Interconnection Or Wiring Or Contact Manufacturing Related Aspects (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.641)
  • Patent number: 11791167
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes forming a channel through a substrate, depositing a layer of polycrystalline silicon on sidewalls of the channel, and oxidizing uncovered surfaces of the polycrystalline silicon with an oxidation agent. The oxidizing agent causes formation of an oxidized layer, the oxidized layer having a uniform thickness on uncovered surfaces of the polycrystalline silicon. The method includes removing the oxidized layer from the channel with a removal agent, and repeating steps of oxidizing uncovered surfaces and removing the oxidized layer until removing a predetermined amount of the layer of polycrystalline silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Anthony R. Schepis, Hoyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 10332977
    Abstract: A method for forming a gate tie-down includes opening up a cap layer and recessing gate spacers on a gate structure to expose a gate conductor; forming inner spacers on the gate spacers; etching contact openings adjacent to sides of the gate structure down to a substrate below the gate structures; and forming trench contacts on sides of the gate structure. An interlevel dielectric (ILD) is deposited on the gate conductor and the trench contacts and over the gate structure. The ILD is opened up to expose the trench contact on one side of the gate structure and the gate conductor. A second conductive material provides a self-aligned contact down to the trench contact on the one side and to form a gate contact down to the gate conductor and a horizontal connection within the ILD over an active area between the gate conductor and the self-aligned contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC
    Inventors: Su Chen Fan, Andre P. Labonte, Lars W. Liebmann, Sanjay C. Mehta
  • Patent number: 9646840
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate containing a front-end device and forming a dielectric layer on the substrate. The front-end device includes a first dummy gate in a first type metal gate transistor region, a second dummy gate in a second type metal gate transistor region, and a polysilicon gate in a polysilicon gate region. The method also includes removing a thickness of the first, second, and polysilicon gates and forming a protective layer on the polysilicon layer to protect the polysilicon layer during a CMP process, thereby improving the performance and yield of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Zhao, Hangping Wang
  • Patent number: 9041216
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower conductive feature in a lower low-k (LK) dielectric layer; a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the lower conductive feature, wherein the first ESL comprises a metal compound; an upper LK dielectric layer over the first ESL; and an upper conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the upper conductive feature extends through the first ESL and connected to the lower conductive feature. The interconnect structure may further include a second ESL between the upper LK dielectric layer and the first ESL, or between the first ESL and the lower conductive feature, wherein the second ESL comprises a silicon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Jen Sung, Yi-Nien Su
  • Patent number: 9018097
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for a semiconductor device includes forming a lower antireflective coating layer over a dielectric layer; forming an organic planarizing layer on the lower antireflective coating layer; transferring a wiring pattern through the organic planarizing layer; transferring the wiring pattern through the lower antireflective coating layer; and transferring the wiring pattern through the dielectric layer, wherein unpatterned portions of the lower antireflective coating layer serve as an etch stop layer so as to prevent any bubble defects present in the organic planarizing layer from being transferred to the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Dyer, Hanako Henry, Tze-Man Ko, Yiheng Xu, Shaoning Yao
  • Patent number: 9018751
    Abstract: A semiconductor module system includes a module substrate and a semiconductor substrate having a through wire interconnect bonded to an electrode on the module substrate. The through wire interconnect includes a via, a wire in the via having a first end bonded to a substrate contact on the semiconductor substrate and a polymer layer at least partially encapsulating the wire. The semiconductor module system can also include a second substrate stacked on the semiconductor substrate having a second through wire interconnect in electrical contact with the through wire interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8907463
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips and a plurality of through-line groups is disclosed. Each of the through-line groups consists of a unique number of through-lines. The numbers associated with the through-line groups are mutually coprime to each other. When one of the through-lines is selected for the each through-line group, one of the semiconductor chip is designated by a combination of the selected through-lines of the plurality of the through-line groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Kayoko Shibata, Hiroaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8865588
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first interconnection and a second interconnection above a semiconductor substrate, forming a first sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the first interconnection, and a second sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the second interconnection, forming a conductive film above the semiconductor substrate with the first interconnection, the first sidewall insulating film, the second interconnection and the second sidewall insulating film formed on, and selectively removing the conductive film above the first interconnection and the second interconnection to form in a region between the first interconnection and the second interconnection a third interconnection formed of the conductive film and spaced from the first interconnection and the second interconnection by the first sidewall insulating film and the second sidewall insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8815671
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and structures using contacts to create differential stresses on devices in an integrated circuit (IC) chip. An IC chip is disclosed having a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET). One embodiment of this invention includes creating this differential stress by varying the deposition conditions for forming PFET and NFET contacts, for example, the temperature at which the fill materials are deposited, and the rate at which the fill materials are deposited. In another embodiment, the differential stress is created by filling the contacts with differing materials that will impart differential stress due to differing coefficient of thermal expansions. In another embodiment, the differential stress is created by including a silicide layer within the NFET contacts and/or the PFET contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin, Robert R. Robison
  • Patent number: 8778789
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating integrated circuits having low resistance metal gate structures are provided. One method includes forming a metal gate stack in a FET trench formed in a FET region. The metal gate stack is etched to form a recessed metal gate stack and a recess. The recess is defined by sidewalls in the FET region and is disposed above the recessed metal gate stack. A liner is formed overlying the sidewalls and the recessed metal gate stack and defines an inner cavity in the recess. A copper layer is formed overlying the liner and at least partially fills the inner cavity. The copper layer is etched to expose an upper portion of the liner while leaving a copper portion disposed in a bottom portion of the inner cavity. Copper is electrolessly deposited on the copper portion to fill a remaining portion of the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Besser, Sean X. Lin, Valli Arunachalam
  • Patent number: 8741667
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a through wire interconnect for a semiconductor substrate having a substrate contact includes the steps of: forming a via through the semiconductor substrate from a first side to a second side thereof; placing a wire in the via having a first end with a bonded connection to the substrate contact and a second end proximate to the second side; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side; forming a second contact on the second end of the wire; and forming a polymer layer on the first side at least partially encapsulating the wire while leaving the first contact exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8735960
    Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbent silicon oxynitride layer overlies a memory cell including a pair of source/drains, a gate insulator, a floating gate, a dielectric layer, and a control gate. A conductor is disposed through the silicon oxynitride layer for electrical connection to the control gate, and another conductor is disposed through the silicon oxynitride layer for electrical connection to a source/drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Minh Q. Tran, Minh-Van Ngo, Alexander H. Nickel, Sung Jin Kim, Simon Chan, Ning Cheng
  • Patent number: 8716134
    Abstract: A metallic liner stack including at least a Group VIIIB element layer and a CuMn alloy layer is deposited within a trench in a dielectric layer. Copper is deposited on the metallic liner stack and planarized to form a conductive interconnect structure, which can be a metal line, a metal via, or a combination thereof. The deposited copper and the metallic liner stack are annealed before or after planarization. The Mn atoms are gettered by the Group VIIIB element layer to form a metallic alloy liner including Mn and at least one of Group VIIIB elements. Mn within the metallic alloy liner combines with oxygen during the anneal to form MnO, which acts as a strong barrier to oxygen diffusion, thereby enhancing the reliability of the conductive interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Takeshi Nogami, Kazumichi Tsumura, Takamasa Usui
  • Patent number: 8709862
    Abstract: Al pastes with additives of Co, Sr, V, compounds thereof and combinations thereof improve both the physical integrity of a back contact of a silicon solar cell as well as the electrical performance of a cell with such a contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Heraeus Precious Metals North America Conshohocken LLC
    Inventors: Hong Jiang, Chandrashekhar S. Khadilkar, Nazarali Merchant, Srinivasan Sridharan, Aziz S. Shaikh
  • Patent number: 8647977
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming interconnects. A first circuitry level may be formed, and a first dielectric region may be formed over such first level. A second level of circuitry may be formed over the first dielectric region. An interconnect may be formed to extend through such second level. A second dielectric region may be formed over the second level of circuitry, and a third level of circuitry may be formed over the second dielectric region. The third level of circuitry may be electrically connected to the first level of circuitry through the interconnect. Some embodiments include constructions having interconnects extending from a first level of circuitry, through an opening in a second level of circuitry, and to a third level of circuitry; with an individual interconnect including multiple separate electrically conductive posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Chuan Yang, Zengtao T. Liu, Vishal Sipani
  • Patent number: 8642464
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first interconnection and a second interconnection above a semiconductor substrate, forming a first sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the first interconnection, and a second sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the second interconnection, forming a conductive film above the semiconductor substrate with the first interconnection, the first sidewall insulating film, the second interconnection and the second sidewall insulating film formed on, and selectively removing the conductive film above the first interconnection and the second interconnection to form in a region between the first interconnection and the second interconnection a third interconnection formed of the conductive film and spaced from the first interconnection and the second interconnection by the first sidewall insulating film and the second sidewall insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20140011333
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed (FIGS. 1-2). The method comprises providing a substrate (200) having an isolation region (202) and etching a trench in the isolation region. A first conductive layer (214) is formed within the trench. A first transistor having a first conductivity type (n-channel) is formed at a face of the substrate. The first transistor has a gate (216) formed of the first conductive layer. A second transistor having a second conductivity type (p-channel) is formed at the face of the substrate. The second transistor has a gate (224) formed of the first conductive layer. The method further comprises replacing the first conductive layer of the first transistor with a first metal gate (132) and replacing the first conductive layer of the second transistor with a second metal gate (134).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin P. McKee, Yongqiang Jiang, Douglas T. Grider
  • Patent number: 8581387
    Abstract: A through wire interconnect for a semiconductor substrate includes a via extending through the semiconductor substrate from a first side to a second side thereof, and a wire in the via electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate having a first end with a bonded connection to the substrate contact and a second end proximate to the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The through wire interconnect also includes a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a second contact on the second end of the wire, and a polymer layer on the first side at least partially encapsulating the wire while leaving the first contact exposed. The through wire interconnect can also include a bonding member bonded to the first end of the wire and to the substrate contact having a tip portion forming the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20130256801
    Abstract: During various processing operations, ions from process plasma may be transfer to a deep n-well (DNW) formed under devices structures. A reverse-biased diode may be connected to the signal line to protect a gate dielectric formed outside the DNW and is connected to the drain of the transistor formed inside the DNW.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: David YEN, Sung-Chieh LIN, Kuoyuan (Peter) HSU
  • Publication number: 20130240997
    Abstract: Solutions for forming stress optimizing contact bars and contacts are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor device is disclosed including an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) having source/drain regions; a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) having source/drain regions; a stress inducing layer over both the NFET and the PFET, the stress inducing layer inducing only one of a compressive stress and a tensile stress; a contact bar extending through the stress inducing layer and coupled to at least one of the source/drain regions of a selected device of the PFET and the NFET to modify a stress induced in the selected device compared to a stress induced in the other device; and a round contact extending through the stress inducing layer and coupled to at least one of the source/drain regions of the other device of the PFET and the NFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, William F. Clark, JR., Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8535966
    Abstract: A MEMS structure and methods of manufacture. The method includes forming a sacrificial metal layer at a same level as a wiring layer, in a first dielectric material. The method further includes forming a metal switch at a same level as another wiring layer, in a second dielectric material. The method further includes providing at least one vent to expose the sacrificial metal layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial metal layer to form a planar cavity, suspending the metal switch. The method further includes capping the at least one vent to hermetically seal the planar cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Felix P. Anderson, Thomas L. McDevitt, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8525247
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a lower molding layer, a horizontal interconnection line on the lower molding layer, an upper molding layer on the horizontal interconnection line, pillars extending vertically through the upper molding layer, the horizontal interconnection line, and the lower molding layer, and a buffer layer interposed between the pillars and the molding layers. The device also includes variable resistance material and a diode layer interposed between the pillars and the horizontal interconnection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Jin Park, Hyun-Su Ju, In-Gyu Baek
  • Patent number: 8507375
    Abstract: An alignment tolerant electrical contact is formed by providing a substrate on which is a first electrically conductive region (e.g., a MOSFET gate) having an upper surface, the first electrically conductive region being laterally bounded by a first dielectric region, applying a mask having an opening extending partly over a contact region (e.g., for the MOSFET source or drain) on the substrate and over a part of the upper surface, forming a passage through the first dielectric region extending to the contact region and the part of the upper surface, thereby exposing the contact region and the part of the upper surface, converting the part of the upper surface to a second dielectric region and filling the opening with a conductor making electrical contact with the contact region but electrically insulated from the electrically conductive region by the second dielectric region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: André P. Labonté, Richard S. Wise
  • Patent number: 8502383
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes active circuitry disposed at a surface of a semiconductor body and an interconnect region disposed above the semiconductor body. A thermoelectric material is disposed in an upper portion of the interconnect region away from the semiconductor body. The thermoelectric material is configured to deliver electrical energy when exposed to a temperature gradient. This material can be used, for example, in a method for detecting the repackaging of the integrated circuit after it has been originally packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Fornara, Christian Rivero
  • Patent number: 8466451
    Abstract: A FET inverter is provided that includes a plurality of device layers oriented vertically in a stack, each device layer having a source region, a drain region and a plurality of nanowire channels, wherein the source and drain regions of one or more of the device layers are doped with an n-type dopant and the source and drain regions of one or more other of the device layers are doped with a p-type dopant; a gate common to each of the device layers surrounding the nanowire channels; a first contact to the source regions of the one or more device layers doped with an n-type dopant; a second contact to the source regions of the one or more device layers doped with a p-type dopant; and a third contact common to the drain regions of each of the device layers. Techniques for fabricating a FET inverter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine Chang, Paul Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Jeffrey Sleight
  • Patent number: 8460981
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and structures using contacts to create differential stresses on devices in an integrated circuit (IC) chip. An IC chip is disclosed having a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET), a PFET contact to a source/drain region of the PFET and an NFET contact to a source/drain region of the NFET. In a first embodiment, a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer is included only under the PFET contact, between the PFET contact and the source/drain region of the PFET. In a second embodiment, either the PFET contact extends into the source/drain region of the PFET or the NFET contact extends into the source/drain region of the NFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin, Robert R. Robison
  • Patent number: 8435876
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a lower film including a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, forming a first sacrificial film on the lower film, the first sacrificial film having trenches in the cell region, forming a second sacrificial pattern on the first sacrificial film, the second sacrificial pattern having line-shaped patterns spaced apart from each other and crossing the trenches in the cell region, and the second sacrificial pattern covering a top surface of the first sacrificial film in the peripheral circuit region, and patterning the first sacrificial film to form upper holes in portions of the trenches exposed by the second sacrificial pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongchul Park, Jong-Kyu Kim, Ki-jin Park, Sangsup Jeong
  • Patent number: 8431968
    Abstract: A standard cell semiconductor integrated circuit device design provides a standard cell semiconductor device that includes first standard cells and user-defined target standard cells which consume more power or include other operational characteristics that differ from the operational characteristics of the first standard cells. The standard cells are routed to ground and power wires using one power rail and the target cells are routed to the ground and power lines using the first power rail and a second power rail to alleviate electromigration in either of the power rails. The two power rails include an upper power rail and a lower power rail. An intermediate conductive layer may be disposed between the upper and lower power rails to provide for signal routing by lateral interconnection between cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee-Chung Lu, Wen-Hao Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Shen-Feng Chen, Meng-Fu You
  • Patent number: 8404523
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a stacked semiconductor system with encapsulated through wire interconnects includes providing a substrate having a first side, a second side and a substrate contact; forming a via in the substrate contact and the substrate to the second side; placing a wire in the via; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side; and forming a polymer layer on the first side leaving the first contact exposed. The method also includes stacking two or more substrates and electrically connecting the through wire interconnects on the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technoloy, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8404585
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a volume of insulator disposed over a top surface of a semiconductor substrate, a tube of soft dielectric, and a metal conductor. The insulator has a hardness of more than approximately three gigaPascals (gPa) and the soft dielectric has a hardness of less than three gPa. The tube of soft dielectric and the metal conductor are both embedded within the volume of insulator. The tube defines a central volume and the metal conductor extends in a direction through the central volume for a distance of at least one inch. The metal conductor is encircled by the soft dielectric when the apparatus is viewed in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the direction. The metal conductor may include a plurality of bend portions. The metal conductor does not break when the apparatus is temperature cycled over a range from zero to eighty five degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventor: Robert O. Conn
  • Patent number: 8390098
    Abstract: A semiconductor device 100 is provided with a multiplex through plug 111 that fills an opening extending through the silicon substrate 101. The multiplex through plugs 111 comprises a column-shaped and solid first through electrode 103, a first insulating film 105 that covers the cylindrical face of the first through electrode 103, a second through electrode 107 that covers the cylindrical face of the first insulating film 105 and a second insulating film 109 that covers the cylindrical face of the second through electrode 107, and these have a common central axis. The upper cross sections of the first insulating film 105, the second through electrode 107 and the second insulating film 109 are annular-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 8373262
    Abstract: A source driver of a film package type including a film substrate; a semiconductor chip on a surface of the film substrate, the semiconductor chip having a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals including input terminals, output terminals, and third terminals; an input terminal wiring region for receiving first wiring lines which are connected to the input terminals; an output terminal wiring region for receiving second wiring lines which are connected to the output terminals; sprocket portions at opposite ends of the film substrate; and a heat conducting patterns for connecting the third terminals. This makes it possible to provide a source driver, a method for manufacturing the source driver, and a liquid crystal module, each of which can increase a heat dissipation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Katoh
  • Patent number: 8373177
    Abstract: An LED light source can include protection members to protect bonding wires. The LED can include a substrate including electrode patterns, a sub mount substrate located on the substrate, at least one flip LED chip mounted on the sub mount substrate and a phosphor rein covering the LED chip. The bonding wires can connect each of the electrode patterns to conductor patterns connecting to electrodes of the LED chip. The protection members can be located so as to surround both sides of the bonding wires. In addition, because each height of the protection members is higher than each maximum height of the bonding wires and is lower than a height of the phosphor resin, the protection members can protect the bonding wires from external pressure while the light flux is not reduced. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a reliable LED light source having a favorable light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kotani, Takahiko Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8362569
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication method including: forming a gate conductor including a gate for a transistor in the first region, and a gate for a transistor in the second region, and a first film over a first stress film for covering the transistors; etching the first film from the second region by using a mask layer and etching the first film under the mask layer in the direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate by a first width from an edge of the first mask layer, and the first stress film from the second region; forming a second stress film covering the first stress film and the first film; etching the second stress film so that a portion of the second stress film overlaps a portion of the first stress film and a portion of the first film; and forming a contact hole connected with the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kirimura, Jusuke Ogura
  • Patent number: 8329572
    Abstract: In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, first, a first metal interconnect is formed in an interconnect formation region, and a second metal interconnect is formed in a seal ring region. Subsequently, by chemical mechanical polishing or etching, the upper portions of the first metal interconnect and the second metal interconnect are recessed to form recesses. A second insulating film filling the recesses is then formed above a substrate, and the upper portion of the second insulating film is planarized. Next, a hole and a trench are formed to extend halfway through the second insulating film, and ashing and polymer removal are performed. Subsequently to this, the hole and the trench are allowed to reach the first metal interconnect and the second metal interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shunsuke Isono
  • Patent number: 8304908
    Abstract: A multilevel interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer formed on a semiconductor wafer, a Cu interconnect layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the Cu interconnect layer, and a metal oxide layer formed at an interface between the Cu interconnect layer and the second insulating layer. The metal oxide layer is formed by immersion-plating a metal, such as Sn or Zn, on the Cu interconnect layer and then heat-treating the plated layer in an oxidizing atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center, National University Corporation Tohoku University
    Inventors: Junichi Koike, Yoshito Fujii, Jun Iijima, Noriyoshi Shimizu, Kazuyoshi Maekawa, Koji Arita, Ryotaro Yagi, Masaki Yoshimaru
  • Patent number: 8299455
    Abstract: Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Carl J. Radens, Anthony K. Stamper, Jay W. Strane
  • Patent number: 8278718
    Abstract: A method for forming a slot contact structure for transistor performance enhancement. A contact opening is formed to expose a contact region, and a slot contact is disposed within the contact opening in order to induce a stress on an adjacent channel region. In an embodiment, a stress inducing barrier plug is disposed within a portion of the contact opening and the remainder of the contact opening is filled with a lower resistivity contact metal. By selecting the proper materials and deposition parameters, the slot contact can be tuned to induce a tensile or compressive stress on the adjacent channel region, thus being applicable for both p-type and n-type devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Fischer, Vinay B. Chikarmane, Brennan L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8278204
    Abstract: It is required that a line width of a wiring is prevented from being wider to be miniaturized when the wiring or the like is formed by a dropping method typified by an ink-jetting method. The invention provides a method for narrowing (miniaturizing) a line width according to a method different from a conventional method. One feature of the invention is that a plasma treatment is performed before forming a wiring or the like by a dropping method typified by an ink-jetting method. As the result of the plasma treatment, a surface for forming a conductive film is modified to be liquid-repellent. Consequently, a wiring or the like formed by a dropping method can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Maekawa, Koji Muranaka
  • Patent number: 8258059
    Abstract: High voltage-resistant semiconductor devices adapted to control threshold voltage by utilizing threshold voltage variation caused by plasma damage resulting from the formation of multilayer wiring, and a manufacturing method thereof. Exemplary high voltage-resistant semiconductor devices include a plurality of MOS transistors having gate insulating films not less than about 350 ? in thickness on a silicon substrate, and the MOS transistors have different area ratios between gate electrode-gate insulating film contact areas and total opening areas of contacts formed on the gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Yakuwa
  • Patent number: 8217510
    Abstract: A semiconductor module system includes a module substrate and first and second semiconductor components stacked on the module substrate. The stacked semiconductor components include through wire interconnects that form an internal signal transmission system for the module system. Each through wire interconnect includes a via, a wire in the via and first and second contacts on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8216928
    Abstract: Fabrication methods for semiconductor device structures are provided. One method for fabricating a semiconductor device structure that includes a gate structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and a doped region formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure involves the steps of forming a first layer of dielectric material overlying the gate structure and the doped region, isotropically etching the first layer of dielectric material, forming a second layer of dielectric material overlying the first layer of dielectric material after isotropically etching the first layer, and forming a conductive contact that is electrically connected to the doped region within the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Globalfoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Richter, Torsten Huisinga, Jens Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8217484
    Abstract: The image sensor includes a substrate; a wiring structure formed on a front side of the substrate and including a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating films; a first well formed within the substrate and having a first conductivity type; and a first metal wiring layer directly contacting a backside of the substrate and configured to apply a first well bias to the first well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Jun Park
  • Patent number: 8169077
    Abstract: Dielectric interconnect structures and methods for forming the same are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a dielectric interconnect structure having a noble metal layer (e.g., Ru, Ir, Rh, Pt, RuTa, and alloys of Ru, Ir, Rh, Pt, and RuTa) that is formed directly on a modified dielectric surface. In a typical embodiment, the modified dielectric surface is created by treating an exposed dielectric layer of the interconnect structure with a gaseous ion plasma (e.g., Ar, He, Ne, Xe, N2, H2, NH3, and N2H2). Under the present invention, the noble metal layer could be formed directly on an optional glue layer that is maintained only on vertical surfaces of any trench or via formed in the exposed dielectric layer. In addition, the noble metal layer may or may not be provided along an interface between the via and an internal metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Louis C. Hsu, Rajiv V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8143651
    Abstract: A processing layer, such as silicon, is formed on a metal silicide contact followed by a metal layer. The silicon and metal layers are annealed to increase the thickness of the metal silicide contact. By selectively increasing the thickness of silicide contacts, Rs of transistors in iso and nested regions can be matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Johnny Widodo, Liang Choo Hsia, James Yong Meng Lee, Wen Zhi Gao, Zhao Lun, Huang Liu, Chung Woh Lai, Shailendra Mishra, Yew Tuck Chow, Fang Chen, Shiang Yang Ong
  • Patent number: 8124469
    Abstract: A cell based integrated circuit chip includes a top voltage supply rail and a bottom voltage supply rail and a plurality of metal layers defining at least one filler cell. The filler cell is formed by a first field effect transistor of a first type conductivity, typically an n-channel MOSFET. The source or drain electrodes of the n-channel MOSFET are arranged to as act as a capacitor with respect to the bottom voltage supply rail and to which at least one of the source and drain electrodes is connected. A second field effect transistor of an opposite-type conductivity to the first field effect transistor, typically a p-channel MOSFET, is also provided. The source or drain electrodes of the p-channel MOSFET are connected in series between the top voltage supply rail and a gate electrode of the n-channel MOSFET. The gate electrode of the p-channel MOSFET is connected to a source of ground potential via a resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Pramod Acharya
  • Patent number: 8119512
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a dual storage node contact plug to be buried in the interlayer dielectric layer, forming a first damascene pattern to isolate the dual storage node contact plug, forming a protective layer pattern inside the first damascene pattern, etching the interlayer dielectric layer to form a second damascene pattern to be coupled to the first damascene pattern, and forming bit lines inside the first and second damascene patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 8120183
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the substrate. A high resistivity layer is formed over the substrate and the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the substrate, first conductive layer and high resistivity layer. A portion of the dielectric layer, high resistivity layer, and first conductive layer forms a capacitor stack. A first passivation layer is formed over the dielectric layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the capacitor stack and a portion of the first passivation layer. A first opening is etched in the dielectric layer to expose a surface of the high resistivity layer. A third and fourth conductive layer is deposited over the first opening in the dielectric layer and a portion of the first passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaojian Lin, Robert C. Frye
  • Patent number: 8120167
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor component with an encapsulated through wire interconnect includes the steps of providing a substrate having a first side, a second side and a substrate contact; forming a via in the substrate contact and the substrate to the second side; placing a wire in the via; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side; and forming a polymer layer on the first side leaving the first contact exposed. The polymer layer can be formed using a film assisted molding process including the steps of: forming a mold film on tip portions of the bonding members, molding the polymer layer, and then removing the mold film to expose the tip portions of the bonding members. The through wire interconnect provides a multi level interconnect having contacts on opposing sides of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8119519
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device including at least three interconnection layers sequentially stacked without intervention of a via layer. At least one of the interconnection layers includes an interconnection and a via which connects interconnections provided in interconnection layers underlying and overlying the one interconnection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kageyama