Storage Node Isolated By Dielectric From Semiconductor Substrate Patents (Class 257/311)
  • Patent number: 11917816
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region, the peripheral circuit region including a first peripheral circuit region including a first transistor and a second peripheral circuit region including a second transistor; a storage node contact plug positioned in an upper portion of the substrate in the memory cell region; a landing pad over the storage node contact plug; a first metal wire coupled to the first transistor; and a second metal wire coupled to the second transistor, wherein a thickness of the landing pad and a thickness of the first metal wire are smaller than a thickness of the second metal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Se Han Kwon
  • Patent number: 11908910
    Abstract: Methods and devices that provide a first fin structure, a second fin structure, and a third fin structure disposed over a substrate. A dielectric fin is formed between the first fin structure and the second fin structure, and a conductive line is formed between the second fin structure and the third fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chuan Yang, Jing-Yi Lin, Hsin-Wen Su, Shih-Hao Lin
  • Patent number: 11825648
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory structure including a substrate, a transistor, a capacitor, and an interconnect structure is provided. The transistor is located on the substrate. The capacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulating layer. The first electrode is disposed above the substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the first electrode. The first electrode is located between the second electrode and the substrate. The insulating layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The interconnect structure is electrically connected between the transistor and the first electrode of the capacitor. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the first electrode at a top surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Lee, Chi-Horn Pai, Chang Chien Wong, Sheng-Yuan Hsueh, Ching Hsiang Tseng, Shih-Chieh Hsu
  • Patent number: 11764234
    Abstract: A method used in forming an array of memory cells comprises forming a vertical stack comprising transistor material directly above insulator material. A mask is used to subtractively etch both the transistor material and thereafter the insulator material to form a plurality of pillars that individually comprise the transistor material and the insulator material. The insulator material is laterally-recessed from opposing lateral sides of individual of the pillars selectively relative to the transistor material of the individual pillars. The individual pillars are formed to comprise a first capacitor electrode that is in void space formed from the laterally recessing. Capacitors are formed that individually comprise the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars. A capacitor insulator is aside the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars and a second capacitor electrode is laterally-outward of the capacitor insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11652047
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe techniques for a semiconductor device having an interconnect structure including an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer between a first layer and a second layer of the interconnect structure. The interconnect structure further includes a separation layer within the ILD layer. The ILD layer includes a first area with a first height to extend from a first surface of the ILD layer to a second surface of the ILD layer. The ILD layer further includes a second area with a second height to extend from the first surface of the ILD layer to a surface of the separation layer, where the first height is larger than the second height. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Travis W. Lajoie, Abhishek A. Sharma, Van H. Le, Chieh-Jen Ku, Pei-Hua Wang, Jack T. Kavalieros, Bernhard Sell, Tahir Ghani, Gregory George, Akash Garg, Julie Rollins, Allen B. Gardiner, Shem Ogadhoh, Juan G. Alzate Vinasco, Umut Arslan, Fatih Hamzaoglu, Nikhil Mehta, Ting Chen, Vinaykumar V. Hadagali
  • Patent number: 11640970
    Abstract: A capacitor structure includes an insulation layer and a capacitor unit disposed on the insulation layer. The capacitor unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first dielectric layer, and a patterned conductive layer. The second electrode is disposed above the first electrode in a vertical direction. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode in the vertical direction. The patterned conductive layer is disposed between first electrode and the second electrode, the patterned conductive layer is electrically connected with the first electrode, and the first dielectric layer surrounds the patterned conductive layer in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Tung Yeh, Kuang-Pi Lee, Wen-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 11315928
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate having a first top surface. An active region is surrounded by an isolation region in the substrate. A buried power line and a buried signal line are disposed within the substrate and in the active region. A first circuit layer is disposed on the first top surface of the substrate to cover the buried power line and the buried signal line. A second circuit layer is disposed on the first top surface of the substrate and separated from the first circuit layer. A cell capacitor is disposed on and electrically coupled to the first circuit layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiang-Lin Shih, Tseng-Fu Lu, Jeng-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 10741778
    Abstract: An electronic component (10) comprising a plurality of switching elements (1) which comprise, in this sequence, a first electrode (16), a molecular layer (18) bonded to a substrate, and a second electrode (20), where the molecular layer essentially consists of molecules (M) which contain a connecting group (V) and an end group (E) having a polar or ionic function, is suitable as memristive device for digital information storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Peer Kirsch, Qiong Tong, Andreas Ruhl, Marc Tornow, Achyut Bora
  • Patent number: 10644029
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device may include a memory string including memory cells coupled to each other in series via a channel layer, the memory string coupled between a bit line and a second source line. The semiconductor device may include a first source line electrically coupled to the second source line through the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: In Su Park, Dong Sun Sheen
  • Patent number: 10559589
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device may include a memory string including memory cells coupled to each other in series via a channel layer, the memory string coupled between a bit line and a second source line. The semiconductor device may include a first source line electrically coupled to the second source line through the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: In Su Park, Dong Sun Sheen
  • Patent number: 10438969
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device may include a memory string including memory cells coupled to each other in series via a channel layer, the memory string coupled between a bit line and a second source line. The semiconductor device may include a first source line electrically coupled to the second source line through the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: In Su Park, Dong Sun Sheen
  • Patent number: 10366896
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a gate dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a gate material layer on the gate dielectric layer, and removing part of the gate material layer and part of the gate dielectric layer to form a gate electrode, in which a top surface of the gate dielectric layer adjacent to two sides of the gate electrode is lower than a top surface of the gate dielectric layer between the gate electrode and the substrate. Next, a first mask layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer and the gate electrode, part of the first mask layer and part of the gate dielectric layer are removed to form a first spacer, a second mask layer is formed on the substrate and the gate electrode, and part of the second mask layer is removed to form a second spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: I-Fan Chang, Yen-Liang Wu, Wen-Tsung Chang, Jui-Ming Yang, Jie-Ning Yang, Chi-Ju Lee, Chun-Ting Chiang, Bo-Yu Su, Chih-Wei Lin, Dien-Yang Lu
  • Patent number: 9799668
    Abstract: Memory cells having isolated charge sites and methods of fabricating memory cells having isolated charge sites are described. In an example, a nonvolatile charge trap memory device includes a substrate having a channel region, a source region and a drain region. A gate stack is disposed above the substrate, over the channel region. The gate stack includes a tunnel dielectric layer disposed above the channel region, a first charge-trapping region and a second charge-trapping region. The regions are disposed above the tunnel dielectric layer and separated by a distance. The gate stack also includes an isolating dielectric layer disposed above the tunnel dielectric layer and between the first charge-trapping region and the second charge-trapping region. A gate dielectric layer is disposed above the first charge-trapping region, the second charge-trapping region and the isolating dielectric layer. A gate electrode is disposed above the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Chang, Chia-Hong Jan, Walid M. Hafez
  • Patent number: 9679982
    Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, hard mask lines are formed in parallel in a substrate and the substrate between the hard mask lines is etched to form grooves. A portion of the hard mask line and a portion of the substrate between the grooves are etched. A top surface of the etched portion of the substrate between the grooves is higher than a bottom surface of the groove. A conductive layer is formed to fill the grooves. The conductive layer is etched to form conductive patterns in the grooves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daeik Kim, Jiyoung Kim, Jemin Park, Nakjin Son, Yoosang Hwang
  • Patent number: 9666300
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a three-dimensional one-time-programmable memory (3D-OTP) comprising an off-die address/data-translator (A/D-translator). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least a peripheral-circuit die. At least an A/D-translator of the 3D-OTP arrays is located on the peripheral-circuit die instead of the 3D-array die. The A/D-translator converts at least an address and/or data between logic and physical spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: XiaMen HaiCun IP Technology LLC
    Inventors: Guobiao Zhang, HongYu Yu, RangYu Deng, Chen Shen, Bin Yu, XiangDong Lu, JinFeng Kang, XuGuang Wang, DongYun Zhang, ChenChang Zhan
  • Patent number: 9647037
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a device includes forming a first electrode and a second electrode. The method further includes forming a resistive material between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a resistance-based storage element of a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Xia Li, Seung Hyuk Kang
  • Patent number: 9640546
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory array includes a first nonvolatile memory cell having a first charge storage layer and a first gate electrode and a second nonvolatile memory cell, adjacent to the first memory cell in a first direction, having a second charge storage layer and a second gate electrode. The first and second electrodes extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first electrode has a first contact section extending toward the second electrode in the first direction, and the second electrode has a second contact section extending toward the first electrode in the first direction. The first and second contact positions are shifted in the second direction, respectively, and the first electrode and the first contact section are electrically separated from the second electrode and the second contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okazaki, Daisuke Okada, Kyoya Nitta, Toshihiro Tanaka, Akira Kato, Toshikazu Matsui, Yasushi Ishii, Digh Hisamoto, Kan Yasui
  • Patent number: 9613709
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-volatile memory cell on a semiconductor substrate, comprising a first transistor comprising a control gate, a floating gate and a drain region, a second transistor comprising a control gate, a floating gate and a drain region, in which the floating gates of the first and second transistors are electrically coupled, and the second transistor comprises a conducting region electrically coupled to its drain region and extending opposite its floating gate through a tunnel dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
    Inventors: Francesco La Rosa, Stephan Niel, Arnaud Regnier
  • Patent number: 9595532
    Abstract: An improvement is achieved in the performance of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory. A memory cell of the nonvolatile memory includes a control gate electrode formed over a semiconductor substrate via a first insulating film and a memory gate electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate via a second insulating film to be adjacent to the control gate electrode via the second insulating film. The second insulating film includes a third insulating film made of a silicon dioxide film, a fourth insulating film made of a silicon nitride film over the third insulating film, and a fifth insulating film over the fourth insulating film. The fifth insulating film includes a silicon oxynitride film. Between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, respective end portions of the fourth and fifth insulating films are located closer to a side surface of the memory gate electrode than an end portion of a lower surface of the memory gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tamotsu Ogata
  • Patent number: 9558842
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional one-time-programmable memory (3D-OTP). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least a peripheral-circuit die. At least a peripheral-circuit component of the 3D-OTP arrays is located on the peripheral-circuit die instead of the 3D-array die. The 3D-array die and the peripheral-circuit die have substantially different back-end-of-line (BEOL) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9508395
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a three-dimensional one-time-programmable memory (3D-OTP) comprising an off-die read/write-voltage generator (VR/VW-generator). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least a peripheral-circuit die. At least a VR/VW-generator of the 3D-OTP arrays is located on the peripheral-circuit die instead of the 3D-array die. The VR/VW-generator generates at least a read voltage and/or a write voltage different from a supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9443991
    Abstract: In a power feeding region of a memory cell (MC) in which a sidewall-shaped memory gate electrode (MG) of a memory nMIS (Qnm) is provided by self alignment on a side surface of a selection gate electrode (CG) of a selection nMIS (Qnc) via an insulating film, a plug (PM) which supplies a voltage to the memory gate electrode (MG) is embedded in a contact hole (CM) formed in an interlayer insulating film (9) formed on the memory gate electrode (MG) and is electrically connected to the memory gate electrode (MG). Since a cap insulating film (CAP) is formed on an upper surface of the selection gate electrode (CG), the electrical conduction between the plug (PM) and the selection gate electrode (CG) can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kota Funayama, Hiraku Chakihara, Yasushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9299826
    Abstract: A memory device includes a gate structure, a contact plug, and a spacer. The gate structure includes first and second conductive layer patterns sequentially stacked on a substrate. The contact plug passes through the second conductive layer pattern, and a sidewall of the contact plug directly contacts at least a portion of the second conductive layer pattern. The spacer surrounds a portion of the sidewall of the contact plug and contacting the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hauk Han, Il-Woo Kim, Jeong-Gil Lee, Yong-Il Kwon, Myoung-Bum Lee
  • Patent number: 9177995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a vertical interconnect structure, a memory device and an associated production method, in which case, after the formation of a contact region in a carrier substrate a catalyst is produced on the contact region and a free-standing electrically conductive nanoelement is subsequently formed between the catalyst and the contact region and embedded in a dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Martin Gutsche, Franz Kreupl, Harald Seidl
  • Patent number: 9041111
    Abstract: A flat panel detector includes a photoelectric conversion layer and a pixel detecting element disposed under the photoelectric conversion layer. The pixel detecting element includes: a pixel electrode for receiving charges, a storage capacitor for storing the received charges, and a thin film transistor for controlling outputting of the stored charges. The storage capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes an upper electrode and a bottom electrode that are disposed opposite to each other and electrically connected. A second electrode is sandwiched between the upper electrode and the bottom electrode. It is insulated between the upper electrode and the second electrode and between the second electrode and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhenyu Xie
  • Publication number: 20150124521
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes an active region defined by a device isolation layer formed in a cell region, a transistor including a buried gate in the active region, a metal contact formed on the active region positioned at one side of the buried gate, a landing pad on the metal contact, a capacitor on the landing pad and electrically connected to the active region, and a metal oxide layer between the metal contact and the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Han-Jin Lim, Won-Seok Yoo, Seok-Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 9024425
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional memory (3D-M). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least an integrated intermediate-circuit die comprising both a read/write-voltage generator (VR/VW-generator) and an address/data translator (A/D-translator). The intermediate-circuit die performs voltage, address and/or data conversion between the 3D-M core region and the host. Discrete 3D-M support multiple 3D-array dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: HangZhou HaiCun Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guobiao Zhang
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9019760
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a back gate including a first portion of electrically conductive material, a first portion of dielectric material arranged on the back gate, a semiconductor nanobeam arranged on the first portion of dielectric material, a second portion of dielectric material covering the semiconductor nanobeam, a portion of material configured to receive electrons and holes, and configured to store electrical charges and covering the second portion of dielectric material, a third portion of dielectric material covering the portion of material configured to perform storage of electrical charges, and a front gate including a second portion of electrically conductive material covering the third portion of dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Alexandre Hubert, Maryline Bawedin, Sorin Cristoloveanu, Thomas Ernst
  • Patent number: 8963226
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory array includes a first nonvolatile memory cell having a first charge storage layer and a first gate electrode and a second nonvolatile memory cell, adjacent to the first memory cell in a first direction, having a second charge storage layer and a second gate electrode. The first and second electrodes extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the first electrode has a first contact section extending toward the second electrode in the first direction, and the second electrode has a second contact section extending toward the first electrode in the first direction. The first and second contact positions are shifted in the second direction, respectively, and the first electrode and the first contact section are electrically separated from the second electrode and the second contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okazaki, Daisuke Okada, Kyoya Nitta, Toshihiro Tanaka, Akira Kato, Toshikazu Matsui, Yasushi Ishii, Digh Hisamoto, Kan Yasui
  • Patent number: 8957467
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a transistor including source and drain diffusion-layers, a gate insulating film and a gate electrode; first and second plugs formed in a first interlayer-insulating film and connected to the source and drain diffusion-layers, respectively; a third plug extending through a second interlayer-insulating film and connected to the first plug; a first interconnection-wire formed on the second interlayer-insulating film and connected to the third plug; a second interconnection-wire formed on a third interlayer-insulating film and intersecting the first interconnection-wire; a fourth interlayer-insulating film; a hole extending through the fourth, third and second interlayer-insulating films, the hole being formed such that a side surface of the second interconnection-wire is exposed; and a fourth plug filling the hole via an intervening dielectric film and connected to the second plug, wherein a capacitor is formed using the fourth plug, the second interconnection-wire and the diele
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8921991
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional memory (3D-M). It is partitioned into at least two discrete dice: a memory-array die and a peripheral-circuit die. The memory-array die comprises at least a 3D-M array, which is built in a 3-D space. The peripheral-circuit die comprises at least a peripheral-circuit component, which is built on a 2-D plane. At least one peripheral-circuit component of the 3D-M is formed in the peripheral-circuit die instead of in the memory-array die. The array efficiency of the memory-array die can be larger than 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: ChengDu HaiCun IP Technology LLC
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8907395
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a cell area and a periphery area is provided. A stacked structure including a gate oxide layer, a floating gate and a first spacer is formed on the substrate in the cell area and a resistor is formed on the substrate in the periphery area. At least two doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the stacked structure. A dielectric material layer and a conductive material layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the substrate to cover the stacked structure and a portion of the resistor. The dielectric material layer and the conductive material layer not covered by the patterned photoresist layer are removed, so as to form an inter-gate dielectric layer and a control gate on the stacked structure, and simultaneously form a salicide block layer on the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Maxchip Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Chiu Hsu, Tung-Ming Lai, Kai-An Hsueh, Ming-De Huang
  • Patent number: 8890223
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes isolation capacitors which include a silicon dioxide dielectric layer and a polymer dielectric layer over the layer of silicon dioxide. The silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer extend across the integrated circuit. Top plates of the isolation capacitors have bond pads for wire bonds or bump bonds. Bottom plates of the isolation capacitors are connected to components of the integrated circuit. Other bond pads are connected to components in the integrated circuit through vias through the silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Dyer Bonifield, Byron Williams, Shrinivasan Jaganathan
  • Patent number: 8890300
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional memory (3D-M). Its 3D-M arrays are located on at least one 3D-array die, while its read/write-voltage generator (VR/VW-generator) is located on a separate peripheral-circuit die. The VR/VW-generator generates at least a read and/or write voltage to the 3D-array die. A single VR/VW-generator die can support multiple 3D-array dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: ChengDu HaiCun IP Technology LLC
    Inventor: Guobiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8878272
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a first mold layer on a in a cell region and a peripheral region, forming first storage nodes penetrating the first mold layer in the cell region and a first contact penetrating the first mold layer in the peripheral region, forming a second mold layer on the first mold layer, forming second storage nodes that penetrate the second mold layer to be connected to respective ones of the first storage nodes, removing the second mold layer in the cell and peripheral regions and the first mold layer in the cell region to leave the first mold layer in the peripheral region, and forming a second contact that penetrates a first interlayer insulation layer to be connected to the first contact. Related devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8878273
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes an active region protruding from a substrate. The active region includes first and second doped regions therein and a trench therein separating the first and second doped regions. A buried gate structure extends in a first direction along the trench between first and second opposing sidewalls thereof. A conductive interconnection plug is provided on the first doped region adjacent the first sidewall of the trench, and a conductive landing pad is provided on the second doped region adjacent the second sidewall of the trench. The landing pad has a width greater than that of the second doped region of the active region along the first direction. A conductive storage node contact plug is provided on the landing pad opposite the second doped region. The storage node contact plug has a narrower width than the landing pad along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daeik Kim, Sooho Shin
  • Patent number: 8872339
    Abstract: A structure includes a substrate, a first supporting member over the substrate, a second supporting member over the substrate, and a layer of material over the substrate and covering the first supporting member and the second supporting member. The first supporting member has a first width, and the second supporting member has a second width. The first supporting member and the second supporting member are separated by a gap region. The first width is at least 10 times the second width, and a gap width of the gap region ranges from 5 to 30 times the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chu Liu, Yi-Shien Mor, Kuei Shun Chen, Yu Lun Liu, Han-Hsun Chang, Shiao-Chian Yeh
  • Patent number: 8865545
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate including an active region defined as a device isolation film; a bit line hole disposed over the top portion of the semiconductor substrate; an oxide film disposed at sidewalls of the bit line hole; and a bit line conductive layer buried in the bit line hole including the oxide film. A bit line spacer is formed with an oxide film, thereby reducing a parasitic capacitance. A storage node contact is formed to have a line type, thereby securing a patterning margin. A storage node contact plug is formed with polysilicon having a different concentration, thereby reducing leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Se In Kwon
  • Patent number: 8853761
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory (“NVM”) bitcell with one or more active regions capacitively coupled to the floating gate but that are separated from both the source and the drain. The inclusion of capacitors separated from the source and drain allows for improved control over the voltage of the floating gate. This in turn allows CHEI (or IHEI) to be performed with much higher efficiency than in existing bitcells, thereby the need for a charge pump to provide current to the bitcell, ultimately decreasing the total size of the bitcell. The bitcells may be constructed in pairs, further reducing the space requirements of the each bitcell, thereby mitigating the space requirements of the separate capacitor/s. The bitcell may also be operated by CHEI (or IHEI) and separately by BTBT depending upon the voltages applied at the source, drain, and capacitor/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Horch
  • Patent number: 8835990
    Abstract: A 3-D memory is provided. Each word line layer has word lines and gaps alternately arranged along a first direction. Gaps include first group and second group of gaps alternately arranged. A first bit line layer is on word line layers and has first bit lines along a second direction. A first conductive pillar array through word line layers connects the first bit line layer and includes first conductive pillars in first group of gaps. A first memory element is between a first conductive pillar and an adjacent word line. A second bit line layer is below word line layers and has second bit lines along the second direction. A second conductive pillar array through word line layers connects the second bit line layer and includes second conductive pillars in second group of gaps. A second memory element is between a second conductive pillar and an adjacent word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Yueh Jang
  • Patent number: 8809930
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices may include a write transistor including a first write gate controlling a first source/drain terminal and a second write gate controlling a channel region, and a read transistor including a memory node gate connected to the first source/drain terminal of the write transistor. The first write gate may have a first work function and the second write gate may have a second work function different from the first work function. The first source/drain terminal of the write transistor may not have a PN junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Namho Jeon, Jun-Su Kim, Satoru Yamada, Jaehoon Lee, Seunguk Han, Jiyoung Kim, Jin-Seong Lee
  • Patent number: 8786049
    Abstract: Solid-state thin-film capacitors are provided. Aspects of the solid-state thin-film capacitors include a first electrode layer of a transition metal, a dielectric layer of an oxide of the transition metal, and a second electrode layer of a metal oxide. Also provided are methods of making the solid-state thin-film capacitors, as well as devices that include the same. The capacitor may have one or more cathodic arc produced structures, i.e., structures produced using a cathodic arc deposition process. The structures may be stress-free metallic structures, porous layers and layers displaying crenulations. Aspects of the invention further include methods of producing capacitive structures using chemical vapor deposition and/or by sputter deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Proteus Digital Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Hooman Hafezi
  • Patent number: 8772852
    Abstract: Provided is a nonvolatile memory device including a common source. The device includes a first active region crossing a second active region, a common source disposed in the second active region, and a source conductive line disposed on the common source in parallel to the common source. The source conductive line is electrically connected to the common source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Soo Kim, Keon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8742482
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a bit line being arranged on top surfaces of first and second contact plugs via a first insulation layer and extending in a direction connecting a first impurity diffusion layer and a second impurity diffusion layer; a bit line contact plug being formed through the first insulation layer and electrically connecting the bit line to the first contact plug; a first cell capacitor having a first lower electrode beside one of side surfaces of the bit line; a first insulation film insulating the bit line and the first lower electrode from each other; and a first contact conductor electrically connecting a bottom end of the first lower electrode to a side surface of the second contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8741773
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming nickel-silicide. The method may include depositing first and second metal layers over at least one of a gate, a source, and a drain region of a field-effect-transistor (FET) through a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, wherein the first metal layer is deposited using a first nickel target material containing platinum (Pt), and the second metal layer is deposited on top of the first metal layer using a second nickel target material containing no or less platinum than that in the first nickel target material; and annealing the first and second metal layers covering the FET to form a platinum-containing nickel-silicide layer at a top surface of the gate, source, and drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Asa Frye, Andrew Simon
  • Patent number: 8729618
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer on an impurity diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate by a selective epitaxial growth method, forming a second layer on the first layer by the selective epitaxial growth method, forming a contact hole penetrating an interlayer insulating film in a thickness direction thereof and reaching the second layer, and filling a conductive material into the contact hole to form a contact plug including the first and second layers and the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Keiji Kuroki
  • Patent number: 8722547
    Abstract: Wafers having a high K dielectric layer and an oxide or nitride containing layer are etched in an inductively coupled plasma processing chamber by applying a source power to generate an inductively coupled plasma, introducing into the chamber a gas including BCl3, setting the temperature of the wafer to be between 100° C. and 350° C., and etching the wafer with a selectivity of high K dielectric to oxide or nitride greater than 10:1. Wafers having an oxide layer and a nitride layer are etched in a reactive ion etch processing chamber by applying a bias power to the wafer, introducing into the chamber a gas including BCl3, setting the temperature of the wafer to be between 20° C. and 200° C., and etching the wafer with an oxide to nitride selectivity greater than 10:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Radhika Mani, Nicolas Gani, Wei Liu, Meihua Shen, Shashank C. Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 8710569
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a DRAM portion and a logic portion thereon, an interlayer film covering the DRAM portion and logic portion of the semiconductor substrate, and plural contact plugs formed in the interlayer film in the DRAM portion and the logic portion, the plural contact plugs being in contact with a metal suicide layer on a highly-doped region of source and drain regions of first, second and third transistors in the DRAM portion and the logic portion, an interface between the plural contact plugs and the metal silicide layer being formed at a main surface in the DRAM portion and the logic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Inoue, Masayuki Hamada
  • Patent number: 8674422
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory (“NVM”) bitcell with one or more active regions capacitively coupled to the floating gate but that are separated from both the source and the drain. The inclusion of capacitors separated from the source and drain allows for improved control over the voltage of the floating gate. This in turn allows CHEI (or IHEI) to be performed with much higher efficiency than in existing bitcells, thereby the need for a charge pump to provide current to the bitcell, ultimately decreasing the total size of the bitcell. The bitcells may be constructed in pairs, further reducing the space requirements of the each bitcell, thereby mitigating the space requirements of the separate capacitor/s. The bitcell may also be operated by CHEI (or IHEI) and separately by BTBT depending upon the voltages applied at the source, drain, and capacitor/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew E. Horch
  • Patent number: 8659952
    Abstract: A method of operating a non-volatile memory having a substrate, a gate, a charge-trapping layer, a source region and a drain region is provided. The charge-trapping layer close to the source region is an auxiliary charge region and the charge-trapping layer close to the drain region is a data storage region. Before prosecuting the operation, electrons have been injected into the auxiliary charge region. When prosecuting the programming operation, a first voltage is applied to the gate, a second voltage is applied to the source region, a third voltage is applied to the drain region and a fourth voltage is applied to the substrate. The first voltage is greater than the fourth voltage, the third voltage is greater than the second voltage, and the second voltage is greater than the fourth voltage to initiate a channel initiated secondary hot electron injection to inject electrons into the data storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Kuo, Chao-I Wu