With Floating Gate Electrode Patents (Class 257/315)
  • Patent number: 9306052
    Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes: an electron transit layer; an electron supply layer over the electron transit layer; a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode at a level above the electron supply layer; and a porous electrical insulating film that covers the gate electrode, the source electrode and the drain electrode, the porous electrical insulating film containing an organic constituent, and a cavity being formed around the gate electrode in the porous electrical insulating film. A cross-linking layer is on a surface of the porous electrical insulating film at the cavity side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shirou Ozaki, Naoya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9299811
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices may include first and second fins that protrude from a substrate, extend in a first direction, and are separated from each other in the first direction. Semiconductor devices may also include a field insulating layer that is disposed between the first and second fins to extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, an etch-stop layer pattern that is formed on the field insulating layer and a dummy gate structure that is formed on the etch-stop layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wook-Je Kim, Jae-Yup Chung, Jong-Seo Hong, Cheol Kim, Hee-Soo Kang, Hyun-Jo Kim, Hee-Don Jeong, Soo-Hun Hong, Sang-Bom Kang, Myeong-Cheol Kim, Young-Su Chung
  • Patent number: 9299798
    Abstract: Devices and methods of forming a device are disclosed. A substrate prepared with at least a first transistor and a second transistor is provided. Each of the first and second transistors includes a gate disposed on the substrate between first and second contact regions in the substrate. A silicide block layer is formed on the substrate and is patterned to expose portions of the first and second contact regions. Silicide contacts are formed in the exposed first and second contact regions. The silicide contacts are displaced from sides of the gates of the first and second transistors. A contact dielectric layer is formed and contacts are formed in the contact dielectric layer. The contacts are in communication with the silicide contacts in the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhibiao Zhou, Yudi Setiawan
  • Patent number: 9299767
    Abstract: A multilayer source provides charge carriers to a multitier channel connector. The source includes a metal silicide layer on a substrate and a metal nitride layer between the metal silicide layer and the channel. The metal silicide and the metal nitride are processed without an intervening oxide layer between them. In one embodiment, the source further includes a silicon layer between the metal nitride layer and the channel. The silicon layer can also be processed without an intervening oxide layer. Thus, the source does not have an intervening oxide layer from the substrate to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Mark Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 9299718
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a three-dimensional semiconductor device including a substrate with cell and connection regions, gate electrodes stacked on the cell region, a vertical channel structure, pads, a dummy pillar, and first and second semiconductor patterns. The vertical channel structure penetrates the gate electrodes on a lowermost gate electrode and includes a first gate dielectric pattern. The pads extend from the gate electrodes and are stacked on the connection region. The dummy pillar penetrates some of the pads on a lowermost pad and includes a second gate dielectric pattern. The first semiconductor patterns are between the vertical channel structure and the substrate. The second semiconductor patterns are between the dummy pillar and the substrate. The first and second gate dielectric patterns may be on the first and second semiconductor patterns, respectively. The second gate dielectric pattern may cover a whole top surface of the second semiconductor pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jintaek Park, Sunghoi Hur, Jang-Hyun You
  • Patent number: 9293181
    Abstract: A block selection circuit and a semiconductor device having the same may include a row decoder which includes a high voltage generating circuit configured to output a block selection voltage in response to upper addresses, switching circuits configured to receive the block selection voltage and a precharge high voltage, and forward the block selection voltage through one of the switching circuits that is selected in response to selection signals, and pass transistor groups configured to select a memory block in response to the forwarded block selection voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Bon Kwang Koo, Won Beom Choi
  • Patent number: 9287280
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure of a split gate flash memory cell is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The semiconductor structure further includes an erase gate located over the first source/drain region, and a word line and a floating gate located over the semiconductor substrate between the first and second source/drain regions. The floating gate is arranged between the word line and the erase gate. Further, the floating gate includes a pair of protrusions extending vertically up from a top surface of the floating gate and arranged on opposing sides, respectively, of the floating gate. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor structure using a high selectively etch recipe, such as an etch recipe comprised of primarily hydrogen bromide (HBr) and oxygen, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsun-Kai Tsao, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Hung-Ling Shih, Po-Wei Liu, Wen-Tuo Huang
  • Patent number: 9287385
    Abstract: A multiple-fin device includes a substrate and a plurality of fins formed on the substrate. Source and drain regions are formed in the respective fins. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. The dielectric layer has a first thickness adjacent one side of a first fin and having a second thickness, different from the first thickness, adjacent an opposite side of the fin. A continuous gate structure is formed overlying the plurality of fins, the continuous gate structure being adjacent a top surface of each fin and at least one sidewall surface of at least one fin. By adjusting the dielectric layer thickness, channel width of the resulting device can be fine-tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 9287388
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of U-shaped memory strings, each of the plurality of U-shaped memory strings including a first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a conductive connection body. The conductive connection body connects the first columnar body and the second columnar body. A plurality of first memory cells are connected in series in the first columnar body and are composed of a plurality of first conductive layers, a first inter-gate insulating film, a plurality of first floating electrodes, a first tunnel insulating film, and a first memory channel layer. The plurality of first floating electrodes are separated from the plurality of first conductive layers by the first inter-gate insulating film. A plurality of second memory cells are connected in series in the second columnar body, similally to the plurality of first memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keiichi Sawa
  • Patent number: 9281065
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for low-power nonvolatile memory cells configured with select gates. A nonvolatile memory cell may have a transistor body, a select gate and a floating gate both coupled to the body, and a control gate coupled to the floating gate. Charge stored on the floating gate may indicate the data stored on the memory cell, and the control gate may be configured to adjust the charge stored on the floating gate. The select gate may be used to adjust the state of the transistor body to facilitate the adjustment of charge on the floating gate, and may also be used to render the memory cell unresponsive to the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 9281203
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements comprising a substantially equal size within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first or second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of micro-domains or the polymer matrix with a pattern of holes, which may be utilized as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of discrete storage elements through an etch, ion implant technique, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Chen, Cheng-Te Lee, Szu-Yu Wang, Chung-Yi Yu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen
  • Patent number: 9281403
    Abstract: There is provided a peeling method capable of preventing a damage to a layer to be peeled. Thus, not only a layer to be peeled having a small area but also a layer to be peeled having a large area can be peeled over the entire surface at a high yield. Processing for partially reducing contact property between a first material layer (11) and a second material layer (12) (laser light irradiation, pressure application, or the like) is performed before peeling, and then peeling is conducted by physical means. Therefore, sufficient separation can be easily conducted in an inner portion of the second material layer (12) or an interface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takayama, Junya Maruyama, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9276011
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods, such as a memory stack having a continuous cell pillar. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a source material, a buffer material, a select gate drain (SGD), and a memory stack arranged between the source material and the SGD. The memory stack comprises alternating levels of conductor materials and dielectric materials. A continuous channel-fill material forms a cell pillar that is continuous from the source material to at least a level corresponding to the SGD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Krishna K. Parat
  • Patent number: 9276010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure and method for embedding a non-volatile memory (NVM) in a high-K metal gate (HKMG) integrated circuit that utilizes a replacement gate technology with low poly resistance and high program/erase speed. A silicide layer formed over top surfaces of the NVM device, after replacement gate process of the HKMG circuit prevents poly damage during contact formation and provides low gate resistance, thereby improving program/erase speed of the NVM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Wei Cheng Wu, Ya-Chen Kao, Fang-Lan Chu
  • Patent number: 9269822
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with adjusted threshold is provided. In a semiconductor device including a semiconductor, a source or drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor, a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode between which the semiconductor is provided, a charge trap layer provided between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor, and a gate insulating layer provided between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor, a threshold is increased by trapping electrons in the charge trap layer by keeping a potential of the first gate electrode at a potential higher than a potential of the source or drain electrode for 1 second or more while heating. After the threshold adjustment process, the first gate electrode is removed or insulated from other circuits. Alternatively, a resistor may be provided between the first gate electrode and other circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Yamamoto, Tetsuhiro Tanaka, Takayuki Inoue, Hideomi Suzawa, Yasuhiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 9251903
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array including a memory string having plural series-connected memory transistors; plural word lines disposed to be connected to the memory transistor in the memory string; plural bit lines electrically connected to an end of the memory string; and a control circuit. When performing a write operation on the memory cell array, the control circuit applies a first voltage to a selected word line selected from the plural word lines, applies a second voltage smaller than the first voltage to an unselected word line rendered unselected from the word lines. Before lowering a voltage applied to the unselected word line from the second voltage to a third voltage smaller than the second voltage, it lowers a voltage applied to the selected word line from the first voltage to a fourth voltage smaller than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Eietsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9252058
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device and systems incorporating the same include transistors having a gate metal doped with impurities. An altered work function of the transistor may alter a threshold voltage of the transistor. In certain embodiments, a gate metal of a first MOSFET is doped with impurities. A gate metal of a second MOSFET may be left undoped, doped with the same impurities with a different concentration, and/or doped with different impurities. In some embodiments, the MOSFETs are FinFETs, and the doping may be a conformal doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung-Seok Hong, Sang-Jin Hyun, Hong-Bae Park, Hoon-Joo Na, Hye-Lan Lee
  • Patent number: 9245839
    Abstract: A three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of active pillars, a plurality of gate electrodes, and a plurality of supporters. The semiconductor substrate includes a memory cell region and a contact region. The active pillars extend in the memory cell region perpendicularly to the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrodes intersect the active pillars, extend from the memory cell region to the contact region and are stacked on the semiconductor substrate. The supporters extend in the contact region perpendicularly to the semiconductor substrate to penetrate at least one or more of the gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soodoo Chae, Myoungbum Lee, HuiChang Moon, Hansoo Kim, JinGyun Kim, Kihyun Kim, Siyoung Choi, Hoosung Cho
  • Patent number: 9240494
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first dielectric film, a floating gate portion, second and third dielectric films, a control gate portion, and a recess on the side face of the floating gate portion. The second dielectric film for element isolation is embedded between a height position of a lower portion of the side face of the floating gate portion and a height position inside the semiconductor substrate. The third dielectric film covers an upper surface and a side face portion of the floating gate portion up to a height position of an upper surface of the second dielectric film, and on the second dielectric film. A height position of an interface between the second and third dielectric films is between a height position of a center of the recess and a position in a predetermined range below the height position of the center of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Osamu Arisumi, Toshihiko Iinuma
  • Patent number: 9236118
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a resistive switching device having an amorphous layer comprised of an insulating silicon-containing material and a conducting material. The amorphous layer may be disposed between two or more electrodes and be capable of switching between at least two resistance states. Circuits and memory devices including resistive switching devices are also disclosed, and a composition of matter involving an insulating silicon-containing material and a conducting material comprising between 5 and 40 percent by molar percentage of the composition is disclosed herein as well. Also disclosed herein are methods for switching the resistance of an amorphous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: I-Wei Chen, Soo Gil Kim, Albert Chen, Yudi Wang
  • Patent number: 9236260
    Abstract: An integrated circuit has a doped silicon semiconductor with regions of insulators and bare silicon. The bare silicon regions are isolated from other bare silicon regions. A semiconductor device on the doped silicon semiconductor has at least two electrical connections to form regions of patterned metal. A metal is electroplated directly on each of the regions of patterned metal to form plated connections without a seed layer. A self-aligned silicide is located under each plated connection, formed by annealing, for the regions of plated metal on bare silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Christian René Bonhôte, Jeffrey S. Lille, Ricardo Ruiz, Georges Gibran Siddiqi
  • Patent number: 9236389
    Abstract: After forming a plurality of gate structures over a substrate having a plurality of active regions separated from each other by at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) regions, inter-gate dielectric contact structures extending through an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer that surrounds the gate structures are formed. Each inter-gate dielectric contact structure encloses a corresponding gate structure and is in contact with a dielectric gate cap and a dielectric gate spacer of the corresponding gate structure and a portion of the at least one STI region abutting the dielectric gate spacer of the corresponding gate structure. The inter-gate dielectric contact structure is electrically insulated from a gate conductor in the corresponding gate structure by the dielectric gate cap and the dielectric gate spacer and serves as a control gate in a memory cell of a flash memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Subramanian S. Iyer, Ali Khakifirooz
  • Patent number: 9236393
    Abstract: A 3D NAND memory has vertical NAND strings across multiple memory planes above a substrate, with each memory cell of a NAND string residing in a different memory layer. Word lines in each memory plane each has a series of socket components aligned to embed respective floating gates of a group memory cells. In this way, the word line to floating gate capacitive coupling is enhanced thereby allowing a 4 to 8 times reduction in cell dimension as well as reducing floating-gate perturbations between neighboring cells. In one embodiment, each NAND string has source and drain switches that each employs an elongated polysilicon gate with metal strapping to enhance switching. The memory is fabricated by an open-trench process on a multi-layer slab that creates lateral grottoes for forming the socket components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Raul Adrian Cernea
  • Patent number: 9230814
    Abstract: Vertically fabricated non-volatile memory devices having capacitive coupling between a drain region and a floating gate. A two terminal programmable non-volatile device includes a floating gate disposed vertically about a substrate, wherein the floating gate comprises a first side, a second side, and a bottom portion. A source region is coupled to a first terminal and formed adjacent to the first side of the floating gate. A drain region is coupled to a second terminal and formed adjacent to the second side of the floating gate. The non-volatile device includes a channel coupling the source region and drain region for programming and erasing operations. The drain region is capacitively coupled to the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: INVENSAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Edward Fisch, Michael Curtis Parris
  • Patent number: 9231112
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device that has a shorter distance between the bit lines and easily achieves higher storage capacity and density. The semiconductor device includes: first bit lines formed on a substrate; an insulating layer that is provided between the first bit lines and in a groove in the substrate, and has a higher upper face than the first bit lines; channel layers that are provided on both side faces of the insulating layer, and are coupled to the respective first bit lines; and charge storage layers that are provided on the opposite side faces of the channel layers from the side faces on which the insulating layers are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Hayakawa, Hiroyuki Nansei
  • Patent number: 9230657
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a common source line to which sources of the plurality of memory cells are commonly connected, and a second electrical connection path further connecting the common source line to a ground voltage using erase-mode memory cells when the common source line forms a first electrical connection path and is connected to the ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 9224749
    Abstract: Present example embodiments relate generally to semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device comprising forming an insulating base layer over a surface of a substrate. The method further comprises forming a multilayer over the insulating base layer, the multilayer having conducting and insulating layers. The method further comprises etching a pattern in the multilayer and forming a charge storage layer over the patterned multilayer. The method further comprises forming a protective silicon layer over the charge storage layer, followed by performing a heat treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Yi Guo, Chun-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 9224473
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips alternating with insulating strips, including at least a bottom plane of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate planes of conductive strips, a top plane of conductive strips, and an additional intermediate plane. A plurality of vertical structures is arranged orthogonally to the plurality of stacks. Memory elements are disposed in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the plurality of stacks and the plurality of vertical structures. A stack of linking elements is connected to conductive strips in respective intermediate planes and to the additional intermediate plane. Decoding circuitry is coupled to the plurality of intermediate planes and the additional intermediate plane, and is configured to replace an intermediate plane indicated to be defective with the additional intermediate plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9224743
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a first active region and a second active region separated from each other; a floating gate crossing the first active region, and disposed such that an end thereof overlaps with the second active region; a selection gate crossing the first active region, and disposed side by side with and coupled to the floating gate; a dielectric layer disposed between the floating gate and the selection gate, wherein a stack of the dielectric layer, the floating gate and the selection gate forms a first capacitor in a horizontal structure; a well region disposed in the second active region and coupled to the floating gate, wherein a stack of the well region and the floating gate forms a second capacitor in a vertical structure; and a contact commonly coupled to the well region and the selection gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Yoon Kim, Sung Kun Park
  • Patent number: 9202933
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flash memory using fringing effects and an electrostatic shielding function. A gap between adjacent gate stacks is controlled by fringing effects, and an operation of each of the gate stacks is electrostatically shielded by a gate electrode extending to a tunneling insulation layer. Thus, coupling between the adjacent gate stacks is minimized by electrostatic shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Whan Kim, Joo Hyung You, Sung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9202890
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dummy gate in a gate-last process is provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate; growing a gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; depositing bottom-layer amorphous silicon on the gate oxide layer; depositing an ONO structured hard mask on the bottom-layer amorphous silicon; depositing top-layer amorphous silicon on the ONO structured hard mask; depositing a hard mask layer on the top-layer amorphous silicon; forming photoresist lines having a width ranging from 32 nm to 45 nm on the hard mask layer; and etching the hard mask layer, the top-layer amorphous silicon, the ONO structured hard mask and the bottom-layer amorphous silicon in accordance with the photoresist lines, and removing the photoresist lines, the hard mask layer and the top-layer ?-Si. Correspondingly, a dummy gate in a gate-last process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Chunlong Li, Junfeng Li, Jiang Yan, Chao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9190467
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a stacked strip structure, and a tensile material strip. The stacked strip structure is formed vertically on the substrate, the stacked strip structure having compressive stress. The stacked strip structure comprises a plurality of conductive strips and a plurality of insulating strips, and the conductive strips and the insulating strips are interlaced. The tensile material strip is formed on the stacked strip structure, the tensile material strip having tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Guan-Ru Lee, An-Chyi Wei, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 9184171
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit that uses a novel vertical MOS transistor that is free of interference between cells, that enables the short-channel effect to be minimized, that does not have hot electron injection, and that does not require the formation of shallow junction. Also provided is a method of producing the semiconductor integrated circuit. A memory cell 1 in the semiconductor integrated circuit is provided with: a semiconductor pillar 2 that serves as a channel; a floating gate 5 that circumferentially covers the semiconductor pillar 2 via a tunnel insulation layer 6 on the outer circumference of the semiconductor pillar 2; and a control gate 4 that circumferentially covers the semiconductor pillar via an insulating layer 8 on the outer circumference of the semiconductor pillar 2, and that circumferentially covers the floating gate 5 via an insulating layer 7 on the outer circumference of the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tetsuo Endoh, Seo Moon-Sik
  • Patent number: 9184170
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same include a substrate having a plurality of memory cells formed thereon. A memory cell includes pass-gate transistors, pull-up transistors, and pull-down transistors. The pass-gate transistors and a portion of the pull-down transistors have different doping concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Xinyun Xie
  • Patent number: 9177809
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked layer structure including first to n-th semiconductor layers (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 2) stacked in a first direction which is perpendicular to a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and an upper insulating layer stacked on the n-th semiconductor layer, the stacked layer structure extending in a second direction which is parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and first to n-th NAND strings provided on surfaces of the first to n-th semiconductor layers in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kiwamu Sakuma, Masahiro Kiyotoshi
  • Patent number: 9171853
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of lines disposed on a semiconductor substrate, and remaining line patterns disposed spaced apart from the lines on extensions from the lines. The lines include first end-portions adjacent to the remaining line patterns. The remaining line patterns include second end-portions adjacent to the lines. The first end-portions and second end-portions are formed to have mirror symmetry with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang-Hyun You, Hyeong Park, Bongtae Park, Jeehoon Han
  • Patent number: 9171855
    Abstract: A three-dimensional one-transistor non-volatile memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a primary fin disposed on a substrate along a first direction, first and second secondary fins disposed on the substrate along a second direction, and a first gate of a first memory cell disposed on the substrate in a gate region thereof. The first gate includes a program gate, a floating gate and a control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Shyue Seng Tan, Eng Huat Toh, Elgin Kiok Boone Quek
  • Patent number: 9165774
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistors formed over a substrate, a support body including a horizontal portion and protrusions, wherein the horizontal portion covers at least one of the transistors, and the protrusions are formed over the horizontal portion and located between the transistors, and conductive layers and insulating layers alternately stacked over the support body and protruding upwardly along the sidewalls of the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Lae Oh, Jin Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9159570
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a channel layer vertically extending from a substrate, a plurality of inter-layer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrodes that are alternately stacked along the channel layer, and an air gap interposed between the channel layer and each of the plurality of gate electrodes. The non-volatile memory device may improve erase operation characteristics by suppressing back tunneling of electrons by substituting a charge blocking layer interposed between a gate electrode and a charge storage layer with an air gap, and a method for fabricating the non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Kim, Dong-Sun Sheen, Seung-Ho Pyi, Sung-Jin Whang
  • Patent number: 9159737
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same. A device isolation structure in the semiconductor device includes a gap region. A dielectric constant of a vacuum or an air in the gap region is smaller than a dielectric constant of an oxide layer and, as a result coupling and attendant interference between adjacent cells may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daewoong Kim, Junkyu Yang, HongSuk Kim, Tae-Jong Han
  • Patent number: 9153455
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices, memory cells, and arrays of memory cells include forming a liner on a conductive material and exposing the liner to a radical oxidation process to densify the liner. The densified liner may protect the conductive material from substantial degradation or damage during a subsequent patterning process. A semiconductor device structure, according to embodiments of the disclosure, includes features extending from a substrate and spaced by a trench exposing a portion of a substrate. A liner is disposed on sidewalls of a region of at least one conductive material in each feature. A semiconductor device, according to embodiments of the disclosure, includes memory cells, each comprising a control gate region and a capping region with substantially aligning sidewalls and a charge structure under the control gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Larsen, David A. Daycock, Kunal Shrotri
  • Patent number: 9147750
    Abstract: A process for fabricating one transistor, comprising a semiconductor region, comprising a source region, a drain region, and a channel region covered with a gate, comprises: production of an primary etching mask on the surface of the semiconductor region, said mask containing at least one primary aperture; depositing in said primary aperture a block copolymer containing, in alternation, at least first polymer domains and second polymer domains; removing either a series of first polymer domains or a series of second polymer domains in order to create a secondary mask containing secondary apertures; etching said active region through said secondary apertures in order to define nanoscale self-aligned semiconductor features; producing said gate on the surface of said self-aligned semiconductor features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Simeon Morvan, Francois Andrieu, Raluca Tiron
  • Patent number: 9136227
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation region, a semiconductor region, a groove, and an insulating film. The semiconductor region is defined by the isolation region. The groove is in the semiconductor region. The groove has first and second ends. At least one of the first and second ends reaches the isolation region. The insulating film is in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 LUXCO S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takaishi
  • Patent number: 9136376
    Abstract: A junctionless vertical gate transistor includes an active pillar vertically protruding from a substrate and including a first impurity region, a second impurity region and a third impurity region sequentially formed over the first impurity region; gate electrodes coupled to sidewalls of the second impurity region; and bit lines arranged in a direction of intersecting with the gate electrodes and each contacting the first impurity region. The first to the third impurity regions include impurities of the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: SK HYNIX INC., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jung-Min Moon, Tae-Kyun Kim, Seok-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9129950
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a charge storage pattern formed on a substrate; a dielectric pattern formed on the charge storage pattern; a first conductive pattern including silicon doped with a first impurity of a first concentration, the first conductive pattern being disposed on the dielectric pattern; and a second conductive pattern including metal silicide doped with a second impurity of a second concentration, the second conductive pattern being disposed on the first conductive pattern. The first concentration may be higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeeyong Kim, Woonkyung Lee, Sunggil Kim, Jin-Kyu Kang, Jung-Hwan Lee, Bonyoung Koo, Kihyun Hwang, Byoungsun Ju, Jintae Noh
  • Patent number: 9129995
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film provided on the semiconductor substrate, a silicon film provided on the first insulating film, a metal silicide film provided on the silicon film, a second insulating film provided on the metal silicide film, and an electrode provided on the second insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nakajima, Atsushi Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 9129848
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits include fabricating a logic device on a substrate, forming an intermediate semiconductor substrate on a surface of the logic device, and fabricating a capacitor-less memory cell on the intermediate semiconductor substrate. Integrated circuits with capacitor-less memory cells formed on a surface of a logic device are also disclosed, as are multi-core microprocessors including such integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9123747
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a plurality of memory cell transistors including a floating gate and a control gate and a plurality of peripheral circuit transistors including a lower electrode portion and an upper electrode portion are included. The floating gate includes a first polysilicon region, and the lower electrode includes a second polysilicon region. The first polysilicon region is a p-type semiconductor in which boron is doped, and the second polysilicon region is an n-type semiconductor in which phosphorus and boron are doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Sonehara, Takeshi Murata, Junya Fujita, Fumiki Aiso, Saku Hashiura
  • Patent number: 9123748
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes vertical channel layers, control gates and interlayer insulating layers stacked alternately with each other on the substrate and surrounding the vertical channel layers, floating gates interposed between the vertical channel layers and the control gates and separated from each other by the interlayer insulating layers, and charge blocking layers interposed between the floating gates and the control gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Aritome
  • Patent number: 9117847
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: sequentially forming agate dielectric layer and a first gate layer on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate dielectric layer is between the first gate layer and the semiconductor substrate; forming at least an opening in the first gate layer; forming a first dielectric layer conformally on the semiconductor substrate wherein the first dielectric layer covers the first gate layer; and forming a second gate layer filling the opening and overlapping the first gate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yuan Hsu, Chi Ren, Tzeng-Fei Wen