Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed.

Abstract: A first interlayer dielectric is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A contact pad is formed to contact the substrate through the first interlayer dielectric. A bitline is formed on the first interlayer dielectric not to contact the contact pad. A second interlayer dielectric is formed and planarized to expose the top of the bitline. A protective layer is formed an entire surface of the resultant structure. A sacrificial layer is formed on the protective layer. The sacrificial layer, the protective layer, and the second interlayer dielectric are patterned between two adjacent bitlines to form a bottom electrode contact hole exposing the contact pad. A conductive layer is formed and planarized to form a bottom electrode contact plug filling the bottom electrode contact hole.

Abstract: This invention provides a semiconductor device having a capacitor with reduced deterioration of dielectric constant and reduced leakage between upper and lower electrodes and a manufacturing method of such a semiconductor device. A capacity structure is configured by sequentially stacking a lower electrode, a capacitive insulation film, and an upper electrode on wiring or a contact plug. The capacity structure is of a thin-film capacitor structure having, at the interface between the lower electrode and the capacitive insulation film, a thin metal film having insulating properties and exhibiting a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing parasitic capacitance. A P-well blocked layer is formed directly beneath a parasitic device. The P-well blocked layer significantly increases the resistance underneath the parasitic device. The resistance of the P-well blocked layer, in effect, partially disconnects the parasitic device from the ground terminal to minimize the effective capacitive impedance that is added to the total termination impedance.

Abstract: An MIM device includes a lower electrode of a metal nitride film, a hysteresis film of an oxide film containing Nb formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode of a metal nitride film formed on the hysteresis film.

Abstract: A deep n-well is formed beneath the area of an inductor coil. The use of a deep n-well lessens the parasitic capacitance by placing a diode in series with the interlayer dielectric cap. The deep n-well also reduces substrate noise. Once the n-well is implanted and annealed, a cross hatch of shallow trench isolation is patterned over the n-well. The shallow trench isolation reduces and confines the inductively coupled surface currents to small areas that are then isolated from the rest of the chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor region surrounded with an element isolation region, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor region, a pair of resistance elements located at the semiconductor region, each resistance element including a first conductive film formed on the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the first conductive film and a second conductive film formed on the second insulating film, a pair of first contact plugs formed on one of the resistance elements and arranged along a first direction relative to the semiconductor region, and a pair of second contact plugs formed on the other resistance element and arranged along the first direction. A first width of the resistance element is a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than half of a second width of the semiconductor region in the second direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is configured that a high-withstand voltage semiconductor device and logic circuits are integrated on a single chip and that a high-withstand voltage high-potential island including the high-potential-side logic circuit is separated using multiple partition walls enclosing therearound. The semiconductor device is provided with a multi-trench separation region having a level shift wire region that is used to connect the high-potential-side logic circuit to the high-potential-side electrode of the high-withstand voltage semiconductor device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes silicon layer (2) supported by a bottom oxide layer (3), a shallow trench oxide (4) in the shallow trench (30), and a polycrystalline silicon layer (5) on the shallow trench oxide. A deep trench oxide (25) extending from the shallow trench oxide to the bottom oxide layer electrically isolates a section (2A) of the silicon layer to prevent a silicon cone defect (22) on the silicon layer (2) from causing short-circuiting of the polycrystalline silicon layer (5) to a non-isolated section of the silicon layer. The polycrystalline silicon layer (5) can form a bottom plate of a poly/metal capacitor (20) and can also form a poly interconnect conductor (5A).

Abstract: A capacitor (100) is disclosed that is formed as part of an integrated circuit (IC) fabrication process. The capacitor (100) has conductive top and bottom electrodes (140, 144) and a nonconductive capacitor dielectric (142). In one example, the dielectric (142) includes first and second thin dielectric layers (112, 114) that sandwich a layer of antireflective material (118). The thin layers (112, 114) provide the dielectric behavior necessary for the capacitor while the antireflective layer (118) promotes reduced feature sizes by mitigating reflected standing waves, among other things.

Abstract: This invention relates to contact structures for use in integrated circuits and methods of fabricating contact structures. In one embodiment, a contact structure includes a conductive layer, one or more barrier layers formed above the conductive layer, and a barrier structure encircling the polysilicon layer and the one or more barrier layers. In an alternate embodiment, a contact structure is fabricated by forming a polysilicon layer on a substrate, forming a tungsten nitride layer above the polysilicon layer, and etching the polysilicon layer and the tungsten nitride layer to a level below the surface of a substrate structure. A silicon nitride layer is formed above the tungsten nitride layer, and a ruthenium silicide layer is formed above the silicon nitride layer. The ruthenium silicide layer is then polished.

Abstract: A sense resistor and integrated circuit package combination is disclosed. A package lead frame is provided having a plurality of landing zones associated therewith and a die mounting area for mounting of a die thereon. The die has a plurality of bond pads associated therewith, with a first bond wire connected between a first one of the landing zones and a second one of the landing zones. The first bond wire forms a sense resistor with a resistance of a known value. A second bond wire is connected between the first one of the landing zones and a first one of the bond pads.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory which has sense amplifiers, each including a pair of MOSFETs having complete symmetry in regard to not only the shape but also to the impurity profile in a diffusion layer, and the present invention is also capable of reducing variations in electric characteristics, and provides a method of manufacturing the same. Annular gate electrodes 12a, 12b are formed on diffusion layer 11. Gate electrodes 13 are formed simultaneously with a sense amplifier along edges of diffusion layer 11 to bestride the boundary between diffusion layer 11 and r shallow trench isolation area 20. Contacts 16 are formed on diffusion layer 11; contacts 17a, 17b on diffusion layer 11 within annular gate electrodes 12a, 12b, respectively; and contacts 18 on gate electrodes 12a, 12b of the sense amplifier.

Abstract: A capacitor structure with a cross-coupling design is provided. In the capacitor structure, conductive lines or electrode plates are coupled together by cross coupling an electrode above or below or aside the other electrode. By cross coupling and fewer vias, the largest capacitance value can be obtained within a minimum area. The capacitor structure provided can also be applied to a high-frequency high-speed module or system to enhance noise inhibition capability of a capacitive substrate.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image sensor package and a lens module aligned with the image sensor package. The image sensor package includes a substrate, at least one passive component, an insulative layer, and an image sensor. The substrate has a surface facing an object side of the image capturing device, the surface defines a cavity therein. The at least one passive component is disposed within the cavity and electrically connected to the substrate. The insulative layer is received in the cavity and encases the at least one passive component. The image sensor is disposed on the insulative layer and electrically connected to the substrate. The holder has an end connecting with the barrel and an opposite end secured on the substrate.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled semiconductor inductor and method is provided. According to various embodiments, the voltage-controlled inductor includes a conductor configured with a number of inductive coils. The inductor also includes a semiconductor material having a contact with at least a portion of at least one of the coils. The semiconductor material is doped to form a diode with a first doped region of first conductivity type, a second doped region of second conductivity type, and a depletion region. A voltage across the diode changes lengths of the first doped region, the second doped region and the depletion region, and adjacent coils in contact with at least one of the doped regions are electrically shorted, thereby varying the inductance of the inductor. In various embodiments, the inductor is electrically connected to a resistor and a capacitor to provide a tunable RLC circuit. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising a capacitive element with a very uniform capacitive value as well as a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. In a capacitive element formation region 20 of a semiconductor device 1, an N-type well 22 as a conductive layer is formed in a surface layer of a P-type semiconductor substrate 10. A capacitive film 24 is deposited on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 on which the N-type well 22 is formed. The part of front surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 in which the capacitive film 24 is deposited is substantially flat. An upper electrode 26 is provided on the capacitive film 24. The upper electrode 26 constitutes a capacitive element (on-chip capacitor) together with the N-type well 22, located opposite the upper electrode 26 across the capacitive film 24.

Abstract: A method for non-volatile memory fabrication is provided, in which a substrate is provided, a bottom electrode is formed on the substrate, a solution with precursors of Zr and Sr is coated on the bottom electrode, the solution on the bottom electrode surface is dried and then fired to form a resistor layer of SrZrO3, and a top electrode is formed on the resistor layer.

Abstract: The present invention extends the above referenced continuation-in-part application by in addition creating high quality electrical components, such as inductors, capacitors or resistors, on a layer of passivation or on the surface of a thick layer of polymer. In addition, the process of the invention provides a method for mounting discrete electrical components at a significant distance removed from the underlying silicon surface.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a capacitor with a segmented end electrode and methods for segmenting an end electrode of a capacitor for reducing or eliminating instances of thermally induced damage of the capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus comprises a substrate, a semiconductor chip fixedly secured on one side of the substrate, a spirally shaped coil formed on the other side of the substrate and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, and a conductive pattern formed on a surface of the one side of the substrate facing to the semiconductor chip for stabilizing an inductance characteristic of the coil.

Abstract: A semiconductor die has a bonding pad for a MOSFET such as a power MOSFET and a separate bonding pad for ESD protection circuitry. Connecting the bonding pads together makes the ESD protection circuitry functional to protect the MOSFET. Before connecting the bonding pads together, the ESD protection circuitry and/or the MOSFET can be separately tested. A voltage higher than functioning ESD protection circuitry would permit can be used when testing the MOSFET. A packaging process such as wire bonding or attaching the die to a substrate in a flip-chip package can connect the bonding pads after testing.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to different methods and systems relating to design and implementation of memory cells such as, for example, static random access memory (SRAM) cells. In one embodiment, a memory cell may include a first layer of conductive material and a second layer of conductive material. The first layer may include a first gate region and a first interconnect region, and the second layer of conductive material may include a second gate region and a second interconnect region. It will be appreciated that the various techniques described herein for using multiple layers of conductive material to form interconnect regions and/or gate regions of memory cells provides extra degrees of freedom in fine tuning memory cell parameters such as, for example, oxide thickness, threshold voltage, maximum allowed gate voltage, etc.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device with a configuration in which a dummy silicide area 11 is provided in the vicinity of a non-silicide area 2 to easily capture residual refractory metals, resulting in an improved yield by preventing the trapping of residual refractory metals into a non-silicide area and thereby reducing a junction leakage within the non-silicide area.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device having two or more resistors and methods of forming and using the same. A nonvolatile memory device having two resistance layers, and more particularly, to a nonvolatile memory device formed and operated using a resistance layer having memory switching characteristics and a resistance layer having threshold switching characteristics. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device may include a lower electrode; a first resistance layer having at least two resistance characteristics formed on the lower electrode, a second resistance layer having threshold switching characteristics formed on the first resistance layer, and an upper electrode formed on the second resistance layer.

Abstract: A deep n-well is formed beneath the area of a capacitor structure. The use of a deep n-well lessens the parasitic capacitance by placing a diode in series with the interlayer dielectric cap. The deep n-well also reduces substrate noise. Once the n-well is implanted and annealed, a cross hatch of shallow trench isolation is patterned over the n-well. The shallow trench isolation reduces and confines the inductively and/or capacitively coupled surface currents to small areas that are then isolated from the rest of the chip.

Abstract: Resistors that avoid the problems of miniaturization of semiconductor devices and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a resistor includes a planar resistor material that extends vertically within at least one metal layer of a semiconductor device. In another embodiment, a resistor includes a resistor material layer extending between a first bond pad and a second bond pad of a semiconductor device. The two embodiments can be used alone or together. A related method for generating the resistors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit having a resistor is disclosed in which the resistor is formed by a series connection of one element having a positive temperature coefficient and another element having a negative temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first element isolation film that is formed by a LOCOS oxidation method on a semiconductor substrate for isolating a first element region from other regions; a second element isolation film embedded in a groove formed in the semiconductor substrate for isolating a second element region from other regions; a first semiconductor element formed in the first element region; a second semiconductor element formed in the second element region; and a resistance element formed on the first element isolation film.

Abstract: In a capacitor device of the present invention, a capacitor parts that has a pair of terminals on both end sides respectively is embedded in an insulating film in a state that a lower surface of the capacitor parts is not covered with the insulating film, then upper wiring patterns that are connected to upper surfaces of a pair of terminals via holes formed in the insulating film on a pair of terminals are formed on an upper surface side of the insulating film respectively, and then lower wiring patterns that are connected to lower surfaces of a pair of terminals are formed on a lower surface side of the insulating film respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a power supply wiring and a ground wiring and a decoupling capacitor formed between the power supply wiring and the ground wiring, wherein at least one electrode of the decoupling capacitor consists of a shield layer formed in a plane shape on a semiconductor substrate, and the shield layer is electrically connected directly to the semiconductor substrate and is fixed to a power supply potential or the ground potential.

Abstract: A resistive memory cell employs a photoimageable switchable material, which is patternable by actinic irradiation and is reversibly switchable between distinguishable resistance states, as a memory element. Thus, the photoimageable switchable material is directly patterned by the actinic irradiation so that it is possible to fabricate the resistive memory cell through simple processes, and avoiding ashing and stripping steps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure including multiple thin film resistors having different sheet resistances and TCRs includes a first oxide layer (2) formed on a semiconductor substrate (1), a first thin film resistor (3) disposed on the first oxide layer (2), and a second oxide layer (14) disposed over the first oxide layer (2) and first thin film resistor (3). A second thin film resistor (15) is formed on the second oxide layer (14) and a third oxide layer (16) is formed over the second thin film resistor (15) and the second oxide layer (14). Interconnect metallization elements (12A,B & 22A,B) disposed on at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers electrically contact the circuit element (4), terminals of the first thin film resistor (3), and terminals of the second thin film resistor (15), respectively, through corresponding contact openings through at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers.

Abstract: A patterned mask can be formed as follows. A first patterned photoresist is formed over a masking layer and utilized during a first etch into the masking layer. The first etch extends to a depth in the masking layer that is less than entirely through the masking layer. A second patterned photoresist is subsequently formed over the masking layer and utilized during a second etch into the masking layer. The combined first and second etches form openings extending entirely through the masking layer and thus form the masking layer into the patterned mask. The patterned mask can be utilized to form a pattern in a substrate underlying the mask. The pattern formed in the substrate can correspond to an array of capacitor container openings. Capacitor structure can be formed within the openings. The capacitor structures can be incorporated within a DRAM array.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having resistors in a peripheral area and fabrication method thereof are provided. A mold layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The mold layer is patterned to form first molding holes and a second molding hole in the mold layer. A storage node layer is formed on the mold layer as well as in the first and second molding holes. The storage node layer is patterned to form storage nodes in the first molding holes and a portion of a resistor in the second hole.

Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) MIM capacitor structure and method for forming the same the MIM capacitor structure including a first MIM capacitor structure formed in a first IMD layer comprising an first upper and first lower electrode portions; at least a second MIM capacitor structure arranged in stacked relationship in an overlying IMD layer comprising a second upper electrode and second lower electrode to form an MIM capacitor stack; wherein, the first lower electrode is arranged in common electrical signal communication comprising metal filled vias with the second upper electrode and the first upper electrode is arranged in common electrical signal communication with the second lower electrode.

Abstract: A method of determining electrical parameters of inductive elements includes a novel technique of inverting an impedance matrix representative of said inductive circuit element. The method reduces model simulation time by a factor of 3000. In one embodiment, simulation time of a device model was reduced from 1 hour to less than 3 seconds. The method is suitable for use with circuit element modeling tools, circuit simulation environments, and antenna modeling systems. The method may be applied to inductors, transformers, antennas, etc.

Abstract: An electrically stable PbLa0.5TiO3/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PLT/PZT) ferroelectric structure may fabricated using precursor solutions formed using a simple sol-gel process. The PLT/PZT ferroelectric structure may be extended to a PLT/PZT/PLT ferroelectric capacitor structure. In terms of device application, better ferroelectric properties with reliable fatigue characteristics are desirable to render satisfactory performance and long device life. The PLT/PZT/PLT ferroelectric capacitor structure excels over previous hybrid structures by providing a larger remnant polarization, higher saturation polarization, lower coercive field and leakage current density and higher resistance to fatigue. The fabrication method involving the use of a PLT seeding layer acts to lower the fabrication temperature of the subsequent PZT layer and allows for a simpler sequence of processing steps that may be seen to substantially reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: The bottom side of an N type silicon substrate is connected to a power supply terminal, a second P type epitaxial layer is formed on all sides of the N type silicon substrate, and a device forming portion is provided on the second P type epitaxial layer. A first P type epitaxial layer and an interlayer insulating film are provided on the device forming portion and an N well and a P well are formed on the top surface of the first P type epitaxial layer. The second P type epitaxial layer is connected to a ground terminal via the first P type epitaxial layer, the P well, a p+ diffusion region, a via and a wire. Accordingly, a pn junction is formed at the interface between the second P type epitaxial layer and the N type silicon substrate.

Abstract: In a capacitor-mounted wiring board, a plurality of wiring layers each patterned in a required shape are stacked with insulating layers interposed therebetween and are connected to each other via conductors formed to pierce the insulating layers in the direction of thickness. A decoupling capacitor is electrically connected to a wiring layer used as a power supply line or a ground line in the vicinity of the wiring layer, and mounted such that, when a current is passed through the capacitor, the direction of the current is reversed to that of the current flowing through the relevant wiring layer.

Abstract: A pixel electrode employs a transparent electrode made from indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) that is capable of preventing damage and bending thereof. In a liquid crystal display device containing pixel electrodes, the transparent electrode is made from indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) having an amorphous structure so that it can be etched within a short period of time with a low concentration of etchant. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage and bending of the transparent electrode upon the patterning thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film resistor and method of manufacture therefor. The thin film resistor comprises a resistive layer located on a first dielectric layer, first and second contact pads located on the resistive layer, and a second dielectric layer located over the resistive layer and the first and second contact pads. In an illustrative embodiment, the thin film resistor further includes a first interconnect that contacts the first contact pad and a second interconnect that contacts the second contact pad.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cylindrical capacitor. A size of hemispherical silicon grains (HSGs) formed in a straight portion of the cylindrical capacitor is smaller than a size of HSGs formed in a bowing portion of the cylindrical capacitor.

Abstract: Improvements in the level of integration of a core buck and/or boost DC-DC voltage regulator sub-circuit lead to a lower manufacturing cost structure, an improved performance from lessened intrinsic parasitic resistance, a smaller die size and, thus, higher wafer yield. Further, by integrating certain components on-chip, the cost and complexity of the conventional hybrid circuit implementation is improved.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an inductor formed by a conductive loop that is fabricated on one or more metal layers. The inductor also includes a dielectric region provided adjacent to the conductive loop. The semiconductor integrated circuit may also include a pattern of electrically isolated metallic fill structures formed within the dielectric region.

Abstract: A thin-film device incorporates: a substrate; an insulating layer, a lower conductor layer, a dielectric film, an insulating layer, an upper conductor layer and a protection film that are stacked in this order on the substrate; and four terminal electrodes. The four terminal electrodes touch part of end faces of the upper conductor layer, and part of the top surface of the upper conductor layer contiguous to the end faces. The protection film has four concave portions, each of which has a shape that is recessed inward from the edge of the protection film except portions thereof corresponding to these concave portions. The four concave portions expose respective portions of the top surface of the upper conductor layer that touch the four terminal electrodes. The four concave portions accommodate respective portions of the four terminal electrodes.

Abstract: An inductive device including an inductor coil located over a substrate, at least one electrically insulating layer interposing the inductor coil and the substrate, and a plurality of current interrupters each extending into the substrate, wherein a first aggregate outer boundary of the plurality of current interrupters substantially encompasses a second aggregate outer boundary of the inductor coil.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board includes a substrate layer composed of insulating material, a protection circuit of a thin-film capacitor element, the protection circuit including a first wiring layer on the substrate layer, a dielectric layer, and a counter electrode layer. At least a portion of each of the first wiring layer and the counter electrode layer serves as a terminal. The front surface of each of the first wiring layer and the counter electrode layer, except the terminal portion, is covered with an insulating coating.

Abstract: The capacitor in a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a lower electrode formed over the substrate, a diffusion barrier formed over the lower electrode, a plurality of agglomerates formed over the diffusion barrier, a dielectric layer formed over the surface of the agglomerates to form an uneven surface, and an upper electrode formed over the dielectric layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sacrificial layer is deposited over a base layer. The sacrificial layer is used to define a subsequently formed floating metal structure. The floating metal structure may be anchored into the base layer. Once the floating metal structure is formed, the sacrificial layer surrounding the floating metal structure is etched to create a unity-k dielectric region separating the floating metal structure from the base layer. The unity-k dielectric region also separates the floating metal structure from another floating metal structure. In one embodiment, a noble gas fluoride such as xenon difluoride is used to etch a sacrificial layer of polycrystalline silicon.