Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of vertical channel layers protruding from a substrate, a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of memory cells stacked alternately along the plurality of vertical channel layers, and an air gap formed in the plurality of interlayer insulating layers disposed between the plurality of memory cells, so that capacitance between word lines is reduced to thus improve a program speed.

Abstract: A chip package is disclosed. The package includes a semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, at least one conductive pad adjacent to the first surface, and an opening extending toward the first surface from the second surface to expose the conductive pad. The caliber adjacent to the first surface is greater than that of the opening adjacent to the second surface. An insulating layer and a redistribution layer (RDL) are successively disposed on the second surface and extend to a sidewall and a bottom of the opening, in which the RDL is electrically connected to the conductive pad through the opening. A passivation layer covers the RDL and partially fills the opening to form a void between the passivation layer and the conductive pad in the opening. A fabrication method of the chip package is also disclosed.

Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems, air gaps may be formed on the basis of a self-aligned patterning regime during which the conductive cap material of metal lines may be protected by providing one or more materials, which may subsequently be removed. Consequently, the etch behavior and the electrical characteristics of metal lines during the self-aligned patterning regime may be individually adjusted.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including forming a tunnel insulating layer on an upper surface of a substrate, forming gate patterns on an upper surface of the tunnel insulating layer, forming capping layer patterns on sidewalls of the gate patterns and on the upper surface of the tunnel insulating layer, etching a portion of the tunnel insulating layer that is not covered with the gate patterns or the capping layer patterns to form a tunnel insulating layer pattern, and forming a first insulating layer on the upper surface of the substrate to cover the gate patterns, the capping layer patterns, and the tunnel insulating layer pattern, wherein the first insulating layer has an air gap between the capping layer patterns.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a main surface; an electrode in a device region on the main surface; a metal wiring on the main surface and having a first end connected to the electrode; an electrode pad outside the device region and spaced from the metal wiring; an air gap between the main surface and an air gap forming film on the main surface, enveloping the first end of the metal wiring and the electrode, and having a first opening; a resin closing the first opening and covering a second end of the metal wiring; a liquid repellent film facing the air gap and increasing contact angle of the resin, when liquid, relative to contact angles on the semiconductor substrate and the air gap forming film; and a metal film connecting the metal wiring to the electrode pad through a second opening located in the resin.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes: forming a vent via extending through a shallow trench isolation (STI) and into a substrate; selectively removing an exposed portion of the substrate at a bottom of the vent via to form an opening within the substrate, wherein the opening within the substrate abuts at least one of a bottom surface or a sidewall of the STI; and sealing the vent via to form an air gap in the opening within the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which misalignment does not cause short-circuiting and inter-wiring capacitance is decreased. Plural wirings are provided in a first interlayer insulating layer. An air gap is made between at least one pair of wirings in the layer. A second interlayer insulating layer lies over the wirings and first interlayer insulating layer. The first bottom face of the second interlayer insulating layer is exposed to the air gap. When a pair of adjacent wirings whose distance is shortest are first wirings, the upper ends of the first interlayer insulating layer between the first wirings are in contact with the first wirings' side faces. The first bottom face is below the first wirings' upper faces. b/a?0.5 holds where a represents the distance between the first wirings and b represents the width of the portion of the first interlayer insulating layer in contact with the first bottom face.

Abstract: A semiconductor device can include wiring lines on a substrate and an interlayer insulating structure, between ones of the wiring lines. The wiring lines can include a pore-containing layer that includes a plurality of pores extending away from a surface of the substrate, wherein ones of the pores have respective volumes that increase with a distance from the substrate until reaching an air gap layer above the pore-containing layer and beneath uppermost surfaces of the wiring lines.

Abstract: A method for reducing capacitances between semiconductor devices is provided. A plurality of contact structures is formed in a dielectric layer. A mask is formed to cover the contact structures wherein the mask has mask features for exposing parts of the dielectric layer wherein the mask features have widths. The widths of the mask features are shrunk with a sidewall deposition. Gaps are etched into the dielectric layer through the sidewall deposition. The gaps are closed to form pockets in the gaps.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a conductive pattern, a side spacer, and an air gap. The substrate includes an interlayer insulating layer and a trench penetrating the interlayer insulating layer. The conductive pattern is disposed within the trench of the substrate. The side spacer is disposed within the trench. The side spacer covers an upper side surface of the conductive pattern. The air gap is disposed within the trench. The air gap is bounded by a sidewall of the trench, the side spacer, and a lower side surface of the conductive pattern. A level of a bottom surface of the conductive pattern is lower than a level of bottom surfaces of the side spacer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. In the method, a tunnel insulating film and a first conductive film are formed on a semiconductor layer. A trench is formed. A first sacrifice film is buried in the trench. A second sacrifice film having density higher than that of the first sacrifice film is formed on the first sacrifice film in the trench. An insulating film is formed on the first conductive film and the second sacrifice film. A second conductive film is formed on the insulating film. The second sacrifice film is exposed. The first sacrifice film and the second sacrifice film are removed.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed whereby multiple interconnect layers having effective air gaps positioned in regions most susceptible to capacitive coupling can be formed. The method includes providing a layer of conductive features, the layer including at least two line members disposed on a substrate and spaced from one another by less than or equal to an effective distance, and at least one such line member also having a via member extending away from the substrate, depositing a poorly conformal dielectric coating to form an air gap between such line members, and exposing a top end of the via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first surface, a second surface and a first terminal arranged on the first surface, a second semiconductor chip including a first surface, a second surface and a second terminal arranged on the first surface of the second semiconductor chip, a support substrate including a first surface bonded to the second surfaces of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, and an isolation groove formed on the first surface of the support substrate. The isolation includes a pair of side surfaces continuously extending from opposing side surfaces of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, respectively, and the isolation groove is formed into the support substrate to extend from the first surface of the support substrate. The isolation groove has a depth less than a thickness of the support substrate.

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.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first insulating film formed above a substrate, wires formed on the first insulating film, an air gap formed between the adjacent wires, and a second insulating film formed on the wires and the air gap. Each of the wires has a metal film formed on the first insulating film and a hard mask formed on the metal film, the hard mask has a first layer and a second layer, a second internal angle formed by the under surface and the side surface of the second layer on a cross section of the second layer is smaller than a first internal angle formed by the under surface and the side surface of the first layer on a cross section of the first layer, and the top surface of the air gap is higher than the top surface of the metal film.

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.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first conductive patterns separated by a damascene pattern, a second conductive pattern buried in the damascene pattern, and a spacer including an air gap between the second conductive pattern and the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a via hole comprised of a first region having a first width and a second region having a second width greater than the first width, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is exposed in the via hole, and an insulating region having an air gap spaced apart from and surrounding the first region of the via hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a plurality of active regions defined by a device isolation region, a plurality of conductive patterns on the plurality of active regions, each of the conductive patterns having side walls, a conductive line that faces the side walls of the conductive patterns with an air spacer therebetween on the active regions, the conductive line extending in a first direction, and a first insulating film covering the side walls of the conductive patterns between the air spacer and the conductive pattern. A lower portion of the first insulating film that is near the substrate protrudes toward the air spacer.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed whereby multiple interconnect layers having effective air gaps positioned in regions most susceptible to capacitive coupling can be formed. The method includes providing a layer of conductive features, the layer including at least two line members disposed on a substrate and spaced from one another by less than or equal to an effective distance, and at least one such line member also having a via member extending away from the substrate, depositing a poorly conformal dielectric coating to form an air gap between such line members, and exposing a top end of the via.

Abstract: A semiconducting device utilizing air-gaps for inter-layer insulation and methods of producing the device are described. The device may be produced by forming a sacrificial layer between two structures. A porous membrane layer is then formed over the sacrificial layer. The membrane layer is porous to an etch product, which allows for the subsequent etching of the sacrificial layer leaving an air gap between the device structures and the membrane intact. The device may also include a cap layer formed above the device structures and the membrane.

Abstract: A low harmonic radio-frequency (RF) switch in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and methods of manufacture. A method includes forming at least one trench through an insulator layer. The at least one trench is adjacent a device formed in an active region on the insulator layer. The method also includes forming at least one cavity in a substrate under the insulator layer and extending laterally from the at least one trench to underneath the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an integrated circuit package will be described. The integrated circuit package includes at least two integrated circuits that are attached with a substrate. The integrated circuits and the substrates are at least partially encapsulated in a molding material. There is a groove or air gap that extends partially through the molding material and that is arranged to form a thermal barrier between the integrated circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit substrate structure including a substrate, a dielectric stack layer, a first plating layer and a second plating layer is provided. The substrate has a pad. The dielectric stack layer is disposed on the substrate and has an opening exposing the pad, wherein the dielectric stack layer includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer located between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and there is a gap between the portion of the first dielectric layer surrounding the opening and the portion of the second dielectric layer surrounding the opening. The first plating layer is disposed at the dielectric stack layer. The second plating layer is disposed at the pad, wherein the gap isolates the first plating layer from the second plating layer.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a back side, forming a first circuit and a second circuit at the front side of the semiconductor substrate, bonding the front side of the semiconductor substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the semiconductor substrate from the back side, and forming an trench from the back side to the front side of the semiconductor substrate to isolate the first circuit from the second circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a conductive pattern (e.g., a contact plug) on an active region of the substrate and having respective first and second sidewalls on opposite first and second sides of the conductive pattern, and first and second conductive lines (e.g., bit lines) on the substrate on respective ones of the first and second sides of conductive pattern and separated from the respective first and second sidewalls by asymmetric first and second air spaces.

Abstract: A biosensor with a microfluidic structure surrounded by an electrode and methods of forming the electrode around the microfluidic structure of the biosensor are provided. A method includes forming a gate or electrode in a first layer. The method further includes forming a trench in a second layer. The method further includes forming a first metal layer in the trench such that the first metal layer is in electrical contact with the gate or the electrode. The method further includes forming a sacrificial material in the trench. The method further includes forming a second metal layer over the sacrificial material and in contact with the first metal layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material such that a microfluidic channel is formed surrounded by the first and the second metal layers.

Abstract: A low harmonic radio-frequency (RF) switch in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and methods of manufacture. A method includes forming at least one trench through an insulator layer. The at least one trench is adjacent a device formed in an active region on the insulator layer. The method also includes forming at least one cavity in a substrate under the insulator layer and extending laterally from the at least one trench to underneath the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor cell includes storage node contact plugs disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a bit line formation area which is disposed between the storage node contact plugs and exposes the semiconductor substrate, and an air gap which is in contact with a lower portion of a sidewall of the bit line formation area and extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the bit line formation area extends. Therefore, the coupling effect between adjacent bit lines as well as the coupling effect caused between adjacent storage node contact plugs and the coupling effect caused between the storage node contact plug and the bit line are controlled to improve characteristics of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate, and a first metal line and a second metal line over the substrate, with a space therebetween. A first air gap is on a sidewall of the first metal line and in the space. A second air gap is on a sidewall of the second metal line and in the space. A dielectric material is disposed in the space and between the first and the second air gaps. A third air gap is underlying the lower portion of the dielectric material, wherein the first air gap, the second air gap, and the third air gap are interconnected to form a continuous air gap.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of auxiliary patterns formed over a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate line patterns disposed in parallel with one another over the semiconductor substrate between the plurality of auxiliary patterns, and an air gap formed between the plurality of gate line patterns and between each of the plurality of gate line patterns and each of the auxiliary patterns.

Abstract: Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.

Abstract: Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS processes, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one beam comprising amorphous silicon material and providing an insulator material over and adjacent to the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes forming a via through the insulator material and exposing a material underlying the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes providing a sacrificial material in the via and over the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes providing a lid on the sacrificial material and over the insulator material. The method further includes venting, through the lid, the sacrificial material and the underlying material to form an upper cavity above the amorphous silicon beam and a lower cavity below the amorphous silicon beam, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of word lines formed on a semiconductor substrate at predetermined intervals, selecting transistors arranged on at least one side of the plurality of word lines, an interlayer insulating film formed to cover upper surfaces of the word lines and the selecting transistors, a first air gap located between each pair of adjacent ones of the word lines and covered by the interlayer insulating film, a second air gap located at a first side wall portion of a word line adjacent to the selecting transistors covered by the interlayer insulating film, the first side wall portion facing the selecting transistors, and a third air gap located at a second side wall portion of each of the selecting transistors and covered by the interlayer insulating film. The first, second, and third air gaps are filled with air.

Abstract: The invention relates to finishing a substrate of the semiconductor-on-insulator (SeOI) type comprising an insulator layer buried between two semiconducting material layers. The method successively comprises routing the annular periphery of the substrate so as to obtain a routed substrate, and encapsulating the routed substrate so as to cover the routed side edge of the buried insulator layer by means of a semiconducting material.

Abstract: A shallow trench isolation is formed in a semiconductor substrate adjacent a MOS transistor. The shallow trench is filled with a fill material while other processing steps are performed. The fill material is later removed through a thin well etched into layers above the trench, leaving the trench hollow. A thin strain inducing layer is then formed on the sidewall of the hollow trench. The well is then plugged, leaving the trench substantially hollow except for the thin strain inducing layer on the sidewall of the trench. The strain inducing layer is configured to induce compressive or tensile strain on a channel region of the MOS transistor and thereby to enhance conduction properties of the transistor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a semiconductor die having a trench formed in a surface of the semiconductor die. One or more circuit components may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor die. The trench can extend into the semiconductor die next to at least one circuit component. The trench may surround the circuit component partially or wholly. The trench may be filled with a material having a lower bulk modulus than the semiconductor die in which the trench is formed.

Abstract: A method for making a silicon layer extending on an insulation layer, including the steps of forming a silicon-germanium layer on at least a portion of a silicon wafer; transforming portions of the silicon-germanium layer into porous silicon pads; growing a monocrystalline silicon layer on the silicon-germanium layer and on the porous silicon pads; removing the silicon-germanium layer; oxidizing the porous silicon pads; and depositing an insulation material on the silicon layer.

Abstract: A biosensor with a microfluidic structure surrounded by an electrode and methods of forming the electrode around the microfluidic structure of the biosensor are provided. A method includes forming a gate or electrode in a first layer. The method further includes forming a trench in a second layer. The method further includes forming a first metal layer in the trench such that the first metal layer is in electrical contact with the gate or the electrode. The method further includes forming a sacrificial material in the trench. The method further includes forming a second metal layer over the sacrificial material and in contact with the first metal layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material such that a microfluidic channel is formed surrounded by the first and the second metal layers.

Abstract: Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS devices, methods of manufacture and design structure are provided. The method includes forming a single crystalline beam from a silicon layer on an insulator. The method includes providing a coating of insulator material over the single crystalline beam. The method further includes forming a via through the insulator material. The method further includes providing a sacrificial material in the via and over the insulator material. The method further includes providing a lid on the sacrificial material. The method further includes providing further sacrificial material in a trench of a lower wafer. The method further includes bonding the lower wafer to the insulator, under the single crystalline beam. The method further includes venting the sacrificial material and the further sacrificial material to form an upper cavity above the single crystalline beam and a lower cavity, below the single crystalline beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure, which comprises a substrate, a semiconductor base, a cavity, a gate stack, sidewall spacers, source/drain regions and a contact layer; wherein, the gate stack is located on the semiconductor base, the sidewall spacers are located on sidewalls of the gate stack, the source/drain regions are embedded within the semiconductor base and located on both sides of the gate stack, the cavity is embedded within the substrate, and the semiconductor base is suspended over the cavity, the thickness in the middle portion of the semiconductor base is greater than the thicknesses at both ends of the semiconductor base in a direction along the gate length, and both ends of the semiconductor base are connected with the substrate in a direction along the gate width; the contact layer covers exposed surfaces of the source/drain regions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes an element region, a gate insulating film, a first gate electrode, an intergate insulating film, a second gate electrode and an element isolation region. The gate insulating film is formed on the element region. The first gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film. The intergate insulating film is formed on the first gate electrode and has an opening. The second gate electrode is formed on the intergate insulating film and in contact with the first gate electrode via the opening. The element isolation region encloses a laminated structure formed by the element region, the gate insulating film, and the first gate electrode. The air gap is formed between the element isolation region and side surfaces of the element region, the gate insulating film and the first gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a base substrate with recesses formed in a first surface of the base substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the first surface and into the recesses. A second conductive layer is formed over a second surface of the base substrate. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the base substrate with bumps partially disposed within the recesses over the first conductive layer. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first semiconductor die. Bond wires are formed between the second semiconductor die and the first conductive layer over the first surface of the base substrate. An encapsulant is deposited over the first and second semiconductor die and base substrate. A portion of the base substrate is removed from the second surface between the second conductive layer down to the recesses to form electrically isolated base leads for the bumps and bond wires.

Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method to manufacture a semiconductor structure includes forming a cavity in a substrate. A portion of the substrate is doped, or a doped material is deposited over a portion of the substrate. At least a portion of the doped substrate or at least a portion of the doped material is converted to a dielectric material to enclose the cavity. The forming of the cavity may occur before or after the doping of the substrate or the depositing of the doped material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.