Patents Issued in September 30, 2014
  • Patent number: 8846444
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having a first surface, on which an electrode pad is arranged, and a second surface which is the other side of the semiconductor chip, an insulation member formed on the second surface of the semiconductor chip, and comprising a via hole at a position spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, and a conductive filler filling the via hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 8846445
    Abstract: A system for connecting a first chip to a second chip having a post on the first chip having a first metallic material, a recessed wall within the second chip and defining a well within the second chip, a conductive diffusion layer material on a surface of the recessed wall within the well, and a malleable electrically conductive material on the post, the post being dimensioned for insertion into the well such that the malleable electrically conductive material will deform within the well and, upon heating to at least a tack temperature for the malleable, electrically conductive material, will form an electrically conductive tack connection with the diffusion layer to create an electrically conductive path between the first chip and the second chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cufer Asset Ltd. L.L.C.
    Inventor: John Trezza
  • Patent number: 8846446
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor package includes a first insulating body and a first semiconductor chip having a first active surface and a first back surface opposite the first active surface. The first semiconductor chip is disposed within the first insulating body. The first active surface is exposed by the first insulating body. The first back surface is substantially surrounded by the first insulating body. The semiconductor package includes a post within the first insulating body and adjacent to a side of the first semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pyoung-Wan Kim, Teak-Hoon Lee, Chul-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 8846447
    Abstract: A method of attaching a microelectronic element to a substrate can include aligning the substrate with a microelectronic element, the microelectronic element having a plurality of spaced-apart electrically conductive bumps each including a bond metal, and reflowing the bumps. The bumps can be exposed at a front surface of the microelectronic element. The substrate can have a plurality of spaced-apart recesses extending from a first surface thereof. The recesses can each have at least a portion of one or more inner surfaces that are non-wettable by the bond metal of which the bumps are formed. The reflowing of the bumps can be performed so that at least some of the bond metal of each bump liquefies and flows at least partially into one of the recesses and solidifies therein such that the reflowed bond material in at least some of the recesses mechanically engages the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Charles G. Woychik, Se Young Yang, Pezhman Monadgemi, Terrence Caskey, Cyprian Emeka Uzoh
  • Patent number: 8846448
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool arrangement and method to reduce warpage within a package-on-package semiconductor structure, while minimizing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the packages. A pressure generator and a variable frequency microwave source are coupled to a process chamber which encapsulates a package-on-package semiconductor structure. The package-on-package semiconductor structure is simultaneously heated by the variable frequency microwave source at variable frequency, variable temperature, and variable duration and exposed to an elevated pressure by the pressure generator. This combination for microwave heating and elevated pressure limits the amount of warpage introduced while preventing void formation within an electrically-insulating adhesive which couples the substrates of the package-on-package semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Tse Chen, Wei-Hung Lin, Kuei-Wei Huang, Tsai-Tsung Tsai, Ai-Tee Ang, Ming-Da Cheng, Chung-Shi Liu
  • Patent number: 8846449
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a three-dimensional integrated circuit 1 including a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip that are layered on each other, wherein each of (i) a wiring layer closest to an interface between the first and second semiconductor chips among wiring layers of the first semiconductor chip and (ii) a wiring layer closest to the interface among wiring layers of the second semiconductor chip includes a power conductor area and a ground conductor area, a layout of the power conductor area and the ground conductor area in the first semiconductor chip is the same as a layout of the power conductor area and the ground conductor area in the second semiconductor chip, and the power conductor area in the first semiconductor chip at least partially faces the ground conductor area in the second semiconductor chip with an insulation layer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Morimoto, Takeshi Nakayama, Takashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8846450
    Abstract: A bonded device structure including a first substrate having a first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a first non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the first substrate, a second substrate having a second set of metallic bonding pads aligned with the first set of metallic bonding pads, preferably connected to a device or circuit, and having a second non-metallic region adjacent to the metallic bonding pads on the second substrate, and a contact-bonded interface between the first and second set of metallic bonding pads formed by contact bonding of the first non-metallic region to the second non-metallic region. At least one of the first and second substrates may be elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Qin-yi Tong, Paul M. Enquist, Anthony Scott Rose
  • Patent number: 8846451
    Abstract: Methods for depositing metal in high aspect ratio features formed on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes applying first RF power at VHF frequency to target comprising metal disposed above substrate to form plasma, applying DC power to target to direct plasma towards target, sputtering metal atoms from target using plasma while maintaining pressure in PVD chamber sufficient to ionize predominant portion of metal atoms, depositing first plurality of metal atoms on bottom surface of opening and on first surface of substrate, applying second RF power to redistribute at least some of first plurality from bottom surface to lower portion of sidewalls of the opening, and depositing second plurality of metal atoms on upper portion of sidewalls by reducing amount of ionized metal atoms in PVD chamber, wherein first and second pluralities form a first layer deposited on substantially all surfaces of opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ritchie, Karl Brown, John Pipitone
  • Patent number: 8846452
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a device region in a first region of a semiconductor substrate, and forming an opening in a second region of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes placing a semiconductor die within the opening, and forming a first metallization level over the semiconductor die and the device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dietrich Bonart
  • Patent number: 8846453
    Abstract: A semiconductor package structure includes a chip unit, a package unit and an electrode unit. The chip unit includes at least one semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a surrounding peripheral surface connected between the upper and the lower surfaces, and the semiconductor chip has a first conductive pad and a second conductive pad disposed on the lower surface thereof. The package unit includes a package body covering the upper surface and the surrounding peripheral surface of the semiconductor chip. The package body has a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion respectively formed on two opposite lateral sides thereof. The electrode unit includes a first electrode structure covering the first lateral portion and a second electrode structure covering the second lateral portion. The first and the second electrode structures respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Inpaq Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-Chun Hsu, Wei-Luen Hsu, Hong-Sheng Ke, Yao-Ming Yang, Yu-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 8846454
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a protective layer formed over an active surface of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor die with pre-applied protective layer are moved from the semiconductor wafer and mounted on a carrier. The semiconductor die and contact pads on the carrier are encapsulated. The carrier is removed. A first insulating layer is formed over the pre-applied protective layer and contact pads. Vias are formed in the first insulating layer and pre-applied protective layer to expose interconnect sites on the semiconductor die. An interconnect structure is formed over the first insulating layer in electrical contact with the interconnect sites on the semiconductor die and contact pads. The interconnect structure has a redistribution layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the redistribution layer, and an under bump metallization layer formed over the second dielectric in electrical contact with the redistribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Kwon Shim, Yaojian Lin, Seng Guan Chow
  • Patent number: 8846455
    Abstract: A semiconductor device permitting the reduction of cost is disclosed. In a semiconductor package wherein electrode pads of a semiconductor chip and corresponding inner leads are electrically coupled with each other through a plurality of bonding wires, sensing wires (second and fourth bonding wires) are made thinner than other bonding wires (first and third bonding wires) coupled to inner leads same as those with the sensing wires coupled thereto, thereby reducing the cost of gold wires to attain the reduction in cost of the semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Fukuhara, Kiyonori Yoshitomi, Takehiko Ikegami, Yujiro Kawasoe
  • Patent number: 8846456
    Abstract: A substrate which has at least one component, such as a semiconductor chip, arranged on it is manufactured from a film made of plastic material laminated onto a surface of the substrate and of the at least one component, where the surface has at least one contact area. First, the film to be laminated onto the surface of the substrate and the at least one component, or a film composite including the film, is arranged in a chamber such that the chamber is split by the film or film composite into a first chamber section and a second chamber section, which is isolated from the first chamber section so as to be gastight. A higher atmospheric pressure is provided or produced in the first chamber section than in the second chamber section; and contact is made between the surface of the substrate arranged in the second chamber section and the at least one component and the film or the film composite, which contact brings about the lamination of the film onto the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Weidner
  • Patent number: 8846457
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of two-terminal integrated circuits comprises: a plurality of two-terminal integrated circuits, each two-terminal integrated circuit of the plurality of two-terminal integrated circuits less than about 75 microns in any dimension; a first solvent; a second solvent different from the first solvent; and a viscosity modifier; wherein the composition has a viscosity substantially about 50 cps to about 25,000 cps at about 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Jeffrey Baldridge, Eric Anthony Perozziello
  • Patent number: 8846458
    Abstract: An array for an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display device includes a gate line formed on a substrate to extend in a first direction, a common line formed on the substrate to extend in the first direction, a data line formed to extend in a second direction, a thin film transistor formed at an intersection between the gate line and the data line, wherein the thin film transistor includes a gate line, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a passivation film formed on the substrate including the thin film transistor, a pixel electrode formed on the passivation film located on a pixel region defined by the gate line and the data line, the pixel electrode being electrically connected to the drain electrode, a common electrode formed on the passivation film, and a common electrode connection line connected to the common electrode and the common line, wherein the common electrode connection line overlaps with the common line and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Jic Lee
  • Patent number: 8846459
    Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device is manufactured with a high yield to achieve high productivity. In the manufacture of a semiconductor device including a transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating film, and an oxide semiconductor film are sequentially stacked and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are formed through an etching step and then a step for removing impurities which are generated by the etching step and exist on a surface of the oxide semiconductor film and in the vicinity thereof is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Tochibayashi, Satoshi Higano, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8846460
    Abstract: An object is to provide a high reliable semiconductor device including a thin film transistor having stable electric characteristics. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used for a semiconductor layer including a channel formation region, heat treatment (which is for dehydration or dehydrogenation) is performed so as to improve the purity of the oxide semiconductor film and reduce impurities such as moisture. Besides impurities such as moisture existing in the oxide semiconductor film, heat treatment causes reduction of impurities such as moisture existing in the gate insulating layer and those in interfaces between the oxide semiconductor film and films which are provided over and below the oxide semiconductor film and are in contact with the oxide semiconductor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinari Sasaki, Junichiro Sakata, Hiroki Ohara, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8846461
    Abstract: A composite semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The composite semiconductor structure includes a first silicon-containing compound layer comprising an element selected from the group consisting essentially of germanium and carbon; a silicon layer on the first silicon-containing compound layer, wherein the silicon layer comprises substantially pure silicon; and a second silicon-containing compound layer comprising the element on the silicon layer. The first and the second silicon-containing compound layers have substantially lower silicon concentrations than the silicon layer. The composite semiconductor structure may be formed as source/drain regions of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Hsin Lin, Weng Chang, Chien-Chang Su, Kuan-Yu Chen, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Ming-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 8846462
    Abstract: A system and a method for transistor level routing are disclosed. The method comprises forming a high-k dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a metal layer directly over the high-k dielectric layer, and selectively disposing a semiconductive layer over the metal layer. The method further comprises forming a first transistor in a first region and a second transistor in a second region spaced from the first region, the first and second transistor having gate stacks comprising a high-k dielectric layer, a metal layer and a semiconductive layer, and forming an electrical connection between the first transistor and the second transistor comprising the high-k dielectric layer and the metal layer but not the semiconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Ostermayr, Chandrasekhar Sarma
  • Patent number: 8846463
    Abstract: A method to construct a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a first mono-crystallized semiconductor layer; forming a second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer including mono-crystallized semiconductor transistors; where the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer overlays the first mono-crystallized semiconductor layer, where the first mono-crystallized semiconductor layer includes an alignment mark and the transistors are aligned to the alignment mark, and where the first mono-crystallized semiconductor layer includes logic circuits, and connecting the logic circuits to an external device using input/output (I/O) circuits, where the input/output (I/O) circuits are constructed on the second mono-crystallized semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Monolithic 3D Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Or-Bach, Zeev Wurman
  • Patent number: 8846464
    Abstract: An approach for controlling a critical dimension (CD) of a RMG of a semiconductor device is provided. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention allow for CD consistency between a dummy gate and a subsequent RMG. In a typical embodiment, a dummy gate having a cap layer is formed over a substrate. A re-oxide layer is then formed over the substrate and around the dummy gate. A set of doping implants will then be implanted in the substrate, and the re-oxide layer will subsequently be removed (after the set of doping implants have been implanted). A set of spacers will then be formed along a set of side walls of the dummy gate and an epitaxial layer will be formed around the set of side walls. Thereafter, the dummy gate will be replaced with a metal gate (e.g., an aluminum or tungsten body having a high-k metal liner there-around).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Bingwu Liu, Baofu Zhu, Nam Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 8846465
    Abstract: A system and method for forming multi recessed shallow trench isolation structures on substrate of an integrated circuit is provided. An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) structures formed in the substrate, an oxide fill disposed in the at least two STI structures, and semiconductor devices disposed on the oxide fill in the at least two STI structures. A first STI structure is formed to a first depth and a second STI structure is formed to a second depth. The oxide fill fills the at least two STI structures, and the first depth and the second depth are based on semiconductor device characteristics of semiconductor devices disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8846466
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate having a first portion in a first device region and a second portion in a second device region; and two insulation regions in the first device region and over the substrate. The two insulation regions include a first dielectric material having a first k value. A semiconductor strip is between and adjoining the two insulation regions, with a top portion of the semiconductor strip forming a semiconductor fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions. An additional insulation region is in the second device region and over the substrate. The additional insulation region includes a second dielectric material having a second k value greater than the first k value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Hung-Ming Chen, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8846467
    Abstract: A method for performing silicidation of a gate electrode is provided that includes forming both a first transistor with a first gate electrode covered by a cap layer and a semiconductor device on the same semiconductor substrate, forming an organic planarization layer (OPL) on the first transistor and the semiconductor device, back etching the OPL such that an upper surface of the OPL is positioned at a level that is below a level of an upper surface of the cap layer, forming a mask layer covering the semiconductor device without covering the first transistor, removing the cap layer while the back-etched OPL and the mask layer are present, and performing silicidation of the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Boschke, Stefan Flachowsky, Matthias Kessler
  • Patent number: 8846468
    Abstract: A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a capacitor stack including an oxygen donor dopant incorporated within the dielectric layer. The oxygen donor dopants may be incorporated within the dielectric layer during the formation of the dielectric layer. The oxygen donor materials provide oxygen to the dielectric layer and reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies, thus reducing the leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Sergey Barabash
  • Patent number: 8846469
    Abstract: A fabrication method of a trenched power semiconductor device with source trench is provided. Firstly, at least two gate trenches are formed in a base. Then, a dielectric layer and a polysilicon structure are sequentially formed in the gate trench. Afterward, at least a source trench is formed between the neighboring gate trenches. Next, the dielectric layer and a second polysilicon structure are sequentially formed in the source trench. The second polysilicon structure is located in a lower portion of the source trench. Then, the exposed portion of the dielectric layer in the source trench is removed to expose a source region and a body region. Finally, a conductive structure is filled into the source trench to electrically connect the second polysilicon structure, the body region, and the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Great Power Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chun Ying Yeh, Hsiu Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 8846470
    Abstract: A high-k dielectric metal trench capacitor and improved isolation and methods of manufacturing the same is provided. The method includes forming at least one deep trench in a substrate, and filling the deep trench with sacrificial fill material and a poly material. The method further includes continuing with CMOS processes, comprising forming at least one transistor and back end of line (BEOL) layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial fill material from the deep trenches to expose sidewalls, and forming a capacitor plate on the exposed sidewalls of the deep trench. The method further includes lining the capacitor plate with a high-k dielectric material and filling remaining portions of the deep trench with a metal material, over the high-k dielectric material. The method further includes providing a passivation layer on the deep trench filled with the metal material and the high-k dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, Chengwen Pei, Ravi M. Todi, Geng Wang
  • Patent number: 8846471
    Abstract: The improvement of the reliability of a semiconductor device having a split gate type MONOS memory is implemented. An ONO film and a second polysilicon film are sequentially formed so as to fill between a first polysilicon film and a dummy gate electrode. Then, the dummy gate electrode is removed. Then, the top surfaces of the first and second polysilicon films are polished, thereby to form a memory gate electrode formed of the second polysilicon film at the sidewall of a control gate electrode formed of the first polysilicon film via the ONO film. As a result, the memory gate electrode high in perpendicularity of the sidewall, and uniform in film thickness is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuyoshi Mihara
  • Patent number: 8846472
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate including first landing plugs and second landing plugs that are arrayed on a first line, forming a capping layer over the substrate, forming hole-type first trenches that expose the second landing plugs by selectively etching the capping layer, forming an insulation layer over the substrate including the first trenches, forming line-type second trenches that are stretched on the first line while overlapping with the first trenches by selectively etching the insulation layer, and forming a first conductive layer inside the second trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Hong-Gu Yi
  • Patent number: 8846473
    Abstract: A solution for designing a semiconductor device, in which two or more attributes of a pair of electrodes are determined to, for example, minimize resistance between the electrodes, is provided. Each electrode can include a current feeding contact from which multiple fingers extend, which are interdigitated with the fingers of the other electrode in an alternating pattern. The attributes can include a target depth of each finger, a target effective width of each pair of adjacent fingers, and/or one or more target attributes of the current feeding contacts. Subsequently, the device and/or a circuit including the device can be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Grigory Simin, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 8846474
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide dual workfunction semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing thereof. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate containing first and second device regions, depositing a dielectric film on the substrate, and forming a first metal-containing gate electrode film on the dielectric film, wherein a thickness of the first metal-containing gate electrode film is less over the first device region than over the second device region. The method further includes depositing a second metal-containing gate electrode film on the first metal-containing gate electrode film, patterning the second metal-containing gate electrode film, the first metal-containing gate electrode film, and the dielectric film to form a first gate stack above the first device region and a second gate stack above the second device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Genji Nakamura, Toshio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8846475
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a substrate having a core oxide layer and an I/O oxide layer formed thereon. The I/O oxide layer has an I/O mask layer formed thereon. The method also includes forming an I/O dummy gate on the I/O mask layer and a core dummy gate on the core oxide layer, forming an etch barrier layer on the substrate covering the dummy gates, forming a dielectric layer on the etch barrier layer, and planarizing the etch barrier layer and the dielectric layer to expose the top surface of the dummy gates. The method further includes simultaneously removing the I/O and core dummy gates to form I/O and core gate grooves, removing the core oxide layer, removing the I/O mask layer, depositing a dielectric layer in the core gate groove, and forming a metal gate layer filling the I/O and core gate grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Allan He
  • Patent number: 8846476
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein involves forming an integrated circuit product comprised of first and second N-type transistors formed in and above first and second active regions, respectively. The method generally involves performing a common threshold voltage adjusting ion implantation process on the first and second active regions, forming the first and second transistors, performing an amorphization ion implantation process to selectively form regions of amorphous material in the first active region but not in the second active region, after performing the amorphization ion implantation process, forming a capping material layer above the first and second transistors and performing a re-crystallization anneal process to convert at least portions of the regions of amorphous material to a crystalline material. In some cases, the capping material layer may be formed of a material having a Young's modulus of at least 180 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Manfred Eller, Johannes van Meer
  • Patent number: 8846477
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a sacrificial gate structure above a fin, wherein the sacrificial gate structure is comprised of a sacrificial gate insulation layer, a layer of insulating material, a sacrificial gate electrode layer and a gate cap layer, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent opposite sides of the sacrificial gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity that exposes a portion of the fin, and forming a replacement gate structure in the gate cavity. One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a plurality of fin structures that are separated by a trench formed in a substrate, a local isolation material positioned within the trench, a gate structure positioned around portions of the fin structures and above the local isolation material and an etch stop layer positioned between the gate structure and the local isolation material within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 8846478
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a low-concentration impurity region formed on the drain side of an n-type MIS transistor, in a non-self-aligned manner with respect to an end portion of the gate electrode. A high-concentration impurity region is placed with a specific offset from the gate electrode and a sidewall insulating film. The semiconductor device enables the drain breakdown voltage to be sufficient and the on-resistance to decrease. A silicide layer is also formed on the surface of the gate electrode, thereby achieving gate resistance reduction and high frequency characteristics improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Masashi Shima
  • Patent number: 8846479
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer formed over a substrate; a second semiconductor layer formed over the first semiconductor layer; an insulating film including a first insulating film formed over the second semiconductor layer, a second insulating film, and a third insulating film stacked sequentially over the first insulating film, and an electrode formed over the insulating film, wherein, in the first insulating film, a region containing halogen ions is formed under a region provided with the electrode, and the third insulating film contains a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masahito Kanamura
  • Patent number: 8846480
    Abstract: A surface channel transistor is provided in a semiconductive device. The surface channel transistor is either a PMOS or an NMOS device. Epitaxial layers are disposed above the surface channel transistor to cause an increased bandgap phenomenon nearer the surface of the device. A process of forming the surface channel transistor includes grading the epitaxial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Pillarisetty, Mantu Hudait, Marko Radosavljevic, Gilbert Dewey, Jack T. Kavalieros
  • Patent number: 8846481
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transistor structure, having a completely silicided extrinsic base for reduced base resistance Rb. Specifically, a metal silicide layer covers the extrinsic base, including the portion of the extrinsic base that extends below the upper portion of a T-shaped emitter. One exemplary technique for ensuring that the metal silicide layer covers this portion of the extrinsic base requires tapering the upper portion of the emitter. Such tapering allows a sacrificial layer below the upper portion of the emitter to be completely removed during processing, thereby exposing the extrinsic base below and allowing the metal layer required for silicidation to be deposited thereon. This metal layer can be deposited, for example, using a high pressure sputtering technique to ensure that all exposed surfaces of the extrinsic base, even those below the upper portion of the emitter, are covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc W. Cantell, Thai Doan, Jessica A. Levy, Qizhi Liu, William J. Murphy, Christa R. Willets
  • Patent number: 8846482
    Abstract: A method of forming a doped region in a III-nitride substrate includes providing the III-nitride substrate and forming a masking layer having a predetermined pattern and coupled to a portion of the III-nitride substrate. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and the predetermined pattern defines exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The method also includes heating the III-nitride substrate to a predetermined temperature and placing a dual-precursor gas adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate. The dual-precursor gas includes a nitrogen source and a dopant source. The method further includes maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time period, forming p-type III-nitride regions adjacent the exposed regions of the III-nitride substrate, and removing the masking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Andrew P. Edwards, Hui Nie, Mahdan Raj
  • Patent number: 8846483
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a phase change semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof, comprising: forming an insulating layer on a substrate and a metal layer on the insulating layer; forming a via hole penetrating from the metal layer to the insulating layer; forming a phase change material layer on the metal layer and the via hole to at least fill up the via hole; and performing a planarization process, wherein after forming the metal layer and before forming the via hole, or after forming the via hole and before forming the phase change material layer, or after forming the phase change material layer and before the planarization process, subjecting the metal layer to an annealing treatment to form a metallic compound layer at an interface between the metal layer and the insulating layer. Adhesion between the phase change material layer and the insulating layer can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Wanchun Ren
  • Patent number: 8846484
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing resistive switching memory devices such as resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices wherein both oxide and nitride layers are deposited in a single chamber are provided. Various oxide and nitride based layers in the ReRAM device such as the switching layer, current-limiting layer, and the top electrode (and optionally the bottom electrode) are deposited in the single chamber. By fabricating the ReRAM device in a single chamber, throughput is increased and cost is decreased. Moreover, processing in a single chamber reduces device exposure to air and to particulates, thereby minimizing device defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Albert Sanghyup Lee, Chien-Lan Hsueh, Tim Minvielle, Takeshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8846485
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor bottom electrode of a dynamic random access memory is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate having a memory cell region and forming a polysilicon template layer on the memory cell region of the substrate. A supporting layer is formed on the polysilicon template layer and plural openings penetrating through the supporting layer and the polysilicon template layer are formed and a liner layer is formed on at least a portion of the polysilicon template layer exposed by the openings. A conductive layer substantially conformal to the substrate is formed on the substrate. A portion of the conductive layer on the supporting layer is removed so as to form plural capacitor bottom electrodes. Using the polysilicon template layer, the openings with relatively better profiles are formed and the dimension of the device can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Powerchip Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Heiji Kobayashi, Yukihiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8846486
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes defining a first type region and a second type region in a substrate, t separated by one or more inter-well STI structures; etching and filling, in at least one of the first type region and the second type region, one or more intra-well STI structures for isolating semiconductor devices formed within a same polarity well, wherein the one or more inter-well STI structures are formed at a substantially same depth with respect to the one or more intra-well STI structures; implanting, a main well region, wherein a bottom of the main well region is disposed above a bottom of the one or more inter-well and intra-well STI features; and implanting, one or more deep well regions that couple main well regions, wherein the one or more deep well regions are spaced away from the one or more inter-well STI structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Freescale Semiconductors Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Koburger, III, Peter Zeitzoff, Mariko Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8846487
    Abstract: A device and method of reducing residual STI corner defects in a hybrid orientation transistor comprising, forming a direct silicon bonded substrate wherein a second silicon layer with a second crystal orientation is bonded to a handle substrate with a first crystal orientation, forming a pad oxide layer on the second silicon layer, forming a nitride layer on the pad oxide layer, forming an isolation trench within the direct silicon bonded substrate through the second silicon layer and into the handle substrate, patterning a PMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate utilizing photoresist including a portion of the isolation trench, implanting and amorphizing an NMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate, removing the photoresist, performing solid phase epitaxy, performing a recrystallization anneal, forming an STI liner, completing front end processing, and performing back end processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Periannan R. Chidambaram, Rick L. Wise
  • Patent number: 8846488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise: a substrate; a device region located on the substrate; and at least one stress introduction region separated from the device region by an isolation structure, with stress introduced into at least a portion of the at least one stress introduction region, wherein the stress introduced into the at least a portion of the at least one stress introduction region is produced by utilizing laser to illuminate an amorphized portion comprised in the at least one stress introduction region to recrystallize the amorphized portion. The semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the invention produces stress in a simpler manner and thereby improves the performance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qingqing Liang, Huaxiang Yin, Huicai Zhong, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8846489
    Abstract: A trench isolation method is disclosed. A substrate having thereon a pad layer and a hard mask is provided. An opening is formed in the hard mask. The substrate is etched through the opening to thereby form a first trench. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the first trench. A second trench is then etched into the substrate through the first trench by using the spacer as an etching hard mask. The substrate within the second trench is then oxidized by using the spacer as an oxidation protection layer, thereby forming an oxide layer that fills the second trench. The spacer is then removed to reveal the sidewall of the first trench. A liner layer is then formed on the revealed sidewall of the first trench. A chemical vapor deposition process is then performed to deposit a dielectric layer that fills the first trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Lin, Chia-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 8846490
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin structure of a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, creating a mandrel pattern over the substrate, depositing a first spacer layer over the mandrel pattern, and removing portions of the first spacer layer to form first spacer fins. The method also includes performing a first fin cut process to remove a subset of the first spacer fins, depositing a second spacer layer over the un-removed first spacer fins, and removing portions of the second spacer layer to form second spacer fins. The method further includes forming fin structures, and performing a second fin cut process to remove a subset of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Feng Shieh, Chen-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8846491
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide approaches for forming a diffusion break during a replacement metal gate process. Specifically, a semiconductor device is provided with a set of replacement metal gate (RMG) structures over a set of fins patterned from a substrate; a dielectric material over an epitaxial junction area; an opening formed between the set of RMG structures and through the set of fins, wherein the opening extends through the dielectric material, the expitaxial junction area, and into the substrate; and silicon nitride (SiN) deposited within the opening to form the diffusion break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Pham, Zhenyu Hu, Andy Wei, Nicholas V. LiCausi
  • Patent number: 8846492
    Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of forming a semiconductor structure. A substrate has a region adjacent to a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure in the substrate. A patterned mask layer is formed over the substrate. The patterned mask layer covers the STI structure and a portion of the region, and leaves a remaining portion of the region exposed. A distance between an edge of the remaining portion and an edge of the STI structure is substantially longer than 1 nm. The remaining portion of the region is etched thereby forms a recess in the substrate. A stressor is epitaxially grown in the recess. A conductive plug contacting the stressor is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mei-Hsuan Lin, Chih-Hsun Lin, Chih-Kang Chao, Ling-Sung Wang
  • Patent number: 8846493
    Abstract: Silicon on insulator structures having a high resistivity region in the handle wafer of the silicon on insulator structure are disclosed. Methods for producing such silicon on insulator structures are also provided. Exemplary methods involve creating a non-uniform thermal donor profile and/or modifying the dopant profile of the handle wafer to create a new resistivity profile in the handle wafer. Methods may involve one or more SOI manufacturing steps or electronic device (e.g., RF device) manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SunEdison Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Libbert, Lu Fei, Robert W. Standley