Patents Issued in August 6, 2013
  • Patent number: 8501576
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a material layer on a substrate, patterning a first semi-global region with a first main pattern and patterning a second semi-global region with a second main pattern, wherein the first main pattern is different than the second main pattern. The method further comprises introducing a first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region so that a first sidewall area surface density of the first main pattern and the first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region and a second sidewall area surface density of the second main pattern in the second semi-global region are substantially a same density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Frank Huebinger, Steffen Rothenhaeusser, Kerstin Kaemmer
  • Patent number: 8501577
    Abstract: A preparation method for a full-isolated silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate with hybrid crystal orientations and a preparation method of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit (IC) based on the method are disclosed. In the preparation method for the full-isolated SOI substrate with hybrid crystal orientations provided in the present invention, a SiGe layer is adopted to serve as an epitaxial virtual substrate layer with a first crystal orientation, so as to form a strained top silicon with the first crystal orientation; a polysilicon supporting material is adopted to serve as a support for connecting the top silicon with the first crystal orientation and a top silicon with a second crystal orientation, so that the SiGe layer below the strained top silicon with the first crystal orientation may be removed, and an insulating material is filled to form an insulating buried layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Jiantao Bian, Zengfeng Di, Miao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8501578
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a semiconductor device is manufactured by forming at least two or more cavities below a surface of a semiconductor substrate wherein the at least two or more cavities are spaced apart from each other by a selected distance, filling at least a portion of the at least two or more cavities with a dielectric material to form at least two or more dielectric structures, removing a portion of the substrate between the at least two or more dielectric structures to form at least one additional cavity, and covering the at least one additional cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Estivation Properties LLC
    Inventor: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi
  • Patent number: 8501579
    Abstract: A chip structure includes a substrate and a stress buffer layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The stress buffer layer is disposed on the periphery of the substrate and located in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yang Peng
  • Patent number: 8501580
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a semiconductor device includes depositing n-type dopant on a p-type substrate, implanting n-type material into the substrate, and growing an n-type epitaxial layer atop the n+ layer. Trenches surrounding the device region are formed and an n+ layer on the sidewalls of the trenches is formed. The trenches are filled by growing a layer of thermal oxide on the sidewalls of the trenches and deposition of plasma enhanced oxide or polysilicon into the trenches, and planarizing the top surface. n+ region of the device is formed by forming an oxide layer on the top surface of the device layer and etching the oxide, depositing n-type dopant material and driving in by high temperature diffusion. p+ region of the device is formed by etching the oxide, depositing p-type dopant material and driving in by high temperature diffusion so that the breakdown voltage is set for circuit protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Jerry Hu, Panchien Lin, Bert Huang
  • Patent number: 8501581
    Abstract: The invention includes floating body transistor constructions containing U-shaped semiconductor material slices. The U-shapes have a pair of prongs joined to a central portion. Each of the prongs contains a source/drain region of a pair of gatedly-coupled source/drain regions, and the floating bodies of the transistors are within the central portions. The semiconductor material slices can be between front gates and back gates. The floating body transistor constructions can be incorporated into memory arrays, which in turn can be incorporated into electronic systems. The invention also includes methods of forming floating body transistor constructions, and methods of incorporating floating body transistor constructions into memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Venkatesan Ananthan
  • Patent number: 8501582
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a Si substrate, a supporting layer and a blocking layer formed on the substrate and an epitaxy layer formed on the supporting layer. The supporting layer defines a plurality of grooves therein to receive the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer is grown from the supporting layer. A plurality of slots is defined in the epitaxy layer and over the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a P-type semiconductor layer. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Optoelectronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng Huang, Po-Min Tu, Shun-Kuei Yang, Chia-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8501583
    Abstract: A resin containing a conductive particle and a gas bubble generating agent is supplied in a space between the substrates each having a plurality of electrodes. The resin is then heated to melt the conductive particle contained in the resin and generate gas bubbles from the gas bubble generating agent. A step portion is formed on at least one of the substrates. In the process of heating the resin, the resin is pushed aside by the growing gas bubbles, and as a result of that, the conductive particle contained in the resin is led to a space between the electrodes, and a connector is formed in the space. At the same time, the resin is led to a space between parts of the substrates at which the step portion is formed, and cured to fix the distance between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kitae, Seiji Karashima, Susumu Sawada, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8501584
    Abstract: The process comprises the following steps: a) a first element (3) or a plurality of said first elements (3) is/are machined in a first silicon wafer (1) keeping said elements (3) joined together via material bridges (5); b) step a) is repeated with a second silicon wafer (2) in order to machine a second element (4), differing in shape from that of the first element (3), or a plurality of said second elements (4); c) the first and second elements (3, 4) or the first and second wafers (1, 2) are applied, face to face, with the aid of positioning means (6, 7); d) the assembly formed in step c) undergoes oxidation; and e) the parts (10) are separated form the wafers (1, 2). Micromechanical timepiece parts obtained according to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Philippe Marmy, Jean-Luc Helfer, Thierry Conus
  • Patent number: 8501585
    Abstract: To realize high performance and low power consumption of a semiconductor device by controlling electric characteristics of a transistor in accordance with a required function. Further, to manufacture such a semiconductor device with high yield and high productivity without complicating a manufacturing process. An impurity element imparting one conductivity type is added to a first semiconductor wafer in order to control the threshold voltage of a transistor included in the semiconductor device, before separating a single crystal semiconductor layer used as a channel formation region of the transistor from the first semiconductor wafer and transferring the single crystal semiconductor layer to a second semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Takeshi Shichi, Naoki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8501586
    Abstract: In order to produce a power semiconductor for operation at high blocking voltages, there is produced on a lightly doped layer having a doping of a first charge carrier type a medium-doped layer of the same charge carrier type. A highly doped layer is produced at that side of the medium-doped layer which is remote from the lightly doped layer, of which highly doped layer a part with high doping that remains in the finished semiconductor forms a second stop layer, wherein the doping of the highly doped layer is higher than the doping of the medium-doped layer. An electrode is subsequently indiffused into the highly doped layer. The part with low doping that remains in the finished semiconductor forms the drift layer and the remaining medium-doped part forms the first stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Munaf Rahimo, Arnost Kopta, Stefan Linder
  • Patent number: 8501587
    Abstract: Structure and methods of forming stacked semiconductor chips are described. In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor chip includes forming an opening for a through substrate via from a top surface of a first substrate. The sidewalls of the opening are lined with an insulating liner and the opened filled with a conductive fill material. The first substrate is etched from an opposite bottom surface to form a protrusion, the protrusion being covered with the insulating liner. A resist layer is deposited around the protrusion to expose a portion of the insulating liner. The exposed insulating liner is etched to form a sidewall spacer along the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Fa Chen, Jao Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8501588
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconducting structure, including: a) forming, on a surface of a final semiconductor substrate, a semiconducting layer, doped with elements from columns III and V of the Periodic Table so as to form a ground plane, b) forming a dielectric layer, c) then assembling, by direct adhesion of the source substrate, on the final substrate, the layer forming the ground plane between the final substrate and the source substrate, the dielectric layer being between the source substrate and the ground plane, d) then thinning the source substrate, leaving, on the surface of the semiconductor structure, a film made from a semiconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Yannick Le Tiec, Francois Andrieu
  • Patent number: 8501589
    Abstract: A process for forming a thin film of a given material includes providing a first substrate having, on the surface, an amorphous and/or polycrystalline film of the given material and a second substrate is bonded to the first substrate by hydrophobic direct bonding (molecular adhesion), the second substrate having a single-crystal reference film of a given crystallographic orientation on the surface thereof. A heat treatment is applied at least to the amorphous and/or polycrystalline film, where the heat treatment causes at least a portion of the amorphous and/or polycrystalline film to undergo solid-phase recrystallization along the crystallographic orientation of the reference film, where the reference film acts as a recrystallization seed. The at least partly recrystallized film is then separated from at least a portion of the reference film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Franck Fournel, Thomas Signamarcheix, Laurent Clavelier, Chrystel Deguet
  • Patent number: 8501590
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dicing of die on wafer interposers. Methods are disclosed that include receiving an interposer assembly including one or more integrated circuit dies mounted on a die side of an interposer substrate and having scribe areas defined in spaces between the integrated circuit dies, the interposer having an opposite side for receiving external connectors; mounting the die side of the interposer assembly to a tape assembly, the tape assembly comprising an adhesive tape and preformed spacers disposed between and filling gaps between the integrated circuit dies; and sawing the interposer assembly by cutting the opposite side of the interposer in the scribe areas to make cuts through the interposer, the cuts separating the interposer into one or more die on wafer assemblies. Apparatuses are disclosed for use with the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Yu Wang, Kung-Chen Yeh, Chih-Wei Wu, Szu Wei Lu, Jing-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8501591
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrically programmable non-volatile memory cell comprises forming a first electrode on a substrate, forming an inter-electrode layer of material on the first electrode having a property which is characterized by progressive change in response to stress, and forming a second electrode over the inter-electrode layer of material. The inter-electrode layer comprises a dielectric layer, such as ultra-thin oxide, between the first and second electrodes. A programmable resistance, or other property, is established by stressing the dielectric layer, representing stored data. Embodiments of the memory cell are adapted to store multiple bits of data per cell and/or adapted for programming more than one time without an erase process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih Chieh Yeh, Han Chao Lai, Wen Jer Tsai, Tao Cheng Lu, Chih Yuan Lu
  • Patent number: 8501592
    Abstract: Freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrates whose average dislocation density is not greater than 5Ă—105 cm?2 and that are fracture resistant, and a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices utilizing such freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrates are made available. The freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrate includes one or more high-dislocation-density regions (20h), and a plurality of low-dislocation-density regions (20k) in which the dislocation density is lower than that of the high-dislocation-density regions (20h), wherein the average dislocation density is not greater than 5Ă—105 cm?2. Herein, the ratio of the dislocation density of the high-dislocation-density region(s) (20h) to the average dislocation density is sufficiently large to check the propagation of cracks in the substrate. And the semiconductor device manufacturing method utilizes the freestanding III-nitride single crystal substrate (20p).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fujiwara, Seiji Nakahata
  • Patent number: 8501593
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of NiSiGe epitaxial growth by introducing Al interlayer, comprising the deposition of an Al thin film on the surface of SiGe layer, subsequent deposition of a Ni layer on Al thin film and then the annealing process for the reaction between Ni layer and SiGe material of SiGe layer to form NiSiGe material. Due to the barrier effect of Al interlayer, NiSiGe layer features a single crystal structure, a flat interface with SiGe substrate and a thickness of up to 0.3 nm, significantly enhancing interface performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Miao Zhang, Bo Zhang, Zhongying Xue, Xi Wang
  • Patent number: 8501594
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for depositing silicon germanium (SiGe) layers on a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method may include depositing a first layer comprising silicon and germanium (e.g., a seed layer) atop the substrate using a first precursor comprising silicon and chlorine; and depositing a second layer comprising silicon and germanium (e.g., a bulk layer) atop the silicon germanium seed layer using a second precursor comprising silicon and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the first silicon precursor gas may comprise at least one of dichlorosilane (H2SiCl2), trichlorosilane (HSiCl3), or silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4). In some embodiments, the second silicon precursor gas may comprise at least one of silane (SiH4), or disilane (Si2H6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chiau Huang, Masato Ishii, Errol Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8501595
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thin film prepared using a mixture of nanocrystal particles and a molecular precursor. The nanocrystal is used in the thin film as a nucleus for crystal growth to minimize grain boundaries of the thin film and the molecular precursor is used to form the same crystal structure as the nanocrystal particles, thereby improving the crystallinity of the thin film. The thin film can be used effectively in a variety of electronic devices, including thin film transistors, electroluminescence devices, memory devices, and solar cells. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Joo Jang, Hyun Dam Jeong, Shin Ae Jun, Jong Baek Seon
  • Patent number: 8501596
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a microelectronic device including at least one semi-conductor zone which rests on a support and which exhibits a germanium concentration gradient in a direction parallel to the principal pane of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atmoique
    Inventors: Benjamin Vincent, Vincent Destefanis
  • Patent number: 8501597
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a group III-nitride semiconductor includes the following steps of: forming a first patterned mask layer with a plurality of first openings deposited on an epitaxial substrate; epitaxially growing a group III-nitride semiconductor layer over the epitaxial substrate and covering at least part of the first patterned mask layer; etching the group III-nitride semiconductor layer to form a plurality of second openings, which are substantially at least partially aligned with the first openings; and epitaxially growing the group III-nitride semiconductor layer again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Academia Sinica
    Inventors: Yuh-Jen Cheng, Ming-Hua Lo, Hao-Chung Kuo
  • Patent number: 8501598
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate which allows desired electrical characteristics to be more easily acquired, a semiconductor device of the same, and a method of producing the semiconductor substrate. The method of producing this semiconductor substrate is provided with: a first epitaxial layer forming step (S1) of forming a first epitaxial layer; a trench forming step (S2) of forming trenches in the first epitaxial layer; and epitaxial layer forming steps (S3, S4, S5) of forming epitaxial layers on the first epitaxial layer and inside the trenches, using a plurality of growth conditions including differing growth rates, so as to fill the trenches, and keeping the concentration of dopant taken into the epitaxial layers constant in the plurality of growth conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Sumco Corporation, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Syouji Nogami, Hitoshi Goto, Takumi Shibata, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8501599
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus has: a process chamber in which a substrate is processed; a heating device that optically heats the substrate accommodated in the process chamber from an outer periphery side of the substrate; a cooling device that cools the outer periphery side of the substrate by flowing a fluid in a vicinity of an outer periphery of the substrate optically heated by the heating device; a temperature detection portion that detects a temperature inside the process chamber; and a heating control portion that controls the heating device and the cooling device in such a manner so as to provide a temperature difference between a center portion of the substrate and an end portion of the substrate while maintaining a temperature at the center portion at a pre-determined temperature according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ueno, Masakazu Shimada, Takeo Hanashima, Haruo Morikawa, Akira Hayashida
  • Patent number: 8501600
    Abstract: Methods for depositing germanium-containing layers on silicon-containing layers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method may include depositing a first layer atop an upper surface of the silicon-containing layer, wherein the first layer comprises predominantly germanium (Ge) and further comprises a lattice adjustment element having a concentration selected to enhance electrical activity of dopant elements, wherein the dopant elements are disposed in at least one of the first layer or in an optional second layer deposited atop of the first layer, wherein the optional second layer, if present, comprises predominantly germanium (Ge). In some embodiments, the second layer is deposited atop the first layer. In some embodiments, the second layer comprises germanium (Ge) and dopant elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Errol Sanchez, Yi-Chiau Huang, David K. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8501601
    Abstract: When forming sophisticated transistors, the channel region may be provided such that the gradient of the band gap energy of the channel material may result in superior charge carrier velocity. For example, a gradient in concentration of germanium, carbon and the like may be implemented along the channel length direction, thereby obtaining higher transistor performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Flachowsky, Thilo Scheiper, Steven Langdon, Jan Hoentschel
  • Patent number: 8501602
    Abstract: Techniques for forming devices, such as transistors, having vertical junction edges. More specifically, shallow trenches are formed in a substrate and filled with an oxide. Cavities may be formed in the oxide and filled with a conductive material, such a doped polysilicon. Vertical junctions are formed between the polysilicon and the exposed substrate at the trench edges such that during a thermal cycle, the doped polysilicon will out-diffuse doping elements into the adjacent single crystal silicon advantageously forming a diode extension having desirable properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Chandra Mouli
  • Patent number: 8501603
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a high voltage transistor includes the following steps. Firstly, a substrate is provided. A first sacrificial oxide layer and a hard mask layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. The hard mask layer is removed, thereby exposing the first sacrificial oxide layer. Then, a second sacrificial oxide layer is formed on the first sacrificial oxide layer. Afterwards, an ion-implanting process is performed to introduce a dopant into the substrate through the second sacrificial oxide layer and the first sacrificial oxide layer, thereby producing a high voltage first-type field region of the high voltage transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Hsin-Hsueh Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8501604
    Abstract: A method of forming a doped region in a semiconductor layer of a substrate by alloying with doping elements is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes screen printing a paste layer of doping element paste to the substrate and firing the screen printed paste layer of doping element paste, wherein a highly pure doping element layer is applied to the semiconductor layer after which the paste layer is screen printed to the doping element layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventor: Sukhvinder Singh
  • Patent number: 8501605
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of doping a substrate may include forming a dopant region on a substrate by implanting one or more dopant elements into the dopant region of the substrate using a plasma doping process; forming a cap layer atop the dopant region; annealing the dopant region after forming the cap layer; and removing the cap layer after annealing the dopant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Santhanam, Martin A. Hilkene, Manoj Vellaikal, Mark R. Lee, Matthew D. Scotney-Castle, Peter I. Porshnev
  • Patent number: 8501606
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory wiring method includes: receiving a substrate having a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region; depositing a first insulating layer on the substrate; forming a first contact plug in the cell array region, the first contact plug having a first conductive material extending through the first insulating layer; forming a first elongated conductive line at substantially the same time as forming the first contact plug, the first elongated conductive line having the first conductive material directly covering and integrated with the first contact plug; forming a second contact plug in the peripheral circuit region at substantially the same time as forming the first contact plug, the second contact plug having the first conductive material extending through the first insulating layer; and forming a second elongated conductive line at substantially the same time as forming the second contact plug, the second elongated conductive line having the first conductive material directly coveri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Ok Lee, Dae-Yong Kim, Gil-Heyun Choi, Byung-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8501607
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming FinFETS with improved alignment features. Embodiments include forming on a Si substrate pillars of TEOS on poly-Si; conformally depositing a first TEOS liner over the entire substrate; etching the first TEOS liner and substrate through the pillars, forming first trenches; filling the first trenches and spaces between the pillars with an oxide; removing the TEOS from the pillars and the oxide therebetween; removing the poly-Si; conformally depositing a second TEOS liner over the entire Si substrate; etching the second TEOS liner and Si between the oxide, forming second trenches having a larger depth than the first trenches; filling the second trenches with oxide; removing the oxide and the first and second TEOS liners down to an upper surface of the Si substrate; and recessing the oxide below the upper surface of the Si substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8501608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing semiconductor devices with a fine structure, and more particularly, to a processing method suitable for miniaturizing semiconductor devices with a so-called high-k/metal gate structure. In an embodiment of the present invention, a deposited film, which includes an insulating film made of Hf or Zr and a material of Mg, Y or Al existing on, under or in the insulating film, is formed on a Si substrate and is removed by repeating a dry etching process and a wet etching process at least one time. The wet etching process is performed prior to the dry etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ono, Tetsu Morooka
  • Patent number: 8501609
    Abstract: A method for generating three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory (NVM) arrays includes forming multiple parallel horizontally-disposed mono-crystalline silicon beams that are spaced apart and arranged in a vertical stack (e.g., such that an elongated horizontal air gap is defined between each adjacent beam in the stack), forming separate charge storage layers on each of the mono-crystalline silicon beams such that each charge storage layer includes a high-quality thermal oxide layer that entirely covers (i.e., is formed on the upper, lower and opposing side surfaces of) each of the mono-crystalline silicon beams, and then forming multiple vertically-disposed poly-crystalline silicon wordline structures next to the stack such that each wordline structure is connected to each of the bitline structures in the stack by way of corresponding portions of the separate charge storage layers. The memory cells are accessed during read/write operations by way of the corresponding wordline and bitline structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Yakov Roizin, Avi Strum
  • Patent number: 8501610
    Abstract: Non-volatile memories and methods of fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an oxide layer over a semiconductor substrate, and exposing the oxide layer to a first nitridation step to form a first nitrogen rich region. The first nitrogen rich region is disposed adjacent an interface between the oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate. After the first nitridation step, the oxide layer is exposed to a second nitridation step to form a second nitrogen rich region. A first gate electrode is formed on the oxide layer, wherein the second nitrogen rich region is disposed adjacent an interface between the oxide layer and the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lin, Yi-Fang Lee, Cheng-Ta Wu, Cheng-Yuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 8501611
    Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming an electrically conductive layer containing silicon on a substrate and forming a mask pattern on the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer is selectively etched to define a first sidewall thereon, using the mask pattern as an etching mask. The first sidewall of the electrically conductive layer may be exposed to a nitrogen plasma to thereby form a first silicon nitride layer on the first sidewall. The electrically conductive layer is then selectively etched again to expose a second sidewall thereon that is free of the first silicon nitride layer. The mask pattern may be used again as an etching mask during this second step of selectively etching the electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Do Ryu, Si-Young Choi, Yu-Gyun Shin, Tai-Su Park, Dong-Chan Kim, Jong-Ryeol Yoo, Seong-Hoon Jeong, Jong-Hoon Kang
  • Patent number: 8501612
    Abstract: A flip chip structure includes glass stand-offs formed overlying a substrate surface. A conductive layer is formed overlying the glass stand-offs and configured for attaching to a next level of assembly. In one embodiment, photo glass processing is used to form the glass stand-offs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Moran, Blanca Kruse, Amilcar B. Gamez Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8501613
    Abstract: A method includes forming an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer overlying a substrate, and forming a mask overlying the UBM layer. The mask covers a first portion of the UBM layer, and a second portion of the UBM layer is exposed through an opening in the mask. A metal bump is formed in the opening and on the second portion of the UBM layer. The mask is then removed. A laser removal is performed to remove a part of the first portion of the UBM layer and to form an UBM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Yang Lei, Hung-Jui Kuo, Chung-Shi Liu, Mirng-Ji Lii, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 8501614
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing fine-pitch bumps comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate; forming a titanium-containing metal layer on the silicon substrate, wherein the titanium-containing metal layer comprises a plurality of first zones and a plurality of second zones; forming a photoresist layer on the titanium-containing metal layer; patterning the photoresist layer to form a plurality of opening slots; forming a plurality of copper bumps at the opening slots, wherein each of the copper bumps comprises a first top surface and a ring surface; heating the photoresist layer to form a plurality of body portions and a plurality of removable portions; etching the photoresist layer; and removing the second zones to enable each of the first zones to form an under bump metallurgy layer having a bearing portion and an extending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Chipbond Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Shih, Yung-Wei Hsieh, Shu-Chen Lin, Cheng-Fan Lin, Hua-An Dai
  • Patent number: 8501615
    Abstract: A system and method for forming metal bumps is provided. An embodiment comprises attaching conductive material to a carrier medium and then contacting the conductive material to conductive regions of a substrate. Portions of the conductive material are then bonded to the conductive regions using a bonding process to form conductive caps on the conductive regions, and residual conductive material and the carrier medium are removed. A reflow process is used to reflow the conductive caps into conductive bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Da Cheng, Chih-Wei Lin, Hsiu-Jen Lin, Tzong-Hann Yang, Wen-Hsiung Lu, Zheng-Yi Lim, Yi-Wen Wu, Chung-Shi Liu
  • Patent number: 8501617
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device has a topmost or highest conductive layer with at least one opening. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell array region and an interlayer insulating layer covering the substrate having the cell array region. The topmost conductive layer is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer in the cell array region. The topmost conductive layer has at least one opening. A method of fabricating the semiconductor device is also provided. The openings penetrating the topmost metal layer help hydrogen atoms reach the interfaces of gate insulating layers of cell MOS transistors and/or peripheral MOS transistors during a metal alloy process, thereby improve a performance (production yield and/or refresh characteristics) of a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Park, Ae-Ran Hong
  • Patent number: 8501618
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and first conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over the surface of the semiconductor die. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. An opening is formed in the second insulating layer over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed in the opening over the first conductive layer and second insulating layer. The second conductive layer has a width that is less than a width of the first conductive layer along a first axis. The second conductive layer has a width that is greater than a width of the first conductive layer along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A third insulating layer is formed over the second conductive layer and first insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaojian Lin, Xia Feng, Jianmin Fang, Kang Chen
  • Patent number: 8501619
    Abstract: A method including: forming a dielectric layer over a substrate of a microelectronic device; forming a photoresist layer over the dielectric layer; performing a first exposure of the photoresist layer to permit portions of the dielectric layer to be removed at a first plurality of locations; subsequent to performing the first exposure, performing a second exposure of the photoresist layer to permit portions of the dielectric layer to be removed at a second plurality of locations different from the first plurality of locations; removing the portions of the dielectric layer at each of i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations; and etching the dielectric layer at each of i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations to respectively form a contact hole at each of the i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert Wu, Chien-Chuan Wei
  • Patent number: 8501620
    Abstract: Top-down methods of increasing reflectivity of tungsten films to form films having high reflectivity, low resistivity and low roughness are provided. The methods involve bulk deposition of tungsten followed by a removing a top portion of the deposited tungsten. In particular embodiments, removing a top portion of the deposited tungsten involve exposing it to a fluorine-containing plasma. The methods produce low resistivity tungsten bulk layers having lower roughness and higher reflectivity. The smooth and highly reflective tungsten layers are easier to photopattern than conventional low resistivity tungsten films. Applications include forming tungsten bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Chandrashekar, Raashina Humayun
  • Patent number: 8501621
    Abstract: Three-dimensionally spatially localized artificial filament in the active layer of the memristive device formed by means of ion implantation through the top electrode structure provide the means to achieve high repeatability and high reliability of the memristive devices, leading to significantly improved manufacturing yield. The memristive devices fabricated according to the disclosed method of fabrication can be used in data storage, signal processing and sensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: MicroXact, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Kochergin
  • Patent number: 8501622
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of input/output cells and having a first bond pad and at least one second bond pad coupled to each input/output cell. The first bond pads comprise a first pattern, and the at least second bond pads comprise at least one second pattern, wherein the at least one second pattern is different from or the same as the first pattern. Either the first bond pads, the at least second bond pads, or both, may be used to electrically couple the input/output cells of the semiconductor device to leads of an integrated circuit package or other circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ker-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8501623
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an electrode having a metal silicide layer and a metal alloy layer, and a data storage element formed on the electrode. The metal silicide layer has a concave surface to correspond to a convex surface of the metal alloy layer such that the concave surface of the metal silicide layer and the convex surface of the metal alloy layer form a curved boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyuhwan Oh, Young-Lim Park, Soonoh Park, Dongho Ahn, Jinil Lee
  • Patent number: 8501624
    Abstract: An ion source that utilizes exited and/or atomic gas injection is disclosed. In an ion beam application, the source gas can be used directly, as it is traditionally supplied. Alternatively or additionally, the source gas can be altered by passing it through a remote plasma source prior to being introduced to the ion source chamber. This can be used to create excited neutrals, heavy ions, metastable molecules or multiply charged ions. In another embodiment, multiple gasses are used, where one or more of the gasses are passed through a remote plasma generator. In certain embodiments, the gasses are combined in a single plasma generator before being supplied to the ion source chamber. In plasma immersion applications, plasma is injected into the process chamber through one or more additional gas injection locations. These injection locations allow the influx of additional plasma, produced by remote plasma sources external to the process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Victor Benveniste, Christopher A. Rowland, Craig R. Chaney, Frank Sinclair, Neil J. Bassom
  • Patent number: 8501625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polishing liquid for metal film comprising 7.0% by weight or more of an oxidizer for metal, a water-soluble polymer, an oxidized metal dissolving agent, a metal anticorrosive agent and water, provided that the total amount of the polishing liquid for metal film is 100% by weight, wherein the water-soluble polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 150,000 or more and is at least one member selected from among a polycarboxylic acid, a salt of a polycarboxylic acid, and a polycarboxylic acid ester. According to the invention, provided is a polishing liquid for metal film, by which polishing can be performed at a high rate even under a polishing pressure as low as 1 psi or lower, and such that a polished film after polishing is excellent in planarity, furthermore, with which a high polishing rate can be obtained even in an initial stage of polishing, and provided is a polishing method using the polishing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Haga, Masato Fukasawa, Jin Amanokura, Hiroshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8501626
    Abstract: Methods for etching high-k material at high temperatures are provided. In one embodiment, a method etching high-k material on a substrate may include providing a substrate having a high-k material layer disposed thereon into an etch chamber, forming a plasma from an etching gas mixture including at least a halogen containing gas into the etch chamber, maintaining a temperature of an interior surface of the etch chamber in excess of about 100 degree Celsius while etching the high-k material layer in the presence of the plasma, and maintaining a substrate temperature between about 100 degree Celsius and about 250 degrees Celsius while etching the high-k material layer in the presence of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Eiichi Matsusue, Meihua Shen, Shashank Deshmukh, Anh-Kiet Quang Phan, David Palagashvili, Michael D. Willwerth, Jong I. Shin, Barrett Finch, Yohei Kawase