Capacitor Coupled To, Or Forms Gate Of, Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor (e.g., Non-destructive Readout Dynamic Memory Cell Structure) Patents (Class 257/300)
  • Patent number: 8633532
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a floating body capacitor. The semiconductor memory device can perform a memory operation using the floating body capacitor. The semiconductor memory device includes an SOI substrate having a staked structure in which a base substrate having a conducting surface, a buried insulating layer and a device-forming layer are staked, a transistor formed in a portion of the device-forming layer, having a gate, a source region and a drain region, and a capacitor formed by the buried insulating layer, the conducting surface of the base substrate, and accumulated holes generated in the device-forming layer when the transistor is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8633533
    Abstract: A capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A dummy capacitor group is formed in the peripheral circuit area and includes a dummy storage node contact unit, a dielectric, and a dummy plate electrode. A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor is formed in the peripheral circuit area and connected to the dummy capacitor group in parallel. Capacitance of the dummy capacitor group may be greater than that of the MOS capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8633531
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to: a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film; a conductive film; and a semiconductor film. The semiconductor substrate has a first hole. The semiconductor substrate has a first region into which a first impurity is introduced. The first region is adjacent to a side surface of the first hole. The first insulating film covers at least the side surface and a bottom surface of the first hole. The first insulating film has a second hole adjacent to the side surface of the first hole. The conductive film fills a bottom portion of the first hole. The semiconductor film is positioned over the conductive film. The semiconductor film fills the second hole and is in contact with the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Noriaki Mikasa
  • Patent number: 8624312
    Abstract: A capacitor structure includes a conductive region; a first dielectric layer over the conductive region; a conductive material within the first dielectric layer, wherein the conductive material is on the conductive region and forms a first plate electrode of the capacitor structure; an insulating layer within the first dielectric layer and surrounding the conductive material; a first conductive layer within the first dielectric layer and surrounding the insulating layer, wherein the first conductive layer forms a second plate electrode of the capacitor structure; a second conductive layer laterally extending from the first conductive layer at a top surface of the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer; and a third conductive layer within the second dielectric layer and on the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Hall, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Publication number: 20140001528
    Abstract: A semiconductor component with a drift region and a drift control region. One embodiment includes a semiconductor body having a drift region of a first conduction type in the semiconductor body. A drift control region composed of a semiconductor material, which is arranged, at least in sections, is adjacent to the drift region in the semiconductor body. An accumulation dielectric is arranged between the drift region and the drift control region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Pfirsch, Anton Mauder, Armin Willmeroth, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Stefan Sedlmaier, Markus Zundel, Franz Hirler, Arunjai Mittal
  • Patent number: 8618586
    Abstract: An object is to provide a memory device which does not need a complex manufacturing process and whose power consumption can be suppressed, and a semiconductor device including the memory device. A solution is to provide a capacitor which holds data and a switching element which controls storing and releasing charge in the capacitor in a memory element. In the memory element, a phase-inversion element such as an inverter or a clocked inverter includes the phase of an input signal is inverted and the signal is output. For the switching element, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region is used. In the case where application of a power supply voltage to the phase-inversion element is stopped, the data is stored in the capacitor, so that the data is held in the capacitor even when the application of the power supply voltage to the phase-inversion element is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koyama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8610249
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of non-planar capacitor. The non-planar capacitor can comprise a plurality of fins above a semiconductor substrate. Each fin can comprise at least an insulator section on the semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor section, which has essentially uniform conductivity, stacked above the insulator section. A gate structure can traverse the center portions of the fins. This gate structure can comprise a conformal dielectric layer and a conductor layer (e.g., a blanket or conformal conductor layer) on the dielectric layer. Such a non-planar capacitor can exhibit a first capacitance, which is optionally tunable, between the conductor layer and the fins and a second capacitance between the conductor layer and the semiconductor substrate. Also disclosed herein are method embodiments, which can be used to form such a non-planar capacitor and which are compatible with current state of the art multi-gate non-planar field effect transistor (MUGFET) processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher S. Putnam
  • Patent number: 8604531
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure disposed in the semiconductor substrate, a conductive layer disposed over the isolation structure, a capacitor disposed over the isolation structure, the capacitor including a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a dielectric disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, and a first contact electrically coupling the conductive layer and the bottom electrode, the bottom electrode substantially engaging the first contact on at least two faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kuo-Chi Tu
  • Patent number: 8592979
    Abstract: A conductive pattern structure includes a first insulating interlayer on a substrate, metal wiring on the first insulating interlayer, a second insulating interlayer on the metal wiring, and first and second metal contacts extending through the second insulating interlayer. The first metal contacts contact the metal wiring in a cell region and the second metal contact contacts the metal wiring in a peripheral region. A third insulating interlayer is disposed on the second insulating interlayer. Conductive segments extend through the third insulating interlayer in the cell region and contact the first metal contacts. Another conductive segment extends through the third insulating interlayer in the peripheral region and contacts the second metal contact. The structure facilitates the forming of uniformly thick wiring in the cell region using an electroplating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hei-Seung Kim, Gil-Heyun Choi, Ji-Soon Park, Jong-Myeong Lee
  • Patent number: 8587045
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device has a first active region and a second active region defined in a substrate by a device isolation layer, a Metal Oxide Silicon Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) disposed on the first active region and including a first electrode pattern, and a Metal Oxide Silicon (MOS) capacitor disposed on the second active region and including a second electrode pattern, and in which the first electrode pattern is narrower in the widthwise direction of the channel of the MOSFET than the first active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh-Kyum Kwon, Tae-Jung Lee, Kyoung-Eun Uhn, Byung-Sun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130292753
    Abstract: Provided are a variable field effect transistor (FET) designed to suppress a reduction of current between a source and a drain due to heat while decreasing a temperature of the FET, and an electrical and electronic apparatus including the variable gate FET. The variable gate FET includes a FET and a gate control device that is attached to a surface or a heat-generating portion of the FET and is connected to a gate terminal of the FET so as to vary a voltage of the gate terminal. A channel current between the source and drain is controlled by the gate control device that varies the voltage of the gate terminal when the temperature of the FET increases above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Hyun-Tak KIM, Bongjun KIM
  • Publication number: 20130292754
    Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Chi-Di AN, Chien-Hung CHEN, Yu-Juan CHAN
  • Patent number: 8574984
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes defining a first area by forming a separating area on a substrate, and forming a tunnel film in the first area, a floating gate on the tunnel film, a first electrode in the separating area, a first film on the floating gate, a second film on the first electrode, a control gate on the first film, a second electrode on the second film, and source and drain areas in the first area. The method includes forming a first interlayer film to cover the control gate and the second electrode, forming, in the first interlayer film, a conductive via plug reaching the second electrode, and forming, on the first interlayer film, a second wiring electrically coupled to the second electrode via the conductive via plug, and a first wiring that is capacitively-coupled to the second wiring and to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Toru Anezaki
  • Patent number: 8575668
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least one capacitor formed in wiring levels on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, wherein the at least one capacitor is coupled to an active layer of the SOI substrate. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming an SOI substrate, forming a BOX layer over the SOI substrate, and forming at least one capacitor in wiring levels on the BOX layer, wherein the at least one capacitor is coupled to an active layer of the SOI substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Clark, Jr., Stephen E. Luce
  • Patent number: 8569815
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes defining a first area by forming a separating area on a substrate, and forming a tunnel film in the first area, a floating gate on the tunnel film, a first electrode in the separating area, a first film on the floating gate, a second film on the first electrode, a control gate on the first film, a second electrode on the second film, and source and drain areas in the first area. The method includes forming a first interlayer film to cover the control gate and the second electrode, forming, in the first interlayer film, a conductive via plug reaching the second electrode, and forming, on the first interlayer film, a second wiring electrically coupled to the second electrode via the conductive via plug, and a first wiring that is capacitively-coupled to the second wiring and to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Toru Anezaki
  • Publication number: 20130277725
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a well region in the substrate, a patterned first dielectric layer on the substrate extending over the well region, a patterned first gate structure on the patterned first dielectric layer, a patterned second dielectric layer on the patterned first gate structure, and a patterned second gate structure on the patterned second dielectric layer. The patterned first gate structure includes a first section extending in a first direction and a second section extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first section, the first section and the second section intersecting each other in a cross pattern. The patterned second gate structure includes at least one of a first section extending in the first direction over the first section of the patterned first gate structure or a second section extending in the second direction over the second section of the patterned first gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Cheng-Chi Lin, Shih-Chin Lien, Shyi-Yuan Wu, Chin-Pen Yeh
  • Patent number: 8564039
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a transistor having a gate structure located close to a channel region that comprises a colossal magnetocapacitive material. The gate structure is configured to affect electrical current flow through the channel region between a source and a drain. The colossal magnetocapacitive material optionally may be disposed between two structures, one or both of which may be electrically conductive, magnetic, or both electrically conductive and magnetic. Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices include forming a colossal magnetocapacitive material close to a channel region between a source and a drain of a transistor, and configuring the colossal magnetocapacitive material to exhibit colossal magnetocapacitance for generating an electrical field in the channel region. Methods of affecting current flow through a transistor include causing a colossal magnetocapacitive material to exhibit colossal magnetocapacitance and generate an electrical field in a channel region of a transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8558349
    Abstract: The high voltage integrated circuit is disclosed. The high voltage integrated circuit comprises a low voltage control circuit, a floating circuit, a P substrate, a deep N well disposed in the substrate and a plurality of P wells disposed in the P substrate. The P wells and deep N well serve as the isolation structures. The low voltage control circuit is located outside the deep N well and the floating circuit is located inside the deep N well. The deep N well forms a high voltage junction barrier for isolating the control circuit from the floating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Chiu-Chih Chiang, Chih-Feng Huang, Ta-yung Yang
  • Patent number: 8558347
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include lower electrodes having different heights depending on positions on a substrate. Supporting layer pattern making a contact with the lower electrodes having a relatively large height is provided. The supporting layer pattern is provided between the lower electrodes for supporting the lower electrodes. A dielectric layer is provided on the lower electrodes and the supporting layer pattern. An upper electrode is formed on the dielectric layer and has a planar upper surface. An inter-metal dielectric layer is provided on the upper electrode. A metal contact penetrating through the inter-metal dielectric layer and making a contact with the upper electrode is formed. A bottom portion of the metal contact faces a portion under where the lower electrode having a relatively small height is formed. The device has a higher reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-Shin Kwon, Hyung-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8557657
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first doped portion to a first depth and a second doped portion below the first depth. A deep trench capacitor is formed in the substrate and extends below the first depth. The deep trench capacitor has a buried plate that includes a dopant type forming an electrically conductive connection with second doped portion of the substrate and being electrically insulated from the first doped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Wilfried E. Haensch, Effendi Leobandung, Tenko Yamashita, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 8558209
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory cell having a data storage region between a pair of conductive structures. The data storage region is configured to support a transitory structure which alters resistance through the memory cell. The data storage region includes two or more portions, with one of the portions supporting a higher resistance segment of the transitory structure than another of the portions. Some embodiments include a method of forming a memory cell. First oxide and second oxide regions are formed between a pair of conductive structures. The oxide regions are configured to support a transitory structure which alters resistance through the memory cell. The oxide regions are different from one another so that one of the oxide regions supports a higher resistance segment of the transitory structure than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sumeet C. Pandey
  • Patent number: 8552485
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a through-substrate-via (TSV) structure disposed in a substrate. A first etch stop layer is disposed over the TSV structure. A first dielectric layer is disposed in contact with the first etch stop layer. A first conductive structure is disposed through the first etch stop layer and the first dielectric layer. The first conductive structure is electrically coupled with the TSV structure. The TSV structure is substantially wider than the first conductive structure. A second etch stop layer is disposed in contact with the first dielectric layer. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure is disposed in contact with the second etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hua Chang, Sung-Hui Huang, Der-Chyang Yeh
  • Patent number: 8541828
    Abstract: Methods for depositing high-K dielectrics are described, including depositing a first electrode on a substrate, wherein the first electrode is chosen from the group consisting of platinum and ruthenium, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the exposed metal to reduce the contact angle of a surface of the metal, and depositing a titanium oxide layer on the exposed metal using at least one of a chemical vapor deposition process and an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the titanium oxide layer includes at least a portion of rutile titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Hashim, Edward L. Haywood, Sandra G. Malhotra, Xiangxin Rui, Sunil Shanker
  • Patent number: 8535992
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of making memory devices are shown. Methods and configurations as shown provide folded and vertical memory devices for increased memory density. Methods provided reduce a need for manufacturing methods such as deep dopant implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, John K. Zahurak, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 8537600
    Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device which can hold stored data even when not powered and which achieves high integration by reduction of the number of wirings. The semiconductor device is formed using a material which can sufficiently reduce the off-state current of a transistor, e.g., an oxide semiconductor material which is a wide bandgap semiconductor. When a semiconductor material which allows a sufficient reduction in the off-state current of a transistor is used, data can be held for a long period. One line serves as the word line for writing and the word line for reading and one line serves as the bit line for writing and the bit line for reading, whereby the number of wirings is reduced. Accordingly, the storage capacity per unit area is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 8536638
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bit line that is provided in a semiconductor substrate, a silicide layer that has side faces and a bottom face surrounded by the bit line and is provided within the bit line, an ONO film that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and sidewalls that are in contact with the side faces of a trapping layer in the ONO film over the portions of the bit line located on both sides of the silicide layer, the sidewalls being formed with silicon oxide films including phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Yukihiro Utsuno, Namjin Heo
  • Patent number: 8530288
    Abstract: Some embodiments include DRAM having transistor gates extending partially over SOI, and methods of forming such DRAM. Unit cells of the DRAM may be within active region pedestals, and in some embodiments the unit cells may comprise capacitors having storage nodes in direct contact with sidewalls of the active region pedestals. Some embodiments include 0C1T memory having transistor gates entirely over SOI, and methods of forming such 0C1T memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20130228839
    Abstract: To provide a highly integrated semiconductor memory device. To provide a semiconductor memory device which can hold stored data even when power is not supplied. To provide a semiconductor memory device which has a large number of write cycles. The degree of integration of a memory cell array is increased by forming a memory cell including two transistors and one capacitor which are arranged three-dimensionally. The electric charge accumulated in the capacitor is prevented from being leaking by forming a transistor for controlling the amount of electric charge of the capacitor in the memory cell using a wide-gap semiconductor having a wider band gap than silicon. Accordingly, a semiconductor memory device which can hold stored data even when power is not supplied can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 8518791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-volatile, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device and a method for fabricating the same in the form of a damascene self-aligned F-RAM device comprising a PZT capacitor built on the sidewalls of an oxide trench, while allowing for the simultaneous formation of two ferroelectric sidewall capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Shan Sun, Thomas E. Davenport, John Cronin
  • Patent number: 8518792
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-volatile, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device and a method for fabricating a damascene self-aligned F-RAM that allows for the formation of a ferroelectric capacitor with separated PZT layers aligned with a preexisting, three dimensional (3-D) transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Shan Sun, Thomas E. Davenport, John Cronin
  • Patent number: 8513773
    Abstract: A capacitor that has an electrode of an n-type semiconductor that is provided in contact with one surface of a dielectric, has a work function of 5.0 eV or higher, preferably 5.5 eV or higher, and includes nitrogen and at least one of indium, tin, and zinc. Since the electrode has a high work function, the dielectric can have a high potential barrier, and thus even when the dielectric is as thin as 10 nm or less, a sufficient insulating property can be maintained. In particular, a striking effect can be obtained when the dielectric is formed of a high-k material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 8507894
    Abstract: This invention concerns an electronic device for the control and readout of the electron or hole spin of a single dopant in silicon. The device comprises a silicon substrate in which there are one or more ohmic contact regions. An insulating region on top of the substrate. First and second barrier gates spaced apart to isolate a small region of charges to form an island of a Single Electron Transistor (SET). A third gate over-lying both the first and second barrier gates, but insulated from them, the third gate being able to generate a gate-induced charge layer (GICL) in the beneath it. A fourth gate in close proximity to a single dopant atom, the dopant atom being encapsulated in the substrate outside the region of the GICL but close enough to allow spin-dependent charge tunnelling between the dopant atom and the SET island under the control of gate potentials, mainly the fourth gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Qucor Pty Limited
    Inventors: Andrea Morello, Andrew Dzurak, Hans-Gregor Huebl, Robert Graham Clark, Laurens Henry Willems Van Beveren, Lloyd Christopher Leonard Hollenberg, David Normal Jamieson, Christopher Escott
  • Patent number: 8502292
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a novel structure is provided, which can hold stored data even when no power is supplied and which has no limitations on the number of writing operations. A semiconductor device is formed using a material which enables off-state current of a transistor to be reduced significantly; e.g., an oxide semiconductor material which is a wide-gap semiconductor. With use of a semiconductor material which enables off-state current of a transistor to be reduced significantly, the semiconductor device can hold data for a long period. In a semiconductor device with a memory cell array, parasitic capacitances generated in the nodes of the first to the m-th memory cells connected in series are substantially equal, whereby the semiconductor device can operate stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Takanori Matsuzaki, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Hiroki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8497540
    Abstract: A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Di An, Chien-Hung Chen, Yu-Juan Chan
  • Patent number: 8497539
    Abstract: To realize miniaturization/high integration and increase in the amount of accumulated charges, and to give a memory structure having a high reliability. A 1 transistor 1 capacitor (1T1C) structure having 1 ferroelectric capacitor structure and 1 selection transistor every memory cell is adopted, and respective capacitor structures are disposed respectively in either one layer of interlayer insulating films of 2 layers having different heights from the surface of a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Horii
  • Patent number: 8492815
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a DRAM having, as seen in planar view, a first bit line and a second bit line formed on a first active area, a first cell contact formed on the first active area, and a first capacitor contact formed on the first cell contact and which is connected to a capacitor. As seen in planar view, the first cell contact is positioned closer to the second bit line than to the first bit line, and the first capacitor contact is formed offset in a direction approaching the first bit line with respect to the first cell contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Katsuki
  • Patent number: 8492813
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate having a logic formation region where a logic device is formed; a first impurity region formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic formation region; a second impurity region formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic formation region; a third impurity region formed in an upper surface of the first impurity region and having a conductivity type different from that of the second impurity region; a fourth region formed in an upper surface of the second impurity region and having a conductivity type different from that of the second impurity region; a first silicide film formed in an upper surface of the third impurity region; a second silicide film formed in an upper surface of the fourth impurity region and having a larger thickness than the first silicide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Shinkawata
  • Patent number: 8482046
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for a container capacitor structure in which at least two container capacitors, e.g., an inner and outer container capacitor, are made concentric and nested with respect to one another. The nested capacitors are formed in one embodiment by defining a hole in a dielectric layer for the nested container capacitors in the vicinity of two capacitor contact plugs. An outer capacitor plate is formed by etching back poly 1 to leave it substantially on the vertical edges of the hole and in contact with one of the plugs. At least one sacrificial sidewall is formed on the poly 1, and poly 2 is deposited over the sidewalls to form an inner capacitor plate in contact with the other plug. The structure is planarized, the sacrificial sidewalls are removed, a capacitor dielectric is formed, and is topped with poly 3. Additional structures such as a protective layer (to prevent poly 1-to-poly 2 shorting) and a conductive layer (to strap the plugs to their respective poly layers) can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8471320
    Abstract: A memory array layout includes an active region array having a plurality of active regions, wherein the active regions are arranged alternatively along a second direction and parts of the side of the adjacent active regions are overlapped along a second direction; a plurality of first doped region, wherein each first doped region is disposed in a middle region; a plurality of second doped region, wherein each second doped region is disposed in a distal end region respectively; a plurality of recessed gate structures; a plurality of word lines electrically connected to each recessed gate structure respectively; a plurality of digit lines electrically connected to the first doped region respectively; and a plurality of capacitors electrically connected to each second doped region respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzung-Han Lee, Chung-Lin Huang, Ron Fu Chu
  • Patent number: 8471321
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, having a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region, includes an insulating film, having an upper surface, formed on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate to extend from the memory cell region to the peripheral circuit region. A capacitor lower electrode assembly is formed in the memory cell region to upwardly extend to substantially the same height as the upper surface of the insulating film on the major surface of the semiconductor substrate. Additionally, the lower electrode assembly includes first and second lower electrodes that are adjacent through the insulating film. A capacitor upper electrode is formed on the capacitor lower electrode through a dielectric film, to extend onto the upper surface of the insulating film. The capacitor lower electrode includes a capacitor lower electrode part having a top surface and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tanaka, Masahiro Shimizu, Hideaki Arima
  • Publication number: 20130146956
    Abstract: An improved field effect transistors (FETs) and methods of manufacturing the field effect transistors (FETs) are provided. The method of manufacturing a zero capacitance random access memory cell (ZRAM) includes comprises forming a finFET on a substrate and enhancing a storage capacitance of the finFET. The enhancement can be by either adding a storage capacity to the finFET or altering a portion of the finFET after formation of a fin body of the finFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: International Bunisness Machines Corporation
  • Patent number: 8455945
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a pad nitride layer that exposes an isolation region over a cell region of a semiconductor substrate; forming a trench in the isolation region of the semiconductor substrate; forming an isolation layer within the trench; etching an active region of the semiconductor substrate by a certain depth to form a recessed isolation region; etching the isolation layer by a certain depth to form a recessed isolation region; depositing a gate metal layer in the recessed active region and the recessed isolation region to form a gate of a cell transistor; forming an insulation layer over an upper portion of the gate; removing the pad nitride layer to expose a region of the semiconductor substrate to be formed with a contact plug; and depositing a conductive layer in the region of the semiconductor substrate to form a contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Yul Lee, Dong Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8455868
    Abstract: An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be stored even when power is not supplied in a data storing time and there is no limitation on the number of times of writing. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor which includes a first channel formation region using a semiconductor material other than an oxide semiconductor, a second transistor which includes a second channel formation region using an oxide semiconductor material, and a capacitor. One of a second source electrode and a second drain electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected to one electrode of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 8450784
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes lateral and upper hydrogen blocking patterns disposed to prevent hydrogen from diffusing into the cell array region. Accordingly, hydrogen is effectively prevented from being trapped in a tunnel dielectric, thereby improving the reliability of the semiconductor device. In the method, when a cell array contact plug is formed, a lateral hydrogen blocking pattern and an upper hydrogen blocking pattern are formed at the same time. Thus, an additional process for forming a hydrogen blocking pattern is unnecessary, thereby simplifying a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeyoun Kim, Jaihyuk Song, Manki Lee, Bongtae Park
  • Patent number: 8450783
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a source line, a bit line, a signal line, a word line, memory cells connected in parallel between the source line and the bit line, a first driver circuit electrically connected to the source line and the bit line through switching elements, a second driver circuit electrically connected to the source line through a switching element, a third driver circuit electrically connected to the signal line, and a fourth driver circuit electrically connected to the word line. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode, and a capacitor. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Takanori Matsuzaki, Hiroki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8436408
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a circuit module having a plurality of active components coupled between a pair of supply nodes, and a capacitive decoupling module coupled to the circuit module. The capacitive decoupling module includes a plurality of metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitors coupled in series between the pair of supply nodes, wherein a voltage between the supply nodes is divided across the plurality of MiM capacitors, thereby reducing voltage stress on the capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Huey-Chi Chu, Kuo-Cheng Ching
  • Publication number: 20130105874
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode provided on a channel region in a semiconductor material layer having one type through a second insulating film; a capacitor electrode portion integrally formed with the gate electrode on the gate electrode; and a first electrode laterally surrounding the capacitor electrode portion through a first insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Takeo FUJII, Masao TAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130092930
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that is less influenced by variations in characteristics between transistors or variations in a load, and is efficient even for normally-on transistors is provided. The semiconductor device includes at least a transistor, two wirings, three switches, and two capacitors. A first switch controls conduction between a first wiring and each of a first electrode of a first capacitor and a first electrode of a second capacitor. A second electrode of the first capacitor is connected to a gate of the transistor. A second switch controls conduction between the gate and a second wiring. A second electrode of the second capacitor is connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor. A third switch controls conduction between the one of the source and the drain and each of the first electrode of the first capacitor and the first electrode of the second capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8415731
    Abstract: To provide a storage device in which advantages of both a nonvolatile storage device and a volatile storage device can be obtained, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor provided in or over a substrate and a second transistor provided above the first transistor, where at least part of the first transistor and the second transistor are overlapped with each other, and a gate electrode of the first transistor and a source or drain electrode of the second transistor are electrically connected to each other. It is preferable that the first transistor be provided using single crystal silicon and the second transistor be provided using an oxide semiconductor having extremely low off-state current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 8415216
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor structure that includes one or more multi-gate field effect transistors (MUGFETs), each MUGFET having one or more semiconductor fins. In the embodiments, dopant implant region is incorporated into the upper portion of the channel region of a semiconductor fin in order to selectively modify (i.e., decrease or increase) the threshold voltage within that upper portion relative to the threshold voltage in the lower portion and, thereby to selectively modify (i.e., decrease or increase) device drive current. In the case of a multiple semiconductor fins, the use of implant regions, the dopant conductivity type in the implant regions and/or the sizes of the implant regions can be varied from fin to fin within a multi-fin MUGFET or between different single and/or multi-fin MUGFETs so that individual device drive current can be optimized. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of forming the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak