Abstract: A method of filling vias for a PCRAM cell with a metal is described. A PCRAM intermediate structure including a substrate, a first conductor, and an insulator through which a via extends has a metallic material formed within the via and on a surface of the insulator. The metallic material may be deposited on the surface and within the via. A hard mask of a flowable oxide is deposited over the metallic material in the via to protect the metallic material in the via, A subsequent dry sputter etch removes the metallic meterial from the surface of the insulator and a portion of the hard mask. After complete removal of the hard mask, a glass material is recessed over the metallic material in the via. Then, a layer of a metal-containing material is formed over the glass material. Finally, a second conductor is formed on the surface of the insulator.

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.

Abstract: A gain cell for a memory circuit, a memory circuit formed from multiple gain cells, and methods of fabricating such gain cells and memory circuits. The memory gain cell includes a storage capacitor, a write device electrically coupled with the storage capacitor for charging and discharging the storage capacitor to define a stored electrical charge, and a read device. The read device includes one or more semiconducting carbon nanotubes each electrically coupled between a source and drain. A portion of each semiconducting carbon nanotube is gated by the read gate and the storage capacitor to thereby regulate a current flowing through each semiconducting carbon nanotube from the source to the drain. The current is proportional to the electrical charge stored by the storage capacitor. In certain embodiments, the memory gain cell may include multiple storage capacitors.

Abstract: A layer of nanocrystals for use in making EEPROMs is made by creating a matrix of silicon seeds in annealed silicon oxide atop a thin silicon dioxide layer. Then nanocrystals are grown on the seeds by vapor deposition of silane in a reactor until a time before agglomeration occurs as silicon atoms crystallize on the silicon seeds to form a layer of non-contacting nanocrystals. A protective insulative layer is then deposited over the nanocrystal layer.

Abstract: A tight contact layer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate, the tight contact layer being made of one material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal, alloy of refractory metal, nitride of refractory metal, and siliconized nitride of refractory metal. An oxide surface layer is disposed on the surface of the tight contact layer, the oxide surface layer being made of oxide of material constituting the tight contact layer. A first conductive layer is disposed on the surface of the oxide surface layer, the first conductive layer being made of a platinum group or alloy which contains a platinum group. When a conductive layer made of metal such as a platinum group is formed on a tight contact layer, coverage and morphology can be prevented from being degraded.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a first gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers, a first contact connected to the first diffusion layer, a first conductive oxygen barrier film electrically connected to the first contact and covering at least the upper surface of the first contact, a first ferroelectric capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first ferroelectric film interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a first connecting member connected to the first electrode and to the first conductive oxygen barrier film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a nonvolatile memory employing a split-gate type memory cell structure, using a nitride film as a charge storage layer. An n-type semiconductor region is formed in a main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and then, a memory gate electrode of a memory cell of a split gate type and a charge storage layer are formed over the semiconductor region. Subsequently, side walls are formed on side surfaces of the memory gate electrode, and a photoresist pattern is formed over the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The photoresist pattern serves as an etching mask, and a part of the main surface of the semiconductor substrate is removed by etching to form a dent. In the region of the dent, the n-type semiconductor region is removed. Then, a p-type semiconductor region for forming a channel of an nMIS transistor for selecting a memory cell is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitor of a semiconductor memory cell and a method of manufacturing the same wherein a capacitor includes a first insulation layer having a buried contact hole, formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a buried contact plug filling a portion of the buried contact hole. A diffusion barrier spacer is formed on an inner surface of the buried contact hole above the buried contact plug. A second insulation layer is formed, having a through hole larger than the buried contact hole, for exposing the diffusion barrier spacer and a top surface of the contact plug. A barrier layer is formed on the through hole and a lower electrode is formed on the barrier layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the lower electrode and an upper surface of the second insulation layer and an upper electrode is formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A self-aligned buried contact (BC) pair includes a substrate having diffusion regions; an oxide layer exposing a pair of diffusion regions formed on the substrate; bit lines formed between adjacent diffusion regions and on the oxide layer, each of the bit lines having bit line sidewall spacers formed on sidewalls thereof; a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer formed over the bit lines and the oxide layer; a pair of BC pads formed between adjacent bit lines and within the first ILD layer, each BC pad being aligned with one of the pair of exposed diffusion regions in the substrate; and a pair of capacitors, each of the pair of BC pads having one of the pair of capacitors formed thereon, wherein a pair of the bit line sidewall spacers is adjacent to each of the BC pads and the pair of bit line sidewall spacers has an asymmetrical shape.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a substrate, a conductive layer on the substrate, and an insulating spacer. The conductive electrode may have an electrode wall extending away from the substrate. The insulating spacer may be provided on the electrode wall with portions of the electrode wall being free of the insulating spacer between the substrate and the insulating spacer. Related methods and structures are also discussed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a capacitor including a bottom electrode, a top electrode, and a dielectric film, the bottom electrode comprising a first conductive film containing iridium, a second conductive film provided between the dielectric film and the first conductive film and formed of a noble metal film, a third conductive film provided between the dielectric film and the second conductive film and formed of a conductive metal oxide film having a perovskite structure, and a diffusion prevention film provided between the first conductive film and the second conductive film and including at least one of a metal film and a metal oxide film, the diffusion prevention film preventing diffusion of iridium contained in the first conductive film, the dielectric film including an insulating metal oxide film having a perovskite structure, the insulating metal oxide film being expressed by A(ZrxTi1-x)O3 (A is at least one A site element, 0<x<0.35).

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate and an interlayer insulating layer formed on the semiconductor substrate. The interlayer insulating layer preferably has a contact pad formed therein. A capacitor lower electrode is electrically connected to the contact pad. The capacitor lower electrode further comprises a pad-shaped storage node electrically connected to the contact pad; and a cup-shaped storage node arranged on the pad-shaped storage node. In this manner, it is possible to increase capacitance while reducing not open contacts. Leaning of the storage nodes can also be significantly reduced.

Abstract: The memory cell transistor includes, in a first well region, a pair of memory electrodes, one of which serves as source electrode and the other serves as a drain electrode and a channel region interposed between the pair of memory electrodes. There is, on a channel region, a first gate electrode disposed near its corresponding memory electrode with an insulating film interposed therebetween, and a second gate electrode disposed through insulating films and a charge storage region and electrically isolated from the first gate electrode. A first negative voltage is applied to the first well region to form a state of a reverse bias greater than or equal to a junction withstand voltage between the second gate electrode and the memory electrode near the second gate electrode, thereby enabling injection of hot electrons into the charge storage region and injection of electrons from the well region to the charge storage region.

Abstract: A memory cell, array and device include an active area formed in the substrate with a vertical transistor including a first end disposed over a first portion of the active area. The vertical transistor is formed as an epitaxial post on the substrate surface, extends from the surface of the substrate, and includes a gate formed around a perimeter of the epitaxial post. A capacitor is formed on the vertical transistor and a buried digit line vertically couples to a second portion of the active area. An electronic system and method for forming a memory cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a capacitor including a lower electrode, a surface of which can be formed of Pt, and an inner part of which can be formed of metal having good antioxidant properties. The inner part of the lower electrode can be formed by depositing Ru or Ir with an electro plating process. It is possible to improve the leakage current characteristics by forming the surface of the lower electrode with Pt. Also it is possible to perform a thermal treatment at a high temperature in an oxygen atmosphere, because the inner part of the lower electrode resists or prevents diffusion of oxygen, so that a high dielectric layer can be obtained.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices and methods of fabricating the same include an interlayer dielectric formed on an integrated circuit substrate. A plurality of buried contacts are formed in the interlayer dielectric and an oxide layer is formed on the interlayer dielectric. An intaglio pattern is formed in the oxide layer that exposes the plurality of buried contacts and a plurality of lower electrodes are formed within a single opening in the intaglio pattern. The lower electrodes are in electrical contact with corresponding ones of the buried contacts. The lower electrodes may be formed symmetrically in the intaglio pattern and may be semi-cylindrical electrodes. The integrated circuit device may be a ferroelectric memory device and forming a plurality of lower electrodes may include forming a plurality of capacitors.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with partially etched gate and method of fabricating the same. A semiconductor structure with a single-sided or dual-sided partially etched gate comprises a gate dielectric layer, a gate conductive layer and a cap layer sequentially stacked on a substrate to form a gate structure, and a lining layer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure, wherein the lining layer is partially etched to expose the adjacent gate structure. In addition, an inter-layer dielectric layer covers the gate structure and a contact is formed in the inter-layer dielectric layer, exposing the substrate and a portion of the gate structure therein, wherein the lining layer of the exposed portion of the gate structure is partially removed.

Abstract: Structures and methods for making a semiconductor structure are discussed. The semiconductor structure includes a rough surface having protrusions formed from an undoped silicon film. If the semiconductor structure is a capacitor, the protrusions help to increase the capacitance of the capacitor. The semiconductor structure also includes a relatively smooth surface abutting the rough surface, wherein the relatively smooth surface is formed from a polycrystalline material.

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.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are disclosed, in which one or more low silicon-hydrogen SiN barriers are provided to inhibit hydrogen diffusion into ferroelectric capacitors and into transistor gate dielectric interface areas. The barriers may be used as etch stop layers in various levels of the semiconductor device structure above and/or below the level at which the ferroelectric capacitors are formed so as to reduce the hydrogen related degradation of the switched polarization properties of the ferroelectric capacitors and to reduce negative bias temperature instability in the device transistors.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a semiconductor construction. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and a conductive node is formed to be supported by the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive material is formed over the conductive node and shaped as a container. The container has an opening extending therein and an upper surface proximate the opening. The container opening is at least partially filled with an insulative material. A second conductive material is formed over the at least partially filled container opening and physically against the upper surface of the container. The invention also includes semiconductor structures.

Abstract: A phase change memory may be made using an isolation diode in the form of a Shottky diode between a memory cell and a word line. To reduce the leakage currents associated with the Shottky diode, a guard ring may be utilized.

Abstract: Disclosed are memory devices with high data reading and writing speed along with capabilities for long term storage and high information density. The memory devices allow storage of several bits of data, have fast resistance switching and require low operating voltage but at the same time allow to combine its manufacturing technology with the modern semiconductor manufacturing technology. An exemplary implementation option of the memory cell contains two continuous electrodes between which there is a multilayer functional zone consisting of one active layer, one barrier layer and one passive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is provided which can achieve the high integration, ultra-high speed operation, and significant reduction of power consumption during the information holding time, by reducing the increase in the area of a memory cell and obtaining a period of the ultra-high speed readout time and ensuring a long refresh period at the time of the self refresh. A DRAM employing a one-intersection cell·two cells/bit method has a twin cell structure employing a one-intersection 6F2 cell, the structure in which: memory cells are arranged at positions corresponding to all of the intersections between a bit-line pair and a word line; and when a half pitch of the word line is defined as F, a pitch of each bit line of the bit-line pair is larger than 2F and smaller than 4F. Further, an active region in the silicon substrate, on which a source, channel and drain of the transistor of each memory cell are formed, is obliquely formed relative to the direction of the bit-line pair.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate, and having a gate electrode and first and second diffusion layers, a first insulating film formed on the transistor, a first multi-layer interconnect layer formed in the first insulating film, and including a plurality of interconnect layers and contacts, a first recessed portion formed to continuously and vertically penetrate the first insulating film including at least two layers of the first multi-layer interconnect layer, and arranged so that at least part of the first recessed portion overlaps with the gate electrode, and a ferroelectric capacitor three-dimensionally formed in the first recessed portion, and having first and second electrodes and a ferroelectric film, the first electrode being electrically connected with the first diffusion layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a bit line stack and a storage node contact hole which are aligned at bit line spacers formed at both side walls of the bit line stack and exposes a pad. The semiconductor memory device includes a multi-layered storage node contact plug in which a first storage node contact plug and a second storage node contact plug are sequentially formed. The first storage node contact plug is formed of titanium nitride and the second storage node contact plug is formed of polysilicon. An ohmic layer may be formed on the pad and under the first storage node contact plug. A barrier metal layer, which acts as a third storage node contact plug, may be formed on the second storage node contact plug.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device having a ferroelectric capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate covered with an insulator film, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor comprises: a bottom electrode formed on the insulator film; a ferroelectric film formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the ferroelectric film. The ferroelectric film has a stacked structure of either of two-layer-ferroelectric film or three-layer-ferroelectric film. The upper ferroelectric film is metallized and prevents hydrogen from diffusing in lower ferroelectric layer. Crystal grains of the stacked ferroelectric films are preferably different.

Abstract: A memory cell having improved interconnect. Specifically, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) based content addressable (CAM) memory cell is provided. The lower cell plate of the storage capacitor is implemented to provide an interconnect for the access transistor and the CAM portion of the memory cell. Conductive plugs are coupled to each of the transistors and coupled directly to the lower cell plate of the capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first magneto resistive element disposed in a memory cell portion, a first circuit disposed in the memory cell portion, the first circuit writing data into the first magneto resistive element or reading out data from the first magneto resistive element, and at least a portion of a second circuit disposed in a region below the memory cell portion.

Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises: a memory cell transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate 10; insulation films 22, 30 covering the memory cell transistor; a buffer structure 40 formed on the insulation film; and a capacitor including a lower electrode 42 formed on the buffer structure 40 and electrically connected to the source/drain diffused layer 20; a capacitor dielectric film 44 formed on the lower electrode 42, and formed of a perovskite ferroelectric material having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than that of the buffer structure 40 and having a crystal oriented substantially perpendicular to a surface of the lower electrode 42. The buffer structure for mitigating the influence of the stress from the substrate is formed below the lower electrode, whereby a polarization direction of the capacitor dielectric film can be made parallel with a direction of an electric field applied between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

Abstract: A memory cell transistor and a trench capacitor are provided in a memory region, and both transistors of CMOS are provided in a logic circuit region. There are provided a bit line contact 31 and a bit line 32 extending on an inter-level dielectric 30. In a memory cell transistor, a source diffusion layer 18 is covered with two dielectric sidewalls 25a and 25b in the memory cell transistor so that no silicide layer is formed on the source diffusion layer 18. A plate contact 31 is provided to pass through the inter-level dielectric 30 and connect a shield line 33 to a plate electrode 16b. The shield line 33 is arranged in the same interconnect layer as the bit line 32.

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.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and associated array are disclosed. The DRAM cell (300) includes a storage capacitor (304) and a pass transistor (302). The pass transistor (302) includes a source region (322), drain region (320) and channel region (324). A top gate (318) is disposed over the channel region (324) and a bottom gate (310) is disposed below the channel region (324). The top gate (318) and bottom gate (310) are commonly driven to provide greater control of the pass transistor (302) operation, including an off state with reduced source-to-drain leakage. The DRAM array (400) includes memory cells (414) having pass transistors (500) with double-gate structures. Memory cells (414) within the same row are commonly coupled to a top word line and bottom word line. The resistance of the top and bottom word lines is reduced by a word line strap layer (600). The DRAM array (400) further includes a strapping area that is void of memory cells.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-reliability semiconductor device having a storage capacitor and wiring using copper for a main conductive film. Under the above object, the present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a storage capacitor formed on the main surface side of the semiconductor substrate and being a first electrode and a second electrode arranged so as to put a capacitor insulation film; a wiring conductor formed on the main surface side of the semiconductor substrate and including the copper (Cu) element; and a first film formed on the surface of the wiring conductor; wherein a material configuring the first film and a material configuring the first electrode and/or the second electrode include the same element.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a substrate supporting bit structures that are electrically interconnected with information storage and retrieval circuitry and having magnetic material films in which a characteristic magnetic property is substantially maintained below an associated critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained separated by at least one layer of a nonmagnetic material with each bit structure having an interconnection structure providing electrical contact thereto at a contact surface thereof substantially parallel to the intermediate layer positioned between the first contact surface and the substrate. A plurality of word line structures located across from a corresponding one of the bit structures on an opposite side of the intermediate layer of a corresponding one of said bit structures from its interconnection structure provides electrical contact thereto.

Abstract: A thin film transistor with a channel less than 100 angstroms thick, preferably less than 80 angstroms thick, preferably less than 60 angstroms thick. The very thin channel reduces variability of threshold voltage from one TFT to the next. This is particularly advantageous for TFT memory arrays. It is possible that an extremely thin channel restricts the size of grains, forcing many small grains to be formed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a dual charge storage location, electrically programmable memory cell, comprising: forming a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor material layer of a first conductivity type; forming a charge trapping material layer over the first dielectric layer; selectively removing the charge trapping material layer from over a central channel region of the semiconductor material layer, thereby leaving two charge trapping material layer portions at sides of the central channel region; masking the central channel region and selectively implanting dopants of a second conductivity type into the semiconductor material layer to form memory cell source/drain regions at sides of the two charge trapping material layer portions; forming a second dielectric layer over the charge trapping material layer; and forming a polysilicon gate over the second dielectric layer, the polysilicon gate being superimposed over the central channel region and the two charge trapping material layer portions.

Abstract: A first level metal interconnection line in a layer below a third level metal interconnection line serving as a main word line MWL is used as a shunting interconnection line and electrically connected to a first level polysilicon interconnection line constituting a sub word line SWL at prescribed intervals. By applying a hierarchical word line structure and a word line shunting structure both, a word line is driven into a selected state at high speed without increasing an array occupancy area and manufacturing steps.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a lower hydrogen-barrier film; a capacitor formed on the lower hydrogen-barrier film and including a lower electrode, a capacitive insulating film, and an upper electrode; an interlayer dielectric film formed so as to cover the periphery of the capacitor; and an upper hydrogen-barrier film covering the top and lateral portions of the capacitor. An opening, which exposes the lower hydrogen-barrier film where the lower hydrogen-barrier film is located around the capacitor, and which is tapered and flares upward, is formed in the interlayer dielectric film, and the upper hydrogen-barrier film is formed along the lateral and bottom faces of the opening, and is in contact with the lower hydrogen-barrier film in the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the capacitance of a trench capacitor by increasing sidewall area, comprising: Corming a trench in a silicon substrate, the trench having a sidewall; forming islands on the sidewall of the trench; and etching pits into the sidewall using the islands as a mask. The capacitor is completed by forming a node insulator on the pits and the sidewall; and filling said trench with a trench conductor.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are fabricated by fabricating a conductive line on an insulating layer on an integrated circuit substrate. The conductive line includes a bottom adjacent the insulating layer, a top remote from the insulating layer and first and second sidewalls therebetween. An insulating spacer is formed to extend along the first and second sidewalls and to also extend along at least a portion of the bottom between the conductive line and the insulating layer. By providing an insulating spacer beneath at least a portion of the conductive line, insulation reliability may be improved even as the spacer may become narrower and/or the contact area may be enlarged.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and its manufacture method wherein the semiconductor substrate has first and second insulating films, the first insulating film being an insulating film other than a silicon nitride film formed at least on a side wall of a conductive pattern including at least one layer of metal or metal silicide, and the second insulating film being a silicon nitride film formed to cover the first insulating film and the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. The first insulating film may be formed to cover the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. A semiconductor device and its manufacture method are provided which can realize high integrated DRAMs of 256 M or larger without degrading reliability and stability.

Abstract: A trench capacitor comprises a semiconductor substrate, a trench, formed in the semiconductor substrate, having upper and lower portions, a first doped polysilicon layer filled in the lower portion through a first dielectric film and doped with a first impurity having a first conductivity type, at least a second doped polysilicon layer filled in the upper portion through a second dielectric film and doped with a second impurity different from the first impurity, the second impurity having the first conductivity type, and a buried strap layer provided on the second doped polysilicon layer and composed of the first doped polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor display device with an interlayer insulating film in which surface levelness is ensured with a limited film formation time, heat treatment for removing moisture does not take long, and moisture in the interlayer insulating film is prevented from escaping into a film or electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. A TFT is formed and then a nitrogen-containing inorganic insulating film that transmits less moisture compared to organic resin film is formed so as to cover the TFT. Next, organic resin including photosensitive acrylic resin is applied and an opening is formed by partially exposing the organic resin film to light. The organic resin film where the opening is formed, is then covered with a nitrogen-containing inorganic insulating film which transmits less moisture than organic resin film does.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a wiring pattern groove is formed in a surface portion of a silicon oxide film provided above a semiconductor substrate. A wiring layer is buried into the wiring pattern groove with a barrier metal film interposed therebetween. The barrier metal film is selectively removed from each sidewall portion of the wiring pattern groove. In other words, the barrier metal film is left only on the bottom of the wiring pattern groove. Thus, a damascene wiring layer having a hollow section whose dielectric constant is low between each sidewall of the wiring pattern groove and each side of the wiring layer can be formed in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) gated diode and non-gated junction diode are provided. The SOI gated diode has a PN junction at the middle region under the gate, and which has more junction area than a normal diode. The SOI non-gated junction diode has a PN junction at the middle region thereof, and then also has more junction area than a normal diode. The SOI diodes of the present invention improve the protection level offered for electrical overstress (EOS)/electrostatic discharge (ESD) due to the low power density and heating for providing more junction area than normal ones. The I/O ESD protection circuits, which comprise primary diodes, a first plurality of diodes, and a second plurality of diodes, all of which are formed of the present SOI diodes, could effectively discharge the current when there is an ESD event. And, the ESD protection circuits, which comprise more primary diodes, could effectively reduce the parasitic input capacitance, so that they can be used in the RF circuits or HF circuits.

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.

Abstract: Within metal interconnect layers above a substrate of an integrated circuit, a vertical metal-insulator-metal (VMIM) capacitor is formed by the same damascene metallization types of processes that formed the metal interconnect layers. The metal interconnect layers have horizontal metal conductor lines, are vertically separated from other metal interconnect layers by an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, and electrically connect to the other metal interconnect layers through via connections extending through the ILD layer. One vertical capacitor plate of the VMIM capacitor is defined by a metal conductor line and a via connection. The other vertical capacitor plate is defined by a metal region adjacent to the metal conductor line and the via connection. The metal conductor line, the via connection and the metal region are formed by the damascene metallization processes.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a high-k dielectric stack situated between upper and lower electrodes of a MIM capacitor comprises a first high-k dielectric layer, where the first high-k dielectric layer has a first dielectric constant. The high-k dielectric stack further comprises an intermediate dielectric layer situated on the first high-k dielectric layer, where the intermediate dielectric layer has a second dielectric constant. According to this exemplary embodiment, the high-k dielectric stack further comprises a second high-k dielectric layer situated on the intermediate dielectric layer, where the second high-k dielectric layer has a third dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant can be lower than the first dielectric constant and the third dielectric constant.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an analog capacitor and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a bottom plate electrode disposed at a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate, and an upper plate electrode having a region overlapped with the bottom plate electrode thereon. The upper plate electrode and the bottom plate electrode are formed of a metal compound. A capacitor dielectric layer is interposed between the bottom plate electrode and the upper plate electrode. A bottom electrode plug and an upper electrode plug are connected to the bottom plate electrode and the upper plate electrode through the interlayer dielectric layer.