Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming voids within semiconductor constructions. In some embodiments the voids may be utilized as microstructures for distributing coolant, for guiding electromagnetic radiation, or for separation and/or characterization of materials. Some embodiments include constructions having micro-structures therein which correspond to voids, conduits, insulative structures, semiconductor structures or conductive structures.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming an active region in a first side of a silicon carbide substrate, the silicon carbide substrate having a second side opposite the first side and forming a contact pad at the first side. The contact pad is coupled to the active region. The method further includes forming an etch stop layer over the contact pad and plasma dicing the silicon carbide substrate from the second side. The plasma dicing etches through the silicon carbide substrate and stops on the etch stop layer. The diced silicon carbide substrate is held together by the etch stop layer. The diced silicon carbide substrate is attached on a carrier. The diced silicon carbide substrate is separated into silicon carbide dies by cleaving the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.

Abstract: A method for etching an organic film 1 having a surface selectively protected by a hard mask layer 2, includes a partial etching process of etching the organic film 1 partly in a thickness direction of the organic film 1 by using a mixed gas containing a gas that anisotropically etches a silicon oxide film and a gas that isotropically etches the organic film without etching the silicon oxide film; and a deposition process of depositing a protective film 3 made of the silicon oxide film on side surfaces 12 and a bottom surface 11 of a recess 10 formed in the organic film in the partial etching process. The partial etching process and the deposition process is alternately performed multiple times.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a film having different filling properties dependent on space width above the patterning film to cover the first line patterns and the second line patterns to form the film on the first line patterns and on the first inter-line pattern space while making a cavity in the first inter-line pattern space and to form the film on at least a bottom portion of the second inter-line pattern space and a side wall of each of the second line patterns. The method includes performing etch-back of the film to remove the film on the first line patterns and on the first inter-line pattern space while causing the film to remain on at least the side wall of the second line patterns.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of spaced features includes forming sacrificial hardmask material over underlying material. The sacrificial hardmask material has at least two layers of different composition. Portions of the sacrificial hardmask material are removed to form a mask over the underlying material. Individual features of the mask have at least two layers of different composition, with one of the layers of each of the individual features having a tensile intrinsic stress of at least 400.0 MPa. The individual features have a total tensile intrinsic stress greater than 0.0 MPa. The mask is used while etching into the underlying material to form a plurality of spaced features comprising the underlying material. Other implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: In sophisticated semiconductor devices, the encapsulation of sensitive gate materials, such as a high-k dielectric material and a metal-containing electrode material, which are provided in an early manufacturing stage may be achieved by forming an undercut gate configuration. To this end, a wet chemical etch sequence is applied after the basic patterning of the gate layer stack, wherein at least ozone-based and hydrofluoric acid-based process steps are performed in an alternating manner, thereby achieving a substantially self-limiting removal behavior.

Abstract: A method for fabricating passive devices such as resistors and capacitors for a 3D non-volatile memory device. In a peripheral area of a substrate, alternating layers of a dielectric such as oxide and a conductive material such as heavily doped polysilicon or metal silicide are provided in a stack. The substrate includes one or more lower metal layers connected to circuitry. One or more upper metal layers are formed above the stack. Contact structures are formed which extend from the layers of conductive material to portions of the one or more upper metal layers so that the layers of conductive material are connected to one another in parallel or serially by the contact structures and the at least one upper metal layer. Additional contact structures can connect the circuitry to the one or more upper metal layers. The passive device can be fabricated concurrently with a 3D memory array using common processing steps.

Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern according to an embodiment, includes forming above a first film film patterns of a second film; forming film patterns of the first film by etching the first film using the film patterns of the second film as a mask; converting the film patterns of the second film into film patterns whose width are narrower than the film patterns of the first film by performing a slimming process; forming film patterns of a third film on both sidewalls of the film patterns of the first film and the film patterns of the second film after the slimming process; and etching the first film using the film patterns of the third film as a mask after the film patterns of the second film being removed.

Abstract: A composite hard mask is disclosed that prevents build up of metal etch residue in a MRAM device during etch processes that define an MTJ shape. As a result, MTJ shape integrity is substantially improved. The hard mask has a lower non-magnetic spacer, a middle conductive layer, and an upper sacrificial dielectric layer. The non-magnetic spacer serves as an etch stop during a pattern transfer with fluorocarbon plasma through the conductive layer. A photoresist pattern is transferred through the dielectric layer with a first fluorocarbon etch. Then the photoresist is removed and a second fluorocarbon etch transfers the pattern through the conductive layer. The dielectric layer protects the top surface of the conductive layer during the second fluorocarbon etch and during a substantial portion of a third RIE step with a gas comprised of C, H, and O that transfers the pattern through the underlying MTJ layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first metal film on an insulating film over a substrate; forming a capacitor lower electrode by patterning the first metal film; and forming a dielectric film on upper and side surfaces of the capacitor lower electrode and on the insulating film. The method further includes: forming a conductive protection film on the dielectric film; patterning the conductive protection film into a shape of covering the capacitor lower electrode; forming a capacitor dielectric film in a shape of covering the upper and side surfaces of the capacitor lower electrode, by patterning the dielectric film so that the patterned conductive protection film covers an upper surface of the capacitor dielectric film; forming a second metal film on the patterned conductive protection film; and forming a capacitor upper electrode that covers at least an upper surface of the patterned conductive protection film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an array substrate for an in-plane switching (IPS)-mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device, which includes a common electrode and a pixel electrode with a fine line width, are provided. The formation of the pixel electrode and the common electrode of the array substrate includes depositing two different metal layers and patterning the two different metal layers using a selective etching process. Thus, the pixel electrode and a central common electrode may be formed to have a fine line width so that the IPS-mode LCD device can have an improved aperture ratio.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of spaced features includes forming sacrificial hardmask material over underlying material. The sacrificial hardmask material has at least two layers of different composition. Portions of the sacrificial hardmask material are removed to form a mask over the underlying material. Individual features of the mask have at least two layers of different composition, with one of the layers of each of the individual features having a tensile intrinsic stress of at least 400.0 MPa. The individual features have a total tensile intrinsic stress greater than 0.0 MPa. The mask is used while etching into the underlying material to form a plurality of spaced features comprising the underlying material. Other implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern structure and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the pattern structure, are provided the method of forming the pattern structure includes forming a mask on an underlying layer formed on a lower layer. The underlying layer is etched using the mask as an etching mask, thereby forming patterns on the lower layer. The patterns define at least one opening. A sacrificial layer is formed in the opening and the mask is removed. The sacrificial layer in the opening is partially etched when the mask is removed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a plurality of capacitors each of which has bottom electrode, dielectric layer, and top electrode includes stacking a bottom electrode layer, a dielectric layer and an top electrode layer, patterning the top electrode layer to form a plurality of top electrodes arranged in a column, forming a mask pattern that covers the plurality of top electrodes and leaves an end part of the outermost top electrode of the arrangement of the plurality of top electrodes exposed, and patterning the dielectric layer using the mask pattern.

Abstract: Single source precursors are subjected to carbon dioxide to form particles of material. The carbon dioxide may be in a supercritical state. Single source precursors also may be subjected to supercritical fluids other than supercritical carbon dioxide to form particles of material. The methods may be used to form nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the methods are used to form chalcopyrite materials. Devices such as, for example, semiconductor devices may be fabricated that include such particles. Methods of forming semiconductor devices include subjecting single source precursors to carbon dioxide to form particles of semiconductor material, and establishing electrical contact between the particles and an electrode.

Abstract: Methods for semiconductor device fabrication are provided. Features are created using spacers. Methods include creating a pattern comprised of at least two first features on the substrate surface, depositing a first conformal layer on the at least two first features, depositing a second conformal layer on the first conformal layer, partially removing the second conformal layer to partially expose the first conformal layer, and partially removing the first conformal layer from between the first features and the second conformal layer thereby creating at least two second features. Optionally the first conformal film is partially etched back before the second conformal film is deposited.

Abstract: A method of forming patterns of a semiconductor device comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a first region wherein first patterns are to be formed and a second region wherein second patterns are to be formed, each of the second patterns having a wider width than the first patterns, forming an etch target layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming first etch patterns over the etch target layer of the first and second regions, forming second etch patterns on both sidewalls of each of the first etch patterns, wherein the second etch pattern formed in the second region has a wider width than the second etch pattern formed in the first region, removing the first etch patterns, forming third etch patterns over the etch target layer of the second region, the third etch pattern overlapping part of the second pattern, and etching the etch target layer using the third etch patterns and the second etch patterns as an etch mask, to form the first and second patterns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a transistor. The method includes forming a first layer of a first semiconductor material above an insulation layer. The first semiconductor material is selected to provide high mobility to a first carrier type. The method also includes forming a second layer of a second semiconductor material above the first layer of semiconductor material. The second semiconductor material is selected to provide high mobility to a second carrier type opposite the first carrier type. The method further includes forming a first masking layer adjacent the second layer and etching the second layer through the first masking layer to form at least one feature in the second layer. Each feature in the second layer forms an inverted-T shape with a portion of the second layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a plurality of capacitors each of which has bottom electrode, dielectric layer, and top electrode includes stacking a bottom electrode layer, a dielectric layer and an top electrode layer, patterning the top electrode layer to form a plurality of top electrodes arranged in a column, forming a mask pattern that covers the plurality of top electrodes and leaves an end part of the outermost top electrode of the arrangement of the plurality of top electrodes exposed, and patterning the dielectric layer using the mask pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor die has a first semiconductor die mounted to a carrier. A plurality of conductive pillars is formed over the carrier around the first die. An encapsulant is deposited over the first die and conductive pillars. A first stepped interconnect layer is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant and first die. The first stepped interconnect layer has a first opening. A second stepped interconnect layer is formed over the first stepped interconnect layer. The second stepped interconnect layer has a second opening. The carrier is removed. A build-up interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of the encapsulant and first die. A second semiconductor die over the first semiconductor die and partially within the first opening. A third semiconductor die is mounted over the second die and partially within the second opening. A fourth semiconductor die is mounted over the second stepped interconnect layer.

Abstract: An interconnection between a sublithographic-pitched structure and a lithographic pitched structure is formed. A plurality of conductive lines having a sublithographic pitch may be lithographically patterned and cut along a line at an angle less than 45 degrees from the lengthwise direction of the plurality of conductive lines. Alternately, a copolymer mixed with homopolymer may be placed into a recessed area and self-aligned to form a plurality of conductive lines having a sublithographic pitch in the constant width region and a lithographic dimension between adjacent lines at a trapezoidal region. Yet alternately, a first plurality of conductive lines with the sublithographic pitch and a second plurality of conductive lines with the lithographic pitch may be formed at the same level or at different.

Abstract: A metal grid contact and dielectric pattern on a layer requiring conductive contact in a photovoltaic device. The invention includes, in one aspect, forming a metal film; forming an etch resist over the metal film by, e.g., directly writing and in-situ curing the etch resist using, e.g., ink-jetting or screen-printing; etching the metal film leaving the resist pattern and a metal grid contact pattern under the etch resist intact; forming a dielectric layer over the etch resist; and removing the resist pattern and the dielectric over the etch resist, leaving a substantially co-planar metal grid contact and dielectric pattern. The metal grid contact pattern may form the front and/or back contact electrode of a solar cell; and the dielectric layer may be an optical reflection or antireflection layer. The layer requiring contact may be multifunctional providing its own passivation, such that passivation is substantially not required in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a transistor gate stack over a substrate having an active area and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. First sidewall spacers are formed on the transistor gate stack, and an isotropic etch process is applied to isotropically remove an excess portion of a metal layer included within the transistor gate stack, the excess portion left unprotected by the first sidewall spacers. Second sidewall spacers are formed on the transistor gate stack, the second sidewall spacers completely encapsulating the metal layer of the transistor gate stack.

Abstract: A “vertical” coffee-stain method for producing self-organized line structures and other very fine features that involves disposing a target structure in a solution made up of a fine particle solute dispersed in a liquid solvent such that a “waterline” is formed by the upper (liquid/air) surface of the solution on a targeted linear surface region of the substrate. The solvent is then caused to evaporate at a predetermined rate such that a portion of the solute forms a self-organized “coffee-stain” line structure on the straight-line portion of the substrate surface contacted by the receding waterline. The substrate and staining solution are selected such that the liquid solvent has a stronger attraction to the substrate surface than to itself to produce the required pinning and upward curving waterline. The target structure is optionally periodically raised to generate parallel lines that are subsequently processed to form, e.g., TFTs for large-area electronic devices.

Abstract: A method, structure, system of aligning a substrate to a photomask. The method comprising: directing light through a clear region of the photomask in a photolithography tool, through a lens of the tool and onto a set of at least three diffraction minor arrays on the substrate, each diffraction minor array of the set of at least three diffraction minor arrays comprising a single row of minors, all mirrors in any particular diffraction minor array spaced apart a same distance, minors in different diffraction minor arrays spaced apart different distances; measuring an intensity of light diffracted from the set of at least three diffraction mirror arrays onto an array of photo detectors; and adjusting a temperature of the photomask or photomask and lens based on the measured intensity of light.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a plurality of semiconductor die mounted to a temporary carrier. A prefabricated shielding frame has a plate and integrated bodies extending from the plate. The bodies define a plurality of cavities in the shielding frame. A penetrable material is deposited in the cavities of the shielding frame. The shielding frame is mounted over the semiconductor die such that the penetrable material encapsulates the die. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the die, shielding frame, and penetrable material. The bodies of the shielding frame are electrically connected through the interconnect structure to a ground point. The shielding frame is singulated through the bodies or through the plate and penetrable material to separate the die. TIM is formed over the die adjacent to the plate of the shielding frame. A heat sink is mounted over the plate of the shielding frame.

Abstract: A semiconductor die has a first semiconductor die mounted to a carrier. A plurality of conductive pillars is formed over the carrier around the first die. An encapsulant is deposited over the first die and conductive pillars. A first stepped interconnect layer is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant and first die. The first stepped interconnect layer has a first opening. A second stepped interconnect layer is formed over the first stepped interconnect layer. The second stepped interconnect layer has a second opening. The carrier is removed. A build-up interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of the encapsulant and first die. A second semiconductor die over the first semiconductor die and partially within the first opening. A third semiconductor die is mounted over the second die and partially within the second opening. A fourth semiconductor die is mounted over the second stepped interconnect layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and related method for fabricating the same include providing a stacked structure including an insulating base layer and lower and upper barrier layers with a conductive layer in between, etching the stacked structure to provide a plurality of conductive columns that each extend from the lower barrier layer, each of the conductive columns having an overlying upper barrier layer cap formed from the etched upper barrier layer, wherein the lower barrier layer is partially etched to provide a land region between each of the conductive lines, forming a liner layer over the etched stacked structure exposing the land region, and etching the liner layer and removing the exposed land region to form a plurality of conductive lines.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. Storage nodes are formed within a material. The storage nodes have sidewalls along the material. Some of the material is removed to expose portions of the sidewalls. The exposed portions of the sidewalls are coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water. Additional material is removed to expose uncoated regions of the sidewalls. The substance is removed, and then capacitor dielectric material is formed along the sidewalls of the storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of utilizing a silicon dioxide-containing masking structure in which the silicon dioxide of the masking structure is coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water.

Abstract: A method for forming a metal oxide thin film pattern using nanoimprinting according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: coating a photosensitive metal-organic material precursor solution on a substrate; pressurizing the photosensitive metal-organic material precursor coating layer to a mold patterned to have a protrusion and depression structure; forming the metal oxide thin film pattern by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the pressurized photosensitive metal-organic material precursor coating layer to cure it; and removing the patterned mold from the metal oxide thin film pattern.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed with structures spaced more closely together than a transverse dimension of such structures, such as for making contacts to electronic elements formed at minimum lithographically resolvable dimensions by dark field split pitch techniques. Acceptable overlay accuracy and process efficiency and throughput for the split pitch process that requires etching of a hard mark for each of a plurality of sequentially applied and patterned resist layers is supported by performing the etching of the hard mask entirely within a lithography track through using an acid sensitive hard mark material and an acidic overcoat which contacts areas of the hard mask through patterned apertures in the resist. The contacted areas of the hard mask are activated for development by baking of the acidic overcoat.

Abstract: An area where a lower electrode is in contact with a variable resistance material needs to be reduced to lower the power consumption of a variable resistance memory device. The present invention is to provide a method of producing a variable resistance memory element whereby the lower electrode can be formed smaller. Combining an anisotropic etching process with an isotropic etching process enables the lower electrode to be formed smaller.

Abstract: A process of forming a semiconductive capacitor device for a memory circuit includes forming a first capacitor cell recess and a second capacitor cell recess that are spaced apart by a capacitor cell boundary of a first height. The process includes lowering the first height of the capacitor cell boundary to a second height. A common plate capacitor bridges between the first recess and the second recess over the boundary above the second height and below the first height.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin film device includes the step of forming a sacrificial layer on a first substrate. A portion other than a region of the sacrificial layer is selectively removed. A material film is formed on the sacrificial layer to be connected to the first substrate via the selectively removed region. The material film portion filled in the selectively removed region is provided as an anchor. A thin film lamination is formed on the material film. The desired thin film device is formed by using a selective etching process. After removing the sacrificial layer, the thin film device floats over the first substrate with being supported by the anchor. A support body is temporarily attached on the thin film lamination. The thin film device is transferred to the support body onto a second substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure formation method and operation method. The structure includes (i) a dielectric layer, (ii) a bottom capacitor plate and an electrically conductive line on the dielectric layer, (iii) a top capacitor plate on top of the bottom capacitor plate, (iv) a gap region, and (v) a solder ball on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top surface that defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top surface. The top capacitor plate overlaps the bottom capacitor plate in the reference direction. The gap region is sandwiched between the bottom capacitor plate and the top capacitor plate. The gap region does not include any liquid or solid material. The solder ball is electrically connected to the electrically conductive line. The top capacitor plate is disposed between the dielectric layer and the solder ball.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first layer comprising a seed material over an underlying layer, forming a second layer comprising a sacrificial material over the first layer, the sacrificial material being different from the seed material, patterning the first layer and the second layer into a plurality of separate features, forming an insulating filling material between the plurality of the separate features, removing the sacrificial material from the separate features to form a plurality of openings in the insulating filling material such that the seed material is exposed in the plurality of openings, and growing a semiconductor material on the exposed seed material in the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A modified coffee-stain method for producing self-organized line structures and other very fine features that involves disposing a solution puddle on a target substrate, and then controlling the peripheral boundary shape of the puddle using a control structure that contacts the puddle's upper surface. The solution is made up of a fine particle solute dispersed in a liquid solvent wets and becomes pinned to both the target substrate and the control structure. The solvent is then caused to evaporate at a predetermined rate such that a portion of the solute forms a self-organized “coffee-stain” line structure on the target substrate surface that is contacted by the peripheral puddle boundary. The target structure is optionally periodically raised to generate parallel lines that are subsequently processed to form, e.g., TFTs for large-area electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing process using a droplet-discharging method that is suitable for manufacturing a large substrate in mass production. A photosensitive material solution of a conductive film is selectively discharged by a droplet-discharging method, selectively exposed to laser light, and developed or etched, thereby allowing only the region exposed to laser light to be left and realizing a source wiring and a drain wiring having a more microscopic pattern than the pattern itself formed by discharging. One feature of the source wiring and the drain wiring is that the source wiring and the drain wiring cross an island-like semiconductor layer and overlap it.

Abstract: An electronic component includes a substrate, and a capacitor unit on the substrate. The capacitor unit has a laminate structure including a first electrode layer provided on the substrate, a second electrode layer opposed to the first electrode layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and the second electrode layers. The first electrode layer has a multilayer structure including an adhesion metal layer joined to the dielectric layer. The adhesion metal layer is provided with an oxide coating on a side of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device may include an inter-wiring dielectric film in which a wiring trench is formed, a metal wiring layer formed in the wiring trench in the inter-wiring dielectric film, a first barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring trench, the first barrier layer being an oxide film made from a metal different from a main constituent metal element in the wiring layer, a second barrier layer formed on a side surface of the wiring layer, the second barrier layer having a Si atom of the metal used in the wiring layer, and a gap formed between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer.

Abstract: The semiconductor storage device comprises memory cell transistors formed on a semiconductor substrate 10; first insulation films 42 covering the top surfaces and the side surfaces of gate electrodes 20 of the memory cell transistors; through-holes 40 opened on first diffused layers 24; a second insulation film 36 with through-holes 40 opened on first diffused layers 24 and through-holes 38 opened on second diffused layers 26 formed in; capacitors formed on the inside walls and the bottoms of the through-holes 40 and including capacitor storage electrodes 46, connected to the first diffused layers 24; capacitor dielectric films 48 covering the capacitor storage electrodes 46, and capacitor-opposed electrodes 54 covering at least a part of the capacitor dielectric films 48; and, contact conducting films 44 formed on the inside walls and bottoms of the through-holes 38, and connected to the second diffused layers.

Abstract: Transistors having a Hafnium-Silicon gate electrode and high-k dielectric are disclosed. A workpiece is provided having a gate dielectric formed over the workpiece, and a gate formed over the gate dielectric. The gate may comprise a layer of a combination of Hf and Si. The layer of the combination of Hf and Si of the gate establishes the threshold voltage Vt of the transistor. The transistor may comprise a single NMOS transistor or an NMOS transistor of a CMOS device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor includes the steps of: forming a lower electrode above a base substrate; forming a dielectric film composed of ferroelectric material or piezoelectric material above the lower electrode; forming an upper electrode above the dielectric film; forming a silicon oxide film that covers at least the dielectric film and the upper electrode; and forming a hydrogen barrier film that covers the silicon oxide film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first electrode, sequentially forming a first dielectric film, a conductive film for a second electrode, a second dielectric film, and a conductive film for a third electrode above the first electrode, forming a first pattern on the conductive film for a third electrode, the first pattern defining a second electrode, forming the second electrode by sequentially patterning the conductive film for the third electrode, the second dielectric film, and the conductive film for the second electrode, using the first pattern as an etching mask, partially removing the first pattern to form a second pattern that defines a third electrode, and forming the third electrode by patterning the conductive film for the third electrode, using the second pattern as an etching mask, wherein the third electrode has a width less than that of the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, wherein an interlayer insulating layer, a lower barrier metal layer, a metal layer having a low resisvitity value, an upper barrier metal layer, a first oxynitride layer, a hard mask layer formed at low temperature, a second oxynitride layer, and an organic Bottom Anti-Reflective Coating (BARC) layer are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The BARC layer, the second oxynitride layer, and the hard mask layer are etched. The first oxynitride layer, the upper barrier metal layer, the metal layer, and the lower barrier metal layer are etched using the hard mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A method of patterning a thin film. The method includes forming a mask on a film to be patterned. The film is then etched in alignment with the mask to form a patterned film having a pair of laterally opposite sidewalls. A protective layer is formed on the pair of laterally opposite sidewalls. Next, the mask is removed from above the patterned film. After removing the mask from the patterned film, the protective layer is removed from the sidewalls.

Abstract: A filter capacitor comprising a pre-sintered substrate supporting alternating active and ground electrode layers segregated by a dielectric layer is described. The substrate is of a ceramic material that maintains its shape and structure dimensions even after undergoing numerous sintering steps. Consequently, relatively thin active and ground electrode layers along with the intermediate dielectric layer can be laid down or deposited by a screen-printing technique. Using a relatively thin over-glaze in comparison to a thick upper dielectric layer finishes the capacitor. Consequently, a significant amount of space is saved in comparison to a comparably rated capacitor or, a capacitor of a higher rating can be provided in the same size as a conventional prior art capacitor. The pre-sintered ceramic substrate is used instead of conventional tape cast technology for the base dielectric.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device where a critical dimension in a peripheral region is decreased. The method includes the steps of: forming a silicon nitride layer on a substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region; forming a silicon oxynitride layer on the silicon nitride layer; forming a line-type photoresist pattern on the silicon oxynitride layer such that the photoresist pattern in the cell region has a width larger than that of a final pattern structure and the photoresist pattern in the peripheral region has a width that reduces an incidence of pattern collapse; etching the silicon oxynitride layer and the silicon nitride layer until widths of a remaining silicon oxynitride layer and a remaining silicon nitride layer are smaller than the width of the photoresist pattern used as an etch mask through suppressing generation of polymers; and over-etching the remaining silicon nitride layer.