Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9006052
    Abstract: A method includes forming a stressed Si layer in a trench formed in a stress layer deposited on a substrate. The stressed Si layer forms an active channel region of a device. The method further includes forming a gate structure in the active channel region formed from the stressed Si layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Judson R. Holt, Viorel C. Ontalus, Keith H. Tabakman
  • Patent number: 9006053
    Abstract: Method for fabricating MOSFET integrated with Schottky diode (MOSFET/SKY) is disclosed. Gate trench is formed in an epitaxial layer overlaying semiconductor substrate, gate material is deposited therein. Body, source, dielectric regions are successively formed upon epitaxial layer and the gate trench. Top contact trench (TCT) is etched with vertical side walls defining Schottky diode cross-sectional width SDCW through dielectric and source region defining source-contact depth (SCD); and partially into body region by total body-contact depth (TBCD). A heavily-doped embedded body implant region (EBIR) of body-contact depth (BCD)<TBCD is created into side walls of TCT and beneath SCD. An embedded Shannon implant region (ESIR) is created into sub-contact trench zone (SCTZ) beneath TCT floor. A metal layer is formed in contact with ESIR, body and source region. The metal layer also fills TCT and covers dielectric region thus completing the MOSFET/SKY with only one-time etching of its TCT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ji Pan, Daniel Ng, Sung-Shan Tai, Anup Bhalla
  • Patent number: 9006054
    Abstract: A method to fabricate a diode device includes providing a fin structure formed in a SOI layer. The fin structure has a sacrificial gate structure disposed on the fin structure between a first end of the fin structure and a second end of the fin structure. The method further includes depositing first doped semiconductor material on the first and second ends of the fin structure, where the first doped semiconductor material on the first end of the fin structure has one of the same doping polarity or an opposite doping polarity as the first doped semiconductor material on the second end of the fin structure. The method further includes removing the sacrificial gate structure to form a gap between the deposited first doped semiconductor material; depositing a second doped semiconductor material within the gap and forming first and second electrical contacts conductively connected to the first doped semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9006055
    Abstract: Methods for forming FIN-shaped field effect transistors (FINFETs) capable of withstanding high voltage applications and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a source and a drain on a substrate, forming a thin body (FIN) on the substrate and connecting the source and the drain, forming a gate over top and side surfaces of a first part of the FIN, thereby defining a drain-side FIN region of the FIN between the gate and the drain, and forming a shielding region over top and side surfaces of a second part of the FIN in the drain-side FIN region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Globalfoundries Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Xiao, Shaoqiang Zhang, Sanford Chu, Liming Li
  • Patent number: 9006056
    Abstract: A method of performing an ultraviolet (UV) curing process on an interfacial layer over a semiconductor substrate, the method includes supplying a gas flow rate ranging from 10 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm) to 5 standard liters per minute (slm), wherein the gas comprises inert gas. The method further includes heating the interfacial layer at a temperature less than or equal to 700° C. Another method of performing an annealing process on an interfacial layer over a semiconductor substrate, the second method includes supplying a gas flow rate ranging from 10 sccm to 5 slm, wherein the gas comprises inert gas. The method further includes heating the interfacial layer at a temperature less than or equal to 600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang-Gi Yao, Chun-Hu Cheng, Chen-Yi Lee, Jeff J. Xu, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 9006057
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming a gate stack on a substrate; etching the substrate on both sides of the gate stack to form C-shaped source/drain grooves; and wet-etching the C-shaped source/drain grooves to form ?-shaped source/drain grooves. With this method, it is possible to effectively increase stress applied to a channel region, to accurately control a depth of the source/drain grooves, and to reduce roughness of side walls and bottom portions of the grooves and thus reduce defects by etching the C-shaped source/drain grooves and then further wet-etching them to form the ?-shaped source/drain grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Changliang Qin, Peizhen Hong, Huaxiang Yin
  • Patent number: 9006058
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided, wherein the substrate has a first area and a second area. A first gate structure and a second gate structure are formed over the substrate in the first area and the substrate in the second area, respectively. A first spacer is framed on the sidewall of each gate structure. At least one etching process including at least one wet etching process is performed. The first spacer is removed. A second spacer is formed on the sidewall of each gate structure. A mask layer is formed in the second area. Ion implantation is formed using the mask layer, the first gate structure and the second spacer as a mask to form S/D extensions in the substrate beside the first gate structure in the first area. The mask layer is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chun Huang, Shin-Chuan Huang, Chia-Jong Liu, I-Fang Huang
  • Patent number: 9006059
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for fabricating a CMOS transistor and a method for fabricating an array substrate. The method for fabricating a CMOS transistor comprises a step of forming channels, which comprises: depositing an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate, and crystallizing the amorphous silicon layer into a poly-silicon layer; implanting boron atoms into the poly-silicon layer and then forming an N channel region and a P channel region by etching the poly-silicon layer implanted with the boron atoms; forming a photoresist-partially-retained region corresponding to the N channel region and a photoresist-completely-retained region corresponding to the P channel region through a single patterning process; and removing the photoresist in the photoresist-partially-retained-region and retaining a part of the photoresist in the photoresist-completely-retained region using an ashing process, implanting phosphorus atoms through ion implantation thereby forming an N channel and a P channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Bing Sun
  • Patent number: 9006060
    Abstract: An n-type field effect transistor includes silicon-comprising semiconductor material comprising a pair of source/drain regions having a channel region there-between. At least one of the source/drain regions is conductively doped n-type with at least one of As and P. A conductivity-neutral dopant is in the silicon-comprising semiconductor material in at least one of the channel region and the at least one source/drain region. A gate construction is operatively proximate the channel region. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 9006061
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor comprises forming a first electrode of the capacitor over a substrate. The first electrode includes a bottom conductive plane and a plurality of first vertical conductive structures on the bottom conductive plane. The method also comprises forming an insulating structure over the first electrode. The method further comprises forming a second electrode of the capacitor over the insulating structure. The second electrode includes a top conductive plane and a plurality of second vertical conductive structures under the top conductive plane. The first vertical conductive structures of the plurality of first vertical conductive structures and the second vertical conductive structures of the plurality of second vertical conductive structures are interlaced with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chewn-Pu Jou, Chen Ho-Hsiang, Fred Kuo, Tse-Hul Lu
  • Patent number: 9006062
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a doped layer containing a first dopant of a first conductivity type and forming a counter-doped zone in the doped layer in an edge area surrounding an element area of the semiconductor device. The counter-doped zone contains at least the first dopant and a second dopant of a second conductivity type which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A concentration of the second dopant is at least 20% and at most 100% of the concentration of the first dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Anton Mauder, Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 9006063
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench MOSFET includes doping a body region of the trench MOSFET in multiple ion implantation steps each having different ion implantation energy. The method further comprises etching the trench to a depth of about 1.7 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Yean Ching Yong, Stefania Fortuna
  • Patent number: 9006064
    Abstract: A gate dielectric can be formed by depositing a first silicon oxide material by a first atomic layer deposition process. The thickness of the first silicon oxide material is selected to correspond to at least 10 deposition cycles of the first atomic layer deposition process. The first silicon oxide material is converted into a first silicon oxynitride material by a first plasma nitridation process. A second silicon oxide material is subsequently deposited by a second atomic layer deposition process. The second silicon oxide material is converted into a second silicon oxynitride material by a second plasma nitridation process. Multiple repetitions of the atomic layer deposition process and the plasma nitridation process provides a silicon oxynitride material having a ratio of nitrogen atoms to oxygen atoms greater than 1/3, which can be advantageously employed to reduce the leakage current through a gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Barry P. Linder, Shahab Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 9006065
    Abstract: In plasma doping a non-planar semiconductor device, a substrate having a non-planar semiconductor body formed thereon is obtained. The substrate having the non-planar semiconductor body may be placed into a chamber. A plasma may be formed in the chamber and the plasma may contain dopant ions. A first bias voltage may be generated to implant dopant ions into a region of the non-planar semiconductor body. A second bias voltage may be generated to implant dopant ions into the same region. In one example, the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Ion Beam Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu-Shih Yen, Daniel Tang, Tsungnan Cheng
  • Patent number: 9006066
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a n-FinFET and p-FinFET. Stress inducing materials such as silicon and silicon germanium are epitaxially grown into naturally diamond-shaped structures atop the silicon fins of the n-FinFET and p-FinFET areas. The diamond structures act as the source, drain and channel between the source and drain. The diamond structures of the channel are selectively separated from the fin while retaining the fin connections of the diamond-shaped growth of the source and the drain. Further fabrication to complete the structure may then proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Hwa Chi, Hoong Shing Wong
  • Patent number: 9006067
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming first gate patterns on a semiconductor substrate using an etch mask pattern, forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate between the first gate patterns, forming an insulating layer in the trench, such that the insulating layer fills the trench and is disposed on the etch mask pattern, planarizing the insulating layer until a top surface of the etch mask pattern is exposed, etching a portion of the planarized insulating layer to form a device isolation layer in the trench, forming a second gate layer covering the etch mask pattern and disposed on the device isolation pattern, and planarizing the second gate layer until the top surface of the etch mask pattern is exposed, such that a second gate pattern is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Kyeong Kang, Jaeseok Kim, Boun Yoon, Hoyoung Kim, Ilyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9006068
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) device, performing operations of: forming a first well region embedded in a portion of a semiconductor substrate; forming a first patterned mask layer over the semiconductor substrate; performing a first ion implant process on two portions of the semiconductor substrate exposed by the first patterned mask layer; removing the first patterned mask layer and forming a second patterned mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, exposing a portion of the third well region; performing a second ion implant process to the portion of the third well region exposed by the second patterned mask layer; performing a third implant process to the portion of the third well region exposed by the second patterned mask layer; forming a source region in a portion of the third well region; and forming a drain region in a portion of the fifth well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc
    Inventors: Puo-Yu Chiang, Yan-Liang Ji
  • Patent number: 9006069
    Abstract: A non-planar transistor including partially melted raised semiconductor source/drains disposed on opposite ends of a semiconductor fin with the gate stack disposed there between. The raised semiconductor source/drains comprise a super-activated dopant region above a melt depth and an activated dopant region below the melt depth. The super-activated dopant region has a higher activated dopant concentration than the activated dopant region and/or has an activated dopant concentration that is constant throughout the melt region. A fin is formed on a substrate and a semiconductor material or a semiconductor material stack is deposited on regions of the fin disposed on opposite sides of a channel region to form raised source/drains. A pulsed laser anneal is performed to melt only a portion of the deposited semiconductor material above a melt depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Jensen, Tahir Ghani, Mark Y. Liu, Harold Kennel, Robert James
  • Patent number: 9006070
    Abstract: Methods of making an integrated circuit are disclosed. An embodiment method includes etching a trench in a silicon substrate, depositing a first layer of isolation material in the trench, the first layer of isolation material projecting above surface of the silicon substrate, capping the first layer of isolation material by depositing a second layer of isolation material, the second layer of isolation material extending along at least a portion of sidewalls of the first layer of isolation material, epitaxially-growing a silicon layer upon the silicon substrate, the silicon layer horizontally adjacent to the second layer of isolation material, and forming a gate structure on the silicon layer, the gate structure defining a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Hao Hong, You-Hua Chou, Chih-Tsung Lee, Shiu-Ko JangJian, Miao-Cheng Liao, Hsiang-Hsiang Ko, Chen-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9006071
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having an isolated area comprising a first region and a second region. A first raised RSD region is formed in the first region and a second RSD region is formed in the second region. The first RSD region and second RSD region is separated laterally by a portion of the isolated area. A continuous silicide interconnect structure is formed overlying the first RSD region, the second RSD region and the portion of the isolated area situated between RSD regions. A contact may be formed on the surface of the silicide interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 9006072
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide layer includes the following steps. At first, at least a gate structure, at least a source/drain region and a first dielectric layer are formed on a substrate, and the gate structure is aligned with the first dielectric layer. Subsequently, a cap layer covering the gate structure is formed, and the cap layer does not overlap the first dielectric layer and the source/drain region. Afterwards, the first dielectric layer is removed to expose the source/drain region, and a metal silicide layer totally covering the source/drain region is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 9006073
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a fabrication method thereof capable of improving electric contact characteristic between an access device and a lower electrode are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes an access device formed in a pillar shape on a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer formed over the access device, a protection layer formed on an edge of the first conductive layer to a predetermined thickness, and a lower electrode connected to the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Su Jin Chae, Jin Hyock Kim, Young Seok Kwon
  • Patent number: 9006074
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes isolation capacitors which include a silicon dioxide dielectric layer and a polymer dielectric layer over the layer of silicon dioxide. The silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer extend across the integrated circuit. Top plates of the isolation capacitors have bond pads for wire bonds or bump bonds. Bottom plates of the isolation capacitors are connected to components of the integrated circuit. Other bond pads are connected to components in the integrated circuit through vias through the silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Dyer Bonifield, Byron Williams, Shrinivasan Jaganathan
  • Patent number: 9006075
    Abstract: Memory cells are disclosed, which cells include a cell material and an ion-source material over the cell material. A discontinuous interfacial material is included between the cell material and the ion-source material. Also disclosed are fabrication methods and semiconductor devices including the disclosed memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Quick, Eugene P. Marsh, Stefan Uhlenbrock, Chet E. Carter, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 9006076
    Abstract: A resistive memory device capable of implementing a multi-level cell (MLC) and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The resistive memory device includes a lower electrode connected to a switching device and including a first node and a second node formed on a top thereof to be spaced at a fixed interval, a phase-change material pattern formed on the first node and the second node, an upper electrode formed on the phase-change material pattern, a conductive material layer formed on a top and outer sidewall of the upper electrode, a first contact plug formed on one edge of the upper electrode to be connected to the upper electrode and the conductive material layer, and a second contact plug formed on the other edge of the upper electrode to be connected to the upper electrode and the conductive material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Min Oh
  • Patent number: 9006077
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits and FinFET transistors on bulk substrates with active channel regions isolated from the substrate with an insulator are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming fin structures overlying a semiconductor substrate, wherein each fin structure includes a channel material and extends in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. The method deposits an anchoring material over the fin structures. The method includes recessing the anchoring material to form trenches adjacent the fin structures, wherein the anchoring material remains in contact with the first end and the second end of each fin structure. Further, the method forms a void between the semiconductor substrate and the channel material of each fin structure with a gate length independent etching process, wherein the channel material of each fin structure is suspended over the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Murat Kerem Akarvardar, Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob
  • Patent number: 9006078
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device formed by the method. The method includes form a stack conductive structure by stacking a first conductive pattern and an insulation pattern over a substrate; forming a sacrificial pattern over sidewalls of the stack conductive structure; forming a second conductive pattern having a recessed surface lower than a top surface of the stack conductive structure; forming a sacrificial spacer to expose sidewalls of the insulation pattern by removing an upper portion of the sacrificial pattern; reducing a width of the exposed portion of the insulation patters; forming a capping spacer to cap the sidewalls of the insulation pattern having the reduced width over the sacrificial spacer; and forming an air gap between the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern by converting the sacrificial spacer to volatile byproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Myung-Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 9006079
    Abstract: A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions extending from a top surface of a semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, and after the forming the STI regions, oxidizing an upper portion of a semiconductor strip between the STI regions. A width of the upper portion of the semiconductor strip is reduced by the oxidizing. The STI regions are recessed, until a portion of the upper portion of the semiconductor strip is higher than a top surface of remaining portions of the STI regions to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju
  • Patent number: 9006080
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a plurality of isolation trench structures configured for disparate applications and a method of forming the integrated circuit are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a substrate having a first region and a second region is received. A first isolation trench is formed in the first region, and a second isolation trench is formed in the second region. A first liner layer is formed in the first isolation trench, and a second liner layer is formed in the second isolation trench. The second liner layer has a physical characteristic that is different from a corresponding physical characteristic of the first liner layer. An implantation procedure is performed on the second isolation trench and the second liner layer formed therein. The physical characteristic of the second liner layer may be selected to enhance an implantation depth or an implantation uniformity compared to the first liner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Min-Feng Kao, Feng-Chi Hung, Shih Pei Chou, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9006081
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a plurality of semiconductor chips are provided. The method may include providing a middle layer between a substrate and a carrier to combine the carrier with the substrate, thinning the substrate; after thinning the substrate, separating the carrier from the substrate; and after the carrier is separated from the substrate, cutting the substrate to form the plurality of semiconductor chips, wherein the middle layer is adhered to the carrier with a first bonding force, and the middle layer is adhered to the substrate with a second bonding force, and wherein the second bonding force is greater than the first bonding force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Seok Ahn, Il Hwan Kim, Jung-Hwan Kim, Sangwook Park, Chungsun Lee, Kwang-chul Choi
  • Patent number: 9006082
    Abstract: A filmic circuit includes a circuit portion and a carrier layer. The circuit portion includes a logic circuit that includes, for example, plural logic gates configurable to receive an input and provide a corresponding logical output. The carrier layer is configured as a film. The circuit portion is affixed directly to the carrier layer or to an upper coat disposed adjacent to the carrier layer, and the carrier layer is configured to be releasable from the circuit portion after the filmic circuit assembly is affixed to a target. The circuit portion is configured to receive an adhesive layer configured to affix the filmic circuit assembly to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, William A. Herring
  • Patent number: 9006083
    Abstract: Methods and structures for GaN on silicon-containing substrates are disclosed, comprising a texturing process to generate a rough surface containing (111) surface, which then can act as an underlayer for epitaxial GaN. LED devices are then fabricated on the GaN layer. Variations of the present invention include different orientations of silicon layer instead of (100), such as (110) or others; and other semiconductor materials instead of GaN, such as other semiconductor materials suitable for LED devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Ananda H. Kumar
  • Patent number: 9006084
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor substrate, includes forming a first semiconductor layer on a substrate, forming a metallic material layer on the first semiconductor layer, forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer and the metallic material layer, etching the substrate using a solution to remove the metallic material layer and a portion of the first semiconductor layer, and forming a cavity in the first semiconductor layer under where the metallic material layer was removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 9006085
    Abstract: A wafer processing method including a fixing step of providing a wafer on a protective member so that a device area of the wafer faces an unevenness absorbing member provided in a recess of the protective member and providing an adhesive outside the device area to thereby fix the protective member and the wafer, a grinding step of holding the protective member on a holding table in the condition where the back side of the wafer is exposed and next grinding the back side of the wafer by using a grinding unit to thereby reduce the thickness of the wafer to a predetermined thickness, and a removing step of removing the protective member from the wafer. The adhesive is locally provided outside of the device area, so that the protective member can be easily removed from the wafer without leaving the adhesive on the front side of each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Heinz Priewasser
  • Patent number: 9006086
    Abstract: Stress regulated semiconductor devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a stress regulated semiconductor device can include a semiconductor layer, a stress regulating interface layer including a carbon layer formed on the semiconductor layer, and a heat spreader coupled to the carbon layer opposite the semiconductor layer. The stress regulating interface layer is operable to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion difference between the semiconductor layer and the heat spreader to less than or equal to about 10 ppm/° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Chien-Min Sung, Ming-Chi Kan, Shao Chung Hu
  • Patent number: 9006087
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of fabricating an electronic device includes the following steps. An alternating series of device and sacrificial layers are formed in a stack on an SOI wafer. Nanowire bars are etched into the device/sacrificial layers such that each of the device layers in a first portion of the stack and each of the device layers in a second portion of the stack has a source region, a drain region and a plurality of nanowire channels connecting the source region and the drain region. The sacrificial layers are removed from between the nanowire bars. A conformal gate dielectric layer is selectively formed surrounding the nanowire channels in the first portion of the stack which serve as a channel region of a nanomesh FET transistor. Gates are formed surrounding the nanowire channels in the first and second portions of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Isaac Lauer, Chung-Hsun Lin, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 9006088
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor gate structure and a semiconductor gate structure are provided. The method includes: providing a substrate with a Ge layer as a surface thereof; forming a Sn layer on the Ge layer, in which an interface between the Ge layer and the Sn layer is a GeSn layer; removing the Sn layer to expose the GeSn layer; forming a GeSnOx passivation layer by performing an oxidation treatment for the GeSn layer, or forming a GeSnN or GeSnON passivation layer by performing a passivation treatment for the GeSn layer; and forming a gate stack on the GeSnOx , GeSnN or GeSnON passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Mei Zhao, Renrong Liang, Jing Wang, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 9006089
    Abstract: The technology of the present invention relates to a non-volatile memory device and a fabrication method thereof. The non-volatile memory device includes channel layers protruding vertically from a substrate, a plurality of hole-supply layers and a plurality of gate electrodes, which are alternately stacked along the channel layers, and a memory film interposed between the channel layers and the gate electrodes and between the hole-supply layers and the gate electrodes. According to this technology, the hole-supply layers are formed between the memory cells such that sufficient holes are supplied to the memory cells during the erase operation of the memory cells, whereby the erase operation of the memory cells is smoothly performed without using the GIDL current, and the properties of the device are protected from being deteriorated due to program/erase cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung-Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 9006090
    Abstract: A method for forming a shielded gate of a MOSFET includes steps as following: providing a semiconductor substrate having at least one trench, forming a bottom gate oxide region and a shielded gate poly region in the trench of the semiconductor substrate, forming an inter-poly oxide region on the shielded gate poly region through high temperature plasma deposition, poly etching back and oxide etching back; and forming a gate oxide region and a gate poly region on the inter-poly oxide region. By utilizing the etching back processes in replace of traditional chemical mechanical polishing processes, the manufacturing cost of manufacturing a shielded gate structure is reduced, and the total cost of manufacturing a FET is also reduced. Meanwhile, the gate charge is effectively reduced due to the shielded gate structure, so that the performance of a MOSFET is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mosel Vitelic Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Lai
  • Patent number: 9006091
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. A first interfacial material layer is formed by a deposition process on a substrate. A dummy gate material layer is formed on the first interfacial material layer. The dummy gate material layer and the first interfacial material layer are patterned to form a stacked structure. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed to cover the stacked structure. A portion of the ILD layer is removed to expose a top of the stacked structure. The stacked structure is removed to form a trench in the ILD layer. A second interfacial layer and a first high-k layer are conformally formed at least on a surface of the trench. A composite metal layer is formed to at least fill up the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Tsai, Ssu-I Fu, Ying-Tsung Chen, Chih-Wei Chen, Chien-Ting Lin, Wen-Tai Chiang
  • Patent number: 9006092
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer and a fluoride metal layer. The dielectric layer is located on the substrate. The fluoride metal layer is located on the dielectric layer. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a semiconductor process to form said semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kun-Hsien Lin, Chun-Hsien Lin, Hsin-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 9006093
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming a select gate stack on a substrate. The substrate includes a non-volatile memory (NVM) region and a high voltage region. The select gate stack is formed in the NVM region. A charge storage layer is formed over the NVM region and the high voltage region of the substrate. The charge storage layer includes charge storage material between a bottom layer of dielectric material and a top layer of dielectric material. The charge storage material in the high voltage region is oxidized while the charge storage material in the NVM region remains unoxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheong Min Hong, Sung-Taeg Kang, Jane A. Yater
  • Patent number: 9006094
    Abstract: A stratified gate dielectric stack includes a first high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric comprising a first high-k dielectric material, a band-gap-disrupting dielectric comprising a dielectric material having a different band gap than the first high-k dielectric material, and a second high-k gate dielectric comprising a second high-k dielectric material. The band-gap-disrupting dielectric includes at least one contiguous atomic layer of the dielectric material. Thus, the stratified gate dielectric stack includes a first atomic interface between the first high-k gate dielectric and the band-gap-disrupting dielectric, and a second atomic interface between the second high-k gate dielectric and the band-gap-disrupting dielectric that is spaced from the first atomic interface by at least one continuous atomic layer of the dielectric material of the band-gap-disrupting dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hemanth Jagannathan, Paul C. Jamison
  • Patent number: 9006095
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece including a conductive feature formed in a first insulating material and a second insulating material disposed over the first insulating material. The second insulating material has an opening over the conductive feature. The method includes forming a graphene-based conductive layer over an exposed top surface of the conductive feature within the opening in the second conductive material, and forming a carbon-based adhesive layer over sidewalls of the opening in the second insulating material. A carbon nano-tube (CNT) is formed in the patterned second insulating material over the graphene-based conductive layer and the carbon-based adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yi Yang, Ming Han Lee, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Hsien-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 9006096
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for the separations of IC fabrication and assembling of separated IC components to form complete IC structures. In an embodiment, the present fabrication separation of an IC structure into multiple discrete components can take advantages of dedicated IC fabrication facilities and achieve more cost effective products. In another embodiment, the present chip assembling provides high density interconnect wires between bond pads, enabling cost-effective assembling of small chip components. In an aspect, the present process coats the component surfaces to facilitate the bonding of the bond pads. In another aspect, the present process coats the bond pads with shelled capsules to facilitate the bonding of the bond pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Jayna Sheets
  • Patent number: 9006097
    Abstract: A method of forming a bump structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming an under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) layer on the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a mask layer on the UBM layer, wherein the mask layer has an opening exposing a portion of the UBM layer. The method further includes forming a copper layer in the opening of the mask layer and removing a portion of the mask layer to form a space between the copper layer and the mask layer. The method further includes performing an electrolytic process to fill the space with a metal layer and removing the mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsiung Lu, Ming-Da Cheng, Chih-Wei Lin, Jacky Chang, Chung-Shi Liu, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 9006098
    Abstract: A method of improving electrical interconnections between two electrical elements is made available by providing a meta-material overlay in conjunction with the electrical interconnection. The meta-material overlay is designed to make the electrical signal propagating via the electrical interconnection to act as though the permittivity and permeability of the dielectric medium within which the electrical interconnection is formed are different than the real component permittivity and permeability of the dielectric medium surrounding the electrical interconnection. In some instances the permittivity and permeability resulting from the meta-material cause the signal to propagate as if the permittivity and permeability have negative values. Accordingly the method provides for electrical interconnections possessing enhanced control and stability of impedance, reduced noise, and reduced loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Wyland
  • Patent number: 9006099
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate with a source region and a drain region formed on the substrate. A silicide layer is disposed over the source region and drain region. A first interconnect layer is formed over the silicide layer and includes a first runner connected to the source region and second runner connected to the drain region. A second interconnect layer is formed over the first interconnect layer and includes a third runner connected to the first runner and a fourth runner connected to the second runner. An under bump metallization (UBM) is formed over and electrically connected to the second interconnect layer. A mask is disposed over the substrate with an opening in the mask aligned over the UBM. A conductive bump material is deposited within the opening in the mask. The mask is removed and the conductive bump material is reflowed to form a bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Great Wall Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel J. Anderson, David N. Okada
  • Patent number: 9006100
    Abstract: An approach for providing MOL constructs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a first diffusion region in a substrate; providing, via a first lithography process, a first diffusion contact structure; providing, via a second lithography process, a second diffusion contact structure; and coupling the first diffusion contact structure to the first diffusion region and the second diffusion contact structure. Embodiments include: providing a second diffusion region in the substrate; providing a diffusion gap region between the first and second diffusion regions; providing the diffusion contact structure over the diffusion gap region; and coupling, via the diffusion contact structure, the first and second diffusion regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Mahbub Rashed, Yuansheng Ma, Irene Lin, Jason Stephens, Yunfei Deng, Yuan Lei, Jongwook Kye, Rod Augur, Shibly Ahmed, Subramani Kengeri, Suresh Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 9006101
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an interlayer dielectric layer formed on a first side of a substrate, a first metallization layer formed over the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein the first metallization layer comprises a first metal line and a dielectric layer formed over the first metallization layer, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a metal structure having a bottom surface coplanar with a top surface of the first metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yu Chen, Ku-Feng Yang, Tasi-Jung Wu, Lin-Chih Huang, Yuan-Hung Liu, Tsang-Jiuh Wu, Wen-Chih Chiou