Concurrent Filling Of Plurality Of Trenches Having Different Trench Shape Or Dimension, E.g., Rectangular And V-shaped Trenches, Wide And Narrow Trenches, Shallow And Deep Trenches (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.548)
  • Patent number: 8252693
    Abstract: Various systems and methods related to semiconductor devices having a plurality of layers and having a first conductive trace on a first layer electrically connected to a second conductive trace on a second layer and electrically isolated from a third electrical trace on the second layer are provided. A semiconductor structure can include first, second and third layers. The first conducting layer may be etched to form a first trench for the first conductive trace. A layer of material on the second layer in the first trench can define a patch area, wherein the patch area is disposed in a location where the first trench crosses over the third electrical trace. A second trench may be etched in an area defined by the first trench and the patch area to remove material in the second layer exposed by the first trench, leaving material of the layer under the patch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe Pierrat
  • Patent number: 8247305
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor structure includes forming a pad oxide layer overlying a substrate, a nitride layer overlying the pad oxide layer, an interlayer dielectric layer overlying the nitride layer, and a patterned polysilicon mask layer overlying the interlayer dielectric layer. The method then applies a first RIE process to form a trench region through a portion of the interlayer dielectric layer using the patterned polysilicon mask layer and maintaining the first RIE to etch through a portion of the nitride layer and through a portion of the pad oxide layer. The method stops the first RIE when a portion of the substrate has been exposed. The method then forms an oxide layer overlying the exposed portion of the substrate and applies a second RIE process to continue to form the trench region by removing the oxide layer and removing a portion of the substrate to a predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Liao, Weijun Song, Dang Quan Liao
  • Patent number: 8237240
    Abstract: An isolation layer structure includes first to fourth oxide layer patterns. The first and third oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a first trench defined by a first recessed top surface of a substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a first region. The first trench has a first width, and the first and third oxide layer patterns have no void therein. The second and fourth oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a second trench defined by a second recessed top surface of the substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a second region. The second trench has a second width larger than the first width, and the fourth oxide layer pattern has a void therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Wan Kim, Kyu-Tae Na, Min Kim, Seung-Bae Park, Il-Woo Kim, Dae-Young Kwak
  • Patent number: 8227339
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of creating vias and trenches with different length. The method includes depositing a plurality of dielectric layers on top of a semiconductor structure with the plurality of dielectric layers being separated by at least one etch-stop layer; creating multiple openings from a top surface of the plurality of dielectric layers down into the plurality of dielectric layers by a non-selective etching process, wherein at least one of the multiple openings has a depth below the etch-step layer; and continuing etching the multiple openings by a selective etching process until one or more openings of the multiple openings that are above the etch-stop layer reach and expose the etch-stop layer. Semiconductor structures made thereby are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shom Ponoth, David V. Horak, Takeshi Nogami, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8216913
    Abstract: Adding nitrogen to the Si—SiO2 interface at STI sidewalls increases carrier mobility in MOS transistors, but control of the amount of nitrogen has been problematic due to loss of the nitrogen during liner oxide growth. This invention discloses a method of forming STI regions which have a controllable layer of nitrogen atoms at the STI sidewall interface. Nitridation is performed on the STI sidewalls by exposure to a nitrogen-containing plasma, by exposure to NH3 gas at high temperatures, or by deposition of a nitrogen-containing thin film. Nitrogen is maintained at a level of 1.0·1015 to 3.0·1015 atoms/cm2, preferably 2.0·1015 to 2.4·1015 atoms/cm2, at the interface after growth of a liner oxide by adding nitrogen-containing gases to an oxidation ambient. The density of nitrogen is adjusted to maximize stress in a transistor adjacent to the STI regions. An IC fabricated according to the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Elisabeth Marley
  • Patent number: 8202784
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having high aspect ratio isolation trenches and a method for manufacturing the same is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulation layer, and a second insulation layer. The semiconductor substrate has a second trench that is wider than a first trench. The first insulation layer is partially formed within the wider second trench in which the first insulation layer when formed clogs the opening of the narrower first trench. A cleaning of the first insulation layer unclogs the opening of the narrower first trench in which a second insulation layer can then be formed within both the first and second trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Tai Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8198171
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of trenches by etching the substrate; forming a first isolation layer by filling the plurality of the trenches with a first insulation layer; recessing the first insulation layer filling a first group of the plurality of the trenches to a predetermined depth; forming a liner layer over the first group of the trenches with the first insulation layer recessed to the predetermined depth; and forming a second isolation layer by filling the first group of the trenches, where the liner layer is formed, with a second insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8183664
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of testing the same. The electrostatic protection device includes a plurality of device isolation regions formed in a semiconductor substrate at a predetermined width and a predetermined depth that each sequentially increase from a circuit device formation region of the semiconductor substrate to a ground region of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of gate electrodes formed over the semiconductor substrate in spaces between adjacent ones of the device isolation regions, and a plurality of source regions and drain regions formed in the semiconductor substrate at both lateral sides of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji-Houn Jung
  • Publication number: 20120112309
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate structure for manufacturing integrated circuit devices includes a bulk substrate; a lower insulating layer formed on the bulk substrate, the lower insulating layer formed from a pair of separate insulation layers having a bonding interface therebetween; an electrically conductive layer formed on the lower insulating layer; an insulator with etch stop characteristics formed on the electrically conductive layer; an upper insulating layer formed on the etch stop layer; and a semiconductor layer formed on the upper insulating layer. A scheme of subsequently building a dual-depth shallow trench isolation with the deeper STI in the back gate layer self-aligned to the shallower STI in the active region in such a semiconductor substrate is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert H. Dennard, David R. Greenberg, Amlan Majumdar, Leathen Shi, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Publication number: 20120104564
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a multi-depth trench is formed, the multi-depth trench including a shallow trench and a deep trench arranged below the shallow trench, a first dielectric material formed in partial area of the multi-depth trench, the first dielectric material including a slope in the shallow trench that extends upward from a corner where a bottom plane of the shallow trench and a sidewall of the deep trench meets, the slope being inclined with respect to the bottom plane of the shallow trench, and a second dielectric material formed in areas of the multi-depth trench in which the first dielectric material is absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNACHIP SEMICONDUCTOR, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-sik Won, Sang-uk Lee
  • Patent number: 8148788
    Abstract: The invention is directed to reduction of a manufacturing cost and enhancement of a breakdown voltage of a PN junction portion abutting on a guard ring. An N? type semiconductor layer is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a P type semiconductor layer is formed thereon. An insulation film is formed on the P type semiconductor layer. Then, a plurality of grooves, i.e., a first groove, a second groove and a third groove are formed from the insulation film to the middle of the N? type semiconductor layer in the thickness direction thereof. The plurality of grooves is formed so that one of the two grooves next to each other among these, that is closer to an electronic device, i.e., to an anode electrode, is formed shallower than the other located on the outside of the one. Then, an insulating material is deposited in the first groove, the second groove and the third groove. The lamination body of the semiconductor substrate and the layers laminated thereon is then diced along dicing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: SANYO Semiconductor Co., Ltd., SANYO Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Akira Suzuki, Naofumi Tsuchiya, Koujiro Kameyama
  • Patent number: 8143167
    Abstract: Trench isolation structures and methods to form same for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices are described. The trench isolation structures are formed using several processing schemes that utilize disclosed dry etching processes to form a significant depth ? between an array trench depth and a periphery trench depth. One etching method creates a trench delta depth utilizing a single dry etch step, while two other etching methods create a trench ? depth by utilizing three dry etch steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolong Fang, Ramakanth Alapati, Tuman E. Allen
  • Patent number: 8138571
    Abstract: By forming isolation trenches of different types of intrinsic stress on the basis of separate process sequences, the strain characteristics of adjacent active semiconductor regions may be adjusted so as to obtain overall device performance. For example, highly stressed dielectric fill material including compressive and tensile stress may be appropriately provided in the respective isolation trenches in order to correspondingly adapt the charge carrier mobility of respective channel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Schwan, Joe Bloomquist, Peter Javorka, Manfred Horstmann, Sven Beyer, Markus Forsberg, Frank Wirbeleit, Karla Romero
  • Patent number: 8138093
    Abstract: A lithographic material stack including a photo-resist and an organic planarizing layer is combined with an etch process that generates etch residues over a wide region from sidewalls of etched regions. By selecting the etch chemistry that produces deposition of etch residues from the organic planarizing layer over a wide region, the etch residue generated at the sidewalls of the wide trench is deposited over the entire bottom surface of the wide trench. An etch residue portion remains at the bottom surface of the wide trench when the organic planarizing layer is etched through in the first trench region. The etch residue portion is employed in the next step of the etch process to retard the etch rate in the wide trench, thereby producing the same depth for all trenches in the material layer into which the pattern of the lithographic material stack is transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hakeem B. S. Akinmade-Yusuff, Samuel S. Choi
  • Patent number: 8133795
    Abstract: In the present invention, in the exposure to light of a memory cell array or the like of a semiconductor memory or the like, when a group of unit openings for etching the STI trench regions in which the unit openings for etching the STI trench regions each having a rectangular shape are arranged in rows and columns are transferred by the exposure onto a negative resist film, multiple exposure is appropriately used which includes a first exposure step using a first optical mask having a group of first linear openings extending in a column direction and a second exposure step using a second optical mask having a group of second linear openings extending in a row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kota Funayama, Hiraku Chakihara
  • Patent number: 8133779
    Abstract: A conductive film is formed to extend from a bottom and a sidewall of a recess formed in an interlayer insulating film onto a top surface of the interlayer insulating film. Dry etching of the conductive film is performed such that a portion of the conductive film remains on the bottom and sidewall of the recess. The dry etching is also performed such that a deposition film is formed on a top portion of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Keisuke Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 8133797
    Abstract: In-situ semiconductor process that can fill high aspect ratio (typically at least 6:1, for example 7:1 or higher), narrow width (typically sub 0.13 micron, for example 0.1 micron or less) gaps without damaging underlying features and little or no incidence of voids or weak spots is provided. A protective layer is deposited to protect underlying features in regions of the substrate having lower feature density so that unwanted material may be removed from regions of the substrate having higher feature density. This protective layer may deposits thicker on a low density feature than on a high density feature and may be deposited using a PECVD process or low sputter/deposition ratio HDP CVD process. This protective layer may also be a metallic oxide layer that is resistant to fluorine etching, such as zirconium oxide (ZrO2) or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart van Schravendijk, Richard S. Hill, Wilbert van den Hoek, Harald te Nijenhuis
  • Patent number: 8120140
    Abstract: An isolation structure comprising a substrate is provided. A trench is in the substrate. A sidewall of the trench has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface is located on the second inclined surface. The slope of the first inclined surface is different from the slope of the second inclined surface. A length of the first inclined surface is greater than 15 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsung Wu, Shih-Ping Hong, Chun-Min Cheng, Yu-Chung Chen, Han-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 8120103
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a plurality of active pillars formed over the substrate; bulb-type trenches, each of the bulb-type trenches formed inside the substrate between the active pillars; buried bit lines, each of the buried bit lines being formed on a sidewall of a respective one of the bulb-type trenches; and vertical gates, each of the vertical gates being formed to surround a sidewall of a respective one of the active pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki-Ro Hong
  • Patent number: 8115246
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor layer having a convex portion and a concave portion surrounding the convex portion. The semiconductor device may further include a protrusion type isolation layer filling the concave portion and extending upward so that an uppermost surface of the isolation layer is a at level higher that an uppermost surface of the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hyun Kim, Jai-kyun Park
  • Patent number: 8093107
    Abstract: A thyristor based semiconductor device includes a thyristor having cathode, P-base, N-base and anode regions disposed in electrical series relationship. The N-base region for the thyristor has a cross-section that defines an inverted “T” shape, wherein a buried well in semiconductor material forms is operable as a part of the N-base. The stem to the inverted “T” shape extends from the upper surface of the semiconductor material to the buried well. The P-base region for the thyristor extends laterally outward from a side of the stem that is opposite the anode region of the thyristor, and is further bounded between the buried well and a surface of the semiconductor material. A thinned portion for the N-base is defined between the cathode region of the thyristor and the buried well, and may include supplemental dopant of concentration greater than that for some other portion of the N-base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: T-RAM Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Farid Nemati, Scott Robins, Kevin J. Yang
  • Patent number: 8093678
    Abstract: A semiconductor device. The device includes an active region isolated by an isolation structure on a substrate, and a dielectric layer overlying the active region and the isolation structure. The dielectric layer comprises a lower part overlying the active region beyond the boundary of the active region and the isolation structure, and a protruding part overlying the boundary of the active region and the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Shan Lu, Feng-Liang Lai, Shean-Ren Horng
  • Patent number: 8084832
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor. In embodiments, the method may include a first exposure step of performing an exposure process for forming a first photoresist on a semiconductor substrate at one side of the outside of a trench pattern which will be formed, a first etching step of performing a predetermined dry etching method with respect to the first photoresist, a second exposure step of performing an exposure process for forming a second photoresist at the other side of the outside of the trench pattern, which is a side opposite to the first photoresist, and a second etching step of performing the predetermined dry etching method with respect to the second photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Je Yun
  • Publication number: 20110300689
    Abstract: First and second isolation trenches are formed into semiconductive material of a semiconductor substrate. The first isolation trench has a narrowest outermost cross sectional dimension which is less than that of the second isolation trench. An insulative layer is deposited to within the first and second isolation trenches effective to fill remaining volume of the first isolation trench within the semiconductive material but not that of the second isolation trench within the semiconductive material. The insulative layer comprises silicon dioxide deposited from flowing TEOS to the first and second isolation trenches. A spin-on-dielectric is deposited over the silicon dioxide deposited from flowing the TEOS within the second isolation trench within the semiconductive material, but not within the first isolation trench within the semiconductive material. The spin-on-dielectric is deposited effective to fill remaining volume of the second isolation trench within the semiconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Patraw, M. Ceredig Roberts, Keith R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8072036
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electromechanical system microphone structure is disclosed. First, a substrate defining a MEMS region and a logic region is provided, and a surface of the substrate has a dielectric layer thereon. Next, at least one metal interconnect layer is formed on the dielectric layer in the logic region, and at least one micro-machined metal mesh is simultaneously formed in the dielectric layer of the MEMS region. Therefore, the thickness of the MEMS microphone structure can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hui-Shen Shih
  • Patent number: 8071412
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-electromechanical system microphone structure is disclosed. First, a substrate defining a MEMS region and a logic region is provided, and a surface of the substrate has a dielectric layer thereon. Next, at least one metal interconnect layer is formed on the dielectric layer in the logic region, and at least one micro-machined metal mesh is simultaneously formed in the dielectric layer of the MEMS region. Therefore, the thickness of the MEMS microphone structure can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hui-Shen Shih
  • Patent number: 8058685
    Abstract: A trench MOSFET structure having improved avalanche capability is disclosed, wherein the source region is formed by performing source Ion Implantation through contact open region of a contact interlayer, and further diffused to optimize a trade-off between Rds and the avalanche capability. Thus, only three masks are needed in fabrication process, which are trench mask, contact mask and metal mask. Furthermore, said source region has a doping concentration along channel region lower than along contact trench region, and source junction depth along channel region shallower than along contact trench, and source doping profile along surface of epitaxial layer has Guassian-distribution from trenched source-body contact to channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Force Mos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8039340
    Abstract: A method of forming a series of spaced trenches into a substrate includes forming a plurality of spaced lines over a substrate. Anisotropically etched sidewall spacers are formed on opposing sides of the spaced lines. Individual of the lines have greater maximum width than minimum width of space between immediately adjacent of the spacers between immediately adjacent of the lines. The spaced lines are removed to form a series of alternating first and second mask openings between the spacers. The first mask openings are located where the spaced lines were located and are wider than the second mask openings. Alternating first and second trenches are simultaneously etched into the substrate through the alternating first and second mask openings, respectively, to form the first trenches to be wider and deeper within the substrate than are the second trenches. Other implementations and embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal L. Davis, Richard Housley, Ranjan Khurana
  • Publication number: 20110244650
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having first and second areas; an STI isolation region being made of an isolation trench formed in the semiconductor substrate and an insulating film burying the isolation trench and defining a plurality of active regions in the first and second areas; a first structure formed on an area from the active region in the first area to a nearby STI isolation region and having a first height; and a second structure formed on an area from the active region in the second area to a nearby STI isolation region and having a second height, wherein the surface of the said STI isolation region in the first area is lower than the surface of said STI isolation region in the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventors: Taiji Ema, Kazuhiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8022500
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having high aspect ratio isolation trenches and a method for manufacturing the same is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulation layer, and a second insulation layer. The semiconductor substrate has a second trench that is wider than a first trench. The first insulation layer is partially formed within the wider second trench in which the first insulation layer when formed clogs the opening of the narrower first trench. A cleaning of the first insulation layer unclogs the opening of the narrower first trench in which a second insulation layer can then be formed within both the first and second trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Tai Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8021943
    Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method comprises providing a structure which includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of subsurface layers, the substrate comprising a top surface and the subsurface layers comprising a top subsurface layer below the top surface of the substrate. A protective material is patterned on the top surface of the device and a material removal process is performed to simultaneously form a contact trench and an isolation trench, the material removal process removing at least a portion of the top surface and the top subsurface layer such that the contact trench and the isolation trench are formed within the subsurface layer. An insulator is then formed within the isolation trench and the contact trench is lined with the insulator. The contact trench is then filled with a conductive material such that the conductive material is deposited over the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, BethAnn Rainey, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Patent number: 8017495
    Abstract: An isolation layer structure includes first to fourth oxide layer patterns. The first and third oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a first trench defined by a first recessed top surface of a substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a first region. The first trench has a first width, and the first and third oxide layer patterns have no void therein. The second and fourth oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a second trench defined by a second recessed top surface of the substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a second region. The second trench has a second width larger than the first width, and the fourth oxide layer pattern has a void therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Wan Kim, Kyu-Tae Na, Min Kim, Seung-Bae Park, Il-Woo Kim, Dae-Young Kwak
  • Patent number: 8004048
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a buried gate that can realize a reduction in gate-induced drain leakage is presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried gate, and a barrier layer. The semiconductor substrate has a groove. The buried gate is formed in a lower portion of the groove and has a lower portion wider than an upper portion. The barrier layer is formed on sidewalls of the upper portion of the buried gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Min Soo Yoo
  • Patent number: 7989857
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a transistor, wherein the electronic device can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface, a channel region, a gate electrode, a source region, a conductive electrode, and an insulating layer lying between the primary surface of the semiconductor layer and the conductive electrode. The insulating layer has a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is thinner than the second region. The channel region, gate electrode, source region, or any combination thereof can lie closer to the first region than the second region. The thinner portion can allow for faster switch of the transistor, and the thicker portion can allow a relatively large voltage difference to be placed across the insulating layer. Alternative shapes for the transitions between the different regions of the insulating layer and exemplary methods to achieve such shapes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Patent number: 7989911
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a substrate having high voltage transistor regions and low voltage transistor regions. The substrate includes a first trench between and adjacent to the high voltage transistor regions, a second trench between and adjacent to the low voltage transistor regions, and a third trench between the first and second trenches and between and adjacent to a high voltage transistor region and a low voltage transistor region. A thicker silicon dioxide layer lines the first trench and a first portion of the third trench adjacent to a high voltage transistor region. A thinner silicon dioxide layer lines the second trench and a second portion of the third trench adjacent to a low voltage transistor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Mehta, Stewart Logie, Steven Fong
  • Patent number: 7985656
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit includes etching a substrate to create simultaneously a first trench between high voltage transistor regions of the substrate and a second trench between low voltage regions of the substrate. The substrate is then oxidized to form a silicon dioxide layer lining the first and second trenches, the layer having a first thickness. A silicon nitride layer is deposited on the silicon dioxide layer in the first and second trenches. The silicon nitride layer is then etched from the first trench but not from the second trench, thereby exposing the silicon layer in the first trench but not the second trench. The exposed silicon dioxide layer in the first trench is oxidized to increase the thickness of the silicon dioxide layer to a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the unexposed silicon dioxide layer in the second trench. The first and second trenches are then filled with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Mehta, Stewart Logie, Steven Fong
  • Patent number: 7985655
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a via includes providing a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a through-via region, forming isolation openings and a sacrificial feature in the through-via region, filling the isolation openings to form isolation regions, forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate after filling the isolation openings, forming a first portion of a through-via opening in the dielectric layer, forming a second portion of the through-via opening in the semiconductor substrate, wherein forming the second portion of the through-via opening comprises removing the sacrificial feature, and forming a conductive material in the first portion and the second portion of the through-via opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7977204
    Abstract: A method of forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device uses a double patterning technique. A first mask pattern is formed on a first hard mask layer disposed on a substrate. A conformal buffer layer is formed over the first mask pattern. A second mask pattern is formed such that segments of the buffer layer are interposed between the first and second mask patterns, and each topographical feature of the second mask pattern is disposed between two adjacent ones of each respective pair of topographical features of the first mask pattern. A first hard mask pattern is formed by etching the first hard mask layer using the first mask pattern, the second mask pattern, and/or the buffer layer as an etch mask. A trench is formed by etching the substrate using the first hard mask pattern as an etch mask. An isolation layer, of a material that is different from that of first hard mask pattern, is formed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-il Kim, Hyeong-sun Hong, Makoto Yoshida, Bong-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7964461
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor device and comprises the steps of forming a tunnel insulating layer and conductive layer patterns on an active area of a semiconductor substrate, the width of an upper portion of the conductive layer patterns being narrower than that of a lower portion; forming a trench between the conductive layer patterns on the semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating layer to fill a portion of the trench with the insulating layer; and performing an etching process to remove an overhang of the insulating layer formed at an upper edge of the conductive layer patterns. Here, the step of forming the insulating layer and the step of performing the etching process are repeatedly performed until a space between the conductive layer patterns and the trench are filled with the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young Hee Seo
  • Patent number: 7960285
    Abstract: A method for the production of a component structure. On embodiment provides a semiconductor body having a first side. A first trench and a second trench are produced, which extend into the semiconductor body proceeding from the first side and are arranged at a distance from one another in a lateral direction of the semiconductor body. A first material layer in the first trench is produced. A third trench proceeding from the second trench is produced, extending as far as the first material layer in the first lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 7951615
    Abstract: One embodiment is a method for fabricating ICs from a semiconductor wafer. The method includes performing a first process on the semiconductor wafer; taking a first measurement indicative of an accuracy with which the first process was performed; and using the first measurement to generate metrology calibration data, wherein the metrology calibration data includes an effective portion and a non-effective portion. The method further includes removing the non-effective portion from the metrology calibration data and modeling the effective portion with a metrology calibration model; combining the metrology calibration model with a first process model to generate a multi-resolution model, wherein the first process model models an input-output relationship of the first process; and analyzing a response of the multi-resolution model and second measurement data to control performance a second process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andy Tsen, Jin-Ning Sung, Po-Feng Tsai, Jong-I Mou
  • Patent number: 7947569
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor including a material layer. In one embodiment a trench is produced having two opposite sidewalls and a bottom, in a semiconductor body. A foreign material layer is produced on a first one of the two sidewalls of the trench. The trench is filled by epitaxially depositing a semiconductor material onto the second one of the two sidewalls and the bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Anton Mauder, Frank Pfirsch, Rudolf Berger, Stefan Sedlmaier, Wolfgang Lehnert, Raimund Foerg
  • Publication number: 20110117721
    Abstract: An isolation layer structure includes first to fourth oxide layer patterns. The first and third oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a first trench defined by a first recessed top surface of a substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a first region. The first trench has a first width, and the first and third oxide layer patterns have no void therein. The second and fourth oxide layer patterns are sequentially formed in a second trench defined by a second recessed top surface of the substrate and sidewalls of gate structures on the substrate in a second region. The second trench has a second width larger than the first width, and the fourth oxide layer pattern has a void therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ju-Wan KIM, Kyu-Tae Na, Min Kim, Seung-Bae Park, Il-Woo Kim, Dae-Young Kwak
  • Patent number: 7944021
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an element isolation film formed on a semiconductor substrate surface of one conductivity type, a gate electrode having one pair of end portions located on a boundary between an element isolation film and an element forming region, a source region and a drain region of a reverse conductivity type arranged to sandwich a region immediately below a gate electrode, and an impurity diffusion region of the one conductivity type formed in the element forming region. The source region is separated from a region on a boundary side between the element isolation film and the element forming region in the region immediately below the gate electrode in the element forming region. In the impurity diffusion region, a portion adjacent to the region on the boundary side is arranged between the source region and the element isolation film, and is in contact with the source region and the region on the boundary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7902613
    Abstract: Various systems and methods related to semiconductor devices having a plurality of layers and having a first conductive trace on a first layer electrically connected to a second conductive trace on a second layer and electrically isolated from a third electrical trace on the second layer are provided. A semiconductor structure can include first, second and third layers. The first conducting layer may be etched to form a first trench for the first conductive trace. A layer of material on the second layer in the first trench can define a patch area, wherein the patch area is disposed in a location where the first trench crosses over the third electrical trace. A second trench may be etched in an area defined by the first trench and the patch area to remove material in the second layer exposed by the first trench, leaving material of the layer under the patch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe Pierrat
  • Patent number: 7863146
    Abstract: Roughly described, transistor channel regions are elevated over the level of certain adjacent STI regions. Preferably the STI regions that are transversely adjacent to the diffusion regions are suppressed, as are STI regions that are longitudinally adjacent to N-channel diffusion regions. Preferably STI regions that are longitudinally adjacent to P-channel diffusions are not suppressed; preferably they have an elevation that is at least as high as that of the diffusion regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Moroz, Dipankar Pramanik, Xi Wei Lin
  • Publication number: 20100330774
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to, first and second well regions, and a well isolation region isolating the first and second well regions. The first and second well regions each may include an active region, a device isolation groove that defines the active region, and a device isolation insulating film that fills the device isolation groove. The first and second well regions may include first and second well layers, respectively. The well isolation region may include a well isolation groove, a well isolation insulating film that fills the well isolation groove, and a diffusion stopper layer disposed under a bottom of the well isolation groove. The first and second well layers have first and second bottoms respectively, which are deeper in depth than a bottom of the device isolation groove and shallower in depth than the bottom of the well isolation groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki FUJIMOTO, Yoshihiro TAKAISHI
  • Patent number: 7855149
    Abstract: Provided may be a treatment method to remove defects created on the surface of a substrate, a method of fabricating an image sensor by using the treatment method, and an image sensor fabricated by the same. The treatment method may include providing a semiconductor substrate including a surface defect, providing a chemical solution to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and removing the surface defect by consuming the surface of the semiconductor substrate and forming a chemical oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gi-Bum Kim, Hyun-Pil Noh
  • Publication number: 20100283108
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device provided with an element isolation structure capable of hindering an adverse effect on electric characteristics of a semiconductor element, and a method of manufacturing the same. The thickness of a first silicon oxide film left in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively narrow width is thinner than the first silicon oxide film left in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively wide width. A second silicon oxide film (an upper layer) having a relatively high compressive stress by an HDP-CVD method is more thickly laminated over the first silicon oxide film in a lower layer by a thinned thickness of the first silicon oxide film. The compressive stress of an element isolation oxide film finally formed in a shallow trench isolation having a relatively narrow width is more enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Mahito Sawada, Tatsunori Kaneoka, Katsuyuki Horita
  • Patent number: 7816720
    Abstract: A trench MOSFET structure having improved avalanche capability is disclosed, wherein the source region is formed by performing source Ion Implantation through contact open region of a thick contact interlayer, and further diffused to optimize a trade-off between Rds and the avalanche capability. Thus, only three masks are needed in fabrication process, which are trench mask, contact mask and metal mask. Furthermore, said source region has a doping concentration along channel region lower than along contact trench region, and source junction depth along channel region shallower than along contact trench, and source doping profile along surface of epitaxial layer has Gaussian-distribution from trenched source-body contact to channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Force Mos Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Yuan Hsieh