure to form individual floating gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Lutze, Tuan Pham, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 7183154
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory cells having a split gate structure and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory cells include active regions defined at a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate. A portion of each of the active regions is etched to form a cell trench region. Insulated floating gates are disposed on a pair of sidewalls parallel with the direction that crosses the active region. A source region is disposed at a bottom surface of the cell trench region. A gap region between the floating gates is filled with a common source line electrically connected to the source region. The common source line is extended along the direction that crosses the active regions. The active regions, which are adjacent to the floating gates, are covered with word lines parallel with the common source line. Drain regions are disposed in the active regions adjacent to the word lines. The drain regions are electrically connected to bit lines that cross over the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Kim, Dong-Jun Kim, Min-Soo Cho, Dai-Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 7183155
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-volatile memory device and fabricating method thereof, by which a cell size can be lowered despite high degree of cell integration and by which the device fabrication is facilitated. The present invention includes at least two trench isolation layers arranged in a device isolation area of a semiconductor substrate, each having a first depth, a first conductive type well arranged between the at least two trench isolation layers to have a second depth smaller than the first depth, a second conductive type source region and a second conductive type drain region arranged in a prescribed upper part of the first conductive type well to be separated from each other by a channel region in-between, an ONO layer on the channel region of the semiconductor substrate, the ONO layer comprising a lower oxide layer, a nitride layer, and an upper oxide layer, and a wordline conductor layer on the ONO layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Mun Jung, Jum Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7183156
    Abstract: Transistor structures, with one source/drain region connected to a charge storage device to be insulated includes an asymmetric gate conductor structure. At a first side wall, which faces the one source/drain region, the asymmetric gate conductor structure has a side wall oxide with a greater thickness and a bird's beak structure with a greater length than at an opposite, second side wall. An effective channel length is increased for the same feature size of the gate conductor structure. Memory cells can be realized in a higher density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthias Goldbach, Ulrich Frey, Björn Fischer
  • Patent number: 7183157
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. The device includes first and second base patterns disposed under floating and selection gates, respectively, at an active region. A channel region is formed in the active region between the first and second base patterns, and source and drain regions are formed in the active region adjacent to the first and second base patterns, respectively. The method includes forming first and second base patterns on a semiconductor substrate to be separated from each other by a predetermined space. A channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate between the first and second base patterns. Source and drain regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the reverse side of the channel region on the basis of the first and second base patterns, respectively. A tunnel oxide layer is formed on a predetermined region of the channel region. A memory gate is formed to cover the first base pattern and the tunnel oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Kwang Yoo, Jeong-Uk Han
  • Patent number: 7183158
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory is provided. The method includes forming a bottom dielectric layer, a charge trapping layer, a top dielectric layer and a conductive layer on the substrate sequentially. Portions of conductive layer, top dielectric layer, charge trapping layer and bottom dielectric layer are removed to form several trenches. An insulation layer is formed in the trenches to form a plurality of isolation structures. A plurality of word lines are formed on the conductive layer and the isolation structures. By using the word lines as a mask, portions of bottom dielectric layer, charge trapping layer, top dielectric layer, conductive layer and isolation structures are removed to form a plurality of devices. The bottom oxide layer has different thickness on the substrate so that these devices can be provided with different performance. These devices serve as memory cells with different character or devices in periphery region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Lung Chu, Jen-Chi Chuang
  • Patent number: 7183159
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by identifying multiple regions, each having transistors that have a gate oxide thickness that differs between the multiple regions. One of the regions includes transistors having a nanocluster layer and another of the regions includes transistors with a thin gate oxide used for logic functions. Formation of the gate oxides of the transistors is sequenced based upon the gate oxide thickness and function of the transistors. Thin gate oxides for at least one region of transistors are formed after the formation of gate oxides for the region including the transistors having the nanocluster layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh A. Rao, Robert F. Steimle
  • Patent number: 7183160
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production process for a flash memory from a semi-conductor substrate fitted with at least two adjacent rows of precursor stacks of floating gate transistors, the precursor stacks being at least partially covered by a protective resin and being separated by a formation zone for a source line. The process includes forming a trench in the formation zone for the source line by an attack of this zone and of the protective resin. The result of the attack step includes a deposit of residue from the resin below the precursor stacks. The residue deposit is removed. A source line is implanted in the formation zone below the precursor stacks. This process enables the time needed for erasing the memory to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Pizzuto, Romain Laffont, Jean-Michel Mirabel
  • Patent number: 7183161
    Abstract: A floating gate memory cell has a floating gate in which there are two floating gate layers. The top layer is etched to provide a contour in the top layer while leaving the lower layer unchanged. The control gate follows the contour of the floating gate to increase capacitance therebetween. The two layers of the floating gate can be polysilicon separated by a very thin etch stop layer. This etch stop layer is thick enough to provide an etch stop during a polysilicon etch but preferably thin enough to be electrically transparent. Electrons are able to easily move between the two layers. Thus the etch of the top layer does not extend into the lower layer but the first and second layer have the electrical effect for the purposes of a floating gate of being a continuous conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gowrishankar L. Chindalore, Craig T. Swift
  • Patent number: 7183162
    Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic non-volatile memory cell, a memory cell formed according to the method, and a system including the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Soss, Krishna Parat
  • Patent number: 7183163
    Abstract: A method of making an isolation-less, contact-less array of bi-directional read/program non-volatile memory cells is disclosed. Each memory cell has two stacked gate floating gate transistors, with a switch transistor there between. The source/drain lines of the cells and the control gate lines of the stacked gate floating gate transistors in the same column are connected together. The gate of the switch transistors in the same row are connected together. Spaced apart trenches are formed in a substrate in a first direction. Floating gates are formed in the trenches, along the side wall of the trenches. A buried source/bit line is formed at the bottom of each trench. A control gate common to both floating gates is also formed in each trench insulated from the floating gates, capacitively coupled thereto, and insulated from the buried source/bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Lee, Bomy Chen
  • Patent number: 7183164
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the floating body effect in vertical transistors are disclosed. The floating body effect occurs when an active region in a pillar is cut off from the substrate by a depletion region and the accompanying electrostatic potential created. In a preferred embodiment, a word line is recessed into the substrate to tie the upper active region to the substrate. The resulting memory cells are preferably used in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon A. Haller
  • Patent number: 7183165
    Abstract: Dual gate dielectric layers are formed on a semiconductor substrate for MOS transistor fabrication. A first dielectric layer (30) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (10). A first plasma nitridation process is performed on said first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer (30) is removed in regions of the substrate and a second dielectric layer (50) is formed in these regions. A second plasma nitridation process is performed on the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. MOS transistors (160, 170) are then fabricated using the dielectric layers (30, 50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajesh Khamankar, Douglas T. Grider, Hiroaki Niimi, April Gurba, Toan Tran, James J. Chambers
  • Patent number: 7183166
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon oxide (“ONO”) structure is formed by providing a first silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer over a substrate having a memory region and a logic device region; patterning the first silicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer to define bottom oxide and silicon nitride portions of partially completed ONO stacks and to expose the substrate in the logic device regions; performing a rapid thermal annealing process in the presence of a radical oxidizing agent to form concurrently a second silicon oxide layer on the exposed surface of the silicon nitride layer and a gate oxide layer over the substrate; and depositing a conductive layer over the completed ONO stacks and the gate oxide. The invention is employed in manufacture of, for example, memory devices having and peripheral logic devices and memory cells including ONO structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Hsin-Huei Chen, Chong-Jen Huang, Kuang-Wen Liu, Jia-Rong Chiou, Chong-Mu Chen
  • Patent number: 7183167
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device in which deterioration in a transistor characteristic is prevented by preventing a channel stop implantation layer from being formed in an active region. A resist mask is formed so as to have an opening over a region in which a PMOS transistor is formed. Channel stop implantation is performed with energy by which ions pass through a partial isolation oxide film and a peak of an impurity profile is generated in an SOI layer, thereby forming a channel stop layer in the SOI layer under the partial isolation oxide film, that is, an isolation region. An impurity to be implanted here is an N-type impurity. In the case of using phosphorus, its implantation energy is set to, for example, 60 to 120 keV, and the density of the channel stop layer is set to 1×1017 to 1×1019/cm3. At this time, the impurity of channel stop implantation is not stopped in the SOI layer corresponding to the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iwamatsu, Takashi Ipposhi, Takuji Matsumoto, Shigenobu Maeda
  • Patent number: 7183168
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes implanting germanium ions into a selected portion of a semiconductor region containing at least silicon, forming P-type and N-type diffusion layers in the semiconductor region, and forming a suicide film which extends from the N type diffusion layer over to the boundary region and the P-type diffusion layer. A boundary region between the P-type and N-type diffusion layers is formed in the selected portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsuda, Kazuya Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 7183169
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for reducing the series resistance of the source and drain in a MOSFET device provides for epitaxially grown regions on top of the source and drain extensions to cover portions of the top surfaces of the silicide regions formed on the substrate. The epitaxial material provides an extra flow path for current to flow through to the silicide from the extension, as well as increasing the surface area between the source/drain and the silicide to reduce the contact resistance between the source/drain and the silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Waite, Scott Luning, Philip A. Fisher