Abstract: A semiconductor device has a dual-gate electrode structure. The gate electrode has a layered structure including a doped polysilicon film, WSi2 film, WN film and a W film. The WSi2 film formed on the polysilicon film in the P-channel area is formed of a number of WSi2 particles disposed apart from one another, preventing a bilateral diffusion of impurities doped in the polysilicon film.

Abstract: A memory cell and a selection transistor for selecting the memory cell are provided. The memory cell includes a floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate via a first gate insulation film, a pair of first diffusion layers positioned on the opposite sides of the floating gate and formed in the substrate, first and second control gates formed on the opposite sides of the floating gate to drive the floating gate, and an inter-gate insulation film formed between the first and second control gates and the floating gate. The selection transistor includes a selection gate•wiring including a first portion constituted of the same conductive layer as the first conductive layer, and a second portion constituted of the same conductive layer as the second conductive layer, and a second diffusion layer formed in the substrate, facing the second portion of the selection gate•wiring.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a gate electrode which is formed on a semiconductor substrate via a gate insulating film, and which has a slit portion; side wall films formed at both side faces of the gate electrode and at side walls of the slit portion, and which fill an interior of the slit portion and cover the gate insulating film directly beneath the slit portion; and an interlayer insulating film formed to cover the gate electrode and the side wall films.

Abstract: Embodiments of a transition metal alloy having an n-type or p-type work function that does not significantly shift at elevated temperature. The disclosed transition metal alloys may be used as, or form a part of, the gate electrode in a transistor. Methods of forming a gate electrode using these transition metal alloys are also disclosed.

Abstract: A memory cell and a selection transistor for selecting the memory cell are provided. The memory cell includes a floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate via a first gate insulation film, a pair of first diffusion layers positioned on the opposite sides of the floating gate and formed in the substrate, first and second control gates formed on the opposite sides of the floating gate to drive the floating gate, and an inter-gate insulation film formed between the first and second control gates and the floating gate. The selection transistor includes a selection gate•wiring including a first portion constituted of the same conductive layer as the first conductive layer, and a second portion constituted of the same conductive layer as the second conductive layer, and a second diffusion layer formed in the substrate, facing the second portion of the selection gate•wiring.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a numerical aperture higher than that of a pixel having a conventional construction by using a pixel circuit having a novel construction in an electro-optical device. Therefore, it is utilized that the electric potential of a gate signal line in a row except for an i-th row is set to a constant electric potential in a period except for when a gate signal line (106) in the i-th row is selected. A gate signal line 111 in an (i?1)-th row is also used as an electric current supply line for an EL element (103) controlled by the gate signal line (106) in the i-th row. Thus, wiring number is reduced and high numerical aperture is realized.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of acquiring a high resolution image without a reduction in sensitivity includes a plurality of sensor chips connected to one another, each sensor chip including a first pixel row and a second pixel row, which are formed on the same semiconductor chip. The first pixel row has a plurality of pixels arranged in the main scanning direction, and the second pixel row has a plurality of pixels shifted along the main scanning direction with respect to the first pixel row.

Abstract: A double-injection field-effect transistor has an anode, a cathode, a substantially transparent channel, a substantially transparent gate insulator, and at least one substantially transparent gate electrode. The transistor may also have a substantially transparent anode and/or cathode. The transistor may also be formed on a substantially transparent substrate. Electrode contacts and electrical interconnection leads may also be substantially transparent. Methods for making and using such double-injection field-effect transistors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device capable of attaining excellent performance with a single-layer gate electrode structure is obtained. This charge-coupled device, having a single-layer gate electrode structure, comprises a gate insulator film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of partitions, consisting of an insulator, formed on the gate insulator film, and concave gate electrodes, arranged between adjacent ones of the partitions, having side surfaces formed along side portions of the partitions. Thus, when the partitions are formed with a width of not more than the minimum critical dimension of lithography, the interval between the adjacent gate electrodes is not more than the minimum critical dimension of lithography.

Abstract: A silicon germanium layer is deposited over a semiconductor substrate with a gate insulating film interposed between the substrate and the silicon germanium layer. Then, an upper silicon layer in an amorphous state is deposited on the silicon germanium layer. Thereafter, a gate electrode is formed by patterning the silicon germanium layer and the upper silicon layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a numerical aperture higher than that of a pixel having a conventional construction by using a pixel circuit having a novel construction in an electro-optical device. Therefore, it is utilized that the electric potential of a gate signal line in a row except for an i-th row is set to a constant electric potential in a period except for when a gate signal line (106) in the i-th row is selected. A gate signal line 111 in an (i?1)-th row is also used as an electric current supply line for an EL element (103) controlled by the gate signal line (106) in the i-th row. Thus, wiring number is reduced and high numerical aperture is realized.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pick-up device in which a photoelectric converting section formed on a semiconductor substrate and a gate oxide film of a transfer path of a charge coupled device (CCD) which is close to the photoelectric converting section are constituted by a laminated film comprising a silicon oxide film (SiO) and a silicon nitride film (SiN), the gas oxide film has a single layer structure in which at least an end on the photoelectric converting section side of the gate oxide film does not contain the silicon nitride film.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises an image pickup unit having unit cells including opto-electrical converter elements, said unit cells being disposed in a two-dimensional array, a selection line made of polysilicon for selectively determining the unit cells in the same row within the image pickup unit, a read-out line made of polysilicon for reading out an electric charge accumulated in the opto-electrical converter elements of the unit cells in the same row within the image pickup unit, a signal line transmitting pixel signals produced from the unit cells in the same row within the image pickup unit, a reset line made of polysilicon for discharging the unit cells in the same row within the image pickup unit down to a desired voltage level, a driver circuit located on one side of the image pickup unit for supplying drive signals to the read-out line, the selection line, and the reset line, respectively, and a read-out auxiliary wiring disposed along at least the read-out line and electrically connected t

Abstract: A method for forming a transistor includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a portion of a semiconductor substrate, the substrate being substantially free of silicon; defining a gate electrode over a portion of the gate dielectric layer; and introducing ions into the substrate proximate the gate electrode to define source and drain regions. A transistor includes a semiconductor substrate that is substantially free of silicon and a gate dielectric layer over a portion of the substrate. The transistor can also include a gate electrode over a portion of the gate dielectric layer and introduce ions proximate the gate electrode, defining source and drain regions.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide pixel circuits having transistors with silicide on top of their gate stacks. In the exemplary embodiments, silicide forming material does not contaminate other components such as the photoconversion devices of an imager integrated circuit (IC). The photoconversion devices are blocked during silicide formation and are therefore not contaminated with silicide or metallic components. In other exemplary embodiments, each pixel of an imager also includes an optional in-pixel capacitor that has stabilized capacitance versus voltage characteristics due to its metal-dielectric-polysilicon structure, where the metal is a metal silicide over a conductive silicon layer.

Abstract: A fin field effect transistor includes a fin, a source region, a drain region, a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. The fin includes a channel. The source region is formed adjacent a first end of the fin and the drain region is formed adjacent a second end of the fin. The first gate electrode includes a first layer of metal material formed adjacent the fin. The second gate electrode includes a second layer of metal material formed adjacent the first layer. The first layer of metal material has a different work function than the second layer of metal material. The second layer of metal material selectively diffuses into the first layer of metal material via metal interdiffusion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first-type internal stress film formed of a silicon oxide film over source/drain regions of an nMISFET and a second-type internal stress film formed of a TEOS film over source/drain regions of a pMISFET. In a channel region of the nMISFET, a tensile stress is generated in the direction of movement of electrons due to the first-type internal stress film, so that the mobility of electrons is increased. In a channel region of the pMISFET, a compressive stress is generated in the direction of movement of holes due to the second-type internal stress film, so that the mobility of holes is increased.

Abstract: Isolation methods and devices for isolating pixels of an image sensor pixel. The isolation structure and methods include forming a biased gate over a field isolation region and adjacent a pixel of an image sensor. The isolation methods also include forming an isolation gate over substantial portions of a field isolation region to isolate pixels in an array of pixels.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a first insulating layer over a substrate region, and a floating gate. The floating gate includes a first polysilicon layer over the first insulating layer and a second polysilicon layer over and in contact with the first polysilicon layer. The first polysilicon layer has a predetermined doping concentration and the second polysilicon layer has a doping concentration which decreases in a direction away from an interface between the first and second polysilicon layers. A second insulating layer overlies and is in contact with the second polysilicon layer. A control gate includes a third polysilicon layer over and in contact with the second insulating layer, and a fourth polysilicon layer over and in contact with the third polysilicon layer. The fourth polysilicon layer has a predetermined doping concentration, and the third polysilicon layer has a doping concentration which decreases in a direction away from an interface between the third and fourth polysilicon layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of reducing manufacturing cost and on-state resistance is provided by selectively disposing a plurality of active regions (AR) on a main surface of a stainless steel substrate (1) and disposing a trench gate (7) so as to bury the area between the active regions (AR). The active regions (AR) have a multilayer structure that is made up of a drain layer (2) containing antimony (Sb) as an n-type impurity in a relatively high concentration (n+), a polysilicon layer (3) overlying the drain layer (2) and containing a p-type impurity, and a source layer (4) overlying the polysilicon layer (3) and containing an n-type impurity in a relatively high concentration (n+).

Abstract: A CCD type solid state image pickup device having: a number of photoelectric conversion elements formed in and on the semiconductor substrate in a matrix configuration of rows and columns; a plurality of VCCDs each having a vertical channel region formed along each column of the photoelectric conversion elements, and charge transfer electrodes formed above the vertical channel region; an HCCD having a horizontal channel region coupled to one ends of the VCCDs, and charge transfer electrodes formed above the horizontal channel region; a floating diffusion formed in the semiconductor substrate and coupled to one end of the HCCD; and an input gate electrode of an output amplifier having a portion extending at least near to the floating diffusion, and the input gate electrode being thinner than the charge transfer electrodes.

Abstract: According to a disclosed embodiment, a base region is grown on a transistor region. A dielectric layer is next deposited over the base region. The dielectric layer can comprise, for example, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or a suitable low-k dielectric. Subsequently, an opening is fabricated in the dielectric layer, and an emitter layer is formed on top of the dielectric layer and in the opening. Thereafter, an anisotropic polymerizing etch chemistry is utilized to etch the emitter layer down to a first depth, forming an emitter region in the opening. Next, a non-polymerizing etch chemistry having isotropic components is used to create a notch in the dielectric layer below the emitter region. The formation of the notch reduces the overlap area of a capacitor that forms between the emitter region and the base region, which translates to a lower level of emitter to base capacitance.

Abstract: An LDMOS device includes elementary MOS cells. The gate structure of the elementary cell includes a first conductor material finger. The LDMOS device includes first metal stripes for contacting source regions, second metal stripes for contacting drain regions, and third metal stripes placed on inactive zones for contacting a material finger by forming a contact point. The contact point is formed by a first prolongation of the material finger for connecting with one of the third stripes. The third metal stripe includes at least one fourth metal stripe placed on a separation zone. The material finger has a second prolongation and the fourth metal stripe has a first prolongation to form an additional contact point.

Abstract: A semiconductor energy detector having a region for detection and charge accumulation/transfer where a two-dimensional pixel array is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate on which energy rays become incident, is characterized in that the region for detection and charge accumulation/transfer comprises a plurality of transfer electrodes formed in each pixel, and an excess charge removing means arranged in correspondence with one of the transfer electrodes in each pixel.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) includes first-level transfer electrodes and second-level transfer electrodes alternately arranged along a transfer channel, wherein charge storage sections underlying the first-level transfer electrodes have a larger width than barrier sections underlying the second-level transfer electrodes. First and second interconnect lines supply two-phase driving signals to the transfer electrodes. Contact plugs connecting the first interconnect line to the transfer electrodes and contact plugs connecting the second interconnect line are located at opposite sides with respect to the center line of the transfer channel.

Abstract: Provides a semiconductor device that can separate components easily. Gate electrode 42 is formed only within component forming region 32, and gate electrode 42 and aluminum wiring 48 are connected in component forming region 32. Therefore, there is almost no inversion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate 36 that is under field oxide film 38 due to the voltage of the concerned connection area and gate electrode 42. Also, there is interlayer film 44 between aluminum wiring 48 and field oxide film 38, so there is almost no inversion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate 36 that is under field oxide film 38 due to the voltage of aluminum wiring 48. Therefore, it is possible to separate components without increasing overall length L1 of field oxide film 38, increasing the film thickness of field oxide film 38, or increasing the concentration of channel stop ions implanted into the surface of the semiconductor substrate 36 that is under field oxide film 38.

Abstract: A silicon germanium layer is deposited over a semiconductor substrate with a gate insulating film interposed between the substrate and the silicon germanium layer. Then, an upper silicon layer in an amorphous state is deposited on the silicon germanium layer. Thereafter, a gate electrode is formed by patterning the silicon germanium layer and the upper silicon layer.

Abstract: An array substrate for use in a liquid crystal display device includes a thin film transistor as a switching element, having a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, wherein the gate electrode is a portion of a gate line near the crossing of the gate and data lines, and has an inverted “T”-shaped opening or a rectangularly-shaped opening. The drain electrode is shaped like the inverted “T”-shape and corresponds to the opening of the gate electrode. The source electrode surrounds the drain electrode along the steps of the semiconductor layer. Accordingly, in the thin film transistor having this structure, the gate electrode is only overlapped by the edges of the drain electrode. And thus, the gate-drain parasitic capacitance is reduced and minimized. Also, variations in the gate-drain parasitic capacitance are prevented. As a result, a high resolution is achieved and the picture quality is improved in the liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A silicon carbide n channel MOS semiconductor device is provided which includes a silicon carbide substrate including a p base region, an n30 source region and an n+ drain region, a gate insulating film formed on a surface of the p base region, a gate electrode provided on the gate insulating film, and first and second main electrodes that allow current to flow therebetween, wherein a p− channel region is formed in a surface layer of the p base region right under the gate insulating film, such that the effective acceptor concentration measured in the vicinity of an interface between the p base region and the gate insulating film is in a range of 1×1013 to 1×1016 cm−3.

Abstract: A field-effect-controllable semiconductor component and a method for fabricating an electrode of the component includes a semiconductor body having a first zone of a first conduction type, a second zone of a second conduction type disposed above the first zone, and at least one trench extending into the semiconductor body in a vertical direction through the second zone, applying a first insulation layer at least in a region of the second zone in the trench, applying a first layer of electrode material to the semiconductor body, applying an intermediate layer to the first layer, applying a second layer of electrode material to the intermediate layer, removing a portion of the second layer and of the intermediate layer to leave the intermediate layer and the second layer at least partly in the trench, and patterning the first layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a large-area silicide layer and fabrication method is provided. A semiconductor device, consistent with one embodiment of the invention, includes a silicon substrate, a gate insulating layer disposed over the silicon substrate, a gate electrode disposed over the gate insulating layer, and at least one active region disposed adjacent the gate electrode. Formed over the active region and in contact with the insulating layer is a silicide layer. The active region may, for example, be a source/drain region. The silicide layer generally has a surface area which is larger than that of conventional silicide layers. This, for example, reduces the resistance of the active regions of the semiconductor device and enhances device performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phase-change memory device. The device includes a lower electrode disposed in a recess of a first dielectric. The lower electrode comprises a first side and a second side. The first side communicates to a volume of phase-change memory material. The second side has a length that is less than the first side. Additionally, a second dielectric may overlie the lower electrode. The second dielectric has a shape that is substantially similar to the lower electrode.

Abstract: A charge coupled device has a hydrogen diffusion path to diffuse hydrogen to a silicon surface. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through a top silicon oxide layer that itself extends through a first aperture in a top silicon nitride layer. The first aperture overlays a conductor formed of polycrystalline silicon at a location that transversely overlays a channel stop. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through the conductor and through an extension of the conductor that itself extends through a second aperture in a lower silicon nitride layer. The lower silicon nitride layer being one part of a gate dielectric film. The gate dielectric film also includes a lower silicon oxide layer disposed between the lower silicon nitride layer and the silicon surface. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through the lower silicon oxide layer to reach the silicon surface.

Abstract: A method for reducing dark current within a charge coupled device includes the steps of providing three or more phases of gates separated by an insulating layer from a buried channel of the first conductivity type in a well or substrate of the second conductivity type, and a clock driver for causing the transfer of charge through the charge coupled device; providing a barrier for separating charge packets when in accumulation state; applying, at a first time period, voltages to all phases of gates sufficient to cause the surface of the first conductivity type to be accumulated by dark current reducing charge carriers; after the first time period, applying, at each gate phase n having a capacitance Cn to the layer of the second conductivity type, a voltage change on the gate phase n given by &Dgr;Vn such that the sum of products of the capacitances and voltage changes is substantially zero ∑ n ⁢   ⁢

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, an insulation film is used to fill a separating region that divides a charge transfer electrode in the row direction, thereby achieving flattening, after which an interlayer insulation film and a metal light-shielding film are formed.

Abstract: In a MOSFET, a source region, a drain region and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region are provided. And the width W(x) of the channel region is changed according to the following mathematical equation.

Abstract: The present invention is a structure for a fast-dump gate (FDG) and a fast-dump drain (FDD) for a charge coupled device. It is envisioned that the charge coupled device be a horizontal readout register of a solid-state image sensor. This structure uses a third layer of polysilicon (or other suitable gate material) to form the fast-dump gate which is in addition to the other two layers of gate material used to form the gates in the horizontal readout register. This allows the channel region under the fast-dump gate (FDG) to form without the use of highly-doped channel stop regions thereby eliminating any potential wells or barriers that may result in transfer inefficiency often time found with other structures.

Abstract: An image sensor capable of preventing the degradation of pinned photodiodes and the generation of leakage current between neighboring pinned photodiodes is provided. The disclosed image sensor contains a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit having a photodiode region. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a device isolation layer formed in the semiconductor substrate; a field stop layer formed beneath the device isolation layer; a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the trench surrounds the photodiode region; a first doping region of the first conductivity type formed beneath the surface of the semiconductor substrate and beneath the surfaces of the trench; an insulating member filling the trench; and a second doping region of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate under the first doping region.

Abstract: In the production of an IT-CCD including many photoelectric converters in columns and rows, vertical transfer CCDs for transferring signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric converters to a horizontal transfer CCD, and readout gate regions to control, for each photoelectric converter, readout operation of signal charge from the photoelectric converters to the vertical charge transfer CCDs; one joining channel is formed for each set of two vertical transfer CCDs to combine the CCDs with each other and hence a high-pixel-density solid-state image pickup device can be implemented using ordinary fine patterning technique.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a buried conductive layer and a method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In the semiconductor device, the buried conductive layer is formed in a first interlayer insulating layer. The conductive layer has a surface higher than a surface of the first interlayer insulating layer. Furthermore, the first interlayer insulating layer and the conductive layer are covered with an insulating film having a flat surface. On the insulating film, formed is a second interlayer insulating layer having a high etching selective ratio to the insulating film.

Abstract: A new High Dynamic Range charge detection concept useful for CCD and Active Pixel CMOS image sensors uses at least one transistor operating in a punch through mode for the charge detection node reset. The punch through operation significantly reduces the reset feed through which leads to a higher voltage swing available on the node for the signal. This in turn allows building smaller and thus more sensitive charge detection nodes. The undesirabe artifacts, associated with the incomplete reset that are induced by the punch through operation, are completely removed by incorporating the CDS signal processing method into the signal processing chain. The incomplete reset artifact removal by the CDS technique is extended to all other resetting concepts that are modeled by a large reset time constant. The punch through concept is suitable for resetting Floating Diffusion charge detection nodes as well as Floating Gate charge detection nodes.

Abstract: A solid state imaging pickup device with a single-layer electrode structure which eliminates the release area at the terminal part of the charge transfer electrodes by surrounding the charge transfer electrodes with a dummy pattern, or with a pattern formed by connecting the charge transfer electrodes of a certain phase with each other at the outermost periphery. Surrounding the charge transfer electrode improves embedding performance when an insulating film is re-flowed for flattening inter-electrode gaps. This enables formation of a good metal wire or shielding film with no step-cut, thus improving the reliability of a solid state imaging pickup device.

Abstract: There is provided a solid state imaging device using a MOS image sensor of a threshold voltage modulation system employed in a video camera, an electronic camera, an image input camera, a scanner, a facsimile, or the like. In configuration, in the solid state imaging device that comprises a photo diode formed in a second semiconductor layer 15a of opposite conductivity type in a first semiconductor layer 12 and 32 of one conductivity type, and a light signal detecting insulated gate field effect transistor formed in a fourth semiconductor layer 15b of opposite conductivity type in a third semiconductor layer 12 of one conductivity type adjacently to the photo diode, a carrier pocket 25 is provided in the fourth semiconductor layer 15b, and a portion of the first semiconductor layer 12, 32 under the second semiconductor layer 15a is thicker than a portion of the third semiconductor layer 12 under the fourth semiconductor layer 15b in a depth direction.

Abstract: A monolithic three dimensional charged coupled device (3D-CCD) which utilizes the entire bulk of the semiconductor for charge generation, storage, and transfer. The 3D-CCD provides a vast improvement of current CCD architectures that use only the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The 3D-CCD is capable of developing a strong E-field throughout the depth of the semiconductor by using deep (buried) parallel (bulk) electrodes in the substrate material. Using backside illumination, the 3D-CCD architecture enables a single device to image photon energies from the visible, to the ultra-violet and soft x-ray, and out to higher energy x-rays of 30 keV and beyond. The buried or bulk electrodes are electrically connected to the surface electrodes, and an E-field parallel to the surface is established with the pixel in which the bulk electrodes are located. This E-field attracts charge to the bulk electrodes independent of depth and confines it within the pixel in which it is generated.

Abstract: A field-effect-controllable semiconductor component and a method for fabricating an electrode of the component includes a semiconductor body having a first zone of a first conduction type, a second zone of a second conduction type disposed above the first zone, and at least one trench extending into the semiconductor body in a vertical direction through the second zone, applying a first insulation layer at least in a region of the second zone in the trench, applying a first layer of electrode material to the semiconductor body, applying an intermediate layer to the first layer, applying a second layer of electrode material to the intermediate layer, removing a portion of the second layer and of the intermediate layer to leave the intermediate layer and the second layer at least partly in the trench, and patterning the first layer.

Abstract: A photogate-based photosensor for use in a CMOS imager exhibiting improved short wavelength light response. The photogate is formed of a thin conductive layer about 50 to 3000 Angstroms thick. The conductive layer may be a silicon layer, a layer of indium and/or tin oxide, or may be a stack having an indium and/or tin oxide layer over a silicon layer. The thin conductive layer of the photogate permits a greater amount of short wavelength light to pass through the photogate to reach the photosite in the substrate, and thereby increases the quantum efficiency of the photosensor for short wavelengths of light.

Abstract: A pixel sensor cell for use in a CMOS imager exhibiting improved storage capacitance. The source follower transistor is formed with a large gate that has an area from about 0.3 &mgr;m2 to about 10 &mgr;m2. The large size of the source follower gate enables the photocharge collector area to be kept small, thereby permitting use of the pixel cell in dense arrays, and maintaining low leakage levels. Methods for forming the source follower transistor and pixel cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high performance unary digital loudspeaker system is disclosed; providing cost-effective and efficient performance, and providing the option to integrate multiple speaker elements or other related circuitry, and comprising a semiconductor substrate (102), an electrode (104) disposed upon the substrate, an insulator element (106) disposed upon the electrode forming a frame of material, an electrically conductive membrane (108) disposed upon the insulator element so as to form a chamber (110) between the electrode and the membrane, the membrane having a flexible support section (112) formed therein, and a control circuit (200) coupled (114, 116) to the membrane and the electrode, and adapted to provide a variable potential therebetween.

Abstract: A transistor formed on a substrate comprises a gate electrode having a lateral extension at the foot of the gate electrode that is less than the average lateral extension of the gate electrode. The increased cross-section of the gate electrode compared to the rectangular cross-sectional shape of a prior art device provides for a significantly reduced gate resistance while the effective gate length, i.e., the lateral extension of the gate electrode at its foot, may be scaled down to a size of 100 nm and beyond. Moreover, a method for forming the field effect transistor described above is disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of first basic cells and a plurality of second basic cells are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode of each of transistors in the first basic cell has a gate length of the minimum size. A gate electrode of each of transistors in the second basic cell has a second gate length larger than the first gate length. The transistors in the first basic cell are connected to each other, to construct a circuit which is operable at high speed and can be increased in integration density. The transistors in the second basic cell are connected to each other, to construct a circuit which can be reduced in power consumption and is hardly affected by process variations.