With Capacitor Electrodes Connection Portion Located Centrally Thereof (e.g., Fin Electrodes With Central Post) Patents (Class 257/308)
  • Patent number: 7045839
    Abstract: Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, ferroelectric memory devices are provided which comprise a transistor that is provided on an active region in a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitor that has a bottom electrode, a capacitor-ferroelectric layer and a top electrode. These devices may further include at least one planarizing layer that is adjacent to the side surfaces of the bottom electrode such that the top surface of the planarizing layer(s) and the top surface of the bottom electrode form a planar surface. The capacitor-ferroelectric may be formed on this planar surface. The device may also include a plug that electrically connects the bottom electrode to a source-drain region of the transistor. The ferroelectric memory devices according to embodiments of the present invention may reduce ferroelectric degradation of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Jong Song, Nak-Won Jang, Ki-Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 7038265
    Abstract: A capacitor has a tantalum oxynitride film. One method for making the film comprises forming a bottom plate electrode and then forming a tantalum oxide film on the bottom plate electrode. Nitrogen is introduced to form a tantalum oxynitride film. A top plate electrode is formed on the tantalum oxynitride film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey DeBoer, Husam N. Al-Shareef, Randhir P. S. Thakur, Dan Gealy
  • Patent number: 7034396
    Abstract: A semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate; a film of electrode material on the substrate at a thickness corresponding to the height of a pair of confronting electrodes standing vertical; a gap in the film of electrode material at a position so that confronting surfaces of the electrodes are formed as having a width corresponding to an interval of the confronting surfaces of the electrodes; and an insulating film in the gap. Then, a pair of confronting electrodes is formed by etching the film of electrode material. An intermediate film is formed on the pair of confronting electrodes; plugs are connected to the pair of confronting electrodes through the intermediate film; and finally wiring is connected to the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsukasa Yajima
  • Patent number: 7026678
    Abstract: A method of forming memory circuitry having a memory array having a plurality of memory capacitors and having peripheral memory circuitry operatively configured to write to and read from the memory array, includes forming a dielectric well forming layer over a semiconductor substrate. A portion of the well forming layer is removed effective to form at least one well within the well forming layer. An array of memory cell capacitors is formed within the well. The peripheral memory circuitry is formed laterally outward of the well forming layer memory array well. In one implementation, memory circuitry includes a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of word lines is received over the semiconductor substrate. An insulative layer is received over the word lines and the substrate. The insulative layer has at least one well formed therein. The well has a base received over the word lines. The well peripherally defines an outline of a memory array area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technoloy, Inc.
    Inventor: Belford T. Coursey
  • Patent number: 7023043
    Abstract: An improved charge storing device and methods for providing the same, the charge storing device comprising a conductor-insulator-conductor (CIC) sandwich. The CIC sandwich comprises a first conducting layer deposited on a semiconductor integrated circuit. The CIC sandwich further comprises a first insulating layer deposited over the first conducting layer in a flush manner. The first insulating layer comprises a structure having a plurality of oxygen cites and a plurality of oxygen atoms that partially fill the oxygen cites, wherein the unfilled oxygen cites define a concentration of oxygen vacancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cem Basceri, Howard E. Rhodes, Gurtej Sandhu, F. Daniel Gealy, Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Patent number: 7023038
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a silicon barrier capacitor device structure. By applying CVD or PVD technologies to deposit poly-silicon layers as the dielectric of capacitor on the doping region of the wafer, then implant a high-density (1016˜1021/cm3) impurity of the group III or group V elements and oxygen ion or nitrogen ion to the poly-silicon layer. After implantation, deposit a low resistance and high melting point conductor on the poly-silicon layer for the electrode. to form a capacitor structure, or repeat all of the deposition poly-silicon and both of the low resistance and high melting point conductor on the poly-silicon layer more than once. All of the odd electrodes are connected together. The even electrodes and the substrate are connected together, too. At last, apply high temperature furnace annealing to the devices. The grain boundary of the silicon was oxidized by oxygen and nitrogen to form an isolation film to be the insulation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Fuh-Cheng Jong
  • Patent number: 7015531
    Abstract: A FeRAM device in which a bottom electrode of a ferroelectric capacitor is connected to a source/drain region of a transistor and a top electrode is connected to a plate line. The FeRAM device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate; an impurity region formed on each side of the gate electrode of the semiconductor substrate; a bottom electrode connected to the impurity region; an oxygen diffusion barrier layer formed on the bottom electrode; a ferroelectric layer formed on the oxygen diffusion barrier layer and the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Sang-Hyun Oh
  • Patent number: 7015528
    Abstract: A method used during the formation of a semiconductor device comprises forming a first portion of a digit line contact plug before forming storage capacitors. Subsequent to forming storage capacitors, a second portion of the digit line plug is formed to contact the first portion, then the digit line runner is formed to contact the second plug portion. A structure resulting from the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7012294
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a silicon nitride layer. A substrate is provided which comprises a first mass and a second mass. The first mass comprises silicon and the second mass comprises silicon oxide. A sacrificial layer is formed over the first mass. While the sacrificial layer is over the first mass, a nitrogen-containing material is formed across the second mass. After the nitrogen-containing material is formed, the sacrificial layer is removed. Subsequently, a silicon nitride layer is formed to extend across the first and second masses, with the silicon nitride layer being over the nitrogen-containing material. Also, a conductivity-enhancing dopant is provided within the first mass. The invention also pertains to methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Er-Xuan Ping, Zhiping Yin
  • Patent number: 7012273
    Abstract: A phase changing memory device, and method of making the same, that includes contact holes formed in insulation material that extend down to and exposes source regions for adjacent FET transistors. Spacer material is disposed in the holes with surfaces that define openings each having a width that narrows along a depth of the opening. Lower electrodes are disposed in the holes. A layer of phase change memory material is disposed along the spacer material surfaces and along at least a portion of the lower electrodes. Upper electrodes are formed in the openings and on the phase change memory material layer. For each contact hole, the upper electrode and phase change memory material layer form an electrical current path that narrows in width as the current path approaches the lower electrode, such that electrical current passing through the current path generates heat for heating the phase change memory material disposed between the upper and lower electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bomy Chen
  • Patent number: 6995417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate, an insulating region provided on the semiconductor substrate, a first capacitor provided above the insulating region, a second capacitor provided above the insulating region and adjacent to the first capacitor, a conductive hydrogen-barrier film which prevents diffusion of hydrogen into the first and second capacitors and connects a bottom electrode of the first capacitor with a bottom electrode of the second capacitor, the conductive hydrogen-barrier film having a first portion interposing between the insulating region and the first capacitor and between the insulating region and the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichi Yamazaki, Koji Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6992347
    Abstract: The semiconductor storage device comprises memory cell transistors formed on a semiconductor substrate 10; first insulation films 42 covering the top surfaces and the side surfaces of gate electrodes 20 of the memory cell transistors; through-holes 40 opened on first diffused layers 24; a second insulation film 36 with through-holes 40 opened on first diffused layers 24 and through-holes 38 opened on second diffused layers 26 formed in; capacitors formed on the inside walls and the bottoms of the through-holes 40 and including capacitor storage electrodes 46, connected to the first diffused layers 24; capacitor dielectric films 48 covering the capacitor storage electrodes 46, and capacitor-opposed electrodes 54 covering at least a part of the capacitor dielectric films 48; and, contact conducting films 44 formed on the inside walls and bottoms of the through-holes 38, and connected to the second diffused layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Taiji Ema, Tohru Anezaki
  • Patent number: 6991980
    Abstract: Integrated circuit capacitor electrodes include a first conductive ring on a face of an integrated circuit substrate. A second conductive ring is provided on the first conductive ring opposite the substrate. A third conductive ring also is provided on the first conductive ring opposite the substrate. The third ring is located at least partially within the second ring. A conductive layer electrically connects the first, second and third rings. To form the electrodes, a first conductive layer is conformally deposited in the areas in which the electrodes will be formed and on a mold oxide layer. A first buffer dielectric layer is deposited on the first conductive layer. The first buffer dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are etched to separate nodes of the first conductive layer. Recessed portions are formed by further etching the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Je-min Park
  • Patent number: 6982454
    Abstract: A capacitor includes a semiconductor substrate, a bottom conductive pattern, first to third insulating layers, first to third metal plates and a connecting pattern. The bottom conductive pattern is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first to third insulating layers are formed on the bottom conductive pattern, the first and second metal plates, respectively. The first metal plate is formed on the first insulating layer within a first area. The first metal plate is electrically connected to the bottom conductive pattern. The second metal plate is formed on the second insulating layer within the first area. The second metal plate has an opening in the center thereof. The third metal plate is formed on the third insulating layer. The connecting pattern is formed through the second and third insulating layers and the opening of the second metal plate. The connecting pattern electrically connects the first and the third metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Horia Giuroiu, Sorin Andrei Spanoche
  • Patent number: 6974994
    Abstract: A capacitor includes an array of first conductive units and an array of second conductive units. Each of the first conductive units includes a hollow first conductive post that has lateral sides. The first conductive posts of the first conductive units are interconnected to form a grid that defines a plurality of lattices. Each of the second conductive units includes a second conductive post that is disposed in a respective one of the lattices and that has lateral sides that are surrounded by the lateral sides of the first conductive post of a respective one of the first conductive units. The first conductive post of each of the first conductive units and the second conductive post of the respective one of the second conductive units cooperatively define a charge space. A dielectric material fills the charge space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Advanic Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Kuo, Tai-Haur Kuo
  • Patent number: 6974993
    Abstract: A method used to manufacture a semiconductor device comprises providing a first conductive container capacitor top plate layer and etching the first conductive container capacitor top plate layer to form a plurality of openings therein. Subsequently, a container capacitor bottom plate layer is formed within the plurality of openings in the top plate layer such that the bottom plate layer defines a plurality of openings. A second conductive container capacitor top plate layer is formed within the plurality of openings in the bottom plate layer. The first conductive container capacitor top plate layer is electrically coupled with the second conductive container capacitor top plate layer. The first and second conductive container capacitor top plate layers and the container capacitor bottom plate layer form a plurality of container capacitors. A structure resulting from the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Belford T. Coursey
  • Patent number: 6972452
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device including a first conductive layer, the first conductive layer is treated with a nitrogen/hydrogen plasma before an additional layer is deposited thereover. The treatment stuffs the surface with nitrogen, thereby preventing oxygen from being adsorbed onto the surface of the first conductive layer. In one embodiment, a second conductive layer is deposited onto the first conductive layer, and the plasma treatment lessens if not eliminates an oxide formed between the two layers as a result of subsequent thermal treatments. In another embodiment, a dielectric layer is deposited onto the first conductive layer, and the plasma treatment lessens if not eliminates the ability of the first conductive layer to incorporate oxygen from the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Vishnu K. Agarwal
  • Patent number: 6965139
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has the following construction. A first metal layer consisting of a buried metal layer is connected to a diffusion layer within a substrate or to a lower-layer wiring. Further, a first metal wiring layer, a second metal layer consisting of a buried metal layer, and a second metal wiring layer are sequentially connected. And within a groove passing through insulating layers sandwiching the metal wiring layer from above and below the same as well as on one of the insulating layers there is formed a capacitive element C. When manufacturing the semiconductor device, the second layer-insulating layer is formed in such a way as to cover the metal wiring layer on the first layer-insulating layer. Removal is performed of at least respective parts, corresponding to a memory cell portion, of the first and the second layer-insulating layers. Thereafter, the capacitive element C is formed in regions corresponding to the removed portions of the first and the second layer-insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Ohno
  • Patent number: 6949786
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is obtained that can prevent occurrence of a shape defect of a capacitor electrode in the semiconductor device or operation failure of the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device with the capacitor includes a second interlayer insulation film, an SC poly plug, a barrier metal and an SN electrode. The second interlayer insulation film has a through hole. The SC poly plug is formed within the through hole of the second interlayer insulation film. The barrier metal is formed on the SC poly plug. The SN electrode is formed on the barrier metal. The SN electrode is electrically connected to the SC poly plug with the barrier metal interposed therebetween. The barrier metal is a multilayer film including three layers of a tantalum nitride (TaN) film, a titanium nitride (TiN) film and a titanium (Ti) film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Takashi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 6949768
    Abstract: A planar substrate device integrated with fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) and a method of manufacture comprises a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer comprising a substrate; a buried insulator layer over the substrate; and a semiconductor layer over the buried insulator layer. The structure further comprises a FinFET over the buried insulator layer and a field effect transistor (FET) integrated in the substrate, wherein the FET gate is planar to the FinFET gate. The structure further comprises retrograde well regions configured in the substrate. In one embodiment, the structure further comprises a shallow trench isolation region configured in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak, Jed H. Rankin
  • Patent number: 6946701
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a crown-cell capacitor in a memory integrated circuit. The process includes the step of forming a transistor having a contact region 353 at a surface of a semiconductor substrate 300. The transistor, with the exception of the contact region, is covered with a first material 362, 366 and the first material and the contact region are then covered with a layer of a second material 370. The portion of the second layer covering the contact region is removed to expose the contact region so that the removal of the portions of the second layer forms a cavity characterized by a bottom formed of the first material and sides formed of the second material. Further steps in the process include forming a first conductive layer 372 in the cavity to contact the contact region and conform to the bottom and sides, forming a dielectric layer 376 over the first conductive layer, and forming a second conductive layer 378 over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Takayuki Niuya
  • Patent number: 6930372
    Abstract: A storage capacitor structure of a planar display is disclosed. The storage capacitor includes a substrate, a bottom electrode, an insulator, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode or top electrode has an uneven surface toward the insulator interposed between the two electrodes in order to increase the capacitance of the storage capacitor structure. A method for fabricating such storage capacitor structure is also disclosed. It includes steps of providing a substrate; and forming a bottom electrode, an insulator, and a top electrode in sequence. The bottom electrode or the top electrode has the uneven surface by an etching step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chaung-Ming Chiu, Ya-Hsiang Tai
  • Patent number: 6924526
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a capacitor including a storage electrode 76, a capacitor dielectric film formed on the storage electrode 76, and a plate electrode formed on the capacitor dielectric film 78, the storage electrode 76 having an upper end rounded and having a larger thickness at the upper end than a thickness in the rest region. Whereby electric field concentration on the upper end of the storage electrode can be mitigated, and leakage current increase and dielectric breakdown of the capacitor dielectric film can be precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fukuda, Kouji Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 6916706
    Abstract: A capacitor sheet includes a laminate sheet, interface-connection feedthrough conductors for electrically connecting faces of the laminate sheet, and capacitor-connection feedthrough conductors. The laminate sheet has at least one laminate which is composed of a power source layer electrode, a grounding layer electrode, and a dielectric layer interposed between the power source layer electrode and the grounding layer electrode. The interface-connection feedthrough conductors are formed in through holes that pass through the dielectric layer, the power source layer electrode, and the grounding layer electrode, and are insulated by insulation walls from the power source layer electrode and the grounding layer electrode provided inside. The capacitor-connection feedthrough conductors are formed in regions where only either the power source layer electrode or the grounding layer electrode is provided, and are connected electrically with either the power source layer electrode or the grounding layer electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Echigo, Tadashi Nakamura, Daizo Andoh
  • Patent number: 6917094
    Abstract: In an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor of the present invention, the peak value of particle size distribution of graphite particles added to a conductive adhesive is in a range of 2.6 to 3.2 ?m, not less than 100,000 dimples having a largest outer diameter in a range of 4 to 10 ?m and a depth in a range of 4 to 15 ?m are formed on the surface of the collector sheet per 1 cm2, and the occupied area of the dimples to the entire surface area of the collector sheet is not more than 50%. By determining the saponification value of polyvinylalcohol which is used as a binder component of the conductive adhesive in a range of 90.0 to 98.5, adhesiveness of the collector sheet and the electrode forming sheet is improved. Furthermore, by substituting H atoms contained in the polyvinylalcohol with Si atoms, adhesiveness of the collector sheet and the electrode forming sheet can be further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., LTD, No-Tape Industrial Co., Ltd., Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Murakami, Manabu Iwaida, Shigeki Oyama, Toshiaki Fukushima, Tomohiko Kawaguchi, Kouki Ozaki, Masanori Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6909591
    Abstract: An improved semiconductor capacitor and a method for fabricating the capacitor. The capacitor is located on a substrate having a first conductive section with a first outer plate connected to a first inner plate. A second conductive section having a second outer plate connected to a second inner plate is present in the capacitor. The second inner plate is located within a first hole in the first outer plate and the first inner plate is located within a second hole in the second outer plate such that a first distance is present between the second inner plate and the first outer plate and a second distance is present between the first inner plate and the second outer plate. Multiple layers of sections like the first conductive section and the second conductive section are stacked over each other and are connected to each other as part of the capacitor. Via connections may be used to connect the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Sean Christopher Erickson, Kevin Roy Nunn, Eric Ray Miller
  • Patent number: 6909134
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. The ferroelectric memory device comprises a lower interlayer insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. The ferroelectric memory device further comprises at least two adjacent ferroelectric capacitors disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer, an interlayer insulation layer formed over the ferroelectric capacitors, leaving a top surface of the ferroelectric capacitors exposed, a patterned via etch-stop layer formed on the interlayer insulation layer, leaving the top surface of the capacitors exposed, an upper interlayer insulating layer formed on the patterned via etch-stop layer, and a plate line commonly connected to the at least two adjacent ferroelectric capacitors. Thus, integration of the ferroelectric memory device can be substantially increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Jong Song, Ki-Nam Kim, Sang-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6900496
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes, a) providing a node to which electrical connection to a first capacitor plate is to be made; b) then, providing a finned lower capacitor plate in ohmic electrical connection with the node using no more than one photomasking step; and c) providing a capacitor dielectric layer and a conductive second capacitor plate layer over the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, Pierre C. Fazan
  • Patent number: 6897481
    Abstract: Embodiments include semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture, one of which includes a capacitor unit formed on a silicon substrate. The capacitor unit is divided into a plurality of capacitor subunits which are partitioned from each other by a separating insulation layer. Each of the capacitor subunits includes a first electrode layer composed of an impurity diffusion layer formed in the silicon substrate, a second electrode layer composed of a conductive polysilicon layer and a dielectric layer composed of a silicon oxide layer interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The respective capacitor subunits are connected in parallel to each other through a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shogo Inaba
  • Patent number: 6897529
    Abstract: An improved method and structure which increases the alignment tolerances in multiple, singularized plugs are provided. The invention discloses a novel method for forming individual plug contacts with increased surface area for improved registration between semiconducting layers. Also the improved plug contacts are particularly well suited to receiving contact formations which have any taper to them. IGFETS and other devices formed from this design can be used in a variety of beneficial applications, e.g. logic or memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Figura
  • Patent number: 6894326
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) that forms a unique FinFET that has a first fin with a central channel region and source and drain regions adjacent the channel region, a gate intersecting the first fin and covering the channel region, and a second fin having only a channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6891215
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes forming first and second capacitor electrodes over a substrate. A capacitor dielectric region is formed intermediate the first and second capacitor electrodes, and includes forming a silicon nitride comprising layer over the first capacitor electrode. A silicon oxide comprising layer is formed over the silicon nitride comprising layer. The silicon oxide comprising layer is exposed to an activated nitrogen species generated from a nitrogen-containing plasma effective to introduce nitrogen into at least an outermost portion of the silicon oxide comprising layer. Silicon nitride is formed therefrom effective to increase a dielectric constant of the dielectric region from what it was prior to said exposing. Capacitors and methods of forming capacitor dielectric layers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Moore, Scott J. DeBoer
  • Patent number: 6885055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to double-gate FinFET devices and fabricating methods thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an electrically stable double-gate FinFET device and the method of fabrication in which the Fin active region on a bulk silicon substrate where device channel and the body are to be formed has a nano-size width and is connected to the substrate and is formed with the shape of a wall along the channel length direction. The conventional double-gate MOS devices are fabricated using SOI wafers which are more expensive than bulk silicon wafers. It also has problems including the floating body effects, larger source/drain parasitic resistance, off-current increase, and deterioration in heat transfer to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6873002
    Abstract: The semiconductor memory device comprises a glue layer defining a cylinder shell, a bottom electrode made of a material of the platinum group and covering the inner face and the outer face of the cylinder shell, a dielectric layer formed over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode positioned over the dielectric layer. The bottom electrode, the dielectric layer, and the top electrode comprise a cell capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6867448
    Abstract: A method of patterning a metal surface by electro-mechanical polishing is disclosed. A metal surface is placed in fluid communication with an abrasive surface of a pad. The two surfaces are moved relative to each other, in acidic fluid which contains abrasive particles. An electrical circuit is formed between the metal surface and abrasive pad and a current is supplied to the circuit. The patterned surface then is processed into a useful feature such as a bottom electrode for a DRAM capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Whonchee Lee, Scott Meikle
  • Patent number: 6864527
    Abstract: A capacitor has a tantalum oxynitride film. One method for making the film comprises forming a bottom plate electrode and then forming a tantalum oxide film on the bottom plate electrode. Nitrogen is introduced to form a tantalum oxynitride film. A top plate electrode is formed on the tantalum oxynitride film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey DeBoer, Husam N. Al-Shareef, Randhir P. S. Thakur, Dan Gealy
  • Patent number: 6847073
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a MOS transistor, an interlayer insulating film, a contact plug, a capacitor lower electrode, a ferroelectric film and two capacitor upper electrodes. The MOS transistor is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interlayer insulating film covers the MOS transistor. The contact plug is connected to an impurity diffusion layer of the MOS transistor. The capacitor lower electrode is formed on the contact plug. The two capacitor upper electrodes are formed on the capacitor lower electrode with the ferroelectric film interposed therebetween. A contact area between the contact plug and the capacitor lower electrode is greater than a contact area between each of the two capacitor upper electrodes and the ferroelectric film. At least a part of a gate electrode of the MOS transistor is located just below a region of the contact plug, which region is in contact with the capacitor lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6844583
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a microelectronic substrate and a plurality of ferroelectric capacitors on the substrate, arranged as a plurality of rows and columns in respective row and column directions. A plurality of parallel plate lines overlie the ferroelectric capacitors and extend along the row direction, wherein a plate line contacts ferroelectric capacitors in at least two adjacent rows. The plurality of plate lines may include a plurality of local plate lines, and the ferroelectric memory device may further include an insulating layer disposed on the local plate lines and a plurality of main plate lines disposed on the insulating layer and contacting the local plate lines through openings in the insulating layer. In some embodiments, ferroelectric capacitors in adjacent rows share a common upper electrode, and respective ones of the local plate lines are disposed on respective ones of the common upper electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Ho Kim, Dong-Jin Jung, Ki-Nam Kim, Sang-Don Nam, Kyu-Mann Lee
  • Publication number: 20040262663
    Abstract: On a semiconductor substrate, a transistor and a capacitor electrically connected to the transistor are formed, the capacitor having two electrodes made of metal and a capacitor dielectric layer between the two electrodes made of oxide dielectric material. A temporary protective film is formed over the capacitor, the temporary protective film covering the capacitor. The semiconductor substrate with the temporary protective film is subjected to a heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere. The temporary protective film is removed. The semiconductor substrate with the temporary protective film removed is subjected to a heat treatment in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum state. A protective film is formed over the capacitor, the protective film covering the capacitor. With these processes, leak current of the capacitor can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicants: Fujitsu Limited, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun Lin, Toshiya Suzuki, Katsuhiko Hieda
  • Publication number: 20040262657
    Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Drynan
  • Publication number: 20040262698
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) that forms a unique FinFET that has a first fin with a central channel region and source and drain regions adjacent the channel region, a gate intersecting the first fin and covering the channel region, and a second fin having only a channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6831315
    Abstract: Method and structures are provided for conformal capacitor dielectrics over textured silicon electrodes for integrated memory cells. Capacitor structures and first electrodes or plates are formed above or within semiconductor substrates. The first electrodes include hemispherical grain (HSG) silicon for increasing the capacitor plate surface area. The HSG topography is then exposed to alternating chemistries to form monolayers of a desired dielectric material. Exemplary process flows include alternately pulsed metal organic and oxygen source gases injected into a constant carrier flow. Self-terminated metal layers are thus reacted with oxygen. Near perfect step coverage allows minimal thickness for a capacitor dielectric, given leakage concerns for particular materials, thereby maximizing the capacitance for the memory cell and increasing cell reliability for a given memory cell design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ASM International N.V.
    Inventors: Ivo Raaijmakers, Suvi P. Haukka, Ernst H. A. Granneman
  • Patent number: 6821837
    Abstract: A trench capacitor includes an electrode having a first conductive area formed in a trench provided in a substrate, and a second conductive area extending from a bottom of the trench, the second conductive area being electrically coupled to the first conductive area and spaced apart from the first conductive area; a storage node having a first conductive extension extending into a first dielectric space provided between the first conductive area and the second conductive area of the electrode, and a second conductive extension extending into a second dielectric space provided within the second conductive area of the electrode; and a dielectric layer electrically insulating the electrode from the storage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: ProMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Ying Lian
  • Patent number: 6821861
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for charge storage with an external trench electrode (202; 406), embodied along the wall of a trench provided in a substrate (401) and electrically insulated on both sides in the trench by a first and a second dielectric (104; 405, 409); an internal trench electrode (201; 410), serving as counter-electrode to the external trench electrode (201; 406) and insulated by the second dielectric (104; 409) and a substrate electrode (201; 403), which is insulated by the first dielectric (104; 405) outside the trench, which serves as counter-electrode to the external trench electrode (202; 406) and is connected to the internal trench electrode (201; 410) in the upper trench region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthias Goldbach, Thomas Hecht
  • Patent number: 6822282
    Abstract: A process for forming a capacitive structure that includes an upper layer having a first capacitor electrode section therein. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed adjacent the upper layer. The capacitor dielectric layer covers the first capacitor electrode section. A second capacitor electrode layer is formed adjacent the capacitor dielectric layer. The second capacitor electrode layer includes a second capacitor electrode section that at least partially covers the first capacitor electrode section, and which has an edge portion that extends beyond the underlying first capacitor electrode section. The capacitor dielectric layer being disposed between the first capacitor electrode section and the second capacitor electrode section. An upper dielectric layer is formed adjacent the second capacitor electrode section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Randazzo, Kenneth P. Fuchs, John de Q. Walker
  • Publication number: 20040227175
    Abstract: A lower electrode of a capacitor element is formed by manufacturing a crown structure while using a first conducting material such as titanium nitride or the like excellent in mechanical strength as a base material and by forming a film of a second conducting material such as ruthenium or the like, which is comparatively difficult to be oxidized, on a surface of the crown structure. First, ruthenium is deposited on a surface of the crown structure by using a sputtering method. Thereafter, the ruthenium (sputtered ruthenium) placed in a peripheral region of the crown structure is removed by etching, and a film of ruthenium is further formed on a surface of the crown structure by using a CVD method while using the sputtered ruthenium as a seed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Shinpei Iijima, Keiji Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20040229428
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to embodiments of the invention includes storage nodes and resistors. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor memory device according to some embodiments of the invention includes forming an interlayer insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate including a memory cell array area and a core/perimeter area; forming a first etch stop layer thereon; forming a plurality of contact plugs arranged linearly in at least one direction on the memory cell array area; forming a first conductive layer on the resultant structure; forming a second etch stop layer thereon; etching the second etch stop layer and the first conductive layer and forming landing pads and resistors arranged non-linearly in at least one direction; and forming storage nodes on the entire outer lateral surfaces of which are exposed, on the landing pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Chang-Hyun Cho, Tae-Young Chung, Yong-Seok Ahn
  • Patent number: 6818936
    Abstract: A single-poly EEPROM cell is disclosed with a vertically formed metal-insulator-metal (MIM) coupling capacitor, which serves as a control gate in place of a laterally buried control gate thereby eliminating the problem of junction breakdown, and at the same time reducing the size of the cell substantially. A method of forming the single-poly cell is also disclosed. This is accomplished by forming a floating gate over a substrate with an intervening tunnel oxide and then the MIM capacitor over the floating gate with another intervening dielectric layer between the top metal and the lower metal of the capacitor where the latter metal is connected to the polysilicon floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chrong Jun Lin, Hsin-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6815754
    Abstract: A high dielectric constant memory cell capacitor and method for producing the same, wherein the memory cell capacitor utilizes relatively large surface area conductive structures of thin spacer width pillars or having edges without sharp corners that lead to electric field breakdown of the high dielectric constant material. The combination of high dielectric constant material in a memory cell along with a relatively large surface area conductive structure is achieved through the use of a buffer material as caps on the thin edge surfaces of the relatively large surface area conductive structures to dampen or eliminate the intense electric field which would be generated at the corners of the structures during the operation of the memory cell capacitor had the caps not been present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Darwin A. Clampitt
  • Publication number: 20040217408
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor having a substrate, a fin structure above the substrate, as well as a drain region and a source region outside the fin structure above the substrate. The fin structure serves as a channel between the source region and the drain region. The source and drain regions are formed once the gate has been produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franz Hofmann, Johannes Kretz, Wolfgang Roesner, Thomas Schulz