Epitaxial Deposition Of Group Iv Elements, E.g., Si, Ge, C (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.102)
  • Publication number: 20080293222
    Abstract: A method for forming a SiGe epitaxial layer is described. A first SEG process is performed under a first condition, consuming about 1% to 20% of the total process time for forming the SiGe epitaxial layer. Then, a second SEG process is performed under a second condition, consuming about 99% to 80% of the total process time. The first condition and the second condition include different temperatures or pressures. The first and the second SEG processes each uses a reactant gas that includes at least a Si-containing gas and a Ge-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jih-Shun Chiang, Hung-Lin Shih, Li-Yuen Tang, Tian-Fu Chiang, Ming-Chi Fan, Chin-I Liao, Chin-Cheng Chien
  • Patent number: 7442657
    Abstract: A stress relaxed monocrystalline layer structure is made on a nonlattice matched substrate by first applying to the substrate epitaxially a monocrystalline layer structure comprising at least one layer, the monocrystalline layer structure forming with the substrate an interface that has a greater lattice parameter mismatch on the substrate than within the monocrystalline layer structure. The monocrystalline layer is irradiated by directing an ion beam to generate predominantly point effects in the monocrystalline layer structure and an extended defect region in the substrate proximal to the monocrystalline layer structure. Then the monocrystalline layer structure is thermally treated in a temperature range of 550° C. to 1000° C. in an inert, reducing or oxidizing atmosphere so that the monocrystalline layer structure above the extended defect region is stress relaxed and has a defect density less than 106 cm?2 and a surface roughness of less than 1 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Mantl
  • Patent number: 7427545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, preferably dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells, each of which contains at least one trench capacitor with a buried isolation collar. The trench capacitor is located in a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and it comprises inner and outer electrodes and a dielectric layer. The buried isolation collar is recessed into a sidewall of the trench and has a substantially uniform thickness. Such a buried isolation collar is preferably formed by oxygen implantation before trench etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Jack A. Mandelman
  • Publication number: 20080191217
    Abstract: An embodiment of a process for forming an interface between a silicon carbide (SiC) layer and a silicon oxide (SiO2) layer of a structure designed to conduct current is disclosed. A first epitaxial layer having a first doping level is homo-epitaxially grown on a substrate. The homo-epitaxial growth is preceded by growing, on the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer having a second doping level higher than the first doping level. Finally, the second epitaxial layer is oxidized so as to be totally removed. Thereby, a silicon oxide layer of high quality is formed, and the interface between the second epitaxial layer and silicon oxide has a low trap density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni Abagnale, Dario Salinas, Sebastiano Ravesi
  • Publication number: 20080179586
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a primary nanowire of a first conductivity type, and a secondary nanowire of a second conductivity type extending outwardly from the primary nanowire. A doped region of the second conductivity type extends from the secondary nanowire into at least a portion of the primary nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore I. Kamins
  • Patent number: 7393735
    Abstract: A structure and method of fabricating a high-mobility semiconductor layer structure and field-effect transistor (MODFET) that includes a high-mobility conducting channel, while at the same time, maintaining counter doping to control deleterious short-channel effects. The MODFET design includes a high-mobility conducting channel layer wherein the method allows the counter doping to be formed using a standard technique such as ion implantation, and further allows the high-mobility channel to be in close proximity to the counter doping without degradation of the mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Steven J. Koester, Qiqing C. Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20080132042
    Abstract: A process for cleaning a chamber in a Chemical Vapor Deposition apparatus includes removing a polysilicon layer formed on the interior of the chamber after a doped polysilicon layer has been deposited on a wafer through Chemical Vapor Deposition, and depositing a doped polysilicon layer on the interior of the chamber. With such a process, enough doped ions can be absorbed by the interior of the chamber, and ions doped in a process of depositing a doped polysilicon layer on a surface of a wafer can be prevented from being absorbed on the inner walls of the chamber and the other components in the chamber, resulting in stable doped constituents and resistance value of the doped polysilicon layer deposited on the surface of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (Shanghai) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaobo Li, Xia Li, Jie Zhao
  • Patent number: 7375040
    Abstract: A SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer of an etch stop layer may be improved by altering the process used to form them. In a bi-layer structure, a SiOC layer and/or a SiC layer may be improved to provide better reliability. A silicon carbide (SiC) layer may be used to form a single-layer etch stop layer, while also acting as a glue layer to improve interface adhesion. Preferably, the SiC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of substantially pure trimetholsilane (3MS) streamed into and through the reaction chamber under a pressure of less than about 2 torr therein. Preferably, the reaction chamber is energized with high frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more. Preferably, the SiOC layer is formed in a reaction chamber having a flow of 3MS and CO2, and is energized with low frequency RF power of about 100 watts or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon S. H. Lin, Weng Chang, Syun-Ming Jang, Mong Song Liang
  • Patent number: 7371665
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an STI layer of a semiconductor device is disclosed, to improve the integration of the semiconductor device in a method of increasing a moat area for a gate line by minimizing an isolation area between moat areas, which includes the steps of forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate; forming a moat pattern by coating a photoresist on the sacrificial layer and performing exposure and development process to the coated photoresist with a mask pattern of the STI layer; patterning the sacrificial layer by using the moat pattern as a mask; forming an insulating layer on an entire surface of the substrate including the patterned sacrificial layer after removing the moat pattern; forming insulating layer sidewalls at the side of the sacrificial layer by anisotropically etching the insulating layer; removing the sacrificial layer and forming a silicon layer on the substrate; and planarizing the surface of the silicon layer and the insulating layer sidewalls by CMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Hoon Park
  • Publication number: 20080105878
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device is provided in which memory cells comprising PN junction diodes having satisfactory rectifying characteristics are arranged in three dimensions. The semiconductor storage device includes: a first wire which extends in one direction; a second wire which extends in a direction intersecting the first wire; and a memory cell which is positioned at a portion of intersection of the first wire with the second wire between the first wire and the second wire, the memory cell comprising a storage element and a PN junction diode connected thereto, positioned on a side of the second wire used in selecting the memory cell, and a P-type semiconductor forming the PN junction diode forms a portion of the second wire, wherein a plurality of structures, each structure comprising the first wire, the second wire, and the memory cell is provided three-dimensionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Shinji Ohara
  • Patent number: 7364980
    Abstract: Closure at the opening of a trench with an epitaxial film is restrained, and thereby, filling morphology in the trenches is improved. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate includes a step for growing an epitaxial layer 11 on the surface of a silicon substrate 13, a step of forming a trench 14 in this epitaxial layer, and a step of filling the inside of the trench 14 with the epitaxial film 12, wherein mixed gas made by mixing halogenoid gas into silicon source gas is circulated as material gas in filling the inside of the trench with the epitaxial film, and when the standard flow rate of the halogenoid gas is defined as Xslm and the film formation speed of the epitaxial film formed by the circulation of the silicon source gas is defined as Y?m/min, in the case when the aspect ratio of the trench is less than 10, an expression Y<0.2X+0.10 is satisfied, and in the case that the aspect ratio of the trench is between 10 and less than 20, an expression Y<0.2X+0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Sumco Corporation, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Syouji Nogami, Tomonori Yamaoka, Shoichi Yamauchi, Hitoshi Yamaguchi, Takumi Shibata
  • Patent number: 7358166
    Abstract: Thermal mixing methods of forming a substantially relaxed and low-defect SGOI substrate material are provided. The methods include a patterning step which is used to form a structure containing at least SiGe islands formed atop a Ge resistant diffusion barrier layer. Patterning of the SiGe layer into islands changes the local forces acting at each of the island edges in such a way so that the relaxation force is greater than the forces that oppose relaxation. The absence of restoring forces at the edges of the patterned layers allows the final SiGe film to relax further than it would if the film was continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Agnello, Stephen W. Bedell, Robert H. Dennard, Anthony G. Domenicucci, Keith E. Fogel, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20080009126
    Abstract: A plasma deposition apparatus for making polycrystalline silicon including a chamber for depositing said polycrystalline silicon, the chamber having an exhaust system for recovering un-deposited gases; a support located within the deposition chamber for holding a target substrate having a deposition surface, the deposition surface defining a deposition zone; at least one induction coupled plasma torch located within the deposition chamber and spaced apart from the support, the at least one induction coupled plasma torch producing a plasma flame that is substantially perpendicular to the deposition surface, the plasma flame defining a reaction zone for reacting at least one precursor gas source to produce the polycrystalline silicon for depositing a layer of the polycrystalline silicon the deposition surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mohd A. Aslami, Dau Wu, DeLuca Charles
  • Patent number: 7314790
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor material that has enhanced electron and hole mobilities that comprises a Si-containing layer having a <110> crystal orientation and a biaxial compressive strain. The term “biaxial compressive stress” is used herein to describe the net stress caused by longitudinal compressive stress and lateral stress that is induced upon the Si-containing layer during the manufacturing of the semiconductor material. Other aspect of the present invention relates to a method of forming the semiconductor material of the present invention. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing a silicon-containing <110> layer; and creating a biaxial strain in the silicon-containing <110> layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Chan, Massimo V. Fischetti, John M. Hergenrother, Meikei Ieong, Rajesh Rengarajan, Alexander Reznicek, Paul M. Solomon, Chun-yung Sung, Min Yang
  • Publication number: 20070287271
    Abstract: Numerous embodiments of a method for depositing a layer of nano-crystal silicon on a substrate. In one embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is placed in a single wafer chamber and heated to a temperature between about 300° C. to about 490° C. A silicon source is also fed into the single wafer chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Sheeba Panayil, Ming Li, Shulin Wang, Jonathan Pickering
  • Patent number: 7288430
    Abstract: An efficient method of fabricating a high-quality heteroepitaxial microstructure having a smooth surface. The method includes detaching a layer from a base structure to provide a carrier substrate having a detached surface, and then forming a heteroepitaxial microstructure on the detached surface of the carrier substrate by depositing an epitaxial layer on the detached surface of a carrier substrate. Also included is a heteroepitaxial microstructure fabricated from such method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technolgoies
    Inventors: Bruce Faure, Fabrice Letertre, Bruno Ghyselen
  • Publication number: 20070243699
    Abstract: A silicon epitaxial layer 2 is grown in vapor phase on a silicon single crystal substrate 1 manufactured by the Czochralski method, and doped with boron so as to adjust the resistivity to 0.02 ?·cm or below, oxygen precipitation nuclei 11 are formed in the silicon single crystal substrate 1, by carrying out annealing at 450° C. to 750° C., in an oxidizing atmosphere, for a duration of time allowing formation of a silicon oxide film only to as thick as 2 nm or below on the silicon epitaxial layer 2 as a result of the annealing, and thus-formed silicon oxide film 3 is etched as the first cleaning after the low-temperature annealing, using a cleaning solution. By this process, the final residual thickness of the silicon oxide film can be suppressed only to a level equivalent to native oxide film, without relying upon the hydrofluoric acid cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitaka Kume, Tomosuke Yoshida, Ken Aihara, Ryoji Hoshi, Satoshi Tobe, Naohisa Toda, Fumio Tahara
  • Patent number: 7273818
    Abstract: In a film-formation method for a semiconductor process, a silicon germanium film is formed on a target substrate by CVD in a process field within a reaction container. Then, a silicon coating film is formed to cover the silicon germanium film by CVD in the process field, while increasing temperature of the process field from the first temperature to a second temperature. Then, a silicon film is formed on the coating film by CVD in the process field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Kurokawa, Norifumi Kimura, Takehiko Fujita, Yoshikazu Furusawa, Katsuhiko Komori, Kazuhide Hasebe
  • Patent number: 7244667
    Abstract: System for producing diffusion-inhibiting epitaxial semiconductor layers, by means of which thin diffusion-inhibiting, epitaxial semiconductor layers can be produced on large semiconductor substrates at a high throughput. The surfaces of the semiconductor substrates to be coated are first cleaned, and the substrates are then heated in a low pressure batch reactor to a first temperature (prebake temperature). The surfaces to be coated are next subjected to a hydrogen prebake operation at a first reactor pressure. In the next step the semiconductor substrates are heated in a low pressure hot or warm wall batch reactor to a second temperature (deposition temperature) lower than the first temperature, and after a condition of thermodynamic equilibrium is reached the diffusion-inhibiting semiconductor layers are deposited on the surfaces to be coated in a chemical gaseous deposition process (CVD) at a second reactor pressure higher than, equal to or lower than the first reactor pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Bernd Tillack, Dirk Wolansky, Georg Ritter, Thomas Grabolla
  • Patent number: 7202145
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a silicon substrate layer, a relaxed silicon-germanium layer on the silicon substrate layer and a strained single crystal silicon layer on the silicon-germanium layer. The silicon-germanium layer may include a thickness of 500 angstroms or less. The method for forming the semiconductor structure includes epitaxially forming the silicon-germanium layer and the single crystal silicon layer. The silicon-germanium layer is stressed upon formation. After the single crystal silicon layer is formed over the silicon-germanium layer, an RTA or laser heat treatment process selectively melts the silicon-germanium layer but not the single crystal silicon layer. The substantially molten silicon-germanium relaxes the compressive stresses in the silicon-germanium layer and yields a relaxed silicon-germanium layer and a strained single crystal silicon layer upon cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Min Cao