Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device may include a gate electrode formed on a gate insulation film on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; source/drain regions formed to sandwich a channel region formed below the gate electrode, the source/drain regions having a structure in which a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer are stacked in this order, the first semiconductor layer containing a first element and an impurity of a second conductivity type that are forgiving strain to the channel region, and containing a second element that is for suppressing a diffusion of the impurity of the second conductivity type, the second semiconductor layer containing the first element and the impurity of the second conductivity type; and source/drain extension regions adjacent to the channel region, the extension regions extending respectively from the second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) device, which is formed by connecting a plurality of low power flip-chip type High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) elements in parallel, or connected them in parallel and in series in combination into a tree-shaped structure, and then connecting said structure to an input terminal and an output terminal. Distances between each of the flip-chip type HEMT elements, from each element to said input terminal, and from each element to said output terminal are designed to be equal, such that powers consumed by each of the flip-chip type HEMT elements are equal, currents flowing through are evenly distributed, and heat generated is liable to be dissipated. A spike leakage protection layer, such as zinc-oxide (ZnO) amorphous layer or poly-crystal layer, is further included, hereby further enhancing the efficiency of said flip-chip type HEMT element and prolonging its service life.

Abstract: Affords high electron mobility transistors having a high-purity channel layer and a high-resistance buffer layer. A high electron mobility transistor (11) is provided with a supporting substrate (13) composed of gallium nitride, a buffer layer (15) composed of a first gallium nitride semiconductor, a channel layer (17) composed of a second gallium nitride semiconductor, a semiconductor layer (19) composed of a third gallium nitride semiconductor, and electrode structures (a gate electrode (21), a source electrode (23) and a drain electrode (25)) for the transistor (11). The band gap of the third gallium nitride semiconductor is broader than that of the second gallium nitride semiconductor. The carbon concentration NC1 of the first gallium nitride semiconductor is 4×1017 cm?3 or more. The carbon concentration NC2 of the second gallium nitride semiconductor is less than 4×1016 cm?3.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices that include one or more arrays of memory devices in a three-dimensional arrangement, such as those that include forming a conductive contact in a dielectric material overlying a memory array, wherein a wafer bonding and cleaving process may be utilized to provide a foundation material for forming another memory array having an active region in electrical contact with the conductive contact. Additionally, the conductive contact may be formed in a donor wafer, which in turn may be bonded to a dielectric material overlying a memory array using another wafer bonding process. Novel semiconductor devices and structures including the same may be formed using such methods, for example.

Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, a plurality of electrode pads for external connection are arranged in a zigzag pattern. Some electrode pads of the electrode pads of the plurality of I/O cells which are closer to a side of the semiconductor chip, each have an end portion closer to the side of the semiconductor chip, the end portion being set at the same position as that of an end portion of the corresponding I/O cell. A power source-side protective circuit and a ground-side protective circuit against discharge of static electricity are provided with the power source-side protective circuit being closer to the scribe region. A distance between a center position of one of the electrode pads and the ground-side protective circuit of the corresponding I/O cell and a distance between a center position of the other one electrode pad and the ground-side protective circuit of the corresponding I/O cell are both short and are substantially equal between each I/O cell.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip includes a first memory cell array block having a first metal layer containing at least two power lines, and a second memory cell array block containing at least two power lines independent of each other, wherein all the power lines on the first metal layer serving the first memory cell array block do not extend into the second memory cell array block, and all the power lines on the first metal layer serving the second memory cell array block do not extend into the first memory cell array block.

Abstract: An electrical circuit includes at least two unit cells configured on a planar substrate which extends in one plane. The unit cells respectively have at least two contact points with a different function and include at least one dielectric layer disposed on the substrate and/or on the unit cells and at least two contact surfaces which are disposed parallel to the plane above the contact points and/or the substrate. The contact points with the same function are connected electrically to at least one common contact surface for at least a part of the contact points of the same function via at least one through-contacting through the dielectric layer and able to be contacted in common from outside via the corresponding contact surfaces.

Abstract: A noise generated by a constitution of widening an incident aperture of light of a photoelectric conversion element is reduced. In a manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device, first electroconductor arranged in a first hole arranged in the first interlayer insulation layer electrically connects a first semiconductor region to a gate electrode of an amplifying MOS transistor not through wirings included in a wiring layer. Moreover, a second electroconductor electrically connects a second semiconductor region different from the first semiconductor region to a wiring. In a constitution of that second electroconductor, a third electroconductor arranged in a second hole arranged in the first interlayer insulation layer and a fourth electroconductor arranged in a third hole arranged in the second interlayer insulation layer are stacked and electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: CMOS image sensor pixel sensor cells, methods for fabricating the pixel sensor cells and design structures for fabricating the pixel sensor cells are designed to allow for back side illumination in global shutter mode by providing light shielding from back side illumination of at least one transistor within the pixel sensor cells. In a first particular generalized embodiment, a light shielding layer is located and formed interposed between a first semiconductor layer that includes a photoactive region and a second semiconductor layer that includes the at least a second transistor, or a floating diffusion, that is shielded by the light blocking layer.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging region including a plurality of light-receiving parts; a first transfer section provided on the imaging region and transferring, in a first direction, signals generated by the light-receiving parts; a second transfer section provided at a first side of the imaging region and transferring, in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the signals transferred from the first transfer section; an output circuit for outputting the signals; and bonding pads provided at the first side of the imaging region with the second transfer section sandwiched between the imaging region and the bonding pads. The bonding pads are arranged in a plurality of rows each extending in the second direction. Each of the bonding pads in one of the rows at least partially overlaps one of the bonding pads in another one of the rows when viewed in the first direction.

Abstract: An electrochemical transistor device is provided, comprising a source contact, a drain contact, at least one gate electrode, an electrochemically active element arranged between, and in direct electrical contact with, the source and drain contacts, which electrochemically active element comprises a transistor channel and is of a material comprising an organic material having the ability of electrochemically altering its conductivity through change of redox state thereof, and a solidified electrolyte in direct electrical contact with the electrochemically active element and said at least one gate electrode and interposed between them in such a way that electron flow between the electrochemically active element and said gate electrode(s) is prevented. In the device, flow of electrons between source contact and drain contact is controllable by means of a voltage applied to said gate electrode(s).

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming an apparatus comprises forming a plurality of deep trenches and a plurality of shallow trenches in a first region of a substrate. At least one of the shallow trenches is positioned between two deep trenches. The plurality of shallow trenches and the plurality of deep trenches are parallel to each other. The method further comprises depositing a layer of conductive material over the first region and a second region of the substrate. The method further comprises etching the layer of conductive material to define a plurality of lines separated by a plurality of gaps over the first region of the substrate, and a plurality of active device elements over the second region of the substrate. The method further comprises masking the second region of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a circuit cell and a basic end cell. The circuit cell includes a plurality of elements aligned in a first direction, and the basic end cell is arranged adjacent to the circuit cell in the first direction and has a compensation capacitor capable of being connected to a supply voltage of the circuit cell. In the semiconductor device, a diffusion layer forming the compensation capacitor extends along the first direction in a predetermined region of the circuit cell.

Abstract: A pair of through substrate vias is formed through a stack including a lightly doped semiconductor and a bottom semiconductor layer in a semiconductor substrate. The top semiconductor layer includes semiconductor devices such as field effect transistors. At least one deep trench is formed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate in the bottom semiconductor layer and at least one dielectric layer thereupon. A node dielectric and a conductive inner electrode are formed in each of the at least one deep trench. Substrate contact vias abutting the bottom semiconductor layer are also formed in the at least one dielectric layer. Conductive wiring structures on the backside of the semiconductor substrate provide lateral connection between the through substrate vias and the at least one conductive inner electrode and the substrate contact vias.

Abstract: A semiconductor process and apparatus provide a high voltage deep trench capacitor structure (10) that is integrated in an integrated circuit, alone or in alignment with a fringe capacitor (5). The deep trench capacitor structure is constructed from a first capacitor plate (4) that is formed from a doped n-type SOI semiconductor layer (e.g., 4a-c). The second capacitor plate (3) is formed from a doped p-type polysilicon layer (3a) that is tied to the underlying substrate (1).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer on an impurity diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate by a selective epitaxial growth method, forming a second layer on the first layer by the selective epitaxial growth method, forming a contact hole penetrating an interlayer insulating film in a thickness direction thereof and reaching the second layer, and filling a conductive material into the contact hole to form a contact plug including the first and second layers and the conductive material.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a NOR flash memory structure, a highly-doped ion implantation process is performed to form a highly-doped drain region to overlap with a lightly-doped drain region. Therefore, the flash memory structure can have a reduced drain junction depth to improve the short channel effect while protecting the lightly-doped drain region from being punched through during an etching process for forming a contact hole.

Abstract: In device isolation trenches, a first device-isolation insulator film is formed to have recesses thereon and a second device-isolation insulator film is formed in the recesses. The uppermost portions at both ends of the first device-isolation insulator film are located higher than the uppermost portions at both ends of the second device-isolation insulator film.

Abstract: First and second memory cells have first and second channels, first and second tunnel insulating films, first and second charge storage layers formed of an insulating film, first and second block insulating films, and first and second gate electrodes. A first select transistor has a third channel, a first gate insulating film, and a first gate electrode. The first channel includes a first-conductivity-type region and a second-conductivity-type region which is formed on at least a part of the first-conductivity-type region and whose conductivity type is opposite to the first conductivity type. The third channel includes the first-conductivity-type region and the second-conductivity-type region formed on the first-conductivity-type region. The number of data stored in the first memory cell is smaller than that of data stored in the second memory cell.

Abstract: A tunnel insulating layer and a charge storage layer are sequentially stacked on a substrate. A recess region penetrates the charge storage layer, the tunnel insulating layer and a portion of the substrate. The recess region is defined by a bottom surface and a side surface extending from the bottom surface. A first dielectric pattern includes a bottom portion covering the bottom surface and inner walls extending from the bottom portion and covering a portion of the side surface of the recess region. A second dielectric pattern is in the recess region between the inner walls of the first dielectric pattern, and the second dielectric pattern enclosing an air gap. The air gap that is enclosed by the second dielectric pattern may extend through a major portion of the second dielectric pattern in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recess region.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cell regions including a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of word lines intersecting the plurality of bit lines, and a first insulating film formed in a region between any two adjacent bit lines, a bit line contact region including bit line contacts connected to the plurality of bit lines, a first UV light shielding film covering at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate in the bit line contact region, an interlayer insulating film, and a second UV light shielding film covering the plurality of memory cell regions. The first UV light shielding film effectively reduces or blocks UV light generated during a fabrication step.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a memory device with a self-aligned trap layer which is optimized for scaling is disclosed. In the present invention, a non-conformal film is deposited over the charge trapping layer to form a thick film on top of the core source/drain region and a pinch off and a void or a narrow channel at the top of the STI trench. An etch is performed on the non-conformal film to open pinch-off or widen the narrow channel in the non-conformal. The trapping layer is then completely or partially etched between the core cells. The non-conformal film is removed. And a top oxide is formed. The top oxide converts the remaining trap layer to oxide if the trapping layer is partially etched and thus isolate the trap layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is presented. A substrate prepared with a second gate is provided. The second gate is processed to form a second gate with a rounded corner and a first gate is formed on the substrate. The first gate is adjacent to and overlaps a portion of the second gate and the rounded corner.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first semiconductor layer of a first or second conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type selectively formed on a surface of the second semiconductor layer, at least one trench formed in a periphery of the third semiconductor layer on the surface of the second semiconductor layer, a depth of a bottom surface of the at least one trench being deeper than a bottom surface of the third semiconductor layer, and shallower than a top surface of the first semiconductor layer, and some or all of the at least one trench being in contact with a side surface of the third semiconductor layer, at least one insulator buried in the at least one trench, a first main electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second main electrode electrically connected to the third semico

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an epitaxial layer having a first conduction type, a base layer formed adjacent and on the epitaxial layer and having an opposite second conduction type to the first conduction type, a source layer formed selectively on the base layer and having the first conduction type, a trench which passes through the base layer and the source layer and which reaches the epitaxial layer, an insulation film formed along an interior wall of the trench, a control electrode formed within the trench via the insulation film, and a semiconductor region formed along the bottom part of the trench at the epitaxial layer and having the first conduction type.

Abstract: An embodiment for realizing a power device with trench-gate structure integrated on a semiconductor substrate, and including etching the semiconductor substrate to make a first trench having first side walls and a first bottom; and further etching said semiconductor substrate to make a second trench inside the first trench, realized in a self-aligned way and below this first trench, the first trench and the second trench defining the trench-gate structure with a bird beak-like transition profile suitable for containing a gate region.

Abstract: A high breakdown voltage MOS transistor capable of reducing a leakage current while reducing an element size as compared with conventional ones is realized. On a P type well, with a channel area ch in between, an N type first impurity diffusion area including a drain area and drain side drift area, and an N type second impurity diffusion area including a source area and a source side drift area are formed. Moreover, a gate electrode is formed, via a gate oxide film, above a part of the first impurity diffusion area, above the channel area and above a part of the second impurity diffusion area. The gate electrode is doped with an N type, and an impurity concentration of portions located above the first and the second impurity diffusion areas is lower than an impurity concentration of a portion located above the channel area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided and includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, a deep well of a second conductivity type, and a first high-side device. The deep well is formed on the substrate. The first high-side device is disposed within the deep well and includes an insulation layer of the second conductivity type, a well of the first conductivity type, first and second regions of the second conductivity type, and a first poly-silicon material. The insulation layer is formed on the substrate. The well is formed within the deep well. The first and second regions are formed within the well. The first poly-silicon material is disposed between the first region and the second region and on the deep well.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the first semiconductor layer and alternately arranged along at least one direction parallel to a surface of the first semiconductor layer; a first main electrode; a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type selectively formed in a surface of the second semiconductor layer and a surface of the third semiconductor layer; a fifth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type selectively formed in a surface of the fourth semiconductor layer; a second main electrode; and a control electrode. At least one of the second and the third semiconductor layers has a dopant concentration profile along the one direction, the dopant concentration profile having a local minimum at a position except both ends thereof.

Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode comprises a doped guard ring having a doping of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The Schottky barrier diode further comprises a first-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a first conductivity type, which is the opposite of the second conductivity type, on one side of a dummy gate electrode and a Schottky barrier structure surrounded by the doped guard ring on the other side. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by the dummy gate electrode and the doped guard ring. The doped guard ring includes an unmetallized portion of a gate-side second-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a second conductivity type. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by a doped guard ring including a gate-side doped semiconductor region and a STI-side doped semiconductor region. Design structures for the inventive Schottky barrier diode are also provided.

Abstract: A structure, and a method for forming the same. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a top substrate surface, a buried dielectric layer on the top substrate surface, N active semiconductor regions on the buried dielectric layer, N active devices on the N active semiconductor regions, a plurality of dummy regions on the buried dielectric layer, a protection layer on the N active devices and the N active semiconductor regions, but not on the plurality of dummy regions. The N active devices comprise first active regions which comprise a first material. The plurality of dummy regions comprise first dummy regions which comprise the first material. A first pattern density of the first active regions and the first dummy regions is uniform across the structure. A trench in the buried dielectric layer such that side walls of the trench are aligned with the plurality of dummy regions.

Abstract: A varactor diode includes a portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a gate electrode located thereupon. A first electrode having a doping of a first conductivity type laterally abuts a doped semiconductor region having the first conductivity type, which laterally abuts a second electrode having a doping of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A hyperabrupt junction is formed between the second doped semiconductor region and the second electrode. The gate electrode controls the depletion of the first and second doped semiconductor regions, thereby varying the capacitance of the varactor diode. A design structure for the varactor diode is also provided.

Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device which solves a problem that can occur when a substrate having an insulating surface is used. The semiconductor device includes a base substrate having an insulating surface; a conductive layer over the insulating surface; an insulating layer over the conductive layer; a semiconductor layer having a channel formation region, a first impurity region, a second impurity region, and a third impurity region provided between the channel formation region and the second impurity region over the insulating layer; a gate insulating layer configured to cover the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode over the gate insulating layer; a first electrode electrically connected to the first impurity region; and a second electrode electrically connected to the second impurity region. The conductive layer is held at a given potential.

Abstract: A silicon substrate (SOI) is placed on a buried oxide layer (BOX). An MOS transistor is produced in an active zone of the substrate which is defined by an isolating region. A gate region and source and drain regions, which between them define a channel, are produced so that the gate region extends above the channel. The isolating region is produced by localized formation of a zone of material that can be selectively etched with respect to silicon. That material is selectively etched, and a dielectric material is deposited in the etched feature. The etching is carried out after the gate region has been produced. An upper surface of the substrate and an upper surface of the isolating region are flush with each other so as to define a planar surface on which the transistor gate region is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which comprises a semiconductor layer (109), a dielectric layer (111), first and second gate electrodes (129, 131) having first and second respective work functions associated therewith, and a layer of hafnium oxide (113) disposed between said dielectric layer and said first and second gate electrodes.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a top surface; forming an opening extending from the top surface into the semiconductor substrate; and performing a first deposition step to fill a first dielectric material into the opening. The first dielectric material is then recessed. A second deposition step is performed to fill a remaining portion of the opening with a second dielectric material. The second dielectric material is denser than the first dielectric material. The second dielectric material is recessed until a top surface of the second dielectric material is lower than the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A formation method and resulting strained semiconductor device are provided, the formation method including forming transistors on a substrate, each transistor having a gate disposed over a channel region, etching or annealing an elongated trench between adjacent channel regions, where the trench has a lower boundary that is deeper towards its ends than towards its center, and conformably embedding an elongated stress region in the trench between adjacent channel regions; and the resulting strained semiconductor device including transistors, each having a gate disposed over a channel region, and elongated stress regions disposed between adjacent channel regions, wherein each of the elongated stress regions has a lower boundary that is deeper towards its ends than towards its center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon chip having a through via and a method for making the same. The silicon chip includes a silicon substrate, a passivation layer, at least one electrical device and at least one through via. The passivation layer is disposed on a first surface of the silicon substrate. The electrical device is disposed in the silicon substrate, and exposed to a second surface of the silicon substrate. The through via includes a barrier layer and a conductor, and penetrates the silicon substrate and the passivation layer. A first end of the through via is exposed to the surface of the passivation layer, and a second end of the through via connects the electrical device. When a redistribution layer is formed on the surface of the passivation layer, the redistribution layer will not contact the silicon substrate, thus avoiding a short circuit. Therefore, a lower resolution process can be used, which results in low manufacturing cost and simple manufacturing process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon wafer having interconnection metal. The silicon wafer includes a silicon substrate, at least one electrical device, a barrier layer, a metal layer, at least one first interconnection metal and at least one second interconnection metal. The electrical device is disposed in the silicon substrate, and exposed to a first surface of the silicon substrate. The barrier layer is disposed on the first surface of the silicon substrate. The metal layer is disposed on a surface of the barrier layer. The first interconnection metal penetrates the barrier layer, and is disposed on the electrical device. The first interconnection metal connects the metal layer and the electrical device. The second interconnection metal penetrates the barrier layer, and is disposed at a corresponding position on the outside of the electrical device. The second interconnection metal connects the metal layer.

Abstract: To improve the performance of semiconductor devices. Over an n+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of an n-channel type MISFET and a first gate electrode, and over a p+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of a p-channel type MISFET and a second gate electrode, which are formed over a semiconductor substrate, a metal silicide layer including nickel platinum silicide is formed by a salicide process. After that, a tensile stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, and then the tensile stress film over the p-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching, and, after a compression stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, the compression stress film over the n-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching. The Pt concentration in the metal silicide layer is highest at the surface, and becomes lower as the depth from the surface increases.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a logic circuit and a memory cell. The logic circuit includes a P-channel transistor, and the memory cell includes a P-channel transistor. The P-channel transistor of the logic circuit includes a channel region. The channel region has a portion located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110). The portion of the channel region located along the sidewall has a first vertical dimension that is greater than a vertical dimension of any portion of the channel region of the P-channel transistor of the memory cell located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110).

Abstract: A method for fabricating an active device array substrate is provided. A first patterned semiconductor layer, a gate insulator, a first patterned conductive layer and a first dielectric layer is sequentially formed on a substrate. First contact holes exposing the first patterned semiconductor layer are formed in the first dielectric layer and the gate insulator. A second patterned conductive layer and a second patterned semiconductor layer disposed thereon are simultaneously formed on the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer includes contact conductors and a bottom electrode. The second patterned semiconductor layer includes an active layer. A second dielectric layer having second contact holes is formed on the first dielectric layer, wherein a portion of the second contact holes exposes the active layer. A third patterned conductive layer electrically connected to the active layer through a portion of the second contact holes is formed on the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having field effect transistors and manufacturing method. One embodiment provides an integrated circuit including a first FET and a second FET. At least one of source, drain, gate of the first FET is electrically connected to the corresponding one of source, drain, gate of the second FET. At least one further of source, drain, gate of the first FET and the corresponding one further of source, drain, gate of the second FET are connected to a circuit element, respectively. A dopant concentration of a body along a channel of each of the first and second FETs has a peak at a peak location within the channel.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system that includes: a substrate including a source/drain region defined by a spacer; a gate over the substrate; a gate dielectric between the gate and the substrate; a recrystallized region within the gate and the source/drain region; and a channel exhibiting the characteristics of stress memorization.

Abstract: A sensor device and method. One embodiment provides a first semiconductor chip having a sensing region. A porous structure element is attached to the first semiconductor chip. A first region of the porous structure element faces the sensing region of the first semiconductor chip. An encapsulation material partially encapsulates the first semiconductor chip and the porous structure element.

Abstract: An MEMS sensor includes: a movable weight which is connected with a fixed frame via an elastic deformation portion and has a cavity portion around the movable weight, wherein the movable weight has a laminated layer structure including a plurality of conductive layers, a plurality of between-layers insulation layers each of which is disposed between the adjoining conductive layers of the plural conductive layers, and plugs which are inserted into predetermined embedding groove patterns penetrating through the respective layers of the plural between-layers insulation layers and have specific gravity larger than that of the between-layers insulation layers, and the plugs formed on the respective layers have wall portions in wall shapes extending in one or plural longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device suitable for use in a pressure sensor is disclosed. A uniformly thin die is provided by chemically etching a backside of a wafer. Piezoelectric elements formed integrally within the die generate electrical signals in response to flexing the die. Conductive leads formed integrally within the die electrically communicate the generated electrical signals to support circuitry formed integrally within the die proximate the piezoelectric elements. In an example embodiment, the piezoresistive elements take the form of silicon resistors formed integrally via doping and diffusion in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. In one application, the die serves as a deformable diaphragm, seated atop an aperture of a threaded pressure sensor housing.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes: a lower magnetic layer; a barrier layer; and an upper magnetic layer. The barrier layer is provided on the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer is provided on the barrier layer. One of magnetization directions of the lower magnetic layer and the upper magnetic layer is fixed. The barrier layer has a first surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the lower magnetic layer. The upper magnetic layer has a second surface which includes a surface contacted with an upper surface of the barrier layer. Each of the first surface and the second surface is larger than the upper surface of the lower magnetic layer in area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-resistance magnetoresistive element of a spin-injection write type. A crystallization promoting layer that promotes crystallization is formed in contact with an interfacial magnetic layer having an amorphous structure, so that crystallization is promoted from the side of a tunnel barrier layer, and the interface between the tunnel barrier layer and the interfacial magnetic layer is adjusted. With this arrangement, it is possible to form a magnetoresistive element that has a low resistance so as to obtain a desired current value, and has a high TMR ratio.