Including Dielectric Isolation Means Patents (Class 257/506)
  • Publication number: 20140332921
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including a trench isolation layer are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a trench therein, a liner insulation layer that covers a bottom surface and sidewalls of the trench and includes micro trenches located at bottom inner corners of the liner insulation layer, a first isolating insulation layer filling the micro trenches and a lower region of the trench that are surrounded by the liner insulation layer, and a second isolating insulation layer filling the trench on the first isolating insulation layer. The liner insulation layer on sidewalls of an upper region of the trench having a thickness that gradually increases toward a bottom surface of the trench, and the liner insulation layer on sidewalls of the lower region of the trench having a thickness that is uniform. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Tai Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20140332920
    Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) and method of forming the same is provided. The STI structure includes an upper insulating portion and a lower insulating portion, where the lower insulating portion includes a first insulator and an insulating layer surrounding the first insulator, the upper insulating portion includes a second insulator and a buffer layer surrounding the second insulator. Apart of the buffer layer interfaces between the first insulator and the second insulator, and the outer sidewall of the buffer layer and the sidewall of the first insulator are leveled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: En-Chiuan Liou, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Jia-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 8883541
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is provided as a composite unit together with elements of an integrated circuit on a common substrate. In a described embodiment, connections are established between a multiple photovoltaic cell portion and a circuitry portion of an integrated structure to enable self-powering of the circuitry portion by the multiple photovoltaic cell portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Yuanning Chen, Thomas P. Conroy, Jeffrey R. DeBord, Nagarajan Sridhar
  • Patent number: 8878239
    Abstract: On a main surface of a semiconductor substrate, an N? semiconductor layer is formed with a dielectric portion including relatively thin and thick portions interposed therebetween. In a predetermined region of the N? semiconductor layer, an N-type impurity region and a P-type impurity region are formed. A gate electrode is formed on a surface of a portion of the P-type impurity region located between the N-type impurity region and the N? semiconductor layer. In a predetermined region of the N? semiconductor layer located at a distance from the P-type impurity region, another P-type impurity region is formed. As a depletion layer block portion, another N-type impurity region higher in impurity concentration than the N? semiconductor layer is formed from the surface of the N? semiconductor layer to the dielectric portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohide Terashima
  • Patent number: 8878332
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes providing a substrate having active regions defined by a plurality of trenches, forming a first isolation layer on the substrate having the plurality of trenches, forming a sacrificial layer on the first isolation layer to fill the trenches, the sacrificial layer including a first region filling lower portions of the trenches and a second region filling portions other than the lower portions, removing the second region of the sacrificial layer, forming a second isolation layer on the first isolation layer and the first region of the sacrificial layer, forming air gaps in the trenches by removing the first region of the sacrificial layer, and removing a portion of the first isolation layer and a portion of the second isolation layer while maintaining the air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Hoon Na, Young-Woo Park, Dong-Hwa Kwak, Tae-Yong Kim, Jee-Hoon Han, Jang-Hyun You, Dong-Sik Lee, Su-Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20140319648
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first and second electronic components, a buried UTBOX insulating layer, first and second ground planes plumb with the first and second electronic components, first and second wells, first and second biasing electrodes making contact with the first and second wells and with the first and second ground planes, a third electrode making contact with the first well, a first trench isolation separating the first and third electrodes and extending through the buried insulating layer as far as into the first well, and a second trench isolation that isolates the first electrode from the first component, and that does not extend as far as the interface between the first ground plane and the first well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Claire Fenouillet-Beranger, Pascal Fonteneau
  • Publication number: 20140312455
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of active patterns, a plurality of first isolation layer patterns and a plurality of second isolation layer patterns may be provided. In particular, the active patterns may be arranged both in a first direction and in a second direction, and may protrude from a substrate and have a length in the first direction. The first isolation layer patterns may fill a first space, the first space provided between the active patterns and arranged in the first direction, and support two opposing sidewalls of neighboring active patterns. The second isolation layer patterns may fill a second space between the active patterns and the first isolation layer patterns. Accordingly, the active patterns of the semiconductor device may not collapse or incline because the first isolation layer patterns support the active patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Je-Min PARK
  • Patent number: 8866254
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, including a method that includes the acts of etching an inter-row trench in a substrate, substantially or entirely filling the inter-row trench with a dielectric material, and forming a fin and a insulating projection at least in part by etching a gate trench in the substrate. In some embodiments, the insulating projection includes at least some of the dielectric material in the inter-row trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Publication number: 20140306317
    Abstract: Fin height control techniques for FINFET fabrication are disclosed. The technique includes a method for controlling the height of plurality of fin structures to achieve uniform height thereof relative to a top surface of isolation material located between fin structures on a semiconductor substrate. The isolation material located between fin structures may be selectively removed after treatment to increase its mechanical strength such as by, for example, annealing and curing. A sacrificial material may be deposited over the isolation material between the fin structures in a substantially uniform thickness. The top portion of the fin structures may be selectively removed to achieve a uniform planar surface over the fin structures and sacrificial material. The sacrificial material may then be selectively removed to achieve a uniform fin height relative to the isolation material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas V. LICAUSI
  • Publication number: 20140306318
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making a trench for a semiconductor device can include: (i) providing a semiconductor substrate; (ii) forming a patterned hard mask layer with an opening on the semiconductor substrate, where a thickness of the patterned hard mask layer is from about 100 nm to about 400 nm; and (iii) using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask, and etching the semiconductor substrate to form the trench in the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Liang Tong
  • Patent number: 8853817
    Abstract: An trench isolation structure and method for manufacturing the trench isolation structure are disclosed. An exemplary trench isolation structure includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to a first depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has a width that tapers from a first width at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a second width at the first depth, the first width being greater than the second width. The second portion extends from the first depth to a second depth in the semiconductor substrate, and has substantially the second width from the first depth to the second depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiang-Bau Wang
  • Patent number: 8853816
    Abstract: An isolated semiconductor circuit comprising: a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit; a backend that includes an electrically isolating connector between the first and second sub-circuits; a lateral isolating trench between the semiconductor portions of the first and second sub-circuits, wherein the lateral isolating trench extends along the width of the semiconductor portions of the first and second sub-circuits, wherein one end of the isolating trench is adjacent the backend, and wherein the isolating trench is filled with an electrically isolating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Gerard Steeneken, Roel Daamen, Gerard Koops, Jan Sonsky, Evelyne Gridelet, Coenraad Cornelis Tak
  • Patent number: 8853802
    Abstract: A method that includes forming a first layer having a first dopant concentration, the first layer having an integrated circuit region and a micro-electromechanical region and doping the micro-electromechanical region of the first layer to have a second dopant concentration is presented. The method includes forming a second layer having a third dopant concentration overlying the first layer, doping the second layer that overlies the micro-electromechanical region to have a fourth dopant concentration, forming a micro-electromechanical structure in the micro-electromechanical region using the first and second layers, and forming active components in the integrated circuit region using the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE, Ltd.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Mohanakrishnaswamy, Olivier Le Neel, Loi N. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140291799
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including STI structures and their fabrication methods are provided. A mask layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate and patterned to form an opening in the mask layer to expose a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is then formed in the semiconductor substrate by etching along the opening. A first dielectric layer is formed in the trench and has a top surface lower than a top surface of the semiconductor substrate to provide an uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer is formed on the uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial layer includes a spacing to expose a surface portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the exposed surface portion of the first dielectric layer to fill the spacing formed in the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: MENG ZHAO
  • Patent number: 8846490
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin structure of a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, creating a mandrel pattern over the substrate, depositing a first spacer layer over the mandrel pattern, and removing portions of the first spacer layer to form first spacer fins. The method also includes performing a first fin cut process to remove a subset of the first spacer fins, depositing a second spacer layer over the un-removed first spacer fins, and removing portions of the second spacer layer to form second spacer fins. The method further includes forming fin structures, and performing a second fin cut process to remove a subset of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Feng Shieh, Chen-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8846465
    Abstract: A system and method for forming multi recessed shallow trench isolation structures on substrate of an integrated circuit is provided. An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) structures formed in the substrate, an oxide fill disposed in the at least two STI structures, and semiconductor devices disposed on the oxide fill in the at least two STI structures. A first STI structure is formed to a first depth and a second STI structure is formed to a second depth. The oxide fill fills the at least two STI structures, and the first depth and the second depth are based on semiconductor device characteristics of semiconductor devices disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8847330
    Abstract: To suppress stress variation on a channel forming region, a semiconductor device includes an element isolating region on the semiconductor substrate principal surface, and an element forming region on the principal surface to be surrounded by the element isolating region. The principal surface has orthogonal first and second directions. A circumferential shape of the element forming region has a first side extending along the first direction. The element forming region has a first transistor region (TR1), a second transistor region (TR2) arranged between the first side and TR1, and a dummy region on the first direction side of TR1. TR1 has a first channel forming region facing the first side. TR2 has a second channel forming region facing the first side. The first channel forming region has a non-facing region that is not facing the second channel forming region. The dummy region faces the non-facing region in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihide Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8846488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise: a substrate; a device region located on the substrate; and at least one stress introduction region separated from the device region by an isolation structure, with stress introduced into at least a portion of the at least one stress introduction region, wherein the stress introduced into the at least a portion of the at least one stress introduction region is produced by utilizing laser to illuminate an amorphized portion comprised in the at least one stress introduction region to recrystallize the amorphized portion. The semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the invention produces stress in a simpler manner and thereby improves the performance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qingqing Liang, Huaxiang Yin, Huicai Zhong, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8847317
    Abstract: An isolated epitaxial modulation device comprises a substrate; a barrier structure formed on the substrate; an isolated epitaxial region formed above the substrate and electrically isolated from the substrate by the barrier structure; a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device located in the isolated epitaxial region; and a modulation network formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the semiconductor device. The device also comprises a bond pad and a ground pad. The isolated epitaxial region is electrically coupled to at least one of the bond pad and the ground pad. The semiconductor device and the epitaxial modulation network are configured to modulate an input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Li, Steven Howard Voldman
  • Publication number: 20140284759
    Abstract: An aspect of the present embodiment, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method includes providing trenches in an end terminal area of a substrate, the end terminal area surrounding an element area of the a substrate, the trenches surrounding the element area, filling a fluent material mixed with carbonate, oxide and solvent in the each of the trenches, burning the fluent material in the trench to embed an insulator in the trench, and providing an element unit in the element area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kaori Fuse, Akira Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8841754
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a via structure in a stress relief layer is provided. The semiconductor device may include an isolation layer on the circuit region, a stress relief layer on the via region, and a via structure in the stress relief layer and the substrate. The stress relief layer may have a thickness larger than that of the isolation layer and a stepped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sin-Woo Kang, Jang-Ho Kim, Woon-Seob Lee, Jong-Hoon Cho, Sung-Dong Cho, Yeong-Lyeol Park
  • Publication number: 20140264719
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device incorporating a plurality of isolation trench structures configured for disparate applications and a method of forming the integrated circuit are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a substrate having a first region and a second region is received. A first isolation trench is formed in the first region, and a second isolation trench is formed in the second region. A first liner layer is formed in the first isolation trench, and a second liner layer is formed in the second isolation trench. The second liner layer has a physical characteristic that is different from a corresponding physical characteristic of the first liner layer. An implantation procedure is performed on the second isolation trench and the second liner layer formed therein. The physical characteristic of the second liner layer may be selected to enhance an implantation depth or an implantation uniformity compared to the first liner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20140264721
    Abstract: Substantially planar or even layers in semiconductor trenches allow for even distribution of subsequent layers in semiconductor processing and reduce divots in semiconductor device layers. A semiconductor device may include an isolation structure formed in a trench. The isolation structure may have a cover oxide layer and a base oxide layer holding the cover oxide layer. The top surface of the isolation structure is substantially planar. An oxidation process may substantially eliminate nitrogen from a top portion of the isolation structure, resulting in a balanced etch rate in the top portion and a substantially even isolation structure top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Guo-Yu LAN
  • Publication number: 20140264722
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a first circuit and a second circuit having different reference potentials. A first potential which is a reference potential of the first circuit is applied to the semiconductor chip through any of plural lead terminals, and a second potential which is a reference potential of the second circuit is applied to the semiconductor chip through any of plural lead terminals. A substrate of the semiconductor chip has a structure in which a buried insulating layer and a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type are laminated on a semiconductor substrate such as a SOI substrate. A fixed potential is applied to the semiconductor substrate through a die pad and a lead terminal for a substrate potential. The fixed potential is applied to the semiconductor chip through a different route from the reference potential of the first circuit and the reference potential of the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutaka NAKASHIBA, Yutaka Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140264289
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; a first semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the first region; a second semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the second region; and a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate. The FET includes a first doped feature of a first conductivity type formed in a top portion of the first semiconductor mesa; a second doped feature of a second conductivity type formed in a bottom portion of the first semiconductor mesa, the second semiconductor mesa, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first and second semiconductor mesas; a channel in a middle portion of the first semiconductor mesa and interposed between the source and drain; and a gate formed on sidewall of the first semiconductor mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Yi-Ren Chen, Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Ming Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140264720
    Abstract: An isolation feature with a nitrogen-doped fill dielectric and a method of forming the isolation feature are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of forming the isolation feature comprises receiving a substrate having a top surface. A recess is etched in the substrate, the recess extending from the top surface into the substrate. A dielectric is deposited within the recess such that the depositing of the dielectric includes introducing nitrogen during a chemical vapor deposition process. Accordingly, the deposited dielectric includes a nitrogen-doped dielectric. The deposited dielectric may include a nitrogen-doped silicon oxide. In some embodiments, the depositing of the dielectric disposes the nitrogen-doped dielectric in contact with a surface of the recess. In further embodiments, a liner material is deposited within the recess prior to the depositing of the dielectric within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shing Long Lee, Yi-Chieh Wang, Chung-Han Lin, Kuang-Jung Peng, Yun Chang, Shou-Wen Kuo
  • Patent number: 8836074
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes linear patterns disposed between isolation trenches extending in a first direction in a semiconductor device and having a first crystal direction the same as the semiconductor substrate. A bridge pattern connects at least two adjacent linear patterns and includes a semiconductor material having a second crystal direction different from the first crystal direction. A first isolation layer pattern is disposed in at least one of the isolation trenches in a field region of the semiconductor substrate. Memory cells are disposed on at least one of the linear patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Kwan You, Seung-Woo Paek, Chung-Il Hyun, Jung-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 8836047
    Abstract: When forming sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures on the basis of a threshold voltage adjusting semiconductor alloy, a highly efficient in situ process technique may be applied in order to form a recess in dedicated active regions and refilling the recess with a semiconductor alloy. In order to reduce or avoid etch-related irregularities during the recessing of the active regions, the degree of aluminum contamination during the previous processing, in particular during the formation of the trench isolation regions, may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan-Detlef Kronholz, Peter Javorka, Maciej Wiatr
  • Patent number: 8836075
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fabrication method for a semiconductor device includes: injecting an ion into a first substrate; joining the first substrate and a second substrate; irradiating a microwave to agglomerate the ion in a planar state in a desired position in the first substrate and form an agglomeration region spreading in a planar state; separating the second substrate provided with a part of the first substrate from the rest of the first substrate by exfoliating the joined first substrate from the second substrate in the agglomeration region; and grinding a part of the second substrate on a back surface opposite to an exfoliated surface in the second substrate provided with a part of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kyoichi Suguro
  • Publication number: 20140252533
    Abstract: A method of forming an insulating structure, comprising forming an insulating region comprising at least one electrical or electronic component or part thereof embedded within the insulating region, and forming a surface structure in a surface of the insulating region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Analog Devices Technology
    Inventor: Laurence Brendan O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140252534
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure, and forming at least one hard mask (HM) layer over the SOI structure. The SOI structure includes an insulator layer and a semiconductor layer over the insulator layer. The method further comprises forming a trench inside the at least one HM layer and the semiconductor layer, and depositing a spacer layer in the trench. The spacer layer comprises a bottom surface portion over the bottom surface of the trench, and a side wall portion along the side wall of the trench. The method further comprises etching the bottom surface portion of the spacer layer while the side wall portion of the spacer layer remains, and etching the insulator layer to extend the trench into the insulator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Tai TSENG, Chung-Yen CHOU, Chia-Shiung TSAI
  • Publication number: 20140252535
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for improved electrical signal isolation in a semiconductor substrate between integrated passive devices (IPDs) and an associated method for the structure's fabrication. The structure includes an amorphized region in the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer formed over the amorphized region, and IPDs formed over the dielectric layer. The amorphized region is not recrystallized and may be formed by utilizing an inert implant that does not charge-dope the amorphized region, while forming a plurality of charge carrier traps at an interface between the amorphized region and the dielectric layer to prevent a parasitic conduction layer from forming at the interface. The inert implant may include one of Argon, Xenon and Germanium. In many implementations, the structure does not include an active device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Newport Fab, LLC dba Jazz Semiconductor
    Inventor: Paul D. Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 8829622
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including at least one isolating trench that delimits an active area made of a monocrystalline semiconductor material, the or each trench comprising an upper portion including an insulating layer that encapsulates a lower portion of the trench, the lower portion being at least partly buried in the active area and the encapsulation layer comprising nitrogen or carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Grégory Bidal, Laurent Favennec, Raul Andres Bianchi
  • Patent number: 8829642
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor device, which comprises: a substrate, and a shallow trench isolation in the substrate, characterized in that, the semiconductor device further comprises a stress release layer between the substrate and the shallow trench isolation. In the semiconductor device and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention, the stresses accumulated during the formation of the STI can be released by interposing the stress release layer made of a softer material between the substrate and the STI, thereby reducing the leakage current of the substrate of the device and improving the device reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Science
    Inventors: Haizhou Yin, Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 8829620
    Abstract: The first electrode of the transistor may include a first electrically conductive region provided within the semiconductor substrate. The second electrode may include a second electrically conductive region provided within the semiconductor substrate. The first and second regions may be separated by the substrate region, and the control electrode may include a third electrically conductive region provided within the substrate. The third electrically conductive region may be both separated from the substrate region by an insulating region and electrically coupled to the substrate region by a junction diode intended to be reverse-biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Philippe Galy, Jean Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8829585
    Abstract: In a vertical dynamic memory cell, monocrystalline semiconductor material of improved quality is provided for the channel of an access transistor by lateral epitaxial growth over an insulator material (which complements the capacitor dielectric in completely surrounding the storage node except at a contact connection structure, preferably of metal, from the access transistor to the storage node electrode) and etching away a region of the lateral epitaxial growth including a location where crystal lattice dislocations are most likely to occur; both of which features serve to reduce or avoid leakage of charge from the storage node. An isolation structure can be provided in the etched region such that space is provided for connections to various portions of a memory cell array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, David M. Fried, Byeong Y. Kim, Chengwen Pei, Ravi M. Todi, Geng Wang
  • Publication number: 20140246752
    Abstract: Disclosed are guard ring structures with an electrically insulated gap in a substrate to reduce or eliminate device coupling of integrated circuit chips, methods of manufacture and design structures. The method includes forming a guard ring structure comprising a plurality of metal layers within dielectric layers. The method further includes forming diffusion regions to electrically insulate a gap in a substrate formed by segmented portions of the guard ring structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Barry, Phillip F. Chapman, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Michael L. Gautsch, Mark D. Jaffe, Kevin N. Ogg, Bradley A. Orner
  • Publication number: 20140246751
    Abstract: An embodiment radio frequency area of an integrated circuit includes a substrate having a first resistance, the substrate including an implant region, a buried oxide layer disposed over the substrate, an interface layer between the substrate and the buried oxide layer, the interface layer having a second resistance lower than the first resistance, a silicon layer disposed over the buried oxide layer, and an interlevel dielectric disposed in a deep trench, the deep trench extending through the silicon layer, the buried oxide layer, and the interface layer over the implant region. In an embodiment, the deep trench extends through a polysilicon layer disposed over the silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY,Ltd.
    Inventor: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8822278
    Abstract: Asymmetric FET devices and methods for fabrication thereof that employ a variable pitch gate are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a FET device includes the following steps. A wafer is provided. A plurality of active areas is formed in the wafer using STI. A plurality of gate stacks is formed on the wafer, wherein the gate stacks have an irregular gate-to-gate spacing such that for at least a given one of the active areas a gate-to-gate spacing on a source side of the given active area is greater than a gate-to-gate spacing on a drain side of the given active area. Spacers are formed on opposite sides of the gate stacks. An angled implant is performed into the source side of the given active area. A FET device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Chung-Hsun Lin, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8822978
    Abstract: An electronic structure comprising: (a) a first metal layer; (b) a second metal layer; (c) and at least one insulator layer located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, wherein at least one of the metal layers comprises an amorphous multi-component metallic film. In certain embodiments, the construct is a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through...
    Inventors: E. William Cowell, III, John F. Wager, Brady J. Gibbons, Douglas A. Keszler
  • Patent number: 8823064
    Abstract: Asymmetric FET devices and methods for fabrication thereof that employ a variable pitch gate are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a wafer; a plurality of active areas formed in the wafer; a plurality of gate stacks on the wafer, wherein at least one of the gate stacks is present over each of the active areas, and wherein the gate stacks have an irregular gate-to-gate spacing such that for at least a given one of the active areas a gate-to-gate spacing on a source side of the given active area is greater than a gate-to-gate spacing on a drain side of the given active area; spacers on opposite sides of the gate stacks; and an angled implant in the source side of the given active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Chung-Hsun Lin, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8823130
    Abstract: A silicon epitaxial wafer having a silicon epitaxial layer grown by vapor phase epitaxy on a main surface of a silicon single crystal substrate, wherein the main surface of the silicon single crystal substrate is tilted with respect to a [100] axis at an angle ? in a [011] direction or a [0-1-1] direction from a (100) plane and at an angle ? in a [01-1] direction or a [0-11] direction from the (100) plane, the angle ? and the angle ? are less than ten minutes, and a dopant concentration of the silicon epitaxial layer is equal to or more than 1×1019/cm3. Even when an epitaxial layer having a dopant concentration of 1×1019/cm3 or more is formed on the main surface of the silicon single crystal substrate, stripe-shaped surface irregularities on the epitaxial layer are inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Satoshi Oka, Norihiro Kobayashi, Tohru Ishizuka, Nobuhiko Noto
  • Patent number: 8823131
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including a trench isolation layer are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a trench therein, a liner insulation layer that covers a bottom surface and sidewalls of the trench and includes micro trenches located at bottom inner corners of the liner insulation layer, a first isolating insulation layer filling the micro trenches and a lower region of the trench that are surrounded by the liner insulation layer, and a second isolating insulation layer filling the trench on the first isolating insulation layer. The liner insulation layer on sidewalls of an upper region of the trench having a thickness that gradually increases toward a bottom surface of the trench, and the liner insulation layer on sidewalls of the lower region of the trench having a thickness that is uniform. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tai Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8823132
    Abstract: A shallow trench isolation (STI) and method of forming the same is provided. The STI structure comprises an upper insulating portion and a lower insulating portion, wherein the lower insulating portion includes a first insulator and an insulating layer surrounding the first insulator, the upper insulating portion includes a second insulator and a buffer layer surrounding the second insulator. A part of the buffer layer interfaces between the first insulator and the second insulator, and the outer sidewall of the buffer layer and the sidewall of the first insulator are leveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: En-Chiuan Liou, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Jia-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 8818265
    Abstract: One or more embodiments provide circuitry for isolation and communication of signals between circuits operating in different voltage domains using capacitive coupling. The embodiments utilize capacitive structures having increased breakdown voltage in comparison to previous parallel plate implementations. The capacitive isolation is provided by parallel plate capacitive structures, each implemented to have parallel plates of different horizontal sizes. Due to the difference in horizontal size, edges of the parallel plates, where electric fields are the strongest, are laterally offset from the region where the parallel plates overlap. As a result, breakdown voltage between the parallel plates is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Gerard Steeneken, Maarten Jacobus Swanenberg, Henk Boezen, Gerhard Koops, Frans Bontekoe, Reinout Woltjer
  • Patent number: 8815704
    Abstract: A method of forming a substrate with isolation areas suitable for integration of electronic and photonic devices is provided. A common reticle and photolithographic technique is used to fabricate a mask defining openings for etching first and second trench isolation areas in a substrate, with the openings for the second trench isolation areas being wider than the openings for the first trench isolation areas. The first and second trench isolation areas are etched in the substrate through the mask. The second trench isolation areas are further etched to the deeper than the first trench isolation areas. The trench isolation areas are filled with oxide material. Electrical devices can be formed on the substrate and electrically isolated by the first trench isolation areas and photonic devices can be formed over the second trench isolation areas and be optically isolated from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Meade, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8815698
    Abstract: A well region formation method and a semiconductor base in the field of semiconductor technology are provided. A method comprises: forming isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate to isolate active regions; selecting at least one of the active regions, and forming a first well region in the selected active region; forming a mask to cover the selected active region, and etching the rest of the active regions, so as to form grooves; and growing a semiconductor material by epitaxy to fill the grooves. Another method comprises: forming isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate for isolating active regions; forming well regions in the active regions; etching the active regions to form grooves, such that the grooves have a depth less than or equal to a depth of the well regions; and growing a semiconductor material by epitaxy to fill the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Haizhou Yin, Huilong Zhu, Zhijiong Luo
  • Patent number: 8816471
    Abstract: Disclosed are a structure for electrical signal isolation between adjacent devices situated in a top semiconductor layer of the structure and an associated method for the structure's fabrication. The structure includes a trench extending through the top semiconductor layer and into a base oxide layer below the top semiconductor layer. A handle wafer is situated below the base oxide layer and a void is disposed in the handle wafer below the trench. A bottom opening of the trench connects the main body of the trench with the void forming a continuous cavity including the main body, the bottom opening of the trench, and the void such that the void improves electrical signal isolation between the adjacent devices situated in the top semiconductor layer. Unetched portions of the handle wafer are then available to provide mechanical support to the top semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Hurwitz, Robert L. Zwingman
  • Patent number: 8809992
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes an oxide semiconductor and has favorable electrical characteristics is provided. In the semiconductor device, an oxide semiconductor film and an insulating film are formed over a substrate. Side surfaces of the oxide semiconductor film are in contact with the insulating film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a channel formation region and regions containing a dopant between which the channel formation region is sandwiched. A gate insulating film is formed on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film. A gate electrode with sidewall insulating films is formed over the gate insulating film. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor film and the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Atsuo Isobe, Toshihiko Saito, Takehisa Hatano, Hideomi Suzawa, Shinya Sasagawa, Junichi Koezuka, Yuichi Sato, Shinji Ohno
  • Patent number: 8809993
    Abstract: A semiconductor device can include an isolation region that defines a plurality of active regions. The plurality of active regions can include an upper surface having a short axis in a first direction and a long axis in a second direction. The plurality of active regions can be repeatedly disposed along the first direction and along the second direction, and can be spaced apart from each other. The isolation region can include a first insulating layer being in contact with side walls of a short axis pair of active regions which can be the closest active regions in the first direction among the plurality of active regions, and continuously extending along a first shortest distance between the short axis pair of active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sei-lyn Kwak, Se-myeong Jang, Min-sung Kang, Yun-jae Lee, Hyeon-kyu Lee