Patents Issued in April 14, 2009
  • Patent number: 7517720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an n-type ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal having high carrier concentration and low resistivity, the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal, and a semiconductor device produced by using the ZnTe system compound semiconductor as a base member. Concretely, a first dopant and a second dopant are co-doped into the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal so that the number of atoms of the second dopant becomes smaller than the number of atoms of the first dopant, the first dopant being for controlling a conductivity type of the ZnTe system compound semiconductor to a first conductivity type, and the second dopant being for controlling the conductivity type to a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. By the present invention, a desired carrier concentration can be achieved with a doping amount smaller than in earlier technology, and crystallinity of the obtained crystal can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Atsutoshi Arakawa, Kenji Sato, Toshiaki Asahi
  • Patent number: 7517721
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a first inner permanent magnet joined to an inner yoke, a second inner permanent magnet joined to the inner yoke, an outer yoke, a member interconnecting the outer and inner yokes, a first outer permanent magnet joined to an inner surface of the outer yoke, a second outer permanent magnet joined to an inner surface of the outer yoke, a first armature coil inserted into a gap between the first inner and outer permanent magnets, and a second armature coil inserted into another gap between the first inner and outer permanent magnets. The inner yoke includes an inner thicker portion axially opposed to the inner permanent magnets and having a larger radial thickness than a remaining portion. The outer yoke includes an outer thicker portion axially opposed to the first and second outer permanent magnets and having a larger radial thickness than a remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi Ito, Tadahiro Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7517722
    Abstract: An electronic component and a blank have plastic embedding compounds of a first and a second plastic layer. Semiconductor chips are embedded in the first plastic layer in such a way that their marginal sides are surrounded by a bead. The second plastic layer compensates for the unevenness of a upper boundary of the first plastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Bernd Goller, Robert-Christian Hagen, Gerald Ofner, Christian Stuempfl, Stefan Wein, Holger Wörner
  • Patent number: 7517723
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for fabricating a system in package. In one embodiment, the method comprises preparing a printed circuit board (PCB) strip comprising a plurality of individual PCBs, stacking a plurality of first semiconductor chips and forming an encapsulant on a first surface of a first individual PCB of the plurality of individual PCBs to form a first semiconductor chip stack structure comprising a first semiconductor chip stack, and performing a first test adapted to test one of the first semiconductor chips in the first semiconductor chip stack. The method further comprises flip chip bonding a second semiconductor chip to a second surface of the first individual PCB if the first semiconductor chip stack structure meets a test standard based on a result of the first test, and dividing the first semiconductor chip stack structure to form a system in package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heung-Kyu Kwon, Tae-Hun Kim, Jeong-O Ha
  • Patent number: 7517724
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dicing/die bonding sheet which can be used as a dicing tape during dicing, enables ready separation of the semiconductor element and the adhesive layer from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer during pickup, and in which the adhesive layer has satisfactory adhesiveness as a die bonding material. A dicing/die bonding sheet in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprises a compound (A), containing intramolecular, radiation curable carbon-carbon double bonds with an iodine value of 0.5 to 20, and at least one compound (B) selected from a group consisting of polyisocyanates, melamine-formaldehyde resins, and epoxy resins, and the adhesive layer comprises an epoxy resin (a), a phenolic resin (b) with a hydroxyl equivalent of at least 150 g/eq., an epoxy group-containing acrylic copolymer (c), comprising from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Hatakeyama, Michio Uruno, Takayuki Matsuzaki, Yasumasa Morishima, Kenji Kita, Shinichi Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 7517725
    Abstract: A method of separating an IC. The method includes dicing a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer includes multiple ICs. The diced wafer is secured to a stretchable substrate. The stretchable substrate can be stretched so as to form corresponding spaces between each of the ICs. The corresponding spaces are filled with a support material. A system for separating ICs on a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: XCI, Inc.
    Inventor: Antonio L. Reis
  • Patent number: 7517726
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of manufacturing a chip scale package. Embodiments of the present invention include sawing kerfs between semiconductor device boundaries on opposite sides of the wafer and filling the kerfs with mold compound. The devices may then be sawed into individual packaged devices encapsulated in mold compound. In one embodiment, kerfs on opposite sides of the wafer have different widths to create a step in the wafer boundary with the mold compound, which improves the integrity of the package. In one embodiment, a device and one or more neighboring devices are bonded together using bond wires to form a group of device that are encapsulated in mold compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shanghai KaiHong Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xiaochun Tan, Jun Guo
  • Patent number: 7517727
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for connection of an integrated circuit (1), in particular of a chip, a wafer or a hybrid, to a substrate (10), which has the following steps: provision of an elastic intermediate layer (5) on the integrated circuit (1) and/or the substrate (10); structuring of the elastic layer (5) in raised areas (5a) and recessed areas (5b); and connection of the substrate (10) and of the integrated circuit (1) via the structured elastic intermediate layer (5). The invention likewise provides a corresponding circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Harry Hedler, Anton Legen
  • Patent number: 7517728
    Abstract: Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device include dispensing a first quantity of encapsulant material into a cavity including the light emitting device. The first quantity of encapsulant material in the cavity is treated to form a hardened upper surface thereof having a selected shape. A luminescent conversion element is provided on the upper surface of the treated first quantity of encapsulant material. The luminescent conversion element includes a wavelength conversion material and has a thickness at a middle region of the cavity greater than proximate a sidewall of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leung, Thomas G. Coleman, Maryanne Becerra
  • Patent number: 7517729
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package system is provided including providing a substrate having a die attached and electrically bonded thereto. The system includes forming heat slug pillars on the substrate, positioning a heat slug on the heat slug pillars, and encapsulating the substrate, the die, the heat slug pillars, and the heat slug in a mold compound. The system includes singulating the substrate, the die, the heat slug, and the mold compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Stats Chippac Ltd.
    Inventors: Seongmin Lee, Tae Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 7517730
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a coreless substrate. The method comprises the steps of (a) forming an insulating layer on one side of a metal sheet; (b) forming a via hole on the insulating layer for electrical connection between the metal sheet and the other side; and (c) forming a plurality of protruded function pads by etching the metal sheet. The coreless substrate and manufacturing method thereof in accordance with the present invention have the signal delivery characteristic that is improved by eliminating the inner via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon-Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 7517731
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor package including: a substrate having a plurality of electrode pads on a surface thereof; a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate, the semiconductor chip electrically connecting with the plurality of electrode pads; and a stiffener arranged on the substrate so as to surround the semiconductor chip. The stiffener includes: an insulating material layer; and a rigid plate mounted substantially parallel to a surface of the substrate in the insulating material layer, the rigid plate having formed therein a plurality of through holes, at least a part of the through holes being filled with the insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Nakanishi, Kosei Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 7517732
    Abstract: A thin semiconductor device package, comprising a thin substrate, at least one thin die coupled with the substrate and having a perimeter dimension less than that of the substrate, a mold material provided at a surface of the substrate adjacent to the perimeter of the die so that a surface of the mold material is coplanar with a surface of the die, and at least one electrically conductive pathway having at least one first terminal end configured to provide electrical continuity with the conductive element and at least one second terminal end formed at a surface of the mold material, the pathway extending from the first terminal end to the second terminal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Jackson, Damion T. Searls, Yoshihiro Tomita
  • Patent number: 7517733
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a leadframe. A first lead finger has a lower portion, a connecting portion extending vertically upward from the lower portion, and a substantially flat, top portion. The top portion forms a top terminal lead structure. A second lead finger is electrically connected to the first lead finger. A portion of the second lead finger forms a bottom terminal lead structure. A portion of the second lead finger corresponds to a bottom surface of the semiconductor package. A surface of the substantially flat, top portion corresponds to a top surface of the semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zigmund R. Camacho, Henry D. Bathan, Jose Alvin Santos Caparas, Lionel Chien Hui Tay
  • Patent number: 7517734
    Abstract: A wafer level package includes a device wafer having a micro device, and bonding pads which are connected to the micro device, and formed at one surface of the device wafer, via connectors extending from the bonding pads to the other surface of the device wafer, external bonding pads formed at the other surface of the device wafer and connected to the bonding pads through the via connectors, and a cap structure bonded to one surface of the device wafer so as to allow the micro device to be insulated and hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Ho Lee, Jea Shik Shin
  • Patent number: 7517735
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active matrix substrate includes forming wiring lines each having a matrix pattern on a substrate such that a wiring line extending in any one of a first direction and a second direction is separated from another wiring line at an intersection; forming a laminated portion composed of an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer on a portion of the wiring line and the intersection; and forming a conductive layer electrically connecting the separated wiring line, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the wiring line via the semiconductor layer on the laminated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Future Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yoshimoto, Yoichi Noda, Atsushi Denda, Toshimitsu Hirai, Shinri Sakai
  • Patent number: 7517736
    Abstract: Methods are provided that enable the ability to use a less aggressive liner processes, while producing structures known to give a desired high stress migration and electro-migration reliability. The present invention circumvents the issue of sputter damage of low k (on the order of 3.2 or less) dielectric by creating the via “anchors” (interlocked and interpenetrated vias) through chemical means. This allows the elimination or significant reduction of the sputter-etching process used to create the via penetration (“drilling, gouging”) into the line below in the barrier/seed metallization step. The present invention achieves the above, while maintaining a reliable copper fill and device structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sanjay C. Mehta, Daniel C. Edelstein, John A. Fitzsimmons, Stephan Grunow, Henry A. Nye, III, David L. Rath
  • Patent number: 7517737
    Abstract: A memory device and peripheral circuitry on a substrate are described, made by a process that includes forming a charge trapping structure having a first thickness over a first area. A first gate dielectric layer having a second thickness is formed for low-voltage transistors. A second gate dielectric layer having a third thickness, greater than the second thickness, is formed for high-voltage transistors. Polysilicon is deposited and patterned to define word lines and transistor gates. The thickness of the second gate dielectric layer in regions adjacent the gates, and over a source and drain regions, is reduced to a thickness that is close to that of the second thickness. Dopants are implanted for formation of source and drain regions in the second and third areas. A silicon nitride spacer material is deposited over the word lines and gates, and etched to form sidewall spacers on the gates. Dopants are implanted aligned with the sidewall spacers in the second and third areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Hung Li, Jen Chuan Pan, Jongoh Kim
  • Patent number: 7517738
    Abstract: The formation of contact holes and a capacitor is performed in a semiconductor integrated circuit such as an active matrix circuit. An interlayer insulator having a multilayer (a lower layer is silicon oxide; an upper layer is silicon nitride) each having different dry etching characteristic is formed. Using a first mask, the silicon nitride corresponding to the upper layer in the interlayer insulator is etched by dry etching. This etching is completed by using the silicon oxide corresponding to the lower layer as an etching stopper. A pattern is formed using a second mask to form selectively the silicon oxide corresponding to the lower layer. Thus a first portion that the silicon oxide and the silicon nitride are etched and a second portion that only silicon nitride is etched are obtained. The first portion is used as a contact hole. A capacitor is formed in the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7517739
    Abstract: An electronic device, e.g., a printed transistor device, comprises a substrate, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a semiconductor layer. The substrate has a first platform and a second platform embossing on the surface thereof, and the first and second platforms are separated by a gap whose width is equivalent to the channel length of the transistor. The first and second conductive layers serving as the source and the drain, respectively, of the transistor device are formed on surfaces of the first and second platforms. The semiconductor layer is formed on the surface of the substrate in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Zing Way Pei, Chao An Chung
  • Patent number: 7517740
    Abstract: Provided is a method of crystallizing/activating a polysilicon layer and a method of fabricating a thin film transistor having the same polysilicon layer, in which when a gate material is patterned to form a gate electrode and define source/drain regions, the gate material on source/drain regions partially remains, so that crystallizing and activating processes are performed at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yong Hae Kim, Choong Yong Sohn, Jin Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7517741
    Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method includes forming a semiconductor structure including source/drain regions disposed on either side of a channel body wherein the source/drain regions include a first semiconductor material and wherein the channel body includes a migration barrier of a second semiconductor material. A gate dielectric overlies the semiconductor structure and a gate module overlies the gate dielectric. An offset in the majority carrier potential energy level between the first and second semiconductor materials creates a potential well for majority carriers in the channel body. The migration barrier may be a layer of the second semiconductor material over a first layer of the first semiconductor material and under a capping layer of the first semiconductor material. In a one dimensional migration barrier, the migration barrier extends laterally through the source/drain regions while, in a two dimensional barrier, the barrier terminates laterally at boundaries defined by the gate module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Marius K. Orlowski, James D. Burnett
  • Patent number: 7517742
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is provided herein. In accordance with the method, a semiconductor stack is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer, and a first dielectric layer disposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor layer. A first trench is formed in the first dielectric layer which exposes a portion of the substrate, and a first implant region is formed in the first trench. Cathode and anode regions are formed in the first implant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung W. Min, Laegu Kang, Michael Khazhinsky
  • Patent number: 7517743
    Abstract: A fully-depleted (FD) Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) MOSFET access transistor comprising a gate electrode of a conductivity type which is opposite the conductivity type of the source/drain regions and a method of fabrication are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongmei Wang, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 7517744
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitorless DRAM over localized silicon-on-insulator comprises the following steps: A silicon substrate is provided, and an array of silicon studs is defined within the silicon substrate. An insulator layer is defined atop at least a portion of the silicon substrate, and between the silicon studs. A silicon-over-insulator layer is defined surrounding the silicon studs atop the insulator layer, and a capacitorless DRAM is formed within and above the silicon-over-insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Suraj Mathew, Jigish D. Trivedi
  • Patent number: 7517745
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate insulating film which is formed on the major surface of a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode which is formed on the gate insulating film, a first offset-spacer which is formed in contact with one side surface of the gate electrode, a first spacer which is formed in contact with the other side surface of the gate electrode, a second spacer which is formed in contact with the first offset-spacer, and source and drain regions which are formed apart from each other in the major surface of the semiconductor substrate below the first and second spacers so as to sandwich the gate electrode and the first offset-spacer. The source region is formed at a position deeper than the drain region. The dopant concentration of the source region is higher than that of the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hideji Tsujii
  • Patent number: 7517746
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal oxide semiconductor transistor having a metal gate is provided. The method firstly includes a step of providing a substrate. A dummy gate is formed on the substrate, a spacer is formed around the dummy gate, and doped regions are formed in the substrate outside of the dummy gate. A bevel edge is formed on the spacer, and a trench is formed in the inner sidewall of the spacer. A barrier layer, and a metal gate are formed in the trench and on the bevel edge, and the barrier layer will not form poor step coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiang Lin, Chia-Jung Hsu, Li-Wei Cheng
  • Patent number: 7517747
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of discrete storage elements over the first dielectric layer, thermally oxidizing the plurality of discrete storage elements to form a second dielectrics over the plurality of discrete storage elements, and forming a gate electrode over the second dielectric layer, wherein a significant portion of the gate electrode is between pairs of the plurality of discrete storage elements. In one embodiment, portions of the gate electrode is in the spaces between the discrete storage elements and extends to more than half of the depth of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Muralidhar, Rajesh A. Rao, Michael A. Sadd, Bruce E. White
  • Patent number: 7517748
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a pair of trenches filled with a dielectric material. Dopant introduced into the mesa between the trenches is limited from diffusing laterally when the substrate is subjected to thermal processing. Therefore, semiconductor devices can be spaced more closely together on the substrate, and the packing density of the devices can be increased. Also trench constrained doped region diffuse faster and deeper than unconstrained diffusions, thereby reducing the time and temperature needed to complete a desired depth diffusion. The technique may be used for semiconductor devices such as bipolar transistors as well as isolation regions that electrically isolate the devices from each other. In one group of embodiments, a buried layer is formed at an interface between an epitaxial layer and a substrate, at a location generally below the dopant in the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc., Advanced Analogic Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Michael E. Cornell, Wai Tien Chan
  • Patent number: 7517749
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to facilitate forming memory devices with low resistance polysilicon local interconnects that allow a smaller array feature size and therefore facilitate forming arrays of a denser array format. Embodiments of the present invention are formed utilizing a wet etch process that has a high selectivity, allowing the deposition and etching of polysilicon local interconnects to source regions of array transistors. By providing for a local interconnect of polysilicon, a smaller source region and/or drain region can also be utilized, further decreasing the required word line spacing. Low resistance polysilicon local source interconnects can also couple to an increased number of memory cells, thereby reducing the number of contacts made to an array ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Chen, Guy Blalock, Graham Wolstenholme, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 7517750
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of manufacturing memory devices including forming floating gate patterns on a semiconductor substrate having active regions thereon, wherein the floating gate patterns cover the active regions and are spaced apart from the active regions; forming an inter-gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate having the floating gate patterns by alternately stacking a zirconium oxide layer and an aluminum oxide layer at least once, wherein the inter-gate dielectric layer is formed by a deposition process using O3 gas as a reactive gas; forming a control gate layer on the inter-gate dielectric layer; and forming a control gate, an inter-gate dielectric layer pattern and a floating gate by sequentially patterning the control gate layer, the inter-gate dielectric layer and the floating gate pattern, wherein the inter-gate dielectric layer pattern and the control gate are sequentially stacked across the active regions, and the floating gate is formed between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Mei Choi, Young-Geun Park, Seung-Hwan Lee, Young-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 7517751
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes the step of forming an oxide film by oxidizing a silicon substrate surface and the step of nitriding the oxide film to form an oxynitride film, wherein there is provided a step of purging oxygen after the oxidizing step but before said nitriding step from an ambient in which said nitriding processing is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takuya Sugawara, Seiji Matsuyama, Masaru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7517752
    Abstract: Provided are a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having different kinds of capacitors, and a semiconductor device formed using the same. In a fabrication process, after preparing a substrate including a storage capacitor region and a higher voltage resistance capacitor region, a lower electrode layer may be formed on the storage capacitor region and the higher voltage resistance capacitor region. A first dielectric film may be formed on the lower electrode layer, and the first dielectric film of the storage capacitor region may be selectively removed to expose the lower electrode layer of the storage capacitor region. After forming a second dielectric film on the first dielectric film and the exposed lower electrode layer of the storage capacitor region, an upper electrode layer may be formed on the second dielectric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hwa-Sook Shin
  • Patent number: 7517753
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitors. In one implementation, a method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes anodically etching individual capacitor electrode channels within a material over individual capacitor storage node locations on a substrate. The channels are at least partially filled with electrically conductive capacitor electrode material in electrical connection with the individual capacitor storage node locations. The capacitor electrode material is incorporated into a plurality of capacitors. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Montgomery Manning
  • Patent number: 7517754
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions in which electrically conductive structures are formed between bitlines to electrically connect with storage node contacts. The bitlines can be formed within trenches having faceted top portions. The invention also includes semiconductor structures containing trenches with faceted top portions, and containing bitlines within the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence B. McDaniel, Scott A. Southwick, Fred D. Fishburn
  • Patent number: 7517755
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure comprising a stacked structure of a gate electrode and a gate hard mask layer over a semiconductor substrate having a device isolation structure. An insulating film filling up the gate structure is formed. A predetermined region of the insulating film is selectively etched to expose the semiconductor substrate of a bit line contact region. A C-HALO ion implantation process is subjected to the exposed semiconductor substrate. The insulating film is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7517756
    Abstract: Floating gate structures are disclosed which have a base field coupled with the substrate and a narrow projection extending from the base away from the substrate. In one form, surfaces of a relatively large projection provide an increased surface area for a control gate that wraps around it, thereby increasing the coupling between the two. In another form, an erase gate wraps around a relatively small projection in order to take advantage of sharp edges of the projection to promote tunneling of electrons from the floating to the erase gate. In each case, the control or floating gate is positioned within the area of the floating gate in one direction, thereby not requiring additional substrate area for such memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Jack H. Yuan
  • Patent number: 7517757
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device including a control gate pattern having a tunnel insulation pattern, a trap-insulation pattern, a blocking insulation pattern and a control gate electrode, which are stacked on a semiconductor substrate. A selection gate pattern is disposed on the semiconductor substrate at one side of the control gate pattern. A gate insulation pattern is interposed between the selection gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, and between the selection gate electrode and the control gate pattern. A cell channel region includes a first channel region defined in the semiconductor substrate under the selection gate electrode and a second channel region defined in the semiconductor substrate under the control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Kook Min, Hee-Seong Jeon
  • Patent number: 7517758
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming epitaxial silicon-comprising material and methods of forming vertical transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming epitaxial silicon-comprising material includes providing a substrate comprising monocrystalline material. A first portion of the monocrystalline material is outwardly exposed while a second portion of the monocrystalline material is masked. A first silicon-comprising layer is epitaxially grown from the exposed monocrystalline material of the first portion and not from the monocrystalline material of the masked second portion. After growing the first silicon-comprising layer, the second portion of the monocrystalline material is unmasked. A second silicon-comprising layer is then epitaxially grown from the first silicon-comprising layer and from the unmasked monocrystalline material of the second portion. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Cem Basceri, Eric R. Blomiley
  • Patent number: 7517759
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an MOS device is described. A substrate doped a first type dopant is provided as a drain. A first type epitaxial layer is formed on the substrate and is patterned with a trench to form several islands. A gate dielectric layer is then formed on the surface of the trench, and a gate is formed in the trench covering the gate dielectric layer. A second type dopant is doped into the islands with the doping concentration decreasing gradually from the bottom to the top of the islands. Afterwards, a source is formed at the top of the islands. Accordingly, the doping concentration in the islands decreases gradually from the drain to the source with the highest doping concentration near the drain. Therefore, the width of the depletion region can be reduced, and the length of the device channel can be reduced for lowering channel resistance and gate capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Episil Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bing-Yue Tsui
  • Patent number: 7517760
    Abstract: After protective insulating films are formed on first to third active regions, the protective insulating films formed on the first and third active regions are removed. Subsequently, an insulating film to be a first gate insulating film is formed on each of the first and third active regions, and then, the protective insulating film formed on the second active region is removed. Next, an insulating film to be a second gate insulating film is formed on the second active region, and then, the insulating film to be the first gate insulating film formed on the third active region is removed. Finally, an insulating film to be a third gate insulating film is formed on the third active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Arai, Takashi Nakabayashi, Yasutoshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 7517761
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a field plate of a high voltage device. The field plate is located on a drift region of a substrate, wherein an isolation structure is located on the drift region. The method comprises steps of forming a first dielectric layer over the substrate and then forming a first patterned conductive layer on the first dielectric layer, wherein the first patterned conductive layer is located over the isolation structure and exposes a portion of a top surface of the first dielectric layer. The exposed portion of the first dielectric layer is removed until a top surface of the isolation structure so as to form a plurality of vertical fin-type dielectric bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Hung Kao, Chin-Shun Lin
  • Patent number: 7517762
    Abstract: A fuse area of a semiconductor device capable of preventing moisture-absorption and a method for manufacturing the fuse area are provided. When forming a guard ring for preventing permeation of moisture through the sidewall of an exposed fuse opening portion, an etch stop layer is formed over a fuse line. A guard ring opening portion is formed using the etch stop layer. The guard ring opening portion is filled with a material for forming the uppermost wiring of multi-level interconnect wirings or the material of a passivation layer, thereby forming the guard ring concurrently with the uppermost interconnect wiring or the passivation layer. Accordingly, permeation of moisture through an interlayer insulating layer or the interface between interlayer insulating layers around the fuse opening portion can be efficiently prevented by a simple process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-yoon Kim, Won-seong Lee, Young-woo Park
  • Patent number: 7517763
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, a fuse and a capacitor are formed at a same level on a semiconductor substrate having a fuse area and a capacitor area. The fuse is placed on the fuse area, and a lower plate is placed on the capacitor area. The lower plate is located on a same plane as the fuse. Further, an upper plate is located above the lower plate, and a capping layer is interposed between the lower plate and the upper plate. Therefore, the fuse and the capacitor can be formed at the same time, thereby minimizing photolithography and etch process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Han Park, Ki-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7517764
    Abstract: A finFET structure and a method of fabricating the finFET structure. The method includes: forming a silicon fin on a top surface of a silicon substrate; forming a gate dielectric on opposite sidewalls of the fin; forming a gate electrode over a channel region of the fin, the gate electrode in direct physical contact with the gate dielectric layer on the opposite sidewalls of the fin; forming a first source/drain in the fin on a first side of the channel region and forming a second source/drain in the fin on a second side of the channel region; removing a portion of the substrate from under at least a portion of the first and second source/drains to create a void; and filling the void with a dielectric material. The structure includes a body contact between the silicon body of the finFET and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Allen Booth, Jr., William Paul Hovis, Jack Allan Mandelman
  • Patent number: 7517765
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming germanides on substrates with exposed germanium and exposed dielectric(s) topography, thereby allowing for variations in the germanide forming process. The method comprises the steps of depositing nickel on a substrate having topography, performing a first thermal step to convert substantially all deposited nickel in regions away from the topography into a germanide, selectively removing the unreacted nickel, and performing a second thermal step to lower the resistance of formed germanide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC), Intel Corporation (INTEL), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
    Inventors: David P. Brunco, Karl Opsomer, Brice De Jaeger
  • Patent number: 7517766
    Abstract: A method of removing a spacer, a method of manufacturing a metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor device, and a metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor device, in which, before the spacer is removed, a protective layer is deposited on a spacer and on a material layer (such as a salicide layer) formed on the source/drain region and a gate electrode, such that the thickness of the protective layer on the spacer is smaller than the thickness on the material layer, and thereafter, the protective layer is partially removed such that the thickness of the protective layer on the spacer is approximately zero and a portion of the protective layer is remained on the material layer. Accordingly, when the spacer is removed, the material layer may be protected by the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Pei-Yu Chou, Shih-Fang Tzou, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao
  • Patent number: 7517767
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming a conductive stud contacting a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a protective layer covering the semiconductor device; selectively etching an opening down through the protective layer reaching a contact area of the semiconductor device, the opening being away from a protected area of the semiconductor device; and filling the opening with a conductive material to form the conductive stud. One embodiment may further include forming a dielectric liner directly on top of the semiconductor device, and forming the protective layer on top of the dielectric liner. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a semiconductor device made thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Infineon AG
    Inventors: Thomas W. Dyer, Sunfei Fang, Jiang Yan
  • Patent number: 7517768
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor with a SiGe:C film and a seed layer forming beneath the SiGe:C film and methods of making same. The method includes placing a substrate in a reactor chamber and introducing a silicon source gas into the reactor chamber to form a silicon seed layer. The reactor chamber is maintained at a pressure below 45 Torr and a temperature between about 700° C. and 850° C. After the seed layer is formed, the silicon source gas is stopped. The reactor chamber is then simultaneously adjusted to a pressure between about 70 Torr and 90 Torr and a temperature between about 600° C. and 650° C. The silicon source gas, a germanium source gas, and a carbon source gas are introduced to form the SiGe:C film on the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravindra Soman, Anand Murthy, Peter VanDerVoorn, Shahriar Ahmed
  • Patent number: 7517769
    Abstract: Methods for integrally forming high Q tunable capacitors and high Q inductors on a substrate are described. A method for integrally forming a capacitor and a microcoil on a substrate may involve depositing and patterning a dielectric layer on the substrate, depositing and patterning a sacrificial layer on the substrate, depositing and patterning conductive material on the semiconductor substrate, depositing and patterning a polymer layer on the semiconductor substrate, removing an exposed portion of the conductive material exposed by the patterned polymer layer to release a portion of the conductive pattern from the semiconductor substrate to form out-of-plane windings of the microcoil, depositing second conductive material on exposed portions of the conductive material, and removing the sacrificial layer. The patterned conductive material may include a windings portion of the microcoil, an overlapping electrode portion of the capacitor and a support portion for the electrode of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Koenraad Van Schuylenbergh, Eugene M. Chow, JengPing Lu