With Capacitor Electrodes Connection Portion Located Centrally Thereof (e.g., Fin Electrodes With Central Post) Patents (Class 257/308)
  • Patent number: 11670703
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices having optimized fin and gate dimensions are disclosed herein. An exemplary integrated circuit device includes a first multi-fin structure and a fourth multi-fin structure. A first gate structure traverses the first multi-fin structure, such that the first gate structure is disposed over a first channel region. A fourth gate structure traverses the fourth multi-fin structure, such that the fourth gate structure is disposed over a fourth channel region. The first gate structure includes a first gate dielectric having a first thickness, and the fourth gate structure includes a fourth gate dielectric having a fourth thickness. The first thickness is greater than the fourth thickness. The first multi-fin structure has a first pitch in the first channel region, and the fourth multi-fin structure has a fourth pitch in the fourth channel region. The first pitch is greater than the fourth pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11501827
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a substrate; a bit line which is vertically oriented from the substrate; a plate line which is vertically oriented from the substrate; and a memory cell provided with a transistor and a capacitor that are positioned in a lateral arrangement between the bit line and the plate line, wherein the transistor includes: an active layer which is laterally oriented to be parallel to the substrate between the bit line and the capacitor; and a line-shaped lower word line and a line-shaped upper word line vertically stacked with the active layer therebetween and oriented to intersect with the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Hwan Kim, Su-Ock Chung, Seon-Yong Cha
  • Patent number: 11289474
    Abstract: Structures including a passive device and methods of forming such structures. Multiple fins are positioned on a substrate, and an interconnect structure is positioned over the substrate. The fins contain a polycrystalline semiconductor material, and the interconnect structure includes a passive device that is positioned over the fins. The passive device may be, for example, an inductor or a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Man Gu, Wang Zheng, Teng-Yin Lin, Halting Wang, Tung-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 11211497
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second fin patterns on a substrate and extending apart from each other, a field insulating film on the substrate and surrounding parts of the first and second fin patterns, a first gate structure on the first fin pattern and intersecting the first fin pattern, a second gate structure on the second fin pattern and intersecting the second fin pattern, and a separating structure protruding from a top surface of the field insulating film and separating the first and second gate structures, the field insulating film and the separating structure including a same insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Gun You, Dong Hyun Kim, Byoung-Gi Kim, Yun Suk Nam, Yeong Min Jeon, Sung Chui Park, Dae Won Ha
  • Patent number: 11201207
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of capacitors comprises forming elevationally-extending and longitudinally-elongated capacitor electrode lines over a substrate. Individual of the capacitor electrode lines are common to and a shared one of two capacitor electrodes of individual capacitors longitudinally along a line of capacitors being formed. A capacitor insulator is formed over a pair of laterally-opposing sides of and longitudinally along individual of the capacitor electrode lines. An elevationally-extending conductive line is formed over the capacitor insulator longitudinally along one of the laterally-opposing sides of the individual capacitor electrode lines. The conductive line is cut laterally through to form spaced individual other of the two capacitor electrodes of the individual capacitors. Other methods are disclosed, including structures independent of method of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11127593
    Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate may include providing a cavity in a layer, disposed on the substrate. The cavity may have a first length along a first direction and a first width along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The method may include directing first angled ions in a first exposure to the cavity, wherein after the first exposure the cavity has a second length, greater than the first length; directing normal ions in a second exposure to the cavity, wherein the cavity retains the second length after the second exposure; and directing second angled ions to the cavity is a third exposure, subsequent to the second exposure, wherein the cavity has a third length, greater than the second length, after the third exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Anglin, Simon Ruffell
  • Patent number: 11101347
    Abstract: A method includes forming isolations extending into a semiconductor substrate, recessing the isolation regions, wherein a semiconductor region between the isolation regions forms a semiconductor fin, forming a first dielectric layer on the isolation regions and the semiconductor fin, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, planarizing the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer, and recessing the first dielectric layer. A portion of the second dielectric layer protrudes higher than remaining portions of the first dielectric layer to form a protruding dielectric fin. A portion of the semiconductor fin protrudes higher than the remaining portions of the first dielectric layer to form a protruding semiconductor fin. A portion of the protruding semiconductor fin is recessed to form a recess, from which an epitaxy semiconductor region is grown. The epitaxy semiconductor region expands laterally to contact a sidewall of the protruding dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeng-Wei Yu, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Tsung-Hsi Yang, Li-Wei Chou, Ming-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 11062959
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a first nanosheet transistor device and a second nanosheet transistor device formed on a substrate. The first nanosheet transistor includes a first inner spacer having a first inner spacer thickness, along with a first gate dielectric having a first gate dielectric thickness. The second nanosheet transistor includes a second inner spacer having a second inner spacer thickness, along with a second gate dielectric having a second gate dielectric thickness. The first inner spacer thickness is greater than the second inner spacer thickness. The first gate dielectric thickness is greater than the second gate dielectric thickness. The first inner spacer thickness combined with the first gate dielectric thickness defines a first combined thickness. The second inner spacer thickness combined with the second gate dielectric thickness defines a second combined thickness. The first combined thickness is substantially equal to the second combined thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Xin Miao, Wenyu Xu, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10998318
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes lower electrodes, each of the lower electrodes surrounding an inner space, an upper support layer on top surfaces of the lower electrodes, the upper support layer being on the inner spaces surrounded by the lower electrodes, and an upper electrode on the upper support layer, the upper electrode filling first and second regions, the second region penetrating the upper support layer, and the first region extending from the second region into between the lower electrodes. Each of the lower electrodes includes a first portion overlapping with the first region, a top surface of the first portion being exposed by the upper support layer, and a second portion covered by the upper support layer, a top surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongmin Choo, Hyukwoo Kwon, Jangseop Kim
  • Patent number: 10985061
    Abstract: A method includes forming an ILD to cover a gate stack of a transistor. The ILD and the gate stack are parts of a wafer. The ILD is etched to form a contact opening, and a source/drain region of the transistor or a gate electrode in the gate stack is exposed through the contact opening. A conductive capping layer is formed to extend into the contact opening. A metal-containing material is plated on the conductive capping layer in a plating solution using electrochemical plating. The metal-containing material has a portion filling the contact opening. The plating solution has a sulfur content lower than about 100 ppm. A planarization is performed on the wafer to remove excess portions of the metal-containing material. A remaining portion of the metal-containing material and a remaining portion of the conductive capping layer in combination form a contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Wang, Chi-Cheng Hung, Chen-Yuan Kao, Yi-Wei Chiu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Yueh-Ching Pai
  • Patent number: 10950607
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes lower electrodes, each of the lower electrodes surrounding an inner space, an upper support layer on top surfaces of the lower electrodes, the upper support layer being on the inner spaces surrounded by the lower electrodes, and an upper electrode on the upper support layer, the upper electrode filling first and second regions, the second region penetrating the upper support layer, and the first region extending from the second region into between the lower electrodes. Each of the lower electrodes includes a first portion overlapping with the first region, a top surface of the first portion being exposed by the upper support layer, and a second portion covered by the upper support layer, a top surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seongmin Choo, Hyukwoo Kwon, Jangseop Kim
  • Patent number: 10937929
    Abstract: [Solving Means] A semiconductor unit includes a substrate, a semiconductor device, and a plating layer. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer and one or more electrodes, the one or more electrodes being connected to the semiconductor layer and including a platinum-group element as a main material. The plating layer bonds the substrate and the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Ohmae, Yusuke Kataoka, Tatsuo Ohashi, Ippei Nishinaka, Goshi Biwa
  • Patent number: 10930768
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a field effect transistor includes forming a fin on a substrate, forming source and drain electrodes on opposite sides of the fin, forming a gate stack on a channel portion of the fin between the source and drain electrodes, forming gate spacers on extension portions of the fin on opposite sides of the gate stack, removing at least a portion of the gate spacers to expose the extension portions of the fin, and thinning the extension portions of the fin. Following the thinning of the extension portions of the fin, the channel portion of the fin has a first width and the extension portions of the fin have a second width less than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon Goo Hong, Borna J. Obradovic, Kang-ill Seo, Mark Stephen Rodder
  • Patent number: 10714469
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection structure is provided and includes a base substrate including a substrate and a fin portion on the substrate. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. A first doped layer is on a surface of the fin portion in the first region. A second doped layer is on a surface of the fin portion in the second region and on a surface of the substrate in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Fei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10707083
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a feature of a semiconductor device. In one or more embodiments, the feature is a gate, and the method includes forming a substrate and forming a gate material extending over a major surface of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench extending through the gate material and into the substrate in a first direction, wherein the trench further extends through the gate material and the substrate in a second direction. The method further includes filling the trench with a fill material and forming individual gates from the gate material, wherein the individual gates extend along a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ELPIS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 10707207
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, comprising first and second sets of fins; first and second gate electrodes; first and second isolation structures each separating one of the gate electrodes into a first portion and a second portion; and first and second conductive structures wider than the corresponding isolation structure and disposed on an entirety of a top of the corresponding isolation structure and on a part of the top of each of the first and second portions of the corresponding gate electrode. A method for making the semiconductor device. A system configured to implement the method and manufacture the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may have a low parasitic capacitance and high chip performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Dali Shao
  • Patent number: 10622073
    Abstract: In some examples, an integrated circuit comprises a first plate, a second plate, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second plates, the first and second plates and the dielectric layer forming a vertical capacitor, wherein the first and second plates and the dielectric layer of the vertical capacitor are disposed on an isolation region of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xiang-Zheng Bo, Patrick R. Smith, Douglas T. Grider
  • Patent number: 10559501
    Abstract: A method of producing a FinFET device with fin pitch of less than 20 nm is presented. In accordance with some embodiments, fins are deposited on sidewall spacers, which themselves are deposited on mandrels. The mandrels can be formed by lithographic processes while the fins and sidewall spacers formed by deposition technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley Song, Jeffrey Xu, Da Yang, Kern Rim, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 10546946
    Abstract: Provided is a stable manufacturing method for a semiconductor device. In the manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, first, fins with an equal width are formed in each of a memory cell portion and a logic portion of a semiconductor substrate. Then, the fins in the logic portion are etched with the fins in the memory cell covered with a mask film, thereby fabricating fins in the logic portion, each of which is narrower than the fin formed in the memory cell portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10483397
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor and method of forming the same. The fin field effect transistor includes a semiconductor substrate having a fin structure and between two trenches with top portions and bottom portions. The fin field effect transistor further includes shallow trench isolations formed in the bottom portions of the trenches and a gate electrode over the fin structure and the shallow trench isolation, wherein the gate electrode is substantially perpendicular to the fin structure. The fin field effect transistor further includes a gate dielectric layer along sidewalls of the fin structure and source/drain electrode formed in the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ju-Wang Hsu, Chih-Yuan Ting, Tang-Xuan Zhong, Yi-Nien Su, Jang-Shiang Tsai
  • Patent number: 10483165
    Abstract: A method includes forming an ILD to cover a gate stack of a transistor. The ILD and the gate stack are parts of a wafer. The ILD is etched to form a contact opening, and a source/drain region of the transistor or a gate electrode in the gate stack is exposed through the contact opening. A conductive capping layer is formed to extend into the contact opening. A metal-containing material is plated on the conductive capping layer in a plating solution using electrochemical plating. The metal-containing material has a portion filling the contact opening. The plating solution has a sulfur content lower than about 100 ppm. A planarization is performed on the wafer to remove excess portions of the metal-containing material. A remaining portion of the metal-containing material and a remaining portion of the conductive capping layer in combination form a contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Wang, Chi-Cheng Hung, Chen-Yuan Kao, Yi-Wei Chiu, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Yueh-Ching Pai
  • Patent number: 10396025
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that outputs a radio-frequency (RF) signal with high power is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a housing, a semiconductor chip, an impedance converter, a capacitor, and a bonding wire. The housing includes a heat sink, an output lead terminal, and a bias terminal electrically isolated from the output lead terminal. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the heat sink of the housing. The impedance converter provides an input port, an output port, and an intermediate port between the input port and the output port thereof. The capacitor is mounted on the heat sink and between the impedance converter and the output lead terminal. The bonding wire connects the bias lead terminal with the intermediate port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuichi Hasegawa, Naoyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 10354993
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, an electrostatic discharge protection structure and a fabricating method thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10340331
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of capacitors comprises forming elevationally-extending and longitudinally-elongated capacitor electrode lines over a substrate. Individual of the capacitor electrode lines are common to and a shared one of two capacitor electrodes of individual capacitors longitudinally along a line of capacitors being formed. A capacitor insulator is formed over a pair of laterally-opposing sides of and longitudinally along individual of the capacitor electrode lines. An elevationally-extending conductive line is formed over the capacitor insulator longitudinally along one of the laterally-opposing sides of the individual capacitor electrode lines. The conductive line is cut laterally through to form spaced individual other of the two capacitor electrodes of the individual capacitors. Other methods are disclosed, including structures independent of method of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10340146
    Abstract: Structures for reliability caps used in the manufacture of a field-effect transistor and methods for forming reliability caps used in the manufacture of a field-effect transistor. A layer comprised of a metal silicon nitride is deposited on a high-k dielectric material. The high-k dielectric material is thermally processed in an oxygen-containing ambient environment with the layer arranged as a cap between the high-k dielectric material and the ambient environment. Due at least in part to its composition, the layer blocks transport of oxygen from the ambient environment to the high-k dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Rohit Galatage, Shariq Siddiqui, Chung-Ju Yang
  • Patent number: 10224235
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate to create an air gap includes a) providing a substrate including a first trench and a second trench; b) depositing a conformal layer on the substrate; c) performing sputtering to at least partially pinch off an upper portion of the first trench and the second trench at a location spaced from upper openings of the first trench and the second trench; and d) performing sputtering/deposition to seal first and second airgaps in the first trench and the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Daejin Park, Bart van Schravendijk, Hsiang-yun Lee, Purushottam Kumar
  • Patent number: 10205025
    Abstract: Methods to achieve strained channel finFET devices and resulting finFET devices are presented. In an embodiment, a method for processing a field effect transistor (FET) device may include forming a fin structure comprising a fin channel on a substrate. The method may also include forming a sacrificial epitaxial layer on a side of the fin structure. Additionally, the method may include forming a deep recess in a region that includes at least a portion of the fin structure, wherein the fin structure and sacrificial layer relax to form a strain on the fin channel. The method may also include depositing source/drain (SD) material in the deep recess to preserve the strain on the fin channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jorge A. Kittl, Joon Goo Hong, Dharmendar Reddy Palle, Mark S. Rodder
  • Patent number: 10157745
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a feature of a semiconductor device. In one or more embodiments, the feature is a gate, and the method includes forming a substrate and forming a gate material extending over a major surface of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench extending through the gate material and into the substrate in a first direction, wherein the trench further extends through the gate material and the substrate in a second direction. The method further includes filling the trench with a fill material and forming individual gates from the gate material, wherein the individual gates extend along a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 10134595
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a feature of a semiconductor device. In one or more embodiments, the feature is a gate, and the method includes forming a substrate and forming a gate material extending over a major surface of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench extending through the gate material and into the substrate in a first direction, wherein the trench further extends through the gate material and the substrate in a second direction. The method further includes filling the trench with a fill material and forming individual gates from the gate material, wherein the individual gates extend along a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 10068905
    Abstract: A device comprises a first inverter comprising a first p-type transistor (PU) and a first n-type transistor (PD), a second inverter cross-coupled to the first inverter comprising a second PU and a second PD, a first pass-gate transistor coupled between the first inverter and a first bit line and a second pass-gate transistor coupled between the second inverter and a second bit line, wherein at least one transistor has a two-stage fin structure, and wherein a width of a bottom portion of the two-stage fin structure is greater than a width of an upper portion of the two-stage fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jhon-Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 9991384
    Abstract: A semiconductor Fin FET device includes a fin structure disposed over a substrate. The fin structure includes a channel layer. The Fin FET device also includes a gate structure including a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer, covering a portion of the fin structure. Side-wall insulating layers are disposed over both main sides of the gate electrode layer. The Fin FET device includes a source and a drain, each including a stressor layer disposed in a recess formed by removing the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The stressor layer includes a first to a third stressor layer formed in this order. In the source, an interface between the first stressor layer and the channel layer is located under one of the side-wall insulating layers closer to the source or the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9959974
    Abstract: A structural capacitor having a plurality of planar dielectric layers and a plurality of positive and negative electrodes with the positive and negative electrodes alternating between each dielectric layer and methods for making structural capacitors are provided. First and second spaced apart holes are provided through each dielectric layer as well as the electrodes so that the first holes in the electrodes register with the first holes in the dielectric layer and likewise for the second holes. The capacitor is formed by stacking the dielectric layers and electrodes on two spaced apart alignment pins with a positive alignment pin extending through the first holes and a negative alignment pin extending through the second holes in the dielectric layers and electrodes. These alignment pins maintain layer alignment during subsequent thermal and pressure processing to bond together the dielectric and electrode layers into an integral structural material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel M. Baechle, Daniel J. O'Brien, Eric D. Wetzel, Oleg B. Yurchak
  • Patent number: 9941392
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes depositing a dielectric layer over fins formed in a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer includes a screen layer over tops of the fins. An etch stop feature is formed on the screen layer. The etch stop feature is patterned down to the screen layer in regions across the device. A dummy gate material formed over the fins is planarized down to the etch stop feature, a dielectric fill between gate structures patterned from the dummy gate material is planarized down to the etch stop feature and a gate conductor is planarized to the etch stop feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 9793408
    Abstract: A FinFET whose fin has an upper portion doped with a first conductivity type and a lower portion doped with a second conductivity type, and the junction between the upper portion and the lower portion acts as a diode. The FinFET further includes: at least one layer of high-k dielectric material (for example Si3N4) adjacent at least one side of the fin for redistributing a potential drop more evenly over the diode. Examples of the k value for the high-k dielectric material are k?5, k?7.5, and k?20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Gerben Doornbos, Robert James Pascoe Lander
  • Patent number: 9768073
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having dual channels including a first portion and a second portion sharing a buried gate pillar. The buried gate pillar extends from a first surface of a substrate toward a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first portion includes the buried gate pillar, a first gate dielectric layer at a first sidewall of the buried gate pillar and a first doped region set aside the first gate dielectric layer. A first channel is provided in the substrate between the first gate dielectric layer and the first doped region set. The second portion includes the buried gate pillar, a second gate dielectric layer at a second sidewall of the buried gate pillar and a second doped region set aside the second gate dielectric layer. A second channel is provided in the substrate between the second gate dielectric layer and the second doped region set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Chung Lin, Chen-Chieh Chiang, Chi-Cherng Jeng
  • Patent number: 9768272
    Abstract: A replacement gate FinFET manufacturing process in which the source/drain regions, gate structure and gate spacer are all defined by utilizing a single sidewall image transfer technique is provided. In the present application, the source/drain region (i.e., area) are defined by a mandrel structure, while the area for the functional gate structure are defined by the distance between spacers that are located on a pair of neighboring mandrel structures. The gate spacer is defined by the spacer present on the mandrel structures. In some embodiments, semiconductor fin erosion due to gate and gate spacer formation can be reduced or even eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pouya Hashemi, Hong He, Alexander Reznicek, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9666578
    Abstract: A technique relates to semiconductors. A bottom terminal of a transistor and bottom plate of a capacitor are positioned on the substrate. A spacer is arranged on the bottom terminal of the transistor. A transistor channel region extends vertically from the bottom terminal through the spacer to contact a top terminal of the transistor. A capacitor channel region extends vertically from the bottom plate to contact a top plate of the capacitor. A first gate stack is arranged along sidewalls of the transistor channel region and is in contact with the spacer. A second gate stack is arranged along sidewalls of the capacitor channel region and is disposed on the bottom plate. A distance from a bottom of the first gate stack to a top of the bottom terminal is greater than a distance from a bottom of the second gate stack to a top of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brent A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9633905
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of semiconductor fins parallel to each other, wherein the plurality of semiconductor fins is a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) region is on a side of the plurality of semiconductor fins. The STI region has a top surface and a non-flat bottom surface, wherein the plurality of semiconductor fins is over the top surface of the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Yih-Ann Lin, Chia Tai Lin, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9601497
    Abstract: A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell includes a first pull-up transistor and a first pull-down transistor, a second pull-up transistor and a second pull-down transistor, and first and second pass-gate transistors. A first buried contact electrically connects a drain region of the first pull-up transistor and gate electrodes of the second pull-up transistor and the second pull-down transistor, and includes a first metal layer formed in a region confined by spacers of a first gate layer and a first electrically conductive path formed at a level below the spacers. A second buried contact electrically connects a drain region of the second pull-up transistor and gate electrodes of the first pull-up transistor and the first pull-down transistor, and includes a second metal layer formed in a region confined by spacers of a second gate layer and a second electrically conductive path formed at the level below the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Yan Chen, Jui-Yao Lai, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9570288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a FinFET sensor device comprising the steps of: providing a silicon substrate; etching the silicon substrate to produce at least one upwardly extending Fin structure externally protruding from a surface of the silicon substrate; depositing a spacer layer on the at least one Fin structure; anisotropically etching a section of the spacer layer to expose the underlying silicon; isotropic etching of the exposed silicon surrounding the at least one Fin structure; and carrying out oxidation of the silicon surrounding the at least one Fin structure to produce a Fin structure of silicon inside the at least one Fin structure. The present invention also relates to FinFET sensor devices produced by the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Sara Rigante, Adrian Mihai Ionescu
  • Patent number: 9564487
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more semiconductor arrangements and techniques for forming such semiconductor arrangements are provided herein. A semiconductor arrangement comprises a first channel region and a second channel region that are formed according to at least one of a vertical channel configuration or a dual channel configuration. The first channel region operates as a first channel between a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor arrangement. The second channel region operates as a second channel between the source region and the drain region. A gate region, formed between the first channel region and the second channel region, operates to control the first channel and the second channel. Performance of the semiconductor arrangement is improved, such as an increase in current, because two current paths between the source region and the drain region are provided by the two channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ru-Shang Hsiao, Chia-Ming Chang, Huang Jiun-Jie, Ling-Sung Wang
  • Patent number: 9484462
    Abstract: An exemplary structure for the fin field effect transistor comprises a substrate comprising a major surface; a plurality of fin structures protruding from the major surface of the substrate, wherein each fin structure comprises an upper portion and a lower portion separated at a transition location at where the sidewall of the fin structure is at an angle of 85 degrees to the major surface of the substrate, wherein the upper portion has sidewalls that are substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate and a top surface having a first width, wherein the lower portion has tapered sidewalls on opposite sides of the upper portion and a base having a second width larger than the first width; and a plurality of isolation structures between the fin structures, wherein each isolation structure extends from the major surface of the substrate to a point above the transition location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Hung-Ming Chen, Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 9373678
    Abstract: Disclosed are non-planar capacitors with finely tuned capacitances and methods of forming them. The capacitors each incorporate one or more semiconductor bodies and one or more gate stacks traversing the one or more semiconductor bodies. At least one first semiconductor body is etched so that it is shorter in length than the others, which are incorporated into other non-planar devices and/or into the same non-planar capacitor. Additionally, at least one gate stack can be formed so that it traverses a first portion and, particularly, an end portion of the shortened semiconductor body and further so that it extends laterally some distance beyond that first portion. In such capacitors, the length of the first portion of the shorted semiconductor body, which corresponds to a capacitor conductor and which is traversed by the gate stack, which corresponds to a capacitor dielectric and another capacitor conductor, is predetermined to achieve a desired capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Edward J. Nowak, Richard Q. Williams
  • Patent number: 9368629
    Abstract: An embodiment integrated circuit (e.g., diode) and method of making the same. The embodiment integrated circuit includes a well having a first doping type formed over a substrate having the first doping type, the well including a fin, a source formed over the well on a first side of the fin, the source having a second doping type, a drain formed over the well on a second side of the fin, the drain having the first doping type, and a gate oxide formed over the fin, the gate oxide laterally spaced apart from the source by a back off region of the fin. The integrated circuit is compatible with a FinFET fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Che Tsai, Yi-Feng Chang, Jam-Wem Lee
  • Patent number: 9349867
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing the same. An example method may include: forming a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer sequentially on a substrate; patterning the second semiconductor layer and the first semiconductor layer to form a fin; forming an isolation layer on the substrate, wherein the isolation layer exposes a portion of the first semiconductor layer; implanting ions into a portion of the substrate beneath the fin, to form a punch-through stopper; forming a gate stack crossing over the fin on the isolation layer; selectively etching the second semiconductor layer with the gate stack as a mask, to expose the first semiconductor layer; selectively etching the first semiconductor layer, to form a void beneath the second semiconductor layer; and forming a third semiconductor layer on the substrate, to form source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Miao Xu, Qingqing Liang, Haizhou Yin
  • Patent number: 9349658
    Abstract: One illustrative embodiment involves forming a plurality of trenches in a substrate so as to define a fin, forming a first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material in the trenches so as to cover a portion, but not all, of the sidewalls of the lower portion of the fin, forming a second layer of insulating material above the first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material, and performing a thermal anneal process to convert part, but not all, of the lower portion of the fin positioned above the first oxidation-blocking layer of insulating material into an oxide fin isolation region positioned under the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob, Bruce Doris, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9318693
    Abstract: A method for a non-volatile, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device that includes a ferroelectric capacitor aligned with a preexisting structure is described. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an opening in an insulating layer over a contact in a planar surface of a substrate to expose at least a portion of the contact. Next a self-aligned contact (SAC) is formed electrically coupling to the contact, the SAC medially located in the opening and proximal to a sidewall thereof. A ferroelectric spacer is then formed in the opening medially of the SAC, and a top electrode spacer formed in the opening over the insulating cap and medially of the ferroelectric spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Cronin, Shan Sun, Thomas Davenport
  • Patent number: 9299785
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin on a top surface of a substrate, wherein the semiconductor fin includes a middle section having a first width; and a first and a second end section connected to opposite ends of the middle section, wherein the first and the second end sections each comprises at least a top portion having a second width greater than the first width. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the middle section of the semiconductor fin; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Yu-Rung Hsu, Chen-Nan Yeh, Cheng-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 9281367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a substrate, a transistor, a first ILD layer, a second ILD layer, a first contact plug, second contact plug and a third contact plug. The transistor is disposed on the substrate and includes a gate and a source/drain region. The first ILD layer is disposed on the transistor. The first contact plug is disposed in the first ILD layer and a top surface of the first contact plug is higher than a top surface of the gate. The second ILD layer is disposed on the first ILD layer. The second contact plug is disposed in the second ILD layer and electrically connected to the first contact plug. The third contact plug is disposed in the first ILD layer and the second ILD layer and electrically connected to the gate. The present invention further provides a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Chieh-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 9263551
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate stack and a second gate stack over a first portion and a second portion, respectively, of a semiconductor substrate, masking the first portion of the semiconductor substrate, and with the first portion of the semiconductor substrate being masked, implanting the second portion of the semiconductor substrate with an etch-tuning element. The first portion and the second portion of the semiconductor substrate are etched simultaneously to form a first opening and a second opening, respectively, in the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes epitaxially growing a first semiconductor region in the first opening, and epitaxially growing a second semiconductor region in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Chih-Fang Liu, Srisuda Thitinun, Dai-Lin Wu, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen