In Combination With Vertical Transistor (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.652)
  • Patent number: 11600769
    Abstract: A spin orbit torque memory device having a vertical transistor structure. The spin orbit torque memory device includes a magnetic memory element such as a magnetic tunnel junction formed on a spin orbit torque layer. The vertical transistor structure selectively provides an electrical current to the spin orbit torque layer to switch a memory state of the magnetic memory element. The vertical transistor structure accommodates the relatively high electrical current needed to provide spin orbit torque switching while also consuming a small amount of wafer real estate. The vertical transistor structure can include a semiconductor pillar structure surrounded by a gate dielectric layer and a gate structure such that the gate dielectric layer separates the gate structure from the semiconductor pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Integrated Silicon Solution, (Cayman) Inc.
    Inventors: Mustafa Pinarbasi, Andrew J. Walker, Dafna Beery
  • Patent number: 11557591
    Abstract: A method used in forming an array of memory cells comprises forming lines of top-source/drain-region material, bottom-source/drain-region material, and channel-region material vertically there-between in rows in a first direction. The lines are spaced from one another in a second direction. The top-source/drain-region material, bottom-source/drain-region material, and channel-region material have respective opposing sides. The channel-region material on its opposing sides is laterally recessed in the second direction relative to the top-source/drain-region material and the bottom-source/drain-region material on their opposing sides to form a pair of lateral recesses in the opposing sides of the channel-region material in individual of the rows. After the pair of lateral recesses are formed, the lines of the top-source/drain-region material, the channel-region material, and the bottom-source/drain-region material are patterned in the second direction to comprise pillars of individual transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11233060
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vertically stacked 3D memory device, and the memory device may include a bit line extended vertically from a substrate, and including a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion, a vertical active layer configured to surround the first and second vertical portions of the bit line, a word line configured to surround the vertical active layer and the first vertical portion of the bit line, and a capacitor spaced apart vertically from the word line, and configured to surround the vertical active layer and the second vertical portion of the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kun-Young Lee, Sun-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 10964599
    Abstract: Methods produce integrated circuit structures that include (among other components) fins extending from a first layer, source/drain structures on the fins, source/drain contacts on the source/drain structures, an insulator on the source/drain contacts defining trenches between the source/drain contacts, gate conductors in a lower portion of the trenches adjacent the fins, a first liner material lining a middle portion and an upper portion of the trenches, a fill material in the middle portion of the trenches, and a second material in the upper portion of the trenches. The first liner material is on the gate conductors in the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Asli Sirman, Jiehui Shu, Chih-Chiang Chang, Huy Cao, Haigou Huang, Jinping Liu
  • Patent number: 10896845
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming an airgap-based vertical field effect transistor (VFET) without structural collapse. A dielectric collar anchors the structure while forming the airgaps. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a vertical transistor is formed over a substrate. The vertical transistor can include a fin, a top spacer, a top source/drain (S/D) on the fin, and a contact on the top S/D. A dielectric layer is recessed below a top surface of the top spacer and a dielectric collar is formed on the recessed surface of the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are removed to form a first cavity and a second cavity. A first airgap is formed in the first cavity and a second airgap is formed in the second cavity. The dielectric collar anchors the top S/D to the top spacer while forming the first airgap and the second airgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Chanro Park, Juntao Li, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10872818
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form two semiconductor strips. The two semiconductor strips are over a bulk portion of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes etching the bulk portion to form a trench in the bulk portion of the semiconductor substrate, forming a liner dielectric layer lining the trench, forming a buried contact in the trench, forming a buried power rail over and connected to the buried contact, wherein the buried power rail is between the two semiconductor strips, and forming isolation regions on opposite sides of the two semiconductor strips. The buried power rail is underlying a portion of the isolation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10818508
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for preparing semiconductor structures. The method includes steps of providing a stack structure, wherein the stack structure comprises a nitride layer, a first layer, a stop layer, a second layer, and a first oxide layer stacked in sequence; forming a third layer on the first oxide layer; patterning the third layer to obtain a line-and-space pattern comprising a plurality of first lines and a plurality of first spaces; forming a second oxide layer on the line-and-space pattern; removing the second oxide layer on the first lines; removing the first lines to form a plurality of second spaces; and etching the first oxide layer, the second layer, and the stop layer via the second spaces to form a plurality of second lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yi-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 10622487
    Abstract: Devices and methods for forming charge storage regions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor layer having a trench, charge storage layers formed at both side surfaces of the trench, a wordline buried in the trench in contact with the charge storage layers, and source-drain regions formed in the semiconductor layer at both sides of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Iwase
  • Patent number: 10529631
    Abstract: Methods of measuring fin height electrically for devices fabricated using FinFET technology are disclosed here. One method uses an interleaving comb-like test structure with no gate. The other method extracts fin height from total gate capacitance from FinFETS with varying gate lengths. When a comb-like structure with no gate is used to measure fin height, if there is another structure with a gate is used, then the gate capacitance may be measured to independently measure thickness of gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: PDF SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sharad Saxena, Jianjun Cheng, Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 10037996
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a bit line structure on the substrate, a first contact structure on a sidewall of the bit line structure, a second contact structure on the bit line structure and spaced apart from the first contact structure across the bit line structure, and an insulation pattern between the bit line structure and the first contact structure. The second contact structure covers at least a portion of a top surface of the bit line structure. The insulation pattern comprises a protrusion that protrudes from a sidewall of the insulation pattern that immediately adjacent to the bit line structure. The protrusion protrudes in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daeik Kim, Bong-Soo Kim, Jemin Park, Yoosang Hwang
  • Patent number: 9812443
    Abstract: A device with a vertical transistor and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor on a same substrate includes a vertical transistor including a bottom source/drain, a fin channel extending vertically from the bottom source/drain to a top source/drain, and a gate arranged around the fin channel, and the gate including a dielectric layer, a gate metal, and spacers arranged on opposing sides of the gate; and a MIM capacitor including a gate arranged over the bottom source drain, the gate including a gate metal and a dielectric layer, and a metal arranged in a depression in the bottom source/drain and extending through a channel in the gate to cover the gate, the metal directly contacting the dielectric layer of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ruilong Xie, Tenko Yamashita, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 9768053
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns of a semiconductor device, including partially etching an upper portion of a substrate to form first preliminary active patterns and a first trench, each of the first preliminary active patterns having a first width, and the first trench having a second width of about 2 to 3 times the first width; forming an insulating spacer on each sidewall of the first trench to form a second trench having the first width; forming a second preliminary active pattern in the second trench, the second preliminary active pattern having the first width; partially etching the first and second preliminary active patterns to form a plurality of first active patterns and a plurality of second active patterns and an opening between the plurality of first and second active patterns; and forming an insulation pattern to fill the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-Won Kim, Jae-Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9472617
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an isolation region disposed in a semiconductor substrate and configured to define an active region. A gate electrode buried in the active region is disposed. A gate dielectric layer is disposed between the active region and the gate electrode. A first source/drain region and a second source/drain region are disposed in the active region on both sides of the gate electrodes. An interconnection structure intersecting with the gate electrode, overlapping the first and second source/drain regions, electrically connected with the first source/drain region, and spaced apart from the second source/drain region is disposed. A contact structure is disposed on the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeon-Woo Jang
  • Patent number: 9257544
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes semiconductor layers of a first conductivity-type and a second conductivity-type stacked on a silicon carbide semiconductor and having differing impurity concentrations. Trenches disposed penetrating the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity-type form a planar striped pattern; and a gate electrode is disposed therein through a gate insulation film. First and second semiconductor regions respectively of the first and the second conductivity-types have impurity concentrations exceeding that of the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity-type and are selectively disposed therein. The depth of the second semiconductor region exceeds that of the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity-type, but not that of the trenches. The second semiconductor region is arranged at given intervals along the length of the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Manabu Takei, Yoshiyuki Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 9006060
    Abstract: An n-type field effect transistor includes silicon-comprising semiconductor material comprising a pair of source/drain regions having a channel region there-between. At least one of the source/drain regions is conductively doped n-type with at least one of As and P. A conductivity-neutral dopant is in the silicon-comprising semiconductor material in at least one of the channel region and the at least one source/drain region. A gate construction is operatively proximate the channel region. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8946802
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, device and computer/software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) are presented for realizing eDRAM strap formation in Fin FET device structures. Semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising at least an insulator layer between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The (metal) strap formation is accomplished by depositing conductive layer on fins portion of the second semiconductor layer (Si) and a semiconductor material (polysilicon) in each DT capacitor extending to the second semiconductor layer. The metal strap is sealed by a nitride spacer to prevent the shorts between PWL and DT capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Sivananda Kanakasabapathy, Tenko Yamashita, Chun-Chen Yeb
  • Patent number: 8927365
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, device and computer/software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) are presented for realizing eDRAM strap formation in Fin FET device structures. Semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising at least an insulator layer between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The (metal) strap formation is accomplished by depositing conductive layer on fins portion of the second semiconductor layer (Si) and a semiconductor material (polysilicon) in each DT capacitor extending to the second semiconductor layer. The metal strap is sealed by a nitride spacer to prevent the shorts between PWL and DT capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Sivananda Kanakasabapathy, Tenko Yamashita, Chun-Chen Yeb
  • Patent number: 8878271
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing a body connection to a vertical access device. The vertical access device may include a digit line extending along a substrate to a digit line contact pillar, a body connection line extending along the substrate to a body connection line contact pillar, a body region disposed on the body connection line, an electrode disposed on the body region, and a word line extending to form a gate to the body region. A method for operation includes applying a first voltage to the body connection line, and applying a second voltage to the word line to cause a conductive channel to form through the body region. A memory cell array may include a plurality of vertical access devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Rajesh N. Gupta, Srinivas Pulugurtha, Chandra V. Mouli, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 8461002
    Abstract: A memory device, system and fabrication method relating to a vertical memory cell including a semiconducting pillar extending outwardly from an integrally connected semiconductor substrate are disclosed. A first source/drain region is formed in the substrate and a body region and a second source/drain region are formed within the pillar. A first gate is coupled to a first side of the pillar for coupling the first and second source/drain regions together when activated. The vertical memory cell also includes a storage capacitor formed on an extended end of the semiconducting pillar and electrically coupled to the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 8372710
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure having U-shaped transistors includes source/drain regions at the tops of pairs of pillars defined by crossing trenches in the substrate. One pillar is connected to the other pillar in the pair by a ridge that extends above the surrounding trenches. The ridge and lower portions of the pillars define U-shaped channels on opposite sides of the U-shaped structure, facing a gate structure in the trenches on those opposite sides, forming a two sided surround transistor. Optionally, the space between the pillars of a pair is also filled with gate electrode material to define a three-sided surround gate transistor. One of the source/drain regions of each pair extending to a digit line and the other extending to a memory storage device, such as a capacitor. Methods of forming semiconductor structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 8324056
    Abstract: A vertical pillar semiconductor device may include a substrate, a group of channel patterns, a gate insulation layer pattern and a gate electrode. The substrate may be divided into an active region and an isolation layer. A first impurity region may be formed in the substrate corresponding to the active region. The group of channel patterns may protrude from a surface of the active region and may be arranged parallel to each other. A second impurity region may be formed on an upper portion of the group of channel patterns. The gate insulation layer pattern may be formed on the substrate and a sidewall of the group of channel patterns. The gate insulation layer pattern may be spaced apart from an upper face of the group of channel patterns. The gate electrode may contact the gate insulation layer and may enclose a sidewall of the group of channel patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Hoon Son, Jong-Wook Lee, Jong-Hyuk Kang
  • Patent number: 8247860
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a substrate; a stacked body with a plurality of dielectric films and electrode films alternately stacked therein, the stacked body being provided on the substrate and having a step in its end portion for each of the electrode films; an interlayer dielectric film burying the end portion of the stacked body; a plurality of semiconductor pillars extending in the stacking direction of the stacked body and penetrating through a center portion of the stacked body; a charge storage layer provided between one of the electrode films and one of the semiconductor pillars; and a plug buried in the interlayer dielectric film and connected to a portion of each of the electrode films constituting the step, a portion of each of the dielectric films in the center portion having a larger thickness than a portion of each of the dielectric films in the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Iwase, Tadashi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 8063441
    Abstract: A vertical pillar semiconductor device may include a substrate, a group of channel patterns, a gate insulation layer pattern and a gate electrode. The substrate may be divided into an active region and an isolation layer. A first impurity region may be formed in the substrate corresponding to the active region. The group of channel patterns may protrude from a surface of the active region and may be arranged parallel to each other. A second impurity region may be formed on an upper portion of the group of channel patterns. The gate insulation layer pattern may be formed on the substrate and a sidewall of the group of channel patterns. The gate insulation layer pattern may be spaced apart from an upper face of the group of channel patterns. The gate electrode may contact the gate insulation layer and may enclose a sidewall of the group of channel patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Hoon Son, Jong-Wook Lee, Jong-Hyuk Kang
  • Patent number: 7948024
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device is provided that includes; a first semiconductor layer extending in a first direction, a second semiconductor layer extending in parallel with and separated from the first semiconductor layer, an isolation layer between the first semiconductor layer and second semiconductor layer, a first control gate electrode between the first semiconductor layer and the isolation layer, a second control gate electrode between the second semiconductor layer and the isolation layer, wherein the second control gate electrode and first control gate electrode are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the isolation layer, a first charge storing layer between the first control gate electrode and the first semiconductor layer, and a second charge storing layer between the second control gate electrode and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-pil Kim, Yoon-dong Park, June-mo Koo, Tae-eung Yoon
  • Patent number: 7863174
    Abstract: A vertical pillar transistor may include a plurality of lower pillars, a plurality of upper pillars, a first insulation part, a second insulation part and a word line. The plurality of lower pillars protrudes substantially perpendicular to a substrate and is defined by a plurality of trenches. The plurality of lower pillars extends along a second direction and may be separated from each other along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of upper pillars may be formed on the plurality of lower pillars. The plurality of upper pillars has a width substantially smaller than that of the plurality of lower pillars. The first insulation part has a substantially uniform thickness on a sidewall of each of the plurality of lower pillars. The second insulation part may be formed on the first insulation part to fill a gap between the adjacent upper pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Jung Kim, Yong-Chul Oh, Jae-Man Yoon, Hyun-Woo Chung, Hyun-Gi Kim, Kang-Uk Kim
  • Patent number: 7821058
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor memory including: a columnar semiconductor; a charge storage insulating film including: a first insulating film formed around the columnar semiconductor, a charge storage film formed around the first insulating film, and a second insulating film formed around the charge storage film; an electrode extending two-dimensionally to surround the charge storage insulating film, the electrode having a groove; and a metal silicide formed on a sidewall of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kidoh, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yasuyuki Matsuoka, Yoshio Ozawa, Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 7785959
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a multi-port memory in which a plurality of parallel connected capacitors are in a cell. A plurality of trench capacitors are formed which have capacitor dielectric layers extending along walls of the plurality of trenches, the plurality of trench capacitors having first capacitor plates and second capacitor plates opposite the capacitor dielectric layers from the first capacitor plates. The first capacitor plates are conductively tied together and the second capacitor plates are conductively tied together. In this way, the first capacitor plates are adapted to receive a same variable voltage and the second capacitor plates are adapted to receive a same fixed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Jack A. Mandelman, Carl J. Radens, Geng Wang
  • Patent number: 7759190
    Abstract: A fabrication method of a memory device is disclosed. A substrate having a trench is provided, comprising a trench capacitor, a conductive column, a collar dielectric layer and a top dielectric layer therein. A gate structure with spacers on sidewalls is disposed on the substrate and neighboring the trench. An opening is formed on the substrate between the collar dielectric layer and the gate structure. Next, a portion of the top dielectric layer and the collar dielectric layer is removed to expose a portion of the conductive column. An insulating layer is deposited on the gate structure and the exposed conductive column, filling the opening. The insulating layer is etched to expose a portion of the capacitor-side region of the substrate and the conductive column. A transmissive strap is formed by selective deposition, electrically connecting the capacitor-side region of the substrate and the conductive column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Neng-Tai Shih, Jeng-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 7759191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that contains at least one trench capacitor and at least one vertical transistor, and methods for forming such a semiconductor device. Specifically, the trench capacitor is located in a semiconductor substrate and comprises an outer electrode, an inner electrode, and a node dielectric layer located between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The vertical transistor is located over the trench capacitor and comprises a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a gate dielectric, and a gate electrode. The channel region of the vertical transistor is located in a tensilely or compressively strained semiconductor layer that is oriented perpendicularly to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Preferably, the tensilely or compressively strained semiconductor layer is embedded in an insulator structure, so that the vertical transistor has a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Jack A. Mandelman
  • Patent number: 7749846
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure includes forming an isolation region defining active regions in a semiconductor substrate. Gate patterns extending to the isolation region while crossing the active regions are formed. A sacrificial layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the gate patterns. Sacrificial patterns remaining on the active regions are formed by patterning the sacrificial layer. Molding patterns are formed on the isolation region. Contact holes exposing the active regions at both sides of the gate patterns are formed by etching the sacrificial patterns using the molding patterns and the gate patterns as an etching mask. Contact patterns respectively filling the contact holes are formed. The disclosed method of forming a contact structure may be used in fabricating a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeoung-Won Seo, Sun-Hoo Park, Soo-Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 7611931
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell array that includes a plurality of vertical memory cells built on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and a body contact electrically coupling a semiconductor body and a semiconductor substrate of the SOI wafer. The semiconductor body includes a channel region for the access device of one of the vertical memory cells. The body contact, which extends through a buried dielectric layer of the SOI wafer, provides a current leakage path that reduces the impact of floating body effects upon the vertical memory cell. The body contact may be formed by etching a via that extends through the semiconductor body and buried dielectric layer of the SOI wafer and extends into the substrate and partially filling the via with a conductive material that electrically couples the semiconductor body with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Jack Allan Mandelman
  • Patent number: 7608510
    Abstract: Manufacturing a power transistor by forming a gate structure on a first layer, forming a trench in the first layer, self aligned with the gate structure, and forming part of the transistor in the trench. By forming a spacer next to the gate, the spacer and gate can be used as a mask when forming the trench, to allow space for a source region next to the gate. The self-aligning rather than forming the gate after the trench means the alignment is more accurate, allowing size reduction. Another aspect involves forming a trench in a first layer, filling the trench, forming a second layer on either side of the trench with lateral overgrowth over the trench, and forming a source region in the second layer to overlap the trench. This overlap can enable the chip area to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: AMI Semiconductor Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Peter Moens, Marnix Tack
  • Patent number: 7563686
    Abstract: A method for forming a memory device with a recessed gate is disclosed. A substrate with a pad layer thereon is provided. The pad layer and the substrate are patterned to form at least two trenches. A deep trench capacitor device is formed in each trench. The pad layer is recessed until upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices are revealed. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices. The pad layer and the substrate are etched using the spacers and the deep trench capacitor devices as a mask to form a recess, and a recessed gate is formed in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pei-Ing Lee, Chung-Yuan Lee, Chien-Li Cheng
  • Patent number: 7563670
    Abstract: A method of forming a vertical DRAM device. A lower trench is filled with polycrystalline or amorphous semiconductor for a capacitor. An upper trench portion has exposed sidewalls of single-crystal semiconductor. The method then includes etching the single-crystal semiconductor sidewalls to widen the upper trench portion beyond the exposed upper surface of the semiconductor fill of the capacitor to form exposed regions of single-crystal semiconductor on a bottom portion of the upper trench adjacent to the exposed upper surface of the semiconductor fill. A trench top insulating layer is deposited on the bottom portion of the upper trench, over the upper surface of the semiconductor fill and over the adjacent regions of single-crystal semiconductor. The method then includes forming a vertical gate dielectric layer, wherein the trench top insulating layer extends below the vertical gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Richard O. Henry, Kenneth T. Settlemyer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090035901
    Abstract: A method for fabricating line type recess channel MOS transistors utilizes a lithography process to form line type gate trenches in the line type recess channel MOS transistors before finishing a STI process. The method can further control the critical dimension variation in a range required in precision semiconductor processes. Therefore, the short problem between the transistors can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Shian-Jyh Lin
  • Patent number: 7485525
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided which includes a memory having multiple ports per memory cell for accessing a data bit within each of a plurality of the memory cells. Such memory includes an array of memory cells in which each memory cell includes a plurality of capacitors connected together as a unitary source of capacitance. A first access transistor is coupled between a first one of the plurality of capacitors and a first bitline and a second access transistor is coupled between a second one of the plurality of capacitors and a second bitline. In each memory cell, a gate of the first access transistor is connected to a first wordline and a gate of the second access transistor is connected to a second wordline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Jack A. Mandelman, Carl J. Radens, Geng Wang
  • Patent number: 7482229
    Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor structure having U-shaped transistors formed by etching a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, the source/drain regions of the transistors are provided at the tops of pairs of pillars defined by crossing trenches in the substrate. One pillar is connected to the other pillar in the pair by a ridge that extends above the surrounding trenches. The ridge and lower portions of the pillars define U-shaped channels on opposite sides of the U-shaped structure, facing a gate structure in the trenches on those opposite sides, forming a two sided surround transistor. Optionally, the space between the pillars of a pair is also filled with gate electrode material to define a three-sided surround gate transistor. One of the source/drain regions of each pair extending to a digit line and the other extending to a memory storage device, such as a capacitor. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 7445986
    Abstract: Memory cells with vertical transistor and capacitor and fabrication methods thereof. The memory cell comprises a substrate with a trench. A capacitor is disposed at the bottom of the trench. A first conductive layer is electrically coupled to the capacitor. The first conductive layer is isolated the substrate by a collar dielectric layer. A trench top oxide (TTO) layer is disposed on the first conductive layer. A vertical transistor is disposed over the TTO layer. The vertical transistor comprises a gate dielectric layer disposed on the sidewalls of the upper portion of the trench, and a metal gate disposed in the upper portion of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 7439135
    Abstract: A structure and method of forming a body contact for an semiconductor-on-insulator trench device. The method including: forming set of mandrels on a top surface of a substrate, each mandrel of the set of mandrels arranged on a different corner of a polygon and extending above the top surface of the substrate, a number of mandrels in the set of mandrels equal to a number of corners of the polygon; forming sidewall spacers on sidewalls of each mandrel of the set of mandrels, sidewalls spacers of each adjacent pair of mandrels merging with each other and forming a unbroken wall defining an opening in an interior region of the polygon, a region of the substrate exposed in the opening; etching a contact trench in the substrate in the opening; and filling the contact trench with an electrically conductive material to form the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni
  • Patent number: 7429509
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided, wherein the substrate has recessed gates and deep trench capacitor devices therein. Protrusions of the recessed gates and upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices are revealed. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the upper portions and the protrusions. Buried portions of conductive material are formed in spaces between the spacers. The substrate, the spacers and the buried portions to form parallel shallow trenches are patterned to form parallel shallow trenches for defining active regions. A layer of dielectric material is formed in the shallow trenches, wherein some of the buried portions serve as buried contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pei-Ing Lee
  • Patent number: 7394124
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is provided. The dynamic random access memory includes a deep trench capacitor disposed in a first trench of a substrate, a conductive layer disposed in a second trench of the substrate, a gate structure, and a conductive layer disposed on the surface of the substrate at two sides of the gate structure. The depth of the second trench is smaller than the depth of the first trench, and the second trench partially overlaps with the first trench. The conductive layer disposed in the second trench is electrically connected with the conductive layer of the deep trench capacitor. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer at one side of the gate structure is electrically connected with the conductive layer disposed in the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: ProMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jih-Wen Chou, Yu-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7364997
    Abstract: In one implementation, field oxide is grown within bulk semiconductive material in a first circuitry area and not over immediately adjacent bulk semiconductive material in a second circuitry area. The field oxide is etched from the first circuitry area. After the etching, a circuit component is formed in the first circuitry area and a circuit component is formed in the second circuitry area. Dielectric material is formed over the first and second circuitry areas. The dielectric material comprises a conductive contact extending outwardly from the circuit component in the first circuitry area. The dielectric material has a first outermost surface. A portion of the dielectric material and a portion of the conductive contact are removed to form a second outermost surface of the dielectric material which has greater degree of planarity than did the first outermost surface. Other aspects are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 7358133
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate with recessed gates and deep trench capacitor devices therein. Protrusions of the recessed gates and upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices are revealed. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the upper portions and the protrusions. Buried portions of conductive material are formed in spaces between the spacers. The substrate, the spacers and the buried portions are patterned to form parallel shallow trenches for defining buried bit line contacts and capacitor buried surface straps. A layer of dielectric material is formed in the shallow trenches. Word lines are formed across the recessed gates. Bit lines are formed to electrically connect the buried bit line contacts without crossing the capacitor buried surface straps, and stack capacitors are formed to electrically connect with the capacitor buried surface straps. A semiconductor device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pei-Ing Lee
  • Patent number: 7354822
    Abstract: A vertical pass transistor used in a DRAM cell for maintaining a low total leakage current and providing adequate drive current is described together with a method of fabricating such a device. The transistor gate is engineered in lieu of the channel. The vertical pass transistor for the DRAM cell incorporates two gate materials having different work functions. The gate material near the storage node is n-type doped polysilicon. The gate material near the bit line diffusion is made of silicide or metal having a higher work function than the n-polysilicon. The novel device structure shows several advantages: the channel doping is reduced while maintaining a high Vt and a low sub-threshold leakage current; the carrier mobility improves with the reduced channel doping; the body effect of the device is reduced which improves the write back current; and the sub-threshold swing is reduced because of the low channel doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Geng Wang, Yujun Li, Qiqing C. Ouyang
  • Patent number: 7316952
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. A substrate, having a plurality of deep trench capacitors therein, is provided wherein upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices are revealed. Spacers on sidewalls of the upper portions of the deep trench capacitors are formed to form a predetermined region surrounded by the deep trench capacitor devices. The predetermined region of the substrate is etched using the spacers and the upper portions of the deep trench capacitors serve as a mask to form a recess, and a recessed gate is formed in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pei-Ing Lee
  • Patent number: 7316953
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided, wherein the substrate has recessed gates and deep trench capacitor devices therein. Protrusions of the recessed gates and upper portions of the deep trench capacitor devices are revealed. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the upper portions and the protrusions. Buried portions of conductive material are formed in spaces between the spacers. The substrate, the spacers and the buried portions are patterned to form parallel shallow trenches for defining active regions. A layer of dielectric material is formed in the shallow trenches, wherein some of the buried portions serve as buried bit line contacts. Word lines are formed across the recessed gates, wherein at least one of the word lines comprises portions overlapping the recessed gates. At least one of the overlapped portions has a narrower width than at least one of the recessed gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pei-Ing Lee
  • Patent number: 7276754
    Abstract: A memory structure having a vertically oriented access transistor with an annular gate region and a method for fabricating the structure. More specifically, a transistor is fabricated such that the channel of the transistor extends outward with respect to the surface of the substrate. An annular gate is fabricated around the vertical channel such that it partially or completely surrounds the channel. A buried annular bitline may also be implemented. After the vertically oriented transistor is fabricated with the annular gate, a storage device may be fabricated over the transistor to provide a memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien J. Bissey, Kevin G. Duesman
  • Publication number: 20070224757
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for forming a memory array and the memory array produced therefrom. Specifically, the memory array includes at least one first-type memory device, each of the at least one first-type memory device comprising a first transistor and a first underlying capacitor that are in electrical contact to each other through a first buried strap, where the first buried strap positioned on a first collar region; and at least one second-type memory cell, where each of the at least are second-type memory device comprises a second transistor and a second underlying capacitor that are in electrical contact through an offset buried strap, where the offset buried strap is positioned on a second collar region, wherein the second collar region has a length equal to the first collar region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Geng Wang
  • Patent number: 7229872
    Abstract: A trench type power MOSFET has a thin vertical gate oxide along its side walls and a thickened oxide with a rounded bottom at the bottom of the trench to provide a low RDSON and increased VDSMAX and VGSMAX and a reduced Miller capacitance. The walls of the trench are first lined with nitride to permit the growth of the thick bottom oxide to, for example 1000 ? to 1400 ? and the nitride is subsequently removed and a thin oxide, for example 320 ? is regrown on the side walls. In another embodiment, the trench bottom in amorphized and the trench walls are left as single crystal silicon so that oxide can be grown much faster and thicker on the trench bottom than on the trench walls during an oxide growth step. A reduced channel length of about 0.7 microns is used. The source diffusion is made deeper than the implant damage depth so that the full 0.7 micron channel is along undamaged silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Naresh Thapar
  • Patent number: 7115934
    Abstract: A trench capacitor formed with a bottle etch step has a polygonal cross section produced by forming thermally oxidizing the trench walls with thinner oxide at the corners of the trench, then performing the bottle etch step with the nitride in place, thereby extending the trench walls laterally only outside the corners, so that the distance of closest approach between adjacent trenches is reduced while the length of the perimeter is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni