Patents Issued in February 19, 2008
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Patent number: 7332371Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises: a first step of interposing a thermosetting anisotropic conductive material 16 between a substrate 12 and a semiconductor chip 20; a second step in which pressure and heat are applied between the semiconductor chip 20 and the substrate 12, an interconnect pattern 10 and electrodes 22 are electrically connected, and the anisotropic conductive material 16 is spreading out beyond the semiconductor chip 20 and is cured in the region of contact with the semiconductor chip 20; and a third step in which the region of the anisotropic conductive material 16 other than the region of contact with the semiconductor chip 20 is heated.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto
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Patent number: 7332372Abstract: A method for assembling semiconductor devices includes providing a first semiconductor device, applying a volume of adhesive material to at least a surface of the first semiconductor device, and positioning a second semiconductor device over the first semiconductor device and a portion of at least one discrete conductive element protruding thereabove. The adhesive material may be applied to a surface of the first semiconductor device prior to positioning the second semiconductor device thereover, or introduced between the first and second semiconductor devices. Upon curing, the predetermined volume of adhesive material spaces the first and second semiconductor devices a predetermined distance apart from one another. Additional semiconductor devices may also be added to the assembly. The first semiconductor device may be associated with a substrate. Semiconductor device assemblies and packages that are at least partially fabricated in accordance with the method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: James M. Derderian
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Patent number: 7332373Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor wafer having a main surface; defining a chip forming region which includes chip regions defined by scribe lines, and a peripheral region which surrounds the chip forming region, on the main surface; forming circuit elements and electrode pads connected to the circuit elements on the chip areas; forming an insulating film, which exposes respective portions of the electrode pads, on the main surface; forming protruded electrodes on the insulating film provided in the chip areas so that the protruded electrodes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the chip area; forming an encapsulating material, which exposes top faces of the protruded electrodes, on the insulating film; and cutting the semiconductor wafer along the scribe lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., LtdInventor: Shigeru Yamada
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Patent number: 7332374Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing electronic module assemblies comprising a plurality of substrates and a housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Lawrence J. Maher, Robert Churchill
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Patent number: 7332375Abstract: A method of making a package includes providing a metal leadframe having a die pad in a rectangular frame. Tabs extend from the frame toward the die pad. The die pad and tabs have side surfaces with reentrant portions and asperities. A die is attached to the die pad. The die is electrically connected to the tabs. An encapsulant is applied to the upper and side surfaces of the leadframe. Finally, the leadframe is cut in situ so that the die pad and tabs are severed from the frame, the sides of the package are formed, and the package is severed from the leadframe.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.Inventor: Thomas P. Glenn
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Patent number: 7332376Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating a microelectronic die or other components in the fabrication of packaged microelectronic devices. In one aspect of the invention, a packaged microelectronic device assembly includes a microelectronic die, a substrate attached to the die, a protective casing covering a portion of the substrate, and a barrier projecting away from the surface of the substrate. The microelectronic die can have an integrated circuit and a plurality of bond-pads operatively coupled to the integrated circuit. The substrate can have a cap-zone defined by an area that is to be covered by the protective casing, a plurality of contact elements arranged in the cap-zone, a plurality of ball-pads arranged in a ball-pad array outside of the cap-zone, and a plurality of conductive lines coupling the contact elements to the ball-pads. The contact elements are electrically coupled to corresponding bond-pads on the microelectronic die, and the protective casing covers the cap-zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Chad A. Cobbley
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Patent number: 7332377Abstract: The object of providing a method for manufacturing solid body electrolyte memory cells or CB memory cells, respectively, which is suited for the simplified manufacturing of highly dense arrays with crosspoint architecture is solved by the present invention in that the solid body electrolyte memory cells are manufactured by self-aligned etching of the word lines that constitute simultaneously the top electrodes of the memory cells, and of the CB memory cells themselves. An advantage of the inventive method consists in that no via lithography is required, so that the manufacturing method is easier to perform, less expensive, and yields reliable results.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Thomas Happ, Ralf Symanczyk
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Patent number: 7332378Abstract: An integrated circuit memory system including a substrate formed with equidistant spaced shallow trench isolation regions. Forming active regions and dummy active regions within the substrate between the equidistant spaced shallow trench isolation regions. Forming sources and drains within the active regions. Providing wordlines and source lines extending in a first direction and bitlines extending in a second direction. Forming contact regions over the dummy active regions for strapping the wordlines and the source lines to the bitlines.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.Inventors: Sung Mun Jung, Ching Dong Wang, Louis Yoke Leng Lim, Swee Tuck Woo, Donghua Liu, Xiaoyu Chen
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Patent number: 7332379Abstract: A method of fabricating an array of structures sensitive to ESD is disclosed. First, an array of structures is provided on a substrate, with the structures conductively coupled by interconnections. Thereafter, the interconnections are removed before fabricating another array of structures. Therefore, the structures have equal potential. Further, an electrostatic discharge structure is provided near the periphery of the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: TPO Displays Corp.Inventors: Jr-Hong Chen, Gwo-Long Lin, Chih-Fang Chen
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Patent number: 7332380Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern design method of a semiconductor device, including preparing design pattern data, separating a pattern region of a semiconductor device on the basis of the design pattern data into a dummy pattern region and a dummy pattern prohibition region, dividing the dummy pattern region into dummy pattern unit regions, setting a plurality of inspection areas in the dummy pattern region and the dummy pattern prohibition region, the inspection area closing round at least the two or more dummy pattern unit regions, a part of the one dummy pattern unit region overlapping a part of another dummy pattern unit region, calculating a tentative pattern-covering fraction of a dummy pattern, the dummy pattern being formed of the dummy pattern unit region in the inspection area, calculating a final pattern-covering fraction of the dummy pattern unit region, the final pattern-covering fraction being obtained by averaging the tentative pattern-covering fractType: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Satoshi Matsuda
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Patent number: 7332381Abstract: A semiconductor device having a semiconductor element (a thin film transistor, a thin film diode, a photoelectric conversion element of silicon PIN junction, or a silicon resistor element) which is light-weight, flexible (bendable), and thin as a whole is provided as well as a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. In the present invention, the element is not formed on a plastic film. Instead, a flat board such as a substrate is used as a form, the space between the substrate (third substrate (17)) and a layer including the element (peeled layer (13)) is filled with coagulant (typically an adhesive) that serves as a second bonding member (16), and the substrate used as a form (third substrate (17)) is peeled off after the adhesive is coagulated to hold the layer including the element (peeled layer (13)) by the coagulated adhesive (second bonding member (16)) alone. In this way, the present invention achieves thinning of the film and reduction in weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junya Maruyama, Toru Takayama, Yuugo Goto
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Patent number: 7332382Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor is provided. In the method, a gate electrode is formed on a substrate. A crystalline gate insulating layer is formed on an entire surface of the substrate having the gate electrode formed thereon. A microcrystalline silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer are sequentially formed on the crystalline gate insulating layer. A metal layer is deposited on the substrate including the crystalline gate insulating layer, the microcrystalline silicon layer and the doped amorphous silicon layer. Source and drain electrodes, an ohmic contact layer and an active layer are formed by etching predetermined portions of the metal layer and the doped amorphous silicon layer to expose a predetermined portion of the microcrystalline silicon layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: LG. Philips LCD. Co., LtdInventor: Chang Wook Han
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Patent number: 7332383Abstract: The invention discloses a switching device for a pixel electrode of display device and methods for fabricating the same. A gate is formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed on the gate. A buffer layer is formed between the gate and the substrate, and/or formed between the gate and the gate insulating layer. The buffer layer comprises TaSix, TaSixNy, TiSix, TiSixNy, WSix, WSixNy, or WCxNy. A semiconductor layer is formed on the gate insulating layer. A source and a drain are formed on a portion of the semiconductor layer. The gate is covered by the buffer layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.Inventors: Kuo-Lung Fang, Wen-Ching Tsai, Kuo-Yuan Tu, Han-Tu Lin
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Patent number: 7332384Abstract: Different types of crystalline semiconductor regions are provided on a single substrate by forming a dielectric region within a first crystalline semiconductor region. Thereafter, a second crystalline region is positioned above the dielectric region by wafer bond techniques. In preferred embodiments, isolation structures may be formed in the first crystalline region along with the dielectric region. In particular, crystalline semiconductor regions of different crystallographic orientations may be formed, wherein a high degree of flexibility and compatibility with currently used CMOS processes is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Wolfgang Buchholtz, Stephan Kruegel
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Patent number: 7332385Abstract: A catalytic element is added to an amorphous semiconductor film and heat treatment is conducted therefor to produce a crystalline semiconductor film with good quality, a TFT (semiconductor device) with a satisfactory characteristic is realized using the crystalline semiconductor film. A semiconductor layer includes a region containing an impurity element which has a concentration of 1×1019/cm3 to 1×1021/cm3 and belongs to group 15 of the periodic table and an impurity element which has a concentration of 1.5×1019/cm3 to 3×1021/cm3 and belongs to group 13 of the periodic table, and the region is a region to which a catalytic element left in the semiconductor film (particularly, the channel forming region) moves.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignees: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Misako Nakazawa, Naoki Makita
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Patent number: 7332386Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) includes a substrate, a fin, a gate electrode, a gate insulation layer, and source and drain regions in the fin. The fin is on and extends laterally along and vertically away from the substrate. The gate electrode covers sides and a top of a portion of the fin. The gate insulation layer is between the gate electrode and the fin. The source region and the drain region in the fin and adjacent to opposite sides of the gate electrode. The source region of the fin has a different width than the drain region of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chul Lee, Min-Sang Kim, Dong-gun Park, Choong-ho Lee, Chang-woo Oh, Jae-man Yoon, Dong-won Kim, Jeong-dong Choe, Ming Li, Hye-jin Cho
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Patent number: 7332387Abstract: A MOSFET structure and a method of forming it are described. The thickness of a portion of the gate dielectric layer of the MOSFET structure adjacent to the drain region is increased to form a bird's beak structure. The gate-to-drain overlap capacitance is reduced by the bird's beak structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Promos Technologies Inc.Inventor: Chen-Liang Chu
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Patent number: 7332388Abstract: A method for forming transistor gates having two different work functions comprises forming a first polysilicon layer which may be doped with n-type dopants. The first polysilicon layer comprises an inhibitor material at select locations which retards silicide formation. A second polysilicon layer is formed over the first polysilicon layer. The first and second polysilicon layers are masked and etched to define transistor structures, some of which comprise the inhibitor and some which are free from the inhibitor. Dielectric spacers are formed, then a metal such as cobalt is deposited over the transistor structures. A thermal process may be used to react the metal with the transistor structures to form fully silicided gates from the inhibitor-free structures and partially silicided gates from the structures comprising the inhibitor. Fully silicided gates have the work function of a metal gate while partially silicided gates may have the work function of doped polysilicon.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jigish D. Trivedi, Suraj Mathew
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Patent number: 7332389Abstract: A memory cell having a bit line contact is provided. The memory cell may be a 6F2 memory cell. The bit line contact may have a contact hole bounded by insulating sidewalls, and the contact hole may be partially or completely filled with a doped polysilicon plug. The doped polysilicon plug may have an upper plug surface profile that is substantially free of concavities or substantially convex. Similarly, a storage node contact may comprise a doped polysilicon plug having an upper plug surface profile that is substantially free of concavities or that is substantially convex. Additionally, a semiconductor device having a conductive contact comprising a polysilicon plug may is provided. The plug may contact a capacitor structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Luan Tran
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Patent number: 7332390Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and fabrication method thereof. In a semiconductor memory device, each memory cell comprises a deep trench and a capacitor disposed on the lower portion thereof. A collar oxide layer having a first second sidewalls is disposed on the deep trench. The top of the first sidewall is at the same height as the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The top of the second sidewall is substantially equal to the top of the capacitor. The memory cell further comprises a buried conductor layer disposed on the second sidewall and the capacitor and a buried strap adjoining the buried conductive layer, and a transistor disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the capacitor through the buried strap and the buried conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.Inventor: Wen-Yueh Jang
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Patent number: 7332391Abstract: A method for forming storage node contacts in a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate provided with transistors; forming a hydrogen diffusion preventing layer on the interlayer dielectric layer; forming a hard mask layer containing hydrogen atoms on the hydrogen diffusion preventing layer; forming storage node contact holes, which pass through the hydrogen diffusion preventing layer and the interlayer dielectric layer and expose impurity regions of the transistors, by etching the hydrogen diffusion preventing layer and the interlayer dielectric layer using the hard mask layer as an etching barrier layer; and forming the storage node contacts by filling the storage node contact holes with a conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventors: Il Cheol Roh, Choon Hwan Kim
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Patent number: 7332392Abstract: A trench capacitor structure includes a semiconductor substrate comprising thereon a STI structure. A capacitor deep trench is etched into the semiconductor substrate. Collar oxide layer is disposed on inner surface of the capacitor deep trench. A first doped polysilicon layer is disposed on the collar oxide layer and on the exposed bottom of the capacitor deep trench. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed on the first doped polysilicon layer. A second doped polysilicon layer is formed on the capacitor dielectric layer. A deep ion well is formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the deep ion well is electrically connected with the first doped polysilicon layer through the bottom of the capacitor deep trench. A passing gate insulation (PGI) layer is formed on the second doped polysilicon layer and on the STI structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Yung-Chang Lin, Sun-Chieh Chien, Chien-Li Kuo, Ruey-Chyr Lee
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Patent number: 7332393Abstract: A cylindrical capacitor comprising at least a substrate, a cylindrical bottom electrode, a structure layer, a top electrode and a capacitor dielectric layer is provided. The substrate has several plugs. The cylindrical bottom electrodes are disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the respective plugs. The structure layer surrounds the periphery of each cylindrical bottom electrode. The structure layers that surround the two opposing cylindrical bottom electrodes have no mutual contact while the structure layers that surround two neighboring cylindrical bottom electrodes contact each other. Furthermore, the top electrodes cover the respective cylindrical bottom electrodes and the capacitor dielectric layer is disposed between each top electrode and corresponding cylindrical bottom electrode. Due to the structure layers, the mechanical strength of the whole cylindrical capacitor is improved and the density of the capacitor can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Heng-Yuan Lee, Ching-Yuan Ho, Lurng-Shehng Lee, Chieh-Shuo Liang
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Patent number: 7332394Abstract: A method of integrating the fabrication of a capacitor cell and a logic device region, wherein the surface area of a capacitor region is increased, and the risk of a capacitor depletion phenomena is reduced, has been developed. After formation of insulator filled STI regions featuring tapered sides, a portion of the insulator layer in an STI region is recessed below the top surface of the semiconductor substrate exposing a bare, tapered side of the semiconductor substrate. Ion implantation into the tapered side of the portion of semiconductor substrate exposed in the recessed STI portion, as well as into a top portion of semiconductor substrate located adjacent to the recessed STI portion, results in formation of a capacitor region now greater in surface area than a counterpart capacitor region which is formed via implantation into only a top portion of semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min-Hsiung Chiang
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Patent number: 7332395Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stack capacitance type capacitor is provided, which prevents the problem that the capacitor cannot be formed because a lower electrode collapses with the external wall thereof exposed in forming the lower electrode of the capacitor in a deep hole formed in silicon oxide, and removing silicon oxide that is a support base material for the lower electrode using a solution containing hydrogen fluoride to expose the external wall of the lower electrode. According to the invention, the support base material in which a deep hole is formed is formed with an amorphous carbon film, the amorphous carbon film used as the support base material for the lower electrode is removed by dry etching after forming the lower electrode, and it is thereby possible to prevent the lower electrode from collapsing.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Elpida Memory Inc.Inventor: Naoki Yokoi
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Patent number: 7332396Abstract: A semiconductor device with a recessed channel and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a gate, a source, a drain, and a reverse spacer. The substrate comprises a recessed trench. The gate is formed above the recessed trench and extends above the substrate. The gate further comprises a polysilicon layer and a conductive layer; wherein the polysilicon layer is formed inside the recessed trench of the substrate, and the conductive layer is formed above the polysilicon layer and extends above the substrate. Moreover, the width of the conductive layer increases gradually bottom-up. The source and the drain are formed respectively at two sides of the gate. The reverse spacer is formed above the polysilicon layer and against the sidewall of the conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Promos Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jim Lin, San-Jung Chang, Yu-Cheng Lo
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Patent number: 7332397Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a doped polysilicon layer on a semiconductor substrate forming an oxide film for device isolation in a predetermined region of the doped polysilicon layer and the semiconductor substrate, forming an etch stop layer on the oxide film for device isolation and the doped polysilicon layer, etching a predetermined region of the etch stop layer, the doped polysilicon layer and the semiconductor substrate to form a trench defining a gate region, depositing a gate oxide film on the gate region, forming a gate electrode layer and a hard mask layer filling the trench, and polishing the gate electrode layer and the hard mask layer to expose the etch stop layer and to form a gate in the gate region.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Sang Cheol Kim
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Patent number: 7332398Abstract: A method of manufacturing a trench-gate semiconductor device (1), the method including forming trenches (20) in a semiconductor body (10) in an active transistor cell area of the device, the trenches (20) each having a trench bottom and trench sidewalls, and providing silicon oxide gate insulation (21) in the trenches such that the gate insulation (33) at the trench bottoms is thicker than the gate insulation (21) at the trench sidewalls in order to reduce the gate-drain capacitance of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Michael A. A. In't Zandt, Erwin A. Hijzen
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Patent number: 7332399Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor substrates. After supporting layers are provided on side walls of grooves formed in a semiconductor substrate, grooves that expose a second semiconductor layer are formed. Etching gas or etching liquid is brought in contact with the first semiconductor layer through the grooves, to form a void portion between the semiconductor substrate 1 and the second semiconductor layer. By thermally oxidizing the semiconductor substrate, the second semiconductor layer and the supporting layers, an oxide film is formed in the void portion between the semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor layer, an oxide film is formed on side walls of the semiconductor substrate in the grooves, and the supporting layers are changed into oxide films.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Juri Kato
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Patent number: 7332400Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a gate insulation layer and a gate electrode are sequentially formed on a substrate on which an active region is defined. A planarized layer is formed on the substrate including the gate electrode. The planarized layer partially removed, and an upper portion of the gate electrode is exposed. A silicon epitaxial layer is selectively formed only on the exposed gate electrode, and the planarized layer is completely removed. A gate spacer is formed along side surfaces of the gate electrode and the silicon epitaxial layer. A source/drain region is formed on a surface portion of the active region corresponding to the gate electrode. Since the silicon epitaxial layer is formed only on the gate region except the source/drain region, the gate resistance is stabilized and the parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and the source/drain region is reduce.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: You-Seung Jin, Jong-Hyon Ahn, Hyuk-Ju Ryu
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Patent number: 7332401Abstract: An electrode structure includes a first layer of conductive material and a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the first layer. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the surface of the first layer. A binding layer is formed on the dielectric layer and on the exposed portion of the surface of the first layer and a second layer of conductive material is formed on the conductive binding layer. The binding layer can be an oxide and the second layer a conductive material that is diffusible into an oxide. The electrode structure can be annealed to cause conductive material from the second layer to be chemisorbed into the binding layer to improve adhesion between the first and second layers. A programmable cell can be formed by forming a doped glass layer in the electrode structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Ing.Inventors: John T. Moore, Joseph F. Brooks
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Patent number: 7332402Abstract: Methods for adjusting the bulk material properties of manufactured components, such as resistors, thermistors, varistors, capacitors, resonators, oscillators, and optical components. Adjustment of the resistance of a resistor can be achieved by directing a high energy beam, such as an ultraviolet beam, onto a resistor formed from a matrix component and an embedded conductive component. The high energy beam adjusts the resistivity of the resistor material substantially without ablating the matrix component by affecting the matrix component, the conductive component, or both. Because of the lack of ablation, the material having a property to be adjusted can be a sub-layer in a laminated structure, with the high energy beam being directed through other layers formed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventor: William Freeman
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Patent number: 7332403Abstract: A buried thin film resistor having end caps defined by a dielectric mask is disclosed. A thin film resistor is formed on an integrated circuit substrate. A resistor protect layer is formed over the thin film resistor. A layer of dielectric material is formed over the resistor protect layer. The dielectric material is masked and dry etched to leave a first portion of dielectric material over a first end of the thin film resistor and a second portion of dielectric material over a second end of the thin film resistor. The resistor protect layer is then wet etched using the first and second portions of the dielectric material as a hard mask. Then a second dielectric layer is deposited and vias are etched down to the underlying portions of the resistor protect layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Rodney Hill, Victor Torres, William Max Coppock, Richard W. Foote, Jr., Terry L. Lines, Tom Bold
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Patent number: 7332404Abstract: In a method of fabricating a capacitor, an interlayer insulating layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A contact plug penetrating the interlayer insulating layer is formed. An oxidation barrier layer and a molding layer are sequentially formed on the semiconductor substrate having the contact plug and the interlayer insulating layer. The molding layer is patterned to form a first lower electrode contact hole which exposes the oxidation barrier layer on the contact plug. An electrode layer pattern covering an inner sidewall of the first lower electrode contact hole is formed. The oxidation barrier layer exposed by the electrode layer pattern is etched to form a second lower electrode contact hole which exposes the contact plug. A conductive layer pattern covering an inner wall of the second lower electrode contact hole is then formed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seok-Jun Won
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Patent number: 7332405Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit is fabricated in a substrate having a semiconductor layer and an underlying insulator layer. The fabrication process includes a step of locally oxidizing the semiconductor layer to form a field oxide, during which step the semiconductor layer is protected by a nitride film. The nitride film has both openings to permit local oxidization in the integrated circuit area, and an opening defining an alignment mark adjacent to the circuit area. The alignment mark may be formed either in the semiconductor and insulator layers, or in a part of the nitride film left after the nitride film is removed from the circuit area. In either case, the edge height of the alignment mark is not limited by the thickness of the semiconductor layer. Using the nitride layer to define both the alignment mark and the field oxide reduces the necessary number of fabrication steps.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sachiko Yabe, Takashi Taguchi, Minoru Watanabe
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Patent number: 7332406Abstract: A low-k dielectric sacrificial material is formed within a microelectronic structure covered with a layer defining an exhaust vent. At an appropriate time, the underlying sacrificial material is decomposed and exhausted away through the exhaust vent. Residue from the exhausted sacrificial material accumulates at the vent location during exhaustion until the vent is substantially occluded. As a result, an air gap is created having desirable characteristics as a dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Hyun-Mog Park, Grant M. Kloster
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Patent number: 7332407Abstract: A process and apparatus for a high-k gate dielectric MOS transistor is described. A substrate is provided, a high-k gate dielectric material is deposited over the substrate, a gate electrode layer is deposited over the dielectric material and a patterning step is performed creating sidewalls of the electrode and dielectric and removing a portion of the substrate. Sidewall material is deposited over the patterned gate electrode and dielectric creating protective sidewalls on the patterned gate electrode and dielectric that extend beneath the bottom of the dielectric. In alternative embodiments a channel material is deposited beneath the high-k gate dielectric and the patterning step removes at least a portion of the channel material beneath the high-k gate dielectric. In alternative embodiments the channel material is counter-doped.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Shang-Chih Chen
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Patent number: 7332408Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. A first dielectric plug is formed in a portion of a trench that extends into a substrate of a memory device so that an upper surface of the first dielectric plug is recessed below an upper surface of the substrate. The first dielectric plug has a layer of a first dielectric material and a layer of a second dielectric material formed on the layer of the first dielectric material. A second dielectric plug of a third dielectric material is formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric plug.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Michael Violette
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Patent number: 7332409Abstract: A method of forming a trench isolation layer can include forming an isolation layer in a trench using High Density Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (HDPCVD) with a carrier gas comprising hydrogen. Other methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yong-Won Cha, Kyu-Tae Na, Yong-Soon Choi, Eunkee Hong, Ju-Seon Goo
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Patent number: 7332410Abstract: A process for bonding oxide-free silicon substrate pairs and other substrates at low temperature. This process involves modifying the surface of the silicon wafers to create defect regions, for example by plasma-treating the surface to be bonded with a or boron-containing plasmas such as a B2H6 plasma. The surface defect regions may also be created by ion implantation, preferably using boron. The surfaces may also be amorphized. The treated surfaces are placed together, thus forming an attached pair at room temperature in ambient air. The bonding energy reaches approximately 400 mJ/m2 at room temperature, 900 mJ/m2 at 150° C., and 1800 mJ/m2 at 250° C. The bulk silicon fracture energy of 2500 mJ/m2 was achieved after annealing at 350-400° C. The release of hydrogen from B—H complexes and the subsequent absorption of the hydrogen by the plasma induced modified layers on the bonding surfaces at low temperature is most likely responsible for the enhanced bonding energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.Inventor: Qin-Yi Tong
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Patent number: 7332411Abstract: A system and method bond wafers using localized induction heating. One or more induction micro-heaters are formed with a first substrate to be bonded. A second substrate is positioned in intimate contact with the induction micro-heaters. An alternating magnetic field is generated to induce a current in the induction micro-heaters, to form one or more bonds between the first substrate and the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LPInventors: James McKinnell, Chien-Hua Chen, John Liebeskind, Ronald A Hellekson
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Patent number: 7332412Abstract: Provided is a strained SOI structure and a method of manufacturing the strained SOI structure. The strained SOI structure includes an insulating substrate, a SiO2 layer formed on the insulating substrate, and a strained silicon layer formed on the SiO2 layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-soo Park, Wenxu Xianyu, Takashi Noguchi
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Patent number: 7332413Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices include thinning a region of a semiconductor wafer and forming at least one semiconductor die laterally within a thinned region of the wafer. One or more reinforcement structures may be defined on the wafer. Semiconductor wafers include one or more reinforcement structures that extend laterally along the wafer and project from at least one surface of the wafer. The wafers further include a plurality of at least partially formed semiconductor dice laterally within at least one region having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the reinforcement structures. The wafers may include a plurality of at least partially formed semiconductor dice laterally within each of a plurality of thin regions defined between a plurality of reinforcement structures. The thin regions may have an average thickness less than an average thickness of the reinforcement structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Tecnology, Inc.Inventor: Kyle K. Kirby
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Patent number: 7332414Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor device from a substrate (200) having an active surface (204) and a non-active surface (206). The method comprises depositing a backing material (104) onto the non-active surface of the substrate (206) in a pattern (500), the pattern (500) having at least a first die section (210), a second die section (212) adjacent the first die section (210), and a strip (216) connecting the first die section (210) and the second die section (212), removing material from portions of the non-active surface of the substrate (206) on which the backing material (104) is not deposited to thereby partially separate the substrate (200) into a first die (236) and a second die (238) connected to one another by the strip (254) of the deposited backing material, and breaking the strip connector (254) to separate the first die (236) from the second die (238).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Brian W. Condie, David J. Dougherty, Mahesh K. Shah
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Patent number: 7332415Abstract: A method of dividing a silicon wafer along predetermined dividing lines, comprising a deteriorated layer forming step for forming deteriorated layers exposed to at least a surface to which a laser beam is applied, from the inside of the silicon wafer by applying a pulse laser beam with a wavelength capable of passing through the silicon wafer to the silicon wafer along the dividing lines; and a dividing step for dividing the silicon wafer along the dividing lines by applying a laser beam having absorptivity for the silicon wafer to the silicon wafer along the dividing lines where the deteriorated layers have been formed, from the side to which the deteriorated layers have been exposed, to generate thermal stress along the dividing lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Disco CorporationInventors: Yusuke Nagai, Satoshi Kobayashi, Yukio Morishige
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Patent number: 7332416Abstract: Methods to manufacture contaminant-gettering materials in the surface of EUV optics are described herein. An optical element is patterned and a contaminant-gettering material is formed on a surface of the optical element. In one embodiment, a photoresist is deposited on an optical coating on the optical element. Trenches are formed in the optical coating. The gettering agent is formed into the trenches over the photoresist. Next, the photoresist is removed from the optical coating to expose the gettering agent in the trenches. For another embodiment, patches of a nanotube forest having a gettering agent are formed in designated areas of an optical element. The gettering agent of the patches may be a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The optical coating is formed on a substrate between patches of the gettering agent.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Robert L. Bristol, Bruce H. Billett
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Patent number: 7332417Abstract: Semiconductor structures are formed with semiconductor layers having reduced compositional variation. Top surfaces of the semiconductor layers are substantially haze-free.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: AmberWave Systems CorporationInventors: Richard Westhoff, Christopher J. Vineis, Matthew T. Currie, Vicky T. Yang, Christopher W. Leitz
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Patent number: 7332418Abstract: A memory cell which is formed on a substrate of a first conductivity type. A pillar of the first conductivity type extends vertically upward from the substrate. A source region of a second conductivity type is formed in the substrate extending adjacent to and away from a base of the pillar. A drain region of the second conductivity type is formed in an upper region of the pillar. A gate dielectric and conductor are arranged along a first side of the pillar. A capacitor dielectric and body capacitor plate are arranged along an opposite, second side of the pillar. A depletion region around the source region defines a floating body region within the pillar which forms both a body of an access transistor structure and a plate of a capacitor structure. The cell also provides gain with respect to charge stored within the floating body.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Leonard Forbes
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Patent number: 7332419Abstract: An integrated circuit transistor is fabricated with a trench gate having nonconductive sidewalls. The transistor is surrounded by an isolation trench filled with a nonconductive material. The sidewalls of the gate trench are formed of the nonconductive material and are substantially free of unetched substrate material. As a result, the sidewalls of the gate trench do not form an undesired conductive path between the source and the drain of the transistor, thereby advantageously reducing the amount of parasitic current that flows between the source and drain during operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Smith, Mark Helm, Kirk Prall
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Patent number: 7332420Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a P-type MOSFET and an N-type MOSFET, the method comprising the steps of: forming a gate insulating film, a non-doped polysilicon film, a metal silicide film, a metal nitride film and a metal film on a semiconductor substrate; processing at least the metal film, the metal nitride film and the metal silicide film to pattern them into the shape of a gate such that the portion of the meal silicide film that forms part of a gate electrode of a P-type MOSFET and the portion of the meal silicide film that forms part of a gate electrode of an N-type MOSFET are separated from each other; introducing P-type and N-type impurities into the respective regions of the non-doped polysilicon film where the P-type and N-type MOSFETs are formed; performing thermal treatment to diffuse the impurities; and patterning the polysilicon film with the impurities introduced into the shape of the gate.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.Inventor: Yoshikazu Moriwaki