Filling Of Holes, Grooves, Vias Or Trenches With Conductive Material (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.585)
  • Patent number: 12266404
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes word lines extending in first and second directions, and separated from each other in a third direction, sense amplifier circuits that partially overlap the word lines in the third direction, memory strings intersecting the word lines and extending in the third direction, memory-side bit lines extending in the first direction, separated from each other in the second direction, and including first and second adjacent memory-side bit lines, circuit-side bit lines between the word lines and the sense amplifier circuits and partially overlapping the respective memory-side bit lines in the third direction, and contact plugs extending in the third direction and respectively connecting the memory-side bit lines and the circuit-side bit lines. The contact plugs include first and second contract plugs that are electrically connected to the first and second memory-side bit lines, respectively, and are not aligned along the first or second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maejima
  • Patent number: 12261197
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A first top electrode layer is deposited on the dielectric layer by a first deposition process. A diffusion barrier layer is deposited on the first top electrode layer by a second deposition process different from the first deposition process. A second top electrode layer is deposited on the diffusion barrier layer by a third deposition. The third deposition process is the same as the first deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsing-Lien Lin, Chii-Ming Wu, Hai-Dang Trinh, Fa-Shen Jiang
  • Patent number: 12259407
    Abstract: A contact probe having a first end portion adapted to abut onto a contact pad of a device under test and a second end portion adapted to abut onto a contact pad of a PCB board of a testing apparatus, as well as a rod-shaped probe body extended between the end portions along a longitudinal development direction is provided with an opening extending along the longitudinal development direction and defines at least one pair of arms in the probe body. Suitably, each arm of the at least one pair of arms has a not constant transversal section, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal development direction, having different areas in correspondence of different points along the probe body and ensures a distribution of the stress along the probe body during bending thereof during testing operation of the device under test performed by means of the contact probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Vettori
  • Patent number: 12261128
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory device includes: a first and second member each extending in a first direction in a boundary part between a first and second block region and arranged in the first direction; a support pillar arranged between the first and second member at the boundary part; conductive layers separated from one another and arranged in a third direction and split by the first and second member, and the support pillar into a first and second portion; and a memory pillar penetrating through the conductive layers. The support pillar includes a lower and upper pillar. A side face of the lower pillar and an extension of a side face of the upper pillar are displaced from each other in a plane based on a second and the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Masaki, Hisashi Kato, Kazuhiro Nojima, Shoichi Miyazaki, Akira Yotsumoto, Kanako Shiga, Yu Hirotsu, Osamu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 12255165
    Abstract: An electronic package is provided and includes a carrier for carrying electronic components. Electrical contact pads of the carrier for planting solder balls are connected with a plurality of columnar conductors, and the conductors are electrically connected to a circuit portion in the carrier. By connecting a plurality of conductors with a single electrical contact pad, structural stress can be distributed and breakage of the circuit portion can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: SILICONWARE PRECISION INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ren Chen, Po-Yung Chang, Pei-Geng Weng, Yuan-Hung Hsu, Chang-Fu Lin, Don-Son Jiang
  • Patent number: 12252783
    Abstract: Low-flow tungsten chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques described herein provide substantially uniform deposition of tungsten on a semiconductor substrate. In some implementations, a flow of a processing vapor is provided to a CVD processing chamber such that a flow rate of tungsten hexafluoride in the processing vapor results in the tungsten layer being grown at a slower rate than a higher flow rate of the tungsten hexafluoride to promote substantially uniform growth of the tungsten layer. In this way, the low-flow tungsten CVD techniques may be used to achieve similar surface uniformity performance to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) while being a faster deposition process relative to ALD (e.g., due to the lower deposition rate and large quantity of alternating processing cycles of ALD). This reduces the likelihood of defect formation in the tungsten layer while increasing the throughput of semiconductor device processing for the semiconductor substrate (and other semiconductor substrates).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Pin-Wen Chen, Yuan-Chen Hsu, Ken-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 12255070
    Abstract: In a semiconductor structure, a first conductive feature is formed in a trench by PVD and a glue layer is then deposited on the first conductive feature in the trench before CVD deposition of a second conductive feature there-over. The first conductive feature acts as a protection layer to keep silicide from being damaged by later deposition of metal or a precursor by CVD. The glue layer extends along the extent of the sidewall to enhance the adhesion of the second conductive features to the surrounding dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Hsuan Lu, Kan-Ju Lin, Lin-Yu Huang, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Hung-Yi Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 12238931
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and an electronic system including the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device may include a gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a first epitaxial layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and at a side of the gate electrode, a second epitaxial layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate and at an opposite side of the gate electrode, a first contact plug in contact with a portion of the first epitaxial layer, and a second contact plug in contact with a portion of the second epitaxial layer. Top surfaces of the first and second epitaxial layers may be located at a level higher than a top surface of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hwa Seo, Hakseon Kim, Sungkweon Baek
  • Patent number: 12237218
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a contact structure includes the following steps. An opening is formed in a dielectric layer. A conductive material layer is formed within the opening and on the dielectric layer, wherein the conductive material layer includes a bottom section having a first thickness and a top section having a second thickness, the second thickness is greater than the first thickness. A first treatment is performed on the conductive material layer to form a first oxide layer on the bottom section and on the top section of the conductive material layer. A second treatment is performed to remove at least portions of the first oxide layer and at least portions of the conductive material layer, wherein after performing the second treatment, the bottom section and the top section of the conductive material layer have substantially equal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Ting Chung, Shih-Wei Yeh, Kai-Chieh Yang, Yu-Ting Wen, Yu-Chen Ko, Ya-Yi Cheng, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-Hsien Huang, Wei-Jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai
  • Patent number: 12227867
    Abstract: A plating apparatus includes a workpiece holder, a plating bath, and a clamp ring. The plating bath is underneath the workpiece holder. The clamp ring is connected to the workpiece holder. The clamp ring includes channels communicating an inner surface of the clamp ring and an outer surface of the clamp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Yu Tsai, Ku-Feng Yang, Wen-Chih Chiou
  • Patent number: 12230704
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an active region through which a main current flows, a gate ring region surrounding a periphery of the active region, a source ring region surrounding a periphery of the gate ring region, and a termination region surrounding a periphery of the source ring region. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and further, in the active region, first semiconductor regions of the first conductivity type, a gate insulating film, first gate electrodes, an interlayer insulating film, a first first-electrode, a first plating film, and a second electrode. The semiconductor device has, in the source ring region, a second first-electrode provided at a surface of the second semiconductor layer, and a second plating film provided on the second first-electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 12230667
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a switching element on a substrate, a pad isolation layer on the switching element, a conductive pad passing through the pad isolation layer and connected to the switching element, an insulating pattern on the pad isolation layer and having a height greater than a horizontal width, a lower electrode on side surfaces of the insulating pattern on side surfaces of the insulating pattern and in contact with the conductive pad, a capacitor dielectric layer on the lower electrode and having a monocrystalline dielectric layer and a polycrystalline dielectric layer, the monocrystalline dielectric layer being relatively close to side surfaces of the insulating pattern compared to the polycrystalline dielectric layer an upper electrode on the capacitor dielectric layer may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERISTY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sang Yeol Kang, Kyu Ho Cho, Han Jin Lim, Cheol Seong Hwang
  • Patent number: 12217800
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other; a back-side insulating layer below the second surface of the semiconductor substrate; an external input/output conductive pattern below the back-side insulating layer; a circuit device including a gate electrode and a source/drain region, on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; an internal input/output conductive pattern on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the internal input/output conductive pattern having at least a portion disposed on the same level as at least a portion of the gate electrode; a through-electrode structure penetrating through the semiconductor substrate and the back-side insulating layer and electrically connected to the internal input/output conductive pattern and the external input/output conductive pattern; and a memory cell array region disposed on a level higher than the circuit device, on the first surface of the semiconducto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeho Ahn, Jiwon Kim, Sungmin Hwang, Joonsung Lim, Sukkang Sung
  • Patent number: 12218119
    Abstract: An interposer comprises a semiconductor material and includes cache memory under a location on the interposer for a host device. Memory interface circuitry may also be located under one or more locations on the interposer for memory devices. Microelectronic device assemblies incorporating such an interposer and comprising a host device and multiple memory devices are also disclosed, as are methods of fabricating such microelectronic device assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen R. Fay, Chan H. Yoo
  • Patent number: 12218087
    Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor structure and a first connecting structure, wherein the first connecting structure includes a first connecting insulating layer positioned on the first semiconductor structure, two first conductive layers positioned in the first connecting insulating layer, and a first porous layer positioned between the two first conductive layers. A porosity of the first porous layer is between about 25% and about 100%. The first semiconductor structure includes a plurality of first composite conductive features, wherein at least one of the plurality of first composite conductive features includes a first protection liner, a first graphene liner in the first protection liner and a first core conductor in the first graphene liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teng-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 12211745
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric layer on a lower structure. The method includes forming an opening to penetrate through the dielectric layer. The method includes alternately repeating a first operation, in which a first sputtering deposition process is performed to form a first metal pattern in the opening, and a second operation, in which a second sputtering deposition process is performed to form a second metal pattern in the opening, two or more times to form a first metal layer. The method includes forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in an electroplating manner, and planarizing the first and second metal layers. Moreover, first and second process times, during which the first sputtering deposition process and the second sputtering deposition process, respectively, are performed, are each about five seconds or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Uihyoung Lee, Honyun Park, Jongseok Lee, Sewan Kim, Taesung Lee
  • Patent number: 12205895
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. Edges of the conductive layers and dielectric layers define a plurality of stairs. The 3D memory device may also include a plurality of landing structures each disposed on a respective conductive layer at a respective stair. Each of the landing structures comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material. The first layer is over the second layer. The second material is different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Di Wang, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 12205887
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interconnect including (i) a first layer, and (ii) a second layer provided on the first layer and including copper. The device also includes a plug provided on the interconnect and including (a) a third layer including titanium and nitrogen, and (b) a fourth layer provided on the third layer and including tungsten. A concentration of chlorine in the third layer is less than or equal to 5.0×1021 atoms/cm3, and a concentration of oxygen at the interface between the third layer and the fourth layer is less than or equal to 5.0×1021 atoms/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitamura, Atsushi Kato, Hiroaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 12203163
    Abstract: Methods of processing a substrate in a PVD chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate in a PVD chamber, includes: sputtering material from a target disposed in the PVD chamber and onto a substrate, wherein at least some of the material sputtered from the target is guided to the substrate through a magnetic field provided by one or more upper magnets disposed about a processing volume of the PVD chamber above a support pedestal for the substrate in the PVD chamber, one or more first magnets disposed about the support pedestal and providing an increased magnetic field strength at an edge region of the substrate, and one or more second magnets disposed below the support pedestal that increase a magnetic field strength at a central region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Goichi Yoshidome, Suhas Bangalore Umesh, Sushil Arun Samant, Martin Lee Riker, Wei Lei, Kishor Kumar Kalathiparambil, Shirish A. Pethe, Fuhong Zhang, Prashanth Kothnur, Andrew Tomko
  • Patent number: 12199042
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes transistors on a substrate, a first interlayered insulating layer on the transistors, first and second lower interconnection lines in an upper portion of the first interlayered insulating layer, and first and second vias on the first and second lower interconnection lines, respectively. Each of the first and second lower interconnection lines includes a first metal pattern. The first lower interconnection line further includes a second metal pattern, on the first metal pattern with a metallic material different from the first metal pattern. The second metal pattern is absent in the second lower interconnection line. The second via includes first and second portions, which are in contact with respective top surfaces of the first interlayered insulating layer and the second lower interconnection line, and the lowest level of a bottom surface of the second portion is lower than that of a bottom surface of the first via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wonhyuk Hong, Jongjin Lee, Rakhwan Kim, Eun-Ji Jung
  • Patent number: 12199014
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a substrate; a via which penetrates the substrate; a via insulating film formed along an inner wall of the via; and a core plug which fills the via, wherein a residual stress of the via insulating film is 60 MPa to ?100 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyeong Bin Lim, Sung Hyup Kim, Hyo Ju Kim, Ho Chang Lee, Jeong Min Na
  • Patent number: 12191162
    Abstract: A semiconductor device assembly and method of forming a semiconductor device assembly that includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed over the first substrate, at least one interconnect between the substrates, and at least one pillar extending from the bottom surface of the first substrate. The pillar is electrically connected to the interconnect and is located adjacent to a side of the first substrate. The pillar is formed by filling a via through the substrate with a conductive material. The first substrate may include an array of pillars extending from the bottom surface adjacent to a side of the substrate that are formed from a plurality of filled vias. The substrate may include a test pad located on the bottom surface or located on the top surface. The pillars may include a removable coating enabling the pillars to be probed without damaging the inner conductive portion of the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Owen R. Fay, Akshay N. Singh, Kyle K. Kirby
  • Patent number: 12193212
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device. The method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a base, where the base includes a substrate and an array region located above the substrate, and the array region includes a first semiconductor structure and a first dielectric layer that covers a surface of the first semiconductor structure; forming, in the first dielectric layer, a groove exposing the first semiconductor structure, where the groove runs through the first dielectric layer along a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate; and filling the groove with a conductive material to form an array contact line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: CHANIGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Wu, Sangyeol Park
  • Patent number: 12191250
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a lower insulating structure disposed over a lower dielectric structure surrounding one or more lower interconnects. A bottom electrode via surrounded by one or more interior sidewalls of the lower insulating structure. The bottom electrode via includes a barrier surrounding a conductive core. A bottom electrode is arranged on the bottom electrode via, a data storage structure is over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode is over the data storage structure. The barrier includes a sidewall disposed along the one or more interior sidewalls of the lower insulating structure and a horizontally covering segment protruding outward from the sidewall to above a top surface of the lower insulating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen Yu Guan, Sheng-Wen Fu, Hsun-Chung Kuang
  • Patent number: 12183863
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a drive backplane, a manufacturing method thereof and a display panel. The drive backplane includes: a base substrate; a first conductive layer, located on the base substrate; a first flat layer, located in a region, other than a pattern of the first conductive layer, on the base substrate; a second flat layer, located on a side, facing away from the base substrate, of the first conductive layer and the first flat layer, where the second flat layer includes a plurality of first via holes; and a second conductive layer, located on a side, facing away from the base substrate, of the second flat layer, where a pattern of the second conductive layer is electrically connected with the pattern of the first conductive layer through the first via holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignees: Hefei Xinsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haifeng Hu, Ting Zeng, Zhanqi Xu, Jian Yang, Liuyue Yin
  • Patent number: 12183764
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The image sensor integrated chip includes a photodiode region disposed within a substrate having a first semiconductor material region. A second semiconductor material region is disposed onto the substrate. A patterned doped layer is arranged between the substrate and the second semiconductor material region. The second semiconductor material region includes a sidewall connecting to a bottom surface of the second semiconductor material region. The sidewall extends through the patterned doped layer. A bottom surface of the second semiconductor material region is directly over the photodiode region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Chang Chang, Shih-Wei Lin, Te-Hsien Hsieh, Jung-I Lin
  • Patent number: 12185548
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell region. The memory cell region includes a memory stack structure including a first stack structure and a second stack structure; a plurality of channel structures vertically penetrating through the memory stack structure and connected to the second substrate; at least one first dummy structure; and at least one second dummy structure. At least a portion of the first dummy structure does not overlap the second dummy structure in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Giyong Chung, Jaeryong Sim, Kwangyoung Jung, Jeehoon Han
  • Patent number: 12173399
    Abstract: Methods of mitigating line bending during feature fill include deposition of an amorphous layer and/or an inhibition treatment during fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Chandrashekar, Lei Guo, Tsung-Han Yang
  • Patent number: 12176290
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active region extending in a first direction on a substrate; a gate structure extending in a second direction on the substrate, intersecting the active region, and including a gate electrode, source/drain region disposed on the active region on at least one side of the gate structure, a first contact structure connected to the source/drain region; a first gate contact structure disposed on and connected to the gate electrode; a second contact structure disposed on and connected to the first contact structure; and a second gate contact structure disposed on and connected to the first gate contact structure. The second contact structure and/or the second gate contact structure may include an upper metal layer and a metal liner covering a lower surface and side surfaces of the upper metal layer. An external surface of the metal liner may have surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungyu Choi, Seongheum Choi, Daeyong Kim, Rakhwan Kim
  • Patent number: 12170185
    Abstract: A plasma deposition apparatus includes a first plasma source that can produce a first plasma confined in a magnetic field, which includes: a gas distribution device configured to supply a gas, a closed-loop electrode defining a center region therein and a central axis through the central region and one or more magnets that are outside an inner surface of the closed-loop electrode. The one or more magnets can produce the magnetic field in the center region. The closed-loop electrode and the one or more magnets can produce the first plasma of activated atoms, molecules, electrons, and ions from the gas. A collimator can collimate the activated atoms, molecules, electrons, and ions produced by the first plasma source and direct the ions to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Ascentool, Inc.
    Inventor: George Xinsheng Guo
  • Patent number: 12170256
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor product includes forming a dielectric layer over a top level metallization layer of a semiconductor process wafer. The dielectric layer is patterned using a grayscale mask process to define a contact pad opening in the dielectric layer, thereby producing a patterned dielectric layer in which the contact pad opening is aligned to a contact pad defined in the top level metallization layer. A metal layer is deposited over the patterned dielectric layer, including within the contact pad opening. A portion of the metal layer is removed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, with a remaining portion of the metal layer having a sloped sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sudtida Lavangkul, Yung Shan Chang
  • Patent number: 12167584
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mask structure includes: patterning a sacrificial layer and a second dielectric layer, so as to form pattern structures each including a first pattern and a second pattern, and a width of a lower portion of the pattern structures is less than a width of a upper portion of the pattern structures; forming an initial mask pattern on sidewalls of each of the plurality of pattern structures; filling a first filling layer between adjacent initial mask patterns located on the sidewalls of different pattern structures; removing the second patterns and the initial mask pattern located on sidewalls of each of the plurality of second patterns; removing the first filling layer and the first patterns, so as to form first mask patterns; and forming second mask patterns on the first mask patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Qiang Wan, Jun Xia, Penghui Xu, Tao Liu, Sen Li, Kangshu Zhan
  • Patent number: 12165916
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interlayer insulating film; a conductive connection structure provided in the first interlayer insulating film; a second interlayer insulating film provided on the first interlayer insulating film; a wiring structure provided in the second interlayer insulating film and connected to the conductive connection structure; and an insertion liner interposed between an upper surface of the conductive connection structure and the wiring structure, the insertion liner including carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Keun Chung, Joon Gon Lee, Rak Hwan Kim, Chung Hwan Shin, Do Sun Lee, Nam Gyu Cho
  • Patent number: 12156331
    Abstract: Techniques for power tunnels on circuit boards are disclosed. A power tunnel may be created in a circuit board by drilling through non-conductive layers to a conductive trace and then filling in the hole with a conductor. A power tunnel can have a high cross-sectional area and can carry a larger amount of current than an equivalent-width trace, reducing the area on a circuit board required to carry that amount of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Khai Ern See, Jia Lin Liew, Tin Poay Chuah, Chee How Lim, Yi How Ooi
  • Patent number: 12154770
    Abstract: A plasma deposition apparatus includes a first plasma source that can produce a plasma confined in a magnetic field. The first plasma source includes a closed-loop electrode defining a center region therein and a central axis through the central region, and one or more magnets that are outside an inner surface of the closed-loop electrode. The magnets can produce a magnetic field in the center region. The one or more magnets can be at least partially embedded in the closed-loop electrode. The closed-loop electrode and the magnets can produce a plasma of ions to sputter atoms off a sputtering target or a backing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ascentool, Inc.
    Inventor: George Xinsheng Guo
  • Patent number: 12142619
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit, comprising: a pixel, comprising: a photodetection region; and a drain configured to discard charge carriers from within a semiconductor region of the pixel outside of the photodetection region. Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit, comprising: a pixel, comprising: a photodetection region; and a drain configured to discard charge carriers from the photodetection region, wherein the drain comprises a semiconductor region and the semiconductor region is contacted by a metal contact. Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit, comprising: a pixel, comprising: a photodetection region; and a drain configured to discard charge carriers from the photodetection region, wherein the drain comprises a semiconductor region that to which electrical contact is made through a conductive path that does not include a polysilicon electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Quantum-Si Incorporated
    Inventors: Farshid Ghasemi, Todd Rearick
  • Patent number: 12136608
    Abstract: A multi-chip package including a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit includes a first side having a first conductive layer, a second side having a second conductive layer, and an edge, the first conductive layer coupled to the second conductive layer at a location adjacent to the edge. The second integrated circuit is coupled to the second conductive layer of the first integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yong Chen, David Gani
  • Patent number: 12136602
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a semiconductor package, the device including a first buffer dielectric layer on a first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer and a second buffer dielectric layer sequentially disposed on the first buffer dielectric layer, the second buffer dielectric layer being in contact with the first buffer dielectric layer; and a pad interconnection structure that penetrates the first buffer dielectric layer and the second buffer dielectric layer, wherein the pad interconnection structure includes copper and tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-Il Choi, Pil-Kyu Kang, Hoechul Kim, Hoonjoo Na, Jaehyung Park, Seongmin Son
  • Patent number: 12132001
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active region, a gate structure disposed on the active region, a source/drain region disposed in the active region at a side of the gate structure, a first interlayer insulating layer and a second interlayer insulating layer sequentially disposed on the gate structure and the source/drain region, a first contact plug connected to the source/drain region through the first interlayer insulating layer, a second contact plug connected to the gate structure through the first interlayer insulating layer and the second interlayer insulating layer, a first metal line disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer, and having a metal via disposed in the second interlayer insulating layer and connected to the first contact plug, and a second metal line disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer, and directly connected to the second contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Kong Siew, Wei Hsiung Tseng, Changhwa Kim
  • Patent number: 12131976
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with a heat dissipation structure includes a first device wafer includes a front side and a back side. A first transistor is disposed on the front side. The first transistor includes a first gate structure disposed on the front side. Two first source/drain doping regions are embedded within the first device wafer at two side of the first gate structure. A channel region is disposed between the two first source/drain doping regions and embedded within the first device wafer. A first dummy metal structure contacts the back side of the first device wafer, and overlaps the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Purakh Raj Verma, Kuo-Yuh Yang, Chia-Huei Lin
  • Patent number: 12116686
    Abstract: A system may include a first semiconductor processing station configured to deposit a material on a first semiconductor wafer, a second semiconductor processing station configured perform measurements indicative of a thickness of the material after the material has been deposited on the first semiconductor wafer, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive the measurements from the second station; provide an input based on the measurements to a trained model that is configured to generate an output that adjusts an operating parameter of the first station such that the thickness of the material is closer to a target thickness; and causing the first station to deposit the material on a second wafer using the operating parameter as adjusted by the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, John L Klocke
  • Patent number: 12113020
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods include forming a via in a semiconductor structure. The via may be defined in part by a bottom surface and a sidewall surface formed in the semiconductor structure around the via. The methods may also include depositing a tantalum nitride (TaN) layer on the bottom surface of the via. In embodiments, the TaN layer may be deposited at a temperature less than or about 200° C. The methods may still further include depositing a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the TaN layer. In embodiments, the TiN layer may be deposited at a temperature greater than or about 300° C. The methods may additionally include depositing a fill-metal on the TiN layer in the via. In embodiments, the metal may be deposited at a temperature greater than or about 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Smith, Kai Wu, Nicolas Louis Gabriel Breil
  • Patent number: 12107007
    Abstract: Embodiments include a contact structure and method of forming the same where the contact structure is deliberately positioned near the end of a metallic line. An opening is formed in an insulating structure positioned over the metallic line and then the opening is extended into the metallic line by an etching process. In the etching process, the line end forces etchant to concentrate back away from the line end, causing lateral etching of the extended opening. A subsequent contact is formed in the opening and enlarged opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Chih Hsiung, Jyun-De Wu, Yi-Chen Wang, Yi-Chun Chang, Yuan-Tien Tu
  • Patent number: 12107166
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a gate structure formed over a fin structure, and a gate spacer layer formed on a sidewall of the gate structure. The FinFET device structure includes a gate contact structure formed over the gate structure, and a first isolation layer surrounding the gate contact structure. A bottom surface of the first isolation layer is lower than a top surface of the gate spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Huai Chang, Chao-Hsun Wang, Kuo-Yi Chao, Mei-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 12106969
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a first recess partially through a substrate from a first side of the substrate, forming a dielectric layer in the first recess, forming a second recess partially through the dielectric layer from the first side of the substrate, and forming a buried power rail (BPR) in the second recess of the dielectric layer. The method also includes thinning the substrate from a second side of the substrate to a level of the dielectric layer, the second side of the substrate being opposite to the first side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Balasubramanian Pranatharthiharan, Mukta Ghate Farooq, Julien Frougier, Takeshi Nogami, Roy R. Yu, Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 12100722
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging device including a first semiconductor layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer and having an opposite conductivity type to the first semiconductor layer, a pixel separation portion that demarcates a pixel region including the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer from one surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and a metal layer connected to the second semiconductor layer from a light irradiation surface side which is the other surface of the semiconductor substrate and buried in the pixel separation portion in at least a part of the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Furumi, Shuji Manda, Ryosuke Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Hirano
  • Patent number: 12091752
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include a chamber, a chuck provided in the chamber, and a biased power supply physically connected with the chuck. The apparatus may include a target component provided over the chuck and the biased power supply, and a magnetron assembly provided over the target component. The magnetron assembly may include a plurality of outer magnetrons and a plurality of inner magnetrons, and a spacing between each adjacent magnetrons of the plurality of outer magnetrons may be different from a spacing between each adjacent magnetrons of the plurality of inner magnetrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ting Tsai, Chung-Liang Cheng, Wen-Cheng Cheng, Che-Hung Liu, Yu-Cheng Shen, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Patent number: 12096616
    Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate, a bit line structure located on the substrate, a capacitor contact hole located on two opposite sides of the bit line structure, and an isolation sidewall. The isolation sidewall is located between the bit line structure and the capacitor contact hole. A gap is provided between the isolation sidewalls located on the two opposite sides of the bit line structure. The gap is located on the bit line structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Cheng, Xing Jin, Ran Li
  • Patent number: 12087709
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first conductive structure that extends through a dielectric structure of the electronic device and into a substrate of the electronic device. The electronic device includes a guard ring, having multiple layers, that extends along one or more sides of a first vertical portion of the first conductive structure. The electronic device includes a second conductive structure that extends along a second vertical portion of the first conductive structure, where the second conductive structure includes a conductive structure side surface, which is nearest to a side surface of the first conductive structure, that is a distance from the side surface of the first conductive structure, and where the distance is greater than or equal to approximately 5% of a width of the first conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 12087642
    Abstract: Techniques described herein enable respective (different) types of metal silicide layers to be formed for p-type source/drain regions and n-type source/drain regions in a selective manner. For example, a p-type metal silicide layer may be selectively formed over a p-type source/drain region (e.g., such that the p-type metal silicide layer is not formed over the n-type source/drain region) and an n-type metal silicide layer may be formed over the n-type source/drain region (which may be selective or non-selective). This provides a low Schottky barrier height between the p-type metal silicide layer and the p-type source/drain region, as well as a low Schottky barrier height between the n-type metal silicide layer and the n-type source/drain region. This reduces the contact resistance for both p-type source/drain regions and n-type source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Yip Loh, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yi-Ning Tai, Raghunath Putikam, Hung-Yi Huang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Chih-Wei Chang