Stacked Capacitor Patents (Class 257/303)
  • Patent number: 9866212
    Abstract: An RF switch to controllably withstand an applied RF voltage Vsw, or a method of fabricating such a switch, which includes a string of series-connected constituent FETs with a node of the string between each pair of adjacent FETs. The method includes controlling capacitances between different nodes of the string to effectively tune the string capacitively, which will reduce the variance in the RF switch voltage distributed across each constituent FET, thereby enhancing switch breakdown voltage. Capacitances are controlled, for example, by disposing capacitive features between nodes of the string, and/or by varying design parameters of different constituent FETs. For each node, a sum of products of each significant capacitor by a proportion of Vsw appearing across it may be controlled to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mark Englekirk
  • Patent number: 9812455
    Abstract: A method of forming conductive vias comprises forming at least three parallel line constructions elevationally over a substrate. The line constructions individually comprise a dielectric top and dielectric sidewalls. A conductive line is formed elevationally over and angles relative to the line constructions. The conductive line comprises a longitudinally continuous portion and a plurality of conductive material extensions that individually extend elevationally inward between immediately adjacent of the line constructions. Etching is conducted elevationally through the longitudinally continuous portion and partially elevationally into the extensions at spaced locations along the conductive line to break-up the longitudinally continuous portion to form individual conductive vias extending elevationally between immediately adjacent of the line constructions. Methods of forming a memory array are also disclosed. Arrays of conductive vias independent of method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Wolfgang Mueller, Brent Gilgen, Dylan R. Macmaster, Jim A. Jozwiak
  • Patent number: 9728337
    Abstract: A method for producing a capacitor stack in one portion of a substrate, the method including: forming a cavity along a thickness of the portion of the substrate from an upper face of the substrate, depositing a plurality of layers contributing to the capacitor stack onto the wall of the cavity and onto the surface of the upper face, and removing matter from the layers until the surface of the upper face is reached. The forming of the cavity includes forming at least one trench and, associated with each trench, at least one box. The at least one trench includes a trench outlet that opens into the box. The box includes a box outlet that opens at the surface of the upper face, and the box outlet being shaped to be larger than the trench outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, STMICROELECTRONICS SA
    Inventors: Yann Lamy, Olivier Guiller, Sylvain Joblot
  • Patent number: 9721960
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having semiconductor pillars in a modified hexagonal packing arrangement. The modified hexagonal packing arrangement includes a repeating pattern having at least portions of 7 different pillars. Each of the 7 different pillars is immediately adjacent to six neighboring pillars. A distance to two of the six neighboring pillars is a short distance, ds; and a distance to four of the six neighboring pillars is a long distance, dl. Some embodiments include an apparatus having semiconductor pillars in a packing arrangement. The packing arrangement comprises alternating first and second rows, with pillars in the first rows being laterally offset relative to pillars in the second rows. A distance between neighboring pillars in a common row as one another is a short distance, ds, and a distance between neighboring pillars that are not in common rows as one another is a long distance, dl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 9711449
    Abstract: A method is provided for at least partially filling a feature in a substrate. The method includes providing a substrate containing a feature, depositing a ruthenium (Ru) metal layer to at least partially fill the feature, and heat-treating the substrate to reflow the Ru metal layer in the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kai-Hung Yu, Gerrit J. Leusink, Cory Wajda, Tadahiro Ishizaka, Takahiro Hakamata
  • Patent number: 9691841
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer formed on a substrate, and a capacitor including first and second electrodes formed in the insulating layer, wherein a lower surface of the first electrode is formed to have a greater depth than a lower surface of the second electrode in the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Lae Oh, Chang Man Son, Sang Hyun Sung, Dae Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 9595956
    Abstract: An RF switch to controllably withstand an applied RF voltage Vsw, or a method of fabricating such a switch, which includes a string of series-connected constituent FETs with a node of the string between each pair of adjacent FETs. The method includes controlling capacitances between different nodes of the string to effectively tune the string capacitively, which will reduce the variance in the RF switch voltage distributed across each constituent FET, thereby enhancing switch breakdown voltage. Capacitances are controlled, for example, by disposing capacitive features between nodes of the string, and/or by varying design parameters of different constituent FETs. For each node, a sum of products of each significant capacitor by a proportion of Vsw appearing across it may be controlled to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mark Englekirk
  • Patent number: 9558994
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, first conductive patterns disposed on the first region and spaced apart from each other by a first distance, second conductive patterns disposed on the second region and spaced apart from each other by a second distance greater than the first distance, and an interlayer insulating layer disposed between the second conductive patterns and including at least one recess region having a width corresponding to the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wookyung You, Sanghoon Ahn, Sangho Rha, Jongmin Baek, Nae-In Lee
  • Patent number: 9536968
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices may include a gate pattern and a contact pattern disposed on an active region. The contact pattern may include a recessed portion near the gate pattern, and a rising portion away from the gate pattern. The gate pattern may include a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer. An upper surface of the recessed portion may be lower than an upper surface of the rising portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungil Park, Munhyeon Kim, Woonggi Kim, Keunhwi Cho, Hwichan Jun, Dongwon Kim, Daewon Ha
  • Patent number: 9520462
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are described that include a capacitor integrated therein. In an implementation, the semiconductor devices include a substrate including a dopant material of a first conductivity type. A plurality of trenches are formed within the substrate. The semiconductor devices also include a diffusion region having dopant material of a second conductivity type formed proximate to the trenches. A capacitor is formed within the trenches and at least partially over the substrate. The capacitor includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric material formed between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Khanh Tran, Joseph P. Ellul, Anuranjan Srivastava, Kiyoko Ikeuchi, Scott W. Barry
  • Patent number: 9502466
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates an integrated circuit (IC). The IC comprises a plurality of lower metal lines disposed within a lower inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate. The IC further comprises a plurality of memory cells disposed over the ILD layer and the lower metal lines at a memory region, a memory cell comprising a top electrode and a bottom electrode separated by a resistance switching element. The IC further comprises a dummy structure arranged directly above a first lower metal line at a logic region adjacent to the memory region, comprising a dummy bottom electrode and a dielectric mask on the dummy bottom electrode. The IC further comprises a top etch stop layer disposed on a bottom etch stop layer and extending upwardly along sidewalls of the dummy structure and overlying an upper surface of the dummy structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wen-Chun You
  • Patent number: 9478536
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with fin capacitors is disclosed. The device includes a substrate including a first region and a second region; first and second active fins at the first and second regions, respectively, of the substrate; a device isolation layer in a first trench between the first active fins; first and second gate electrodes that cross the first and second active fins, respectively; a first dielectric layer between the first active fins and the first gate electrode to extend along the first gate electrode, and a second dielectric layer between the second active fins and the second gate electrode to extend along the second gate electrode. The first dielectric layer is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the first trench by the device isolation layer between the bottom surface of the first trench and the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is in direct contact with a bottom surface of a second trench between the second active fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-hyun Baek, Sang-kyu Oh, Yongwoo Jeon
  • Patent number: 9385079
    Abstract: An embodiment is a circuit. The circuit includes active circuitry, a first capacitor, a first fuse, a second capacitor, and a second fuse. The active circuitry has a first power node and a second power node. The first capacitor is coupled to the first fuse serially to form a first segment. The second capacitor is coupled to the second fuse serially to form a second segment. The first segment and the second segment are coupled together in parallel and between the first power node and the second power node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng Chang, Liang-Chen Lin, Fu-Tsai Hou, Tung-Chin Yeh, Shih-Kai Lin, Gia-Her Lu, Jyun-Lin Wu, Hsien-Pin Hu
  • Patent number: 9385099
    Abstract: One example embodiment discloses a chip having a chip area, wherein the chip area includes: an overhang area; a rigid coupling area, having a set of rigid coupling points, located on one side of the overhang area; and a flexible coupling area, having a set of flexible coupling points, located on a side of the overhang area opposite to the a rigid coupling area. Another example embodiment discloses a method for fabricating a die interconnect, comprising: fabricating a rigid coupler area, having a set of rigid coupler points, within a chip having a chip area; defining an overhang area within the chip area and abutted to the rigid coupler area; and fabricating a flexible coupler area, having a set of flexible coupler points, within the chip area abutted to a side of the overhang area opposite to the rigid coupler area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Leonardus Antonius Elisabeth van Gemert, Coenraad Cornelis Tak, Marten Oldsen, Hendrik Bouman
  • Patent number: 9379010
    Abstract: Processes for forming interconnection layers having tight pitch interconnect structures within a dielectric layer, wherein trenches and vias used to form interconnect structures have relatively low aspect ratios prior to metallization. The low aspect ratios may reduce or substantially eliminate the potential of voids forming within the metallization material when it is deposited. Embodiments herein may achieve such relatively low aspect ratios through processes that allow for the removal of structures, which are utilized to form the trenches and the vias, prior to metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Jezewski, Jasmeet S. Chawla, Kanwal Jit Singh, Alan M. Myers, Elliot N. Tan, Richard E. Schenker
  • Patent number: 9378971
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus and systems for forming a recessed feature in dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. Separate etching and deposition operations are employed in a cyclic manner. Each etching operation partially etches the feature. Each deposition operation forms a protective coating on the sidewalls of the feature to prevent lateral etch of the dielectric material during the etching operations. The protective coating may be deposited using methods that result in formation of the protective coating along substantially the entire length of the sidewalls. The protective coating may be deposited using particular reactants having low sticking coefficients in some embodiments. The protective coating may also be deposited using particular reaction mechanisms that result in substantially complete sidewall coating. In some cases the protective coating is deposited using plasma assisted atomic layer deposition or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Scott Briggs, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9337179
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer provided on the substrate to have a first conductivity type, a first well provided in a first region of the semiconductor layer to have a second conductivity type, an insulating pattern provided in the first well to cross the first well, and first and second doped regions provided in an upper portion of the first well to have the first conductivity type. The first and second doped regions may be laterally spaced apart from each other with the insulating pattern interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hyun Yoo
  • Patent number: 9306053
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor device includes a first step of forming a fin-shaped silicon layer on a silicon substrate using a first resist and forming a first insulating film therearound; and a second step of forming a second insulating film around the fin-shaped silicon layer and etching the second insulating film so as to be left on a side wall of the fin-shaped silicon layer, depositing a third insulating film on the first and second insulating films and the fin-shaped silicon layer, depositing a polysilicon thereon, planarizing a surface thereof, and etching back the polysilicon to expose the third insulating film, forming a second resist, etching the second and third insulating films and then etching the fin-shaped silicon layer and the polysilicon, and removing the second insulating film to form a pillar-shaped silicon layer and a dummy gate formed of the polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9224685
    Abstract: A metal-oxide-metal (MOM) capacitor structure is disclosed. The MOM capacitor includes a plurality of layers, each layer having a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes, separated by oxide layers, forms a first plate and a second plate of the MOM capacitor. The plurality of electrodes on each of the layers is coupled to a plurality of electrodes on an adjacent layer through a plurality of vias. A shield layer is coupled to each of the electrodes that forms the second plate of the MOM capacitor on each of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Weiqi Ding, Wilson Wong, Shuxian Chen, Jeffrey T. Watt
  • Patent number: 9219115
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, isolation regions extending into the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor strip, and a semiconductor fin overlapping and joined to the semiconductor strip. A first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer are disposed on opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor strip. The integrated circuit device further includes a first conductive liner and a second conductive liner, wherein the semiconductor strip, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer are between the first conductive liner and the second conductive line. The first conductive liner and the second conductive liner are between, and in contact with, sidewalls of a first portion and a second portion of the isolation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Colinge
  • Patent number: 9196672
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are described that include a capacitor integrated therein. In an implementation, the semiconductor devices include a substrate including a dopant material of a first conductivity type. A plurality of trenches are formed within the substrate. The semiconductor devices also include a diffusion region having dopant material of a second conductivity type formed proximate to the trenches. A capacitor is formed within the trenches and at least partially over the substrate. The capacitor includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric material formed between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Khanh Tran, Joseph P. Ellul, Anuranjan Srivastava, Kiyoko Ikeuchi, Scott W. Barry
  • Patent number: 9177947
    Abstract: The invention includes: multiple bit lines b1 to b5 arranged in parallel to each other at a first line pitch; multiple word lines w1 to w4 arranged in parallel to each other at a second line pitch greater than the first line pitch and intersecting with bit lines b1 to b5; and multiple capacitors. Respective center positions 4 of the multiple capacitors lie above the bit lines and are displaced by given distance C from the intersection of the bit line and the word line in a direction of arranging the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9153504
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes one or more metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitors. The semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a dielectric layer located above, and in physical contact with, the bottom electrode, a top electrode located above, and in physical contact with, the dielectric layer, a first top contact contacting the top electrode, a first bottom contact contacting the bottom electrode from a top electrode direction, a first metal bump connecting to the top contact, and a second metal bump connecting to the bottom contact. The top electrode has a smaller area than the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode, the dielectric layer, and the top electrode is a MiM capacitor. Top electrodes of a number of MiM capacitors and bottom electrodes of a number of MiM capacitors are daisy chained to allow testing of the conductivity of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chia Lai, Tung-Liang Shao, Ching-Jung Yang
  • Patent number: 9129849
    Abstract: A stacked capacitor structure of the instant disclosure comprises a substrate and a plurality of stacked capacitors. The substrate has an insulating layer formed thereon and a plurality of contact plugs in the insulating layer, wherein the contact plugs are exposed on the upper surface of the insulating layer. Specially, each of the stacked capacitors comprises a lower electrode, a dielectric layer, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode is arranged on one of the contact plugs and has a columnar base portion and a crown shaped upper portion. The dielectric layer is arranged on the lower electrode and covers the outer surface of the lower electrode. The upper electrode is arranged above the lower electrode, wherein the dielectric layer is intermediately between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventor: Tzung-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9041153
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in a semiconductor die comprises forming a bottom capacitor electrode over a device layer situated below a first metallization layer of the semiconductor die, and forming a top capacitor electrode over an interlayer barrier dielectric formed over the bottom capacitor electrode. The top capacitor electrode is formed from a local interconnect metal for connecting devices formed in the device layer. In one embodiment, the bottom capacitor electrode is formed from a gate metal. The method may further comprise forming a metal plate in the first metallization layer and over the top capacitor electrode, and connecting the metal plate to the bottom capacitor electrode to provide increased capacitance density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Henry Kuo-Shun Chen, Wei Xia, Bruce Chih-Chieh Shen
  • Patent number: 9041154
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate having thereon a memory array region and a periphery circuit region. A first dielectric layer covers the memory array region and the periphery circuit region on the substrate. A second dielectric layer covers the memory array region and the periphery circuit region on the first dielectric layer. At least a capacitor structure is provided in the memory array region. The capacitor structure includes an electrode material layer embedded in the second dielectric layer. The semiconductor memory device further includes a contact structure comprising the electrode material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chien-An Yu, Chih-Huang Wu
  • Patent number: 9012967
    Abstract: Embedded memories. The devices include a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, a third dielectric layer, and a plurality of capacitors. The substrate comprises transistors. The first dielectric layer, embedding first and second conductive plugs electrically connecting the transistors therein, overlies the substrate. The second dielectric layer, comprising a plurality of capacitor openings exposing the first conductive plugs, overlies the first dielectric layer. The capacitors comprise a plurality of bottom plates, respectively disposed in the capacitor openings, electrically connecting the first conductive plugs, a plurality of capacitor dielectric layers respectively overlying the bottom plates, and a top plate, comprising a top plate opening, overlying the capacitor dielectric layers. The top plate opening exposes the second dielectric layer, and the top plate is shared by the capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Lin, Chun-Yao Chen, Chen-Jong Wang, Shou-Gwo Wuu, Chung S. Wang, Chien-Hua Huang, Kun-Lung Chen, Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 9006810
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is formed integrally with a wraparound semiconductor portion that contacts sidewalls of a conductive cap structure located at an upper portion of a deep trench and contacting an inner electrode of a deep trench capacitor. The semiconductor nanowire is suspended from above a buried insulator layer. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the surfaces of the patterned semiconductor material structure including the semiconductor nanowire and the wraparound semiconductor portion. A wraparound gate electrode portion is formed around a center portion of the semiconductor nanowire and gate spacers are formed. Physically exposed portions of the patterned semiconductor material structure are removed, and selective epitaxy and metallization are performed to connect a source-side end of the semiconductor nanowire to the conductive cap structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 9000562
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes forming a capacitor bottom plate and a metal interconnect feature on a substrate. A dielectric layer having a predetermined thickness is then formed. The dielectric layer has a first portion overlying the capacitor bottom plate and a second portion overlying the metal interconnect feature. The dielectric layer is processed to adjust the thickness of the first portion of the dielectric layer relative the thickness of the second portion of the dielectric layer. Processing can include etching the first portion of the dielectric layer or adding dielectric material to the second portion of the dielectric layer. A capacitor top plate is formed over the first portion of the dielectric layer to complete the MIM structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shean-Ren Horng, Kuo-Nan Hou, Feng-Liang Lai
  • Patent number: 8987800
    Abstract: An integrated FinFET and deep trench capacitor structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one deep trench capacitor in a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The method further includes simultaneously forming polysilicon fins from material of the at least one deep trench capacitor and SOI fins from the SOI substrate. The method further includes forming an insulator layer on the polysilicon fins. The method further includes forming gate structures over the SOI fins and the insulator layer on the polysilicon fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Babar A. Khan, Masaharu Kobayashi, Effendi Leobandung, Theodorus E. Standaert, Xinhui Wang
  • Patent number: 8987086
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate, a conductive layer formed over the isolation structure, and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor formed over the isolation structure. The MIM capacitor has a crown shape that includes a top electrode, a first bottom electrode, and a dielectric disposed between the top electrode and the first bottom electrode, the first bottom electrode extending at least to a top surface of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chun-Yao Chen
  • Patent number: 8975633
    Abstract: A metal oxide bilayer second electrode for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the layer of the electrode that is in contact with the dielectric layer (i.e. bottom layer) has a desired composition and crystal structure. An example is crystalline MoO2 if the dielectric layer is TiO2 in the rutile phase. The other component of the bilayer (i.e. top layer) is a sub-oxide of the same material as the bottom layer. The top layer serves to protect the bottom layer from oxidation during subsequent PMA or other DRAM fabrication steps by reacting with any oxygen species before they can reach the bottom layer of the bilayer second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Wim Y. Deweerd, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8969938
    Abstract: An ETSOI transistor and a capacitor are formed respectively in a transistor and capacitor region thereof by etching through an ETSOI and thin BOX layers in a replacement gate HK/MG flow. The capacitor formation is compatible with an ETSOI replacement gate CMOS flow. A low resistance capacitor electrode makes it possible to obtain a high quality capacitor or varactor. The lack of topography during dummy gate patterning are achieved by lithography in combination of which is accompanied with appropriate etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8952436
    Abstract: A DRAM memory device includes at least one memory cell including a transistor having a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A capacitor is coupled to the first electrode. At least one electrically conductive line is coupled to the second electrode and at least one second electrically conductive line is coupled to the control electrode. The electrically conductive lines are located between the transistor and the capacitor. The capacitor can be provided above a fifth metal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Sébastien Cremer, Frédérìc Lalanne, Marc Vernet
  • Patent number: 8946044
    Abstract: A lower electrode includes a metal-containing oxide layer having a thickness of 2 nm or less on the surface layer. A metal-containing oxide layer is formed by oxidizing the surface of the lower electrode. A dielectric film includes a first phase appearing at room temperature in the bulk state and a second phase appearing at a higher temperature than that in the first phase in the bulk state. The second phase has a higher relative permittivity than that of the first phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Iwaki, Takamasa Itou, Kana Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8940388
    Abstract: Methods of forming an insulative element are described, including forming a first metal oxide material having a first dielectric constant, forming a second metal oxide material having a second dielectric constant different from the first, and heating at least portions of the structure to crystallize at least a portion of at least one of the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. Methods of forming a capacitor are described, including forming a first electrode, forming a dielectric material with a first oxide and a second oxide over the first electrode, and forming a second electrode over the dielectric material. Structures including dielectric materials are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vassil Antonov, Jennifer K. Sigman, Vishwanath Bhat, Matthew N. Rocklein, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Chris Carlson
  • Patent number: 8941165
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor devices having capacitors, which prevent lower electrodes of the capacitors from breaking or collapsing and which provide increased capacitance of the capacitors. For instance, a method includes forming a first insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first hole in the first insulating layer, forming a contact plug in the first hole, forming a second insulating layer having a landing pad, wherein the landing pad contacts an upper surface of the contact plug, forming an etch stop layer on the landing pad and the second insulating layer, forming a third insulating layer on the etch stop layer; forming a third hole through the third insulating layer and etch stop layer to expose the landing pad, selectively etching the exposed landing pad, forming a lower electrode on the selectively etched landing pad, and then forming a capacitor by forming a dielectric layer and an upper electrode on the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Il Cho, Seung-Young Son, Chang-Jin Kang, Kyeong-Koo Chi, Ji-Chul Shin
  • Patent number: 8937344
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral circuit region defined therein, semiconductor memory elements formed over the semiconductor substrate in the cell region, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate in the peripheral circuit region, first conductive layers substantially vertically passing through the interlayer insulating layer, and arranged in a matrix, and second conductive layers coupling the first conductive layers in rows or columns, each pair of the second conductive layers and the first conductive layers coupled to the each pair of the second conductive layers, respectively, forming electrodes of a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Ryul Ahn, Jum Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8921911
    Abstract: A vertical semiconductor charge storage structure includes a substrate, at least one lower electrode, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a lower conductor, and a first side conductor and a second side conductor connected to the lower conductor. The first side conductor and the second side conductor are parallel to each other and form an included angle with the lower conductor. A height of the first side conductor from the substrate is greater than a height of the second side conductor from the substrate. The dielectric layer and the upper electrode are sequentially formed on surfaces of the substrate and the lower electrode. Accordingly, by forming the first side conductor and the second side conductor at different heights, an aperture ratio is increased to reduce difficulty in filling or deposition in subsequent processes to further enhance an overall yield rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rexchip Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Pin-Yuan Yu, Yi-Chun Shao, Chien-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 8916436
    Abstract: A method for producing an integrated device including an MIM capacitor. The method includes the steps of providing a functional substrate including functional circuits of the integrated device, forming a first conductive layer including a first plate of the capacitor on the functional substrate; the first plate has a first melting temperature. The method further includes depositing a layer of insulating material including a dielectric layer of the capacitor on a portion of the first conductive layer corresponding to the first plate; the layer of insulating material is deposited at a process temperature being lower than the first melting temperature. The method further includes forming a second conductive layer including a second plate of the capacitor on a portion of the layer of insulating material corresponding to the dielectric layer. In the solution according to an embodiment of the invention, the first melting temperature is higher than 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Dundulachi, Antonio Molfese
  • Patent number: 8912629
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a plurality of storage nodes on the substrate and extending in a vertical direction relative to the substrate. A lower support pattern is in contact with the storage nodes between a bottom and a top of the storage nodes, the lower support pattern spaced apart from the substrate in the vertical direction, and the lower support pattern having a first maximum thickness in the vertical direction. An upper support pattern is in contact with the storage nodes above the lower support pattern relative to the substrate, the upper support pattern spaced apart from the lower support pattern in the vertical direction, and the lower support pattern having a second maximum thickness in the vertical direction that is greater than the first maximum thickness of the lower support pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JungWoo Seo
  • Patent number: 8901708
    Abstract: This disclosure provides (a) methods of making an oxide layer (e.g., a dielectric layer) based on yttrium and titanium, to have a high dielectric constant and low leakage characteristic and (b) related devices and structures. An oxide layer having both yttrium and titanium may be fabricated either as an amorphous oxide or as an alternating series of monolayers. In several embodiments, the oxide is characterized by a yttrium contribution to total metal that is specifically controlled. The oxide layer can be produced as the result of a reactive process, if desired, via either a PVD process or, alternatively, via an atomic layer deposition process that employs specific precursor materials to allow for a common process temperature window for both titanium and yttrium reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Imran Hashim, Hanhong Chen, Tony Chiang, Indranil De, Nobumichi Fuchigami, Edward Haywood, Pragati Kumar, Sandra Malhotra, Sunil Shanker
  • Patent number: 8901629
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate divided into a cell region and a peripheral circuit region defined in a first direction, wherein the peripheral circuit region is divided into a first region and a second region defined in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; gate lines formed over the semiconductor substrate in the cell region and arranged in the second direction; and a capacitor including lower electrodes over the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer and an upper electrode, wherein the lower electrodes in the first and second regions, separated from each other in the first direction and coupled to each other in the first region, the dielectric layer is formed along surfaces of the lower electrodes in the second region, and the upper electrode is formed over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Ryul Ahn, Yun Kyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 8890224
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a through-substrate-via (TSV) structure disposed in a substrate. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure is disposed over the substrate. A dual damascene structure disposed over and electrically coupled with the TSV structure, wherein the dual damascene structure includes a via portion and a trench portion A first dielectric layer is disposed around the via portion of the dual damascene structure. A second dielectric layer disposed around the trench portion of the dual damascene, wherein the second dielectric layer is disposed over the MIM capacitor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hua Chang, Sung-Hui Huang, Der-Chyang Yeh
  • Patent number: 8884350
    Abstract: This semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a plurality of cylindrical lower electrodes aligned densely in a memory array region; a plate-like support which is contacted on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrodes, and links to support the plurality of the cylindrical lower electrodes; a pore portion provided in the plate-like support; a dielectric film covering the entire surface of the cylindrical lower electrodes and the plate-like support in which the pore portion is formed; and an upper electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric film, wherein the boundary length of the part on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrode which is exposed on the pore portion is shorter than the boundary length of the part on the side surface of the cylindrical lower electrode which is not exposed on the pore portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8884288
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure for testing MIM capacitors. The semiconductor structure comprises: a first metal layer comprising at least a first circuit area and a second circuit area; a second metal layer located below the first metal layer with a first dielectric layer lying therebetween and connected with the second circuit area; a top plate located within the first dielectric layer closer to the first metal layer and connected with the first circuit area; a bottom plate located within the first dielectric layer closer to the second metal layer and separated from the top plate with an insulation layer therebetween and connected with the second circuit area. The second metal layer is connected with the substrate through a first electric pathway so as to form a second electric pathway from the top plate to the substrate when an electric leakage region exists in the insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Huali Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Qiang Li, Zhuanlan Sun, Changhui Yang
  • Patent number: 8878338
    Abstract: Capacitor designs for substrates, such as interposers, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A through via is formed in the interposer, and a capacitor is formed between a lower level metallization layer and a higher level metallization layer. The capacitor may be, for example, a planar capacitor with dual capacitor dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hua Chang, Der-Chyang Yeh, Kuang-Wei Cheng, Yuan-Hung Liu, Shang-Yun Hou, Wen-Chih Chiou, Shin-Puu Jeng
  • Patent number: 8835250
    Abstract: A finFET trench circuit is disclosed. FinFETs are integrated with trench capacitors by employing a trench top oxide over a portion of the trench conductor. A passing gate is then disposed over the trench top oxide to form a larger circuit, such as a DRAM array. The trench top oxide is formed by utilizing different growth rates between polysilicon and single crystal silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Faltermeier, Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus Eduardus Standaert
  • Patent number: 8829647
    Abstract: A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive metal oxide formed using a high temperature, low pressure ALD process. The high temperature ALD process results in a layer with enhanced crystallinity, higher density, reduced shrinkage, and lower carbon contamination. The high temperature ALD process can be used for either or both the bottom electrode and the top electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Edward Haywood, Sandra Malhotra, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8816418
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes at least one supporting pattern on a substrate, a storage node penetrating the supporting pattern, an electrode layer disposed around the storage node and the supporting pattern, and a capacitor dielectric interposed between the storage node and the electrode layer. The supporting pattern includes germanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyongsoo Kim, Eunkee Hong, Kwangtae Hwang