Patents Issued in December 1, 2009
  • Patent number: 7625773
    Abstract: A mechanical structure is disposed in a chamber, at least a portion of which is defined by the encapsulation structure. A first method provides a channel cap having at least one preform portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. A second method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of an anti-stiction channel to seal the anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion is fabricated apart from the electromechanical device and thereafter affixed to the electromechanical device. A third method provides a channel cap having at least one portion disposed over or in at least a portion of the anti-stiction channel to seal an anti-stiction channel, at least in part. The at least one portion may comprise a wire ball, a stud, metal foil or a solder preform. A device includes a substrate, an encapsulation structure and a mechanical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lutz, Aaron Partridge, Wilhelm Frey, Markus Ulm, Matthias Metz, Brian Stark, Gary Yama
  • Patent number: 7625774
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a CMOS image sensor in which, when a buried photodiode is formed, a p-type impurity region may be formed simultaneously with a p-type LDD region in the photo diode region. Additionally, a p-type impurity region may be formed under side wall spacers, which may reduce leakage current of the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 7625775
    Abstract: A multiple function thin-film resistor-capacitor array is used for an optical fiber receiving module. A dielectric thin film with desired pattern and thickness is form on surface of a silicon substrate by semiconductor manufacture process. Resistors of different resistances and capacitors of different capacitances or the combination thereof, and circuit connection therebetween can be provided by controlling the thickness and shape of thin film. The thickness of the thin-film resistor-capacitor array is adjusted by grinding to provide a substrate of a photodiode. The photodiode can be die bonded to the resistor-capacitor array with desired optical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Truelight Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Liu
  • Patent number: 7625776
    Abstract: A method of forming at least one undercut structure in a semiconductor substrate. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one doped region in the semiconductor substrate, and removing the at least one doped region to form at least one undercut structure in the semiconductor substrate. The at least one undercut structure may include at least one substantially vertical shelf, at least one substantially horizontal shelf, and at least one faceted surface. The at least one doped region may be formed by implanting an impurity in the semiconductor substrate, which is, optionally, annealed. The at least one doped region may be removed selective to the undoped portion of the semiconductor substrate by at least one of wet etching or dry etching. An intermediate semiconductor structure that comprises a single crystalline silicon substrate and at least one undercut structure formed in the single crystalline silicon substrate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Wells, H. Montgomery Manning
  • Patent number: 7625777
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a memory device, with a highly integrated cell stricture, includes a mold insulating layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one conductive line is disposed on the mold insulating layer. Data storage elements self-aligned with the conductive line are interposed between the conductive line and the mold insulating layer. In this case, each of the data storage elements may include a resistor pattern and a barrier pattern, which are sequentially stacked, and the resistor pattern may be self-aligned with the barrier pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Ho Lee, Jae-Hee Oh, Jae-Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7625778
    Abstract: A substrate-free LED device is provided. The LED device comprises a substrate, an epitaxial layer disposed on the substrate, a first electrode disposed on a portion of the epitaxial layer, a second electrode disposed on another portion of the epitaxial layer, and a protection layer, disposed over the epitaxial layer. It is noted that in the LED device, the substrate comprises, for example but not limited to, high heat-sink substrate, and the protection layer comprises, for example but not limited to, high heat-sink, high transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 7625779
    Abstract: Chipping of semiconductor chips is to be prevented. A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip having a main surface, a plurality of pads formed over the main surface, a rearrangement wiring formed over the main surface to alter an arrangement of the plurality of pads, and a protective film and an insulating film formed over the main surface, and a plurality of solder bumps each connected to the rearrangement wiring and arranged differently from the plurality of pads. The presence of a bevel cut surface obliquely continuous to the main surface and formed on a periphery of the main surface of the semiconductor chip prevents chipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7625780
    Abstract: Self-assembly of components carried in a fluid is provided. A first component and a second component are obtained and self-assembled together. A third component is obtained and assembled with the first and second components, following the step of assembling the first and second components. The first, second and third components are all different types of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: REgents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Heiko O. Jacobs, Wei Zheng
  • Patent number: 7625781
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a plastic housing and external connections, and to a method for producing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the plastic housing has a housing external contour made of plastic external areas with a top side, an underside opposite to the top side, and edge sides. Lower external contact areas are arranged on the underside and upper external contact areas are arranged on the top side. Furthermore, the plastic housing has external conductor tracks along the housing external contour, by means of which the lower and upper external contact areas are electrically connected. For this purpose, the external conductor tracks have at least one jet-printed first conductor track layer made of electrically conductive material. Such jet-printed conductor track layers may also be applied to active top sides of semiconductor chips in order to bridge underlying conductor track layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Gottfried Beer
  • Patent number: 7625782
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an array substrate includes a first test line, a second test line, a first source line group, a second source line group, a plurality of gate lines and a switching device. The first test line extends along a first direction. The second test line is substantially in parallel with the first test line. The first source line group that extends along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and electrically connected to the first test line. The second source line group extends along the second direction and is electrically connected to the second test line. Each of the gate lines extends along the first direction. The switching device is formed on a region surrounded by the first source line, the second source line and the gate lines. Therefore, defects induced by static electricity generated during manufacturing process are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 7625783
    Abstract: A method by which generation of leak current can be suppressed and also a fine element can be formed by performing element isolation at a temperature at which a glass substrate can be used is provided. The method includes a first step of forming a base film over a glass substrate; a second step of forming a semiconductor film over the base film; a third step of forming, over the semiconductor film, a film preventing oxidation or nitridation of the semiconductor film into a predetermined pattern; and a fourth step of performing element isolation by radical oxidation or radical nitridation of a region of the semiconductor film, which is not covered with the predetermined pattern, at a temperature of the glass substrate lower than a strain point thereof by 100° C. or more, where radical oxidation or radical nitridation is performed over a semiconductor film placed apart from a plasma generation region, in a plasma treatment chamber with an electron temperature within the range of 0.5 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Saito
  • Patent number: 7625784
    Abstract: The disclosure includes methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device formed on an SOI structure. In one example, a first and second semiconductor layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate including a first region. The first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer are removed from a second region to form a recess for a support. A support precursor layer is formed. A portion of the support precursor layer is removed to form a support coupling the recess and the second semiconductor layer. A part of the first and second semiconductor layer is etched using the support as a mask. The first semiconductor layer is etched and removed to form a cavity under the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is thermally oxidized to form a buried insulating layer in the cavity and the support is removed from at least the first region to expose the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Kanemoto
  • Patent number: 7625785
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a crystalline semiconductor film with production of a cavity suppressed and a manufacturing method thereof A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the invention comprises the steps of forming an amorphous silicon film on a substrate having an insulating surface, adding a metal element such as Ni for promoting crystallization to the amorphous silicon film, applying heat treatment to crystallize the amorphous silicon film, so that a crystalline silicon film is formed on the substrate, removing a silicon oxide film formed on the surface of the crystalline silicon film due to the heat treatment by a solution containing organic solvent and fluoride, and irradiating laser light or strong light to the crystalline silicon film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Ohnuma, Masayuki Sakakura, Yasuhiro Mitani, Takuya Matsuo, Hidehito Kitakado
  • Patent number: 7625786
    Abstract: Problems in prior art regarding an n-channel TFT in the source/drain gettering method are solved. In the n-channel TFT, its source/drain regions contain only an n-type impurity. Therefore, compared to a p-channel TFT whose source/drain regions contain an n-type impurity and a higher concentration of p-type impurity, the gettering efficiency is inferior in a channel region of the n-channel transistor. Accordingly, the problem of inferior gettering efficiency in the n-channel TFT can be solved by providing at an end of its source/drain regions a highly efficient gettering region that contains an n-type impurity and a p-type impurity both with the concentration of the p-type impurity set higher than the concentration of the n-type impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Makita, Misako Nakazawa, Hideto Ohnuma, Takuya Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7625787
    Abstract: A silicon (Si)-on-insulator (SOI) high voltage transistor with a body ground is provided with an associated fabrication process. The method provides a SOI substrate with a buried oxide (BOX) layer and a Si top layer having a first thickness and a second thickness, greater than the first thickness. A body ground is formed in the second thickness of Si top layer overlying the BOX layer. A control channel is formed in the first thickness of the Si top layer. A control gate is formed overlying the control channel. An auxiliary channel is formed in the second thickness of Si top layer partially overlying the body ground and extending into the first thickness of the Si top layer. An auxiliary gate is formed overlying the auxiliary channel. A pn junction is formed in the second thickness of Si top layer between the auxiliary channel and the body ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong-Jan Lee, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7625788
    Abstract: A display element and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method comprises the following steps: forming a first patterned conducting layer with a gate on a substrate and a dielectric layer thereon; forming a patterned semiconductor layer on the dielectric layer, wherein the patterned semiconductor layer has a channel region, a source and a drain, and wherein the source and the drain lie on the opposite sides of the channel region; selectively depositing a barrier layer, which only wraps the patterned semiconductor layer; forming a second patterned conducting layer on the barrier layer and above the source and the drain. In the display element manufactured by the method, the barrier layer only wraps the patterned semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Lin Chen, Wen-Ching Tsai, Chun-Nan Lin, Kuo-Yuan Tu
  • Patent number: 7625789
    Abstract: A field effect transistor having a T-shaped gate electrode is formed on a GaAs substrate, and the T-shaped gate electrode of the field effect transistor is coated with a SiO2 film. A lower electrode of a MIM capacitor is formed on the GaAs substrate. The active portion of the field effect transistor is coated with a fluorine-containing polymer layer. A SiN film, which is a capacity insulating film of the MIM capacitor, is formed on the fluorine-containing polymer layer and the lower electrode. After removing the SiN film from the fluorine-containing polymer layer, the fluorine-containing polymer layer is selectively removed from the SiO2 film and the SiN film. An upper electrode of the MIM capacitor is formed opposite the lower electrode on the SiN film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 7625790
    Abstract: At least one recessed region having two parallel edges is formed in an insulator layer over a semiconductor layer such that the lengthwise direction of the recessed region coincides with optimal carrier mobility surfaces of the semiconductor material in the semiconductor layer for finFETs to be formed. Self-assembling block copolymers are applied within the at least one recessed region and annealed to form a set of parallel polymer block lines having a sublithographic width and containing a first polymeric block component. The pattern of sublithographic width lines is transferred into the semiconductor layer employing the set of parallel polymer block lines as an etch mask. Sublithographic width semiconductor fins thus formed may have sidewalls for optimal carrier mobility for p-type finFETs and n-type finFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Haining S. Yang
  • Patent number: 7625791
    Abstract: A metal gate/high-k dielectric semiconductor device provides an NMOS gate structure and a PMOS gate structure formed on a semiconductor substrate. The NMOS gate structure includes a high-k gate dielectric treated with a dopant impurity such as La and the high-k gate dielectric material of the PMOS gate structure is deficient of this dopant impurity and further includes a work function tuning layer over the high-k gate dielectric. A process for simultaneously forming the NMOS and PMOS gate structures includes forming the high-k gate dielectric material, and the work function tuning layer thereover, then selectively removing the work function tuning layer from the NMOS region and carrying out a plasma treatment to selectively dope the high-k gate dielectric material in the NMOS region with a dopant impurity while the high-k gate dielectric in the PMOS region is substantially free of the dopant impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joshua Tseng, Kang-Cheng Lin, Ji-Yi Yang, Kuo-Tai Huang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 7625792
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bipolar complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) or NPN/PNP device that has a collector, an intrinsic base above the collector, shallow trench isolation regions adjacent the collector, a raised extrinsic base above the intrinsic base, a T-shaped emitter above the extrinsic base, spacers adjacent the emitter, and a silicide layer that is separated from the emitter by the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Geiss, Alvin J. Joseph, Qizhi Liu, Bradley A. Orner
  • Patent number: 7625793
    Abstract: A double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (“DMOS”) field-effect transistor with an improved gate structure. The gate structure includes a first portion of a first conductivity type for creating electron flow from the source to the drain when a charge is applied to the gate. The gate structure includes a second portion of a second conductivity type having a polarity that is opposite a polarity of the first conductivity type, for decreasing a capacitance charge under the gate. A second structure for decreasing a capacitance under the gate includes an implant region in the semiconductor substrate between a channel region, where the implant region is doped to have a conductivity opposite the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel S. Calafut
  • Patent number: 7625794
    Abstract: A dielectric layer having atomic layer deposited zirconium aluminum oxide and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer may produce a reliable dielectric layer having an equivalent oxide thickness thinner than attainable using SiO2. The zirconium aluminum oxide may be formed in an atomic layer deposition process that includes pulsing a zirconium-containing precursor onto a substrate and pulsing an aluminum-containing precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7625795
    Abstract: Container capacitor structure and method of construction. An etch mask and etch are used to expose portions of an exterior surface of an electrode (“bottom electrodes”) of the structure. The etch provides a recess between proximal pairs of container capacitor structures, which is available for forming additional capacitance. A capacitor dielectric and top electrode are formed on and adjacent to, respectively, both an interior surface and portions of the exterior surface of the first electrode. Surface area common to both the first electrode and second electrodes is increased over using only the interior surface, providing additional capacitance without decreasing spacing for clearing portions of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode away from a contact hole location. Clearing of the capacitor dielectric and the second electrode portions may be done at an upper location of a substrate assembly in contrast to clearing at a bottom location of a contact via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Mark Durcan, Trung T. Doan, Roger R. Lee, Fernando Gonzalez, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Patent number: 7625796
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with an amorphous silicon (a-Si) metal-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (MONOS) memory cell structure. The device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer overlying the substrate, and one or more source or drain regions embedded in the dielectric layer with a co-planar surface of n-type a-Si and the dielectric layer. Additionally, the device includes a p-i-n a-Si diode junction. The device further includes an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) charge trapping layer overlying the a-Si p-i-n diode junction and a metal control gate overlying the ONO layer. A method for making the a-Si MONOS memory cell structure is provided and can be repeated to expand the structure three-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Mieno Fumitake
  • Patent number: 7625797
    Abstract: Disclosed in a non-volatile (NV) memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes forming transistor and EEPROM regions by implanting first and second conductive impurity ions into a semiconductor substrate, depositing a gate oxide on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate poly on the EEPROM region, removing the gate oxide not below the first gate poly, forming a logic gate oxide, a tunnel oxide and a coupling oxide, forming a logic gate poly on the transistor region and a second gate poly on a sidewall of the first gate poly, forming source/drain extension regions by implanting first and second conductive impurity ions, forming a sidewall spacer on the logic gate poly and the second gate poly, and forming a silicide on the source, drain and logic gate poly of the transistor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Hyo Jung
  • Patent number: 7625798
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cell transistors each having a laminated gate. A method of producing the semiconductor memory includes the steps of: forming a plurality of element separation regions for separating the memory cell transistors; forming a first conductive layer through a gate oxide film; etching the first conductive layer to form a plurality of slits; forming spacers on sidewall portions of each of the slits; forming a second conductive layer through an insulating film; etching the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the insulating film using one single mask to form the laminated gate; implanting a conductive impurity into the semiconductor substrate exposed on both sides of the laminated gate to form a drain/source region; forming an interlayer insulating film; forming a contact hole penetrating the interlayer insulating film to reach the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7625799
    Abstract: A semiconductor region with an epitaxial layer extending over the semiconductor region is provided. A first silicon etch is performed to form an upper trench portion extending into and terminating within the epitaxial layer. A protective material is formed extending along sidewalls of the upper trench portion and over mesa regions adjacent the upper trench portion but not along a bottom surface of the upper trench portion. A second silicon etch is performed to form a lower trench portion extending from the bottom surface of the upper trench portion through the epitaxial layer and terminating within the semiconductor region, such that the lower trench portion is narrower than the upper trench portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Hamza Yilmaz, Daniel Calafut, Steven Sapp, Nathan Kraft, Ashok Challa
  • Patent number: 7625800
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a MOS transistor is suitable for modifying the configuration of a gate electrode. The method includes coating a first oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate and removing a predetermined width of the first oxide layer; forming an LDD region in the substrate; forming a gate spacer on the substrate; forming a channel in the LDD region, forming a gate oxide layer; forming a polysilicon gate electrode; and forming source/drain diffusion regions. Accordingly, a line width of the gate electrode can be reduced without employing lithography of high precision, and an area reserved for salicide can be maximally secured on the gate and source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Geun Lee
  • Patent number: 7625801
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate stack on the semiconductor substrate, forming a silicon-containing compound stressor adjacent the gate stack, implanting non-siliciding ions into the silicon-containing compound stressor to amorphize an upper portion of the silicon-containing compound stressor, forming a metal layer on the silicon-containing compound stressor while the upper portion of the SiGe stressor is amorphous, and annealing to react the metal layer with the silicon-containing compound stressor to form a silicide region. The silicon-containing compound stressor includes SiGe or SiC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chii-Ming Wu, Cheng-Tung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 7625802
    Abstract: A method of forming the halo structures of a field effect transistor is disclosed. The halo structures are formed by implanting ions of a dopant material into the substrate on which the transistor is to be formed, wherein the tilt angle of the ion beam with respect to the surface of the substrate is varied according to a predefined time schedule comprising a plurality of implanting periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Feudel, Manfred Horstmann, Rolf Stephan
  • Patent number: 7625803
    Abstract: The invention includes a memory device having a capacitor in combination with a transistor. The memory device can be within a TFT construction. The capacitor is configured to provide both area and perimeter components of capacitance for capacitive enhancement. The capacitor includes a reference plate which splits into at least two prongs. Each of the prongs is surrounded by a lateral periphery. A dielectric material extends around the lateral peripheries of the prongs, and a storage node surrounds an entirety of the lateral peripheries of the prongs. The storage node is separated from the reference plate by at least the dielectric material. Also, the invention includes electronic systems comprising novel capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arup Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 7625804
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure in which a plurality of Schottky diodes and a capacitor are integrally formed. The integrated circuit structure includes a substrate including an N-type semiconductor doped with N-type impurities and a P-type semiconductor doped with P-type impurities; a first conductive layer laminated on the substrate so that the first conductive layer is electrically connected to the N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductor; a dielectric layer laminated on an upper surface of the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer laminated on an upper surface of the dielectric layer so that the second conductive layer forms a capacitor together with the first conductive layer and the dielectric layer. Accordingly, when the integrated circuit structure is used in a rectification circuit, the size of an entire circuit can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja-nam Ku, Seong-hearn Lee, Il-jong Song, Young-hoon Min, Sang-wook Kwon
  • Patent number: 7625805
    Abstract: Trenches are formed in an SOI wafer to isolate low-voltage and high-voltage elements in the wafer. The isolation trenches are formed with trench coverings that do not protrude above the trenches. Vertical in-trench and horizontal out-of-trench isolation layers are formed and the trenches are then filled to above the planar surface formed by the isolating layers. The filling is planarized and a portion of the filling located in the trench interior is removed. A portion of the isolation layers are then removed and a portion of the filling is removed so that the filler and the isolation layers in the trenches are at about the same level. A covering layer is then deposited. The covering layer extends above the surface of the wafer and into the trenches down to the filler and the isolation layers. The covering layer is additionally planarized to about the top of the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG
    Inventors: Ralf Lerner, Uwe Eckoldt
  • Patent number: 7625806
    Abstract: Provided is a method that includes forming a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, growing a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, forming composite shapes on the first semiconductor layer, each composite shape comprising of an overlying oxide-resistant shape and an underlying second semiconductor shape, with portions of the first semiconductor layer exposed between the composite shapes, forming spacers on sides of the composite shapes, forming buried silicon oxide regions in exposed top portions of the first semiconductor layer, and in portions of the first semiconductor layer located underlying second semiconductor shapes, selectively removing the oxide-resistant shapes and spacers resulting in the second semiconductor shapes, and forming a semiconductor device in a second semiconductor shape wherein a first portion of the semiconductor device overlays the first semiconductor layer and wherein second portions of the semiconductor device overlays a buried silicon oxid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Horng-Huei Tseng, Jhy-Chyum Guo, Chenming Hu, Da-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 7625807
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by maintaining shape and density of an etch stop layer (206) during trench fill operations. The shape and density of the etch stop layer (206) is maintained by forming a protective alloy liner layer (310) on the etch stop layer (206) prior to trench fill operations. The protective alloy liner (310) is comprised of an alloy that is resistant to materials employed in the trench fill operations. As a result, clipping and/or damage to the etch stop layer (206) is mitigated thereby facilitating a subsequent planarization process that employs the etch stop layer (206). Additionally, selection of thickness and composition (1706) of the formed protective alloy (310) yields a stress amount and type (1704) that is applied to channel regions of unformed transistor devices, ultimately providing for an improvement in channel mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Manuel A. Quevedo-Lopez, James J. Chambers, Leif Christian Olsen
  • Patent number: 7625808
    Abstract: A thickness of silicon oxide film of a wafer for active layer is controlled to be thinner than that of buried silicon oxide film. Consequently, uniformity in film thickness of the active layer of a bonded wafer is improved even if a variation in the in-plane thickness of the silicon oxide film is large at a time of ion implantation. Furthermore, since the silicon oxide film is rather thinner and thereby the ion implantation depth is relatively deeper, damages to the active layer and the buried silicon oxide film caused by the ion implantation can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Endo, Hideki Nishihata
  • Patent number: 7625809
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, and a semiconductor thin film bonded to the substrate, wherein the semiconductor thin film includes a plurality of discrete operating regions and an element isolating region which isolates the plurality of discrete operating regions, and the element isolating region is etched to a shallower depth than a thickness of the semiconductor thin film, and is a thinner region than the plurality of discrete operating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Takahito Suzuki, Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7625810
    Abstract: A method of processing a wafer having a device area where a plurality of devices are formed on the front surface and an extra area surrounding the device area and comprising electrodes which are formed in the device area, comprising: a reinforcement forming step for removing an area, which corresponds to the device area, in the back surface of the wafer to reduce the thickness of the device area to a predetermined value and keeping an area, which corresponds to the extra area, in the back surface of the wafer to form an annular reinforcement; and a via-hole forming step for forming a via-hole in the electrodes of the wafer which has been subjected to the reinforcement forming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Kajiyama, Koichi Kondo, Yasuomi Kaneuchi
  • Patent number: 7625811
    Abstract: A method according to the invention enables first and second active zones to be produced on a front face of a support, which said zones are respectively formed by first and second monocrystalline semi-conducting materials that are distinct from one another and preferably have identical crystalline structures. The front faces of the first and second active zones also present the advantage of being in the same plane. Such a method consists in particular in producing the second active zones by a crystallization step of the second semi-conducting material in monocrystalline form, from patterns made of second semi-conducting material in polycrystalline and/or amorphous form and from interface regions between said patterns and preselected first active zones. Moreover, the support is formed by stacking of a substrate and of an electrically insulating thin layer, the front face of the electrically insulating thin layer forming the front face of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Barbe, Laurent Clavelier, Benoit Vianay, Yves Morand
  • Patent number: 7625812
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing silicon nano wires including forming microgrooves on a surface of a silicon substrate, forming a first doping layer doped with a first dopant on the silicon substrate and forming a second doping layer doped with a second dopant between the first doping layer and a surface of the silicon substrate, forming a metal layer on the silicon substrate, forming catalysts by heating the metal layer within the microgrooves of the silicon substrate and growing the nano wires between the catalysts and the silicon substrate using a thermal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-lyong Choi, Wan-jun Park, Eun-kyung Lee, Jao-woong Hyun
  • Patent number: 7625813
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a recess channel in a semiconductor device includes forming a hard mask pattern over a substrate, etching the substrate using the hard mask pattern to form first recesses, forming an insulation layer over the hard mask pattern and the first recesses, etching the insulation layer to form spacers on sidewalls of the first recesses and on sidewalls of the hard mask pattern, etching the substrate below the first recesses to form second recesses using a sulfur fluoride containing gas mixture, and removing the hard mask pattern and the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Tae-Woo Jung
  • Patent number: 7625814
    Abstract: A method of filling a conductive material in a three dimensional integration feature formed on a surface of a wafer is disclosed. The feature is optionally lined with dielectric and/or adhesion/barrier layers and then filled with a liquid mixture containing conductive precursor, such as a solution with dissolved ruthenium precursor or a dispersion or suspension with conductive particles (e.g., gold, silver, copper), and the substrate is rotated while the mixture is on its surface. Then, the liquid carrier is dried from the feature, leaving a conductive layer in the feature. These two steps are optionally repeated until the feature is filled up with the conductor. Then, the conductor is annealed in the feature, thereby forming a dense conductive plug in the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: ASM Nutool, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Emesh, Chantal J. Arena, Bulent M. Basol
  • Patent number: 7625815
    Abstract: An improved semiconductor device interconnect structure comprising a dielectric layer recessed with respect to the conductive interconnect features. This structure and method reduces embedded metallic residues from CMP scratches and metal cap applications and provides improved mechanical integrity at the capping layer/liner/dielectric interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 7625816
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a passivation fabricating method. In the passivation fabricating method according to embodiments, a first oxide film may be formed by repeating deposition and etching of an oxide film on a silicon substrate in which an upper metal pad may be formed and a second oxide film may be formed by performing only deposition on the first oxide film. A thickness of the first oxide film may be set to be above 5 k?. A first passivation layer may be formed by planarizing the first and second oxide films. In the planarizing process, a thickness of the first passivation layer may be 4 k?. A second passivation layer of a nitride film may be formed on the first passivation layer and the first and second passivations may be selectively etched so as to expose the upper metal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Keon Choi
  • Patent number: 7625817
    Abstract: A method including forming an interconnect of single-walled carbon nanotubes on a sacrificial substrate; transferring the interconnect from the sacrificial substrate to a circuit substrate; and coupling the interconnect to a contact point on the circuit substrate. A method including forming a nanotube bundle on a circuit substrate between a first contact point and a second contact point, the nanotube defining a lumen therethrough; filling a portion of a length of the lumen of the nanotube bundle with an electrically conductive material; and coupling the electrically conductive material to the second contact point. A system including a computing device comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor coupled to a printed circuit board, the microprocessor including a substrate having a plurality of circuit devices with electrical connections made to the plurality of circuit devices through interconnect structures including carbon nanotube bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Florian Gstrein, Valery M. Dubin, Juan E. Dominguez, Adrien R. Lavoie
  • Patent number: 7625818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming vias in a substrate, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; (b) forming a photo resist layer on the first surface of the substrate; (c) forming a pattern on the photo resist layer; (d) forming a groove and a pillar in the substrate according to the pattern, wherein the groove surrounds the pillar; (e) forming a polymer in the groove of the substrate; (f) removing the pillar of the substrate to form an accommodating space; (g) forming a conductive metal in the accommodating space; and (h) removing part of the second surface of the substrate to expose the conductive metal and the polymer. As a result, thicker polymer can be formed in the groove, and the thickness of the polymer in the groove is uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Meng-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 7625819
    Abstract: An interconnection process is provided. The process includes the following steps. Firstly, a semiconductor base having at least a electrical conductive region is provided. Next, a dielectric layer with a contact hole is formed to cover the semiconductor base, wherein the contact hole exposes part of the electrical conductive region. Then, a thermal process is performed on the semiconductor base covered with the dielectric layer. Lastly, a conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the conductive layer is electrically connected to the electrical conductive region through the contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuung Luoh, Ling-Wu Yang, Chin-Ta Su, Ta-Hung Yang, Kuang-Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 7625820
    Abstract: Methods for forming thin dielectric films by selectively depositing a conformal film of dielectric material on a high aspect ratio structure have uses in semiconductor processing and other applications. A method for forming a dielectric film involves providing in a deposition reaction chamber a substrate having a gap on the surface. The gap has a top opening and a surface area comprising a bottom and sidewalls running from the top to the bottom. A conformal silicon oxide-based dielectric film is selectively deposited in the gap by first preferentially applying a film formation catalyst or a catalyst precursor on a portion representing less than all of the gap surface area. The substrate surface is then exposed to a silicon-containing precursor gas such that a silicon oxide-based dielectric film layer is preferentially formed on the portion of the gap surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Papasouliotis, Mihai Buretea, Collin Mui
  • Patent number: 7625821
    Abstract: The present invention provides system and apparatus for use in processing wafers. The new system and apparatus allows for the production of thinner wafers that at same time remain strong. As a result, the wafers produced by the present process are less susceptible to breaking. The unique system also offers an improved structure for handling thinned wafers and reduces the number of processing steps. This results in improved yields and improved process efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kert L. Dolechek, Raymon F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7625822
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device deposits a plurality of bottom antireflective coating films to prevent a standing wave caused by a light source of a short wavelength in forming a fine pattern. The method includes forming a pattern formation layer on an entire surface of a wafer, forming two or more bottom antireflective coating films on the pattern formation layer, forming a photoresist film pattern on a predetermined region of the bottom antireflective coating films, etching the bottom antireflective coating films using the photoresist film pattern as a mask, forming sidewall spacers at sides of the photoresist film pattern, and etching the pattern formation layer using the sidewall spacers and the photoresist film pattern as masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Kang