Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to a memory cell. In various embodiments, the memory cell includes an access transistor having a floating node, and a diode connected between the floating node and a diode reference potential line. The diode includes an anode, a cathode, and an intrinsic region between the anode and the cathode. A charge representative of a memory state of the memory cell is held across the intrinsic region of the diode. In various embodiments, the memory cell is implemented in bulk semiconductor technology. In various embodiments, the memory cell is implemented in semiconductor-on-insulator technology. In various embodiments, the diode is gate-controlled. In various embodiments, the diode is charge enhanced by an intentionally generated charge in a floating body of an SOI access transistor. Various embodiments include laterally-oriented diodes (stacked and planar configurations), and various embodiments include vertically-oriented diodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a pair of transistors by epitaxially growing a pair of silicon fins on a silicon germanium fin on a bulk wafer. In one embodiment a gate conductor between the fins is isolated from a conductor layer on the bulk wafer so a front gate may be formed. In another embodiment a gate conductor between the fins contacts a conductor layer on the bulk wafer so a back gate may be formed. In yet another embodiment both of the previous structures are simultaneously formed on the same bulk wafer. The method allow the pairs of transistors to be formed with a variety of features (e.g., strained fins, a space between two fins that is approximately 0.5 to 3 times greater than a width of a single fin, a first dielectric layer on the inner sidewalls of each pair of fins with a different thickness and/or a different dielectric material than a second dielectric layer on the outer sidewalls of each pair of fins, etc.).

Abstract: A multi-level semiconductor device includes a first transistor on a semiconductor substrate, the first transistor including a first source/drain region, a semiconductor layer on the semiconductor substrate, a second transistor on the semiconductor layer, the second transistor including a second source/drain region in a first portion of the semiconductor layer, and a contact pattern extending from the first source/drain region and contacting a second portion of the semiconductor layer, wherein the second portion of the semiconductor layer has an impurity concentration that is greater than that of the second source/drain region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a conductor wire and a fuse wire formed in an insulating film over a semiconductor substrate, a first under-pad-wire insulating film formed above the insulating film, a second under-pad-wire insulating film formed on the first under-pad-wire insulating film, a pad wire formed in an area above the conductive wire, in the first and second under-pad-wire insulating films and an opening formed by leaving a part of the first under-pad-wire insulating film in an area above the fuse wire, in the first and second under-pad-wire insulating films, wherein the second under-pad-wire insulating film comprises an element different from that of the first under-pad-wire insulating film.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electrically conductive path under a barrier oxide layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and an integrated circuit including the path are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an electrically conductive path below a barrier oxide layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, the method comprising: forming a first barrier oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming the electrically conductive path within the first barrier oxide layer; and forming a second barrier oxide layer on the first barrier oxide layer. The electrically conductive path allows reduction of SRAM area by forming a wiring path underneath the barrier oxide layer on the SOI substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved integrated circuit device structure (e.g., a static random access memory array structure or other integrated circuit device structure incorporating both P-type and N-type devices) and a method of forming the structure that uses DTI regions for all inter-well and intra-well isolation and, thereby provides a low-cost isolation scheme that avoids FET width variations due to STI-DTI misalignment. Furthermore, because the DTI regions used for intra-well isolation effectively create some floating well sections, which must each be connected to a supply voltage (e.g., Vdd) to prevent threshold voltage (Vt) variations, the disclosed integrated circuit device also includes a shared contact to a junction between the diffusion regions of adjacent devices and an underlying floating well section. This shared contact eliminates the cost and area penalties that would be incurred if a discrete supply voltage contact was required for each floating well section.

Abstract: In order to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device such as a high-performance semiconductor integrated circuit device capable of reducing a soft error developed in each memory cell of a SRAM, the surface of a wiring of a cross-connecting portion, of a SRAM memory cell having a pair of n-channel type MISFETs whose gate electrodes and drains are respectively cross-connected, is formed in a shape that protrudes from the surface of a silicon oxide film. A silicon nitride film used as a capacitive insulating film, and an upper electrode are formed on the wiring. A capacitance can be formed of the wiring, the silicon nitride film and the upper electrode.

Abstract: A static memory element includes a first inverter having an input coupled to a left bit node and an output coupled to a right bit node. A second inverter has an input coupled to the right bit node and an output coupled to the left right bit node. A first fully depleted semiconductor-on-insulator transistor has a drain coupled to the left bit node, and a second fully depleted semiconductor-on-insulator transistor has a drain coupled to the right bit node.

Abstract: By providing a body controlled double channel transistor, increased functionality in combination with enhanced stability may be accomplished. For instance, flip flop circuits usable for static RAM cells may be formed on the basis of the body controlled double channel transistor, thereby reducing the number of transistors required per cell, which may result in increased information density.

Abstract: A memory cell has N?6 transistors, in which two are access transistors, at least one pair [say (N?2)/2] are pull-up transistors, and at least another pair [say (N?2)/2] are pull-down transistors. The pull-up and pull-down transistors are all coupled between the two access transistors. Each of the access transistors and the pull-up transistors are the same type, p-type or n-type. Each of the pull-down transistors is the other type, p-type or n-type. The access transistors are floating body devices. The pull-down transistors are non-floating body devices. The pull-up transistors may be floating or non-floating body devices. Various specific implementations and methods of making the memory cell are also detailed.

Abstract: A memory cell of a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same, wherein the memory cell includes a substrate having active regions and field regions, a gate layer formed over the substrate, the gate layer including a plurality of access gates formed over the active regions of the substrate and a plurality of pass gates formed over the field regions of the substrate, first self-aligned contact regions formed between adjacent pass gates and access gates, and second self-aligned contact regions formed between adjacent access gates, wherein a width of each of the first self-aligned contact regions is larger than a width of each of the second self-aligned contact regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate in which active regions of a memory cell are defined, a gate electrode formed on a device isolation insulating film to extend in a first direction, a first insulating film formed on the silicon substrate and the gate electrode, a first plug formed to penetrate the first insulating film, to overlap with the gate electrode and the first active region, and to extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second plug penetrating the first insulating film above the second active region, a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film, and an interconnection buried in the second insulating film, and formed to recede from a side surface of the first plug in the second direction and to cover only part of an upper surface of the first plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate according to one embodiment includes: a first transistor having a first gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode formed on the first gate insulating film and a first sidewall formed on a side face of the first gate electrode, the first gate insulating film comprising a high-dielectric constant material as a base material, a part of the first sidewall contacting with the first gate insulating film and containing Si and N; and a second transistor having a second gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating film and a second sidewall formed on a side face of the second gate electrode so as to contact with the second gate insulating film, the second gate insulating film comprising a high-dielectric constant material as a base material, a part of the second sidewall contacting with the second gate insulating film and containing Si and N, wherein at least one of an abundance

Abstract: A method for fabricating a microelectronic device with one or plural asymmetric double-gate transistors, including: a) forming one or plural structures on a substrate including at least a first semiconducting block configured to form a first gate of a double-gate transistor, and at least a second semiconducting block configured to form a second gate of the double-gate transistor, the first block and the second block being located on opposite sides of at least one semiconducting zone and separated from the semiconducting zone by a first gate dielectric zone and a second gate dielectric zone respectively, and b) doping at least one or plural semiconducting zones in the second block of at least one given structure among the structures, using at least one implantation selective relative to the first block.

Abstract: Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET), static ram (SRAM) and method of making same. A static ram memory cell has two cross-coupled semiconductor-type field effect transistors (FETs) and two nanotube FETs (NTFETs), each having a channel region made of at least one semiconductive nanotube, a first NTFET connected to the drain or source of the first semiconductor-type FET and the second NTFET connected to the drain or source of the second semiconductor-type FET.

Abstract: A SRAM bit cell and an associated method of producing the SRAM bit cell with improved performance and stability is provided. In one configuration, channel mobility of the transistors within the SRAM bit cell may be adjusted to provide improved stability. In order to adjust the channel mobility, a stress memorization technique may be used, a wide spacer may be used, germanium may be implanted on tensile stress silicon nitride, a compressive liner may be used or silicon germanium may be embedded in one or more of the devices in the cell. In another configuration, the gate capacitance of each device within the SRAM bit cell may be adjusted to achieve high SRAM yield. For instance, a thick gate oxide may be used, phosphorous pre-doping may be used or fluorine pre-doping may be used in one or more of the devices within the cell.

Abstract: An integrated circuit containing an array of SRAM cells with T-shaped contacts in the inverters, in which drain connecting segments may extend beyond gate connecting segments by a distance greater than 10 percent of a separation distance between ends of opposite drain connecting segments. The drain connecting segments may also extend beyond gate connecting segments by a distance greater than one-third of the width of the gate connecting segments. A process of forming an integrated circuit containing an array of SRAM cells with T-shaped contacts in which drain connecting segments may extend beyond gate connecting segments by a distance greater than 10 percent of a separation distance between ends of opposite drain connecting segments. A process may also form the drain connecting segments to extend beyond gate connecting segments by greater than one-third of the width of the gate connecting segments.

Abstract: Gate electrodes are formed on a semiconducting carbon nanotube, followed by deposition and patterning of a hole-inducing material layer and an electron inducing material layer on the carbon nanotube according to the pattern of a one dimensional circuit layout. Electrical isolation may be provided by cutting a portion of the carbon nanotube, forming a reverse biased junction of a hole-induced region and an electron-induced region of the carbon nanotube, or electrically biasing a region through a dielectric layer between two device regions of the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotubes may be arranged such that hole-inducing material layer and electron-inducing material layer may be assigned to each carbon nanotube to form periodic structures such as a static random access memory (SRAM) array.

Abstract: A symmetrical circuit is disclosed (FIG. 4). The circuit includes a first transistor (220) having a first channel in a substantial shape of a parallelogram (FIG. 5A) with acute angles. The first transistor has a first current path (506) oriented in a first crystal direction (520). A first control gate (362) overlies the first channel. A second transistor (222) is connected to the first transistor and has a second channel in the substantial shape of a parallelogram with acute angles. The second transistor has a second current path (502) oriented parallel to the first current path. A second control gate (360) overlies the second channel.

Abstract: A gate of a transistor in an integrated circuit is protected against the production of an interconnection terminal for a source/drain region. The transistor includes a substrate, at least one active zone formed in the substrate, at least one insulating zone formed in the substrate and a gate, the gate being formed above an active zone. A dielectric layer is formed on the transistor, the dielectric layer covering the gate. The dielectric layer is then etched while leaving it remaining at least on the gate so that the gate is electrically insulated from other elements formed above the dielectric layer. This etching is preferably carried out using a mask which was used for fabricating the gate and a mask which was used for fabricating the insulating zone.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having SRAM cell units each comprising a pair of a first driving transistor and a second driving transistor, a pair of a first load transistor and a second load transistor, and a pair of a first access transistor and a second access transistor, wherein each of the transistors comprises a semiconductor layer projecting upward from a substrate plane, a gate electrode extending on opposite sides of the semiconductor layer so as to stride over a top of the semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film interposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, and a pair of source/drain areas formed in the semiconductor layer; and the first and second driving transistors each have a channel width larger than that of at least either each of the load transistors or each of the access transistors.

Abstract: A first transfer transistor includes a first diffusion layer connected to a first bit line, and a second diffusion layer connected to a first storage node, the first diffusion layer is provided in a substrate, the second diffusion layer is provided in a bottom part of a recess provided in the substrate, a channel region of the first transfer transistor is offset with respect to the second diffusion layer toward the first storage node, and the offset part functions as a resistor.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method includes forming a semiconductor substrate having N-diffusion and P-diffusion regions. A gate stack is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode hard mask is formed over the gate stack. The gate electrode hard mask is augmented around pass gate transistors with a spacer material. The gate stack is etched using the augmented gate electrode hard mask to form the gate electrodes. The gate electrodes around the pass gate have a greater length than other gate electrodes.

Abstract: A microelectronic device including, on a substrate, at least one element such as a SRAM memory cell; one or more first transistor(s), respectively including a number k of channels (k?1) parallel in a direction forming a non-zero angle with the main plane of the substrate, and one or more second transistor(s), respectively including a number m of channels, such that m>k, parallel in a direction forming a non-zero angle, or an orthogonal direction, with the main plane of the substrate.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of active regions separately formed by a plurality of trenches formed in a surface of the substrate at predetermined intervals, a first gate insulating film formed on an upper surface of the substrate corresponding to each active region, a gate electrode of a memory cell transistor formed by depositing an electrical charge storage layer formed on an upper surface of the gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film and a control gate insulating film sequentially, an element isolation insulating film buried in each trench and formed from a coating type oxide film, and an insulating film formed inside each trench on a boundary between the semiconductor substrate and the element isolation insulating film, the insulating film containing nontransition metal atoms and having a film thickness not more than 5 ?.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate. In addition, the semiconductor device comprises an active region and an isolation region. The active region is in the substrate and comprises a semiconductor material. The isolation region is also in the substrate, adjacent the active region and comprises an insulating material. The active region and isolation region form a surface having a step therein. The semiconductor further comprises a dielectric material formed over the step. The dielectric material has a dielectric constant greater than about 8.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a logic circuit and a memory cell. The logic circuit includes a P-channel transistor, and the memory cell includes a P-channel transistor. The P-channel transistor of the logic circuit includes a channel region. The channel region has a portion located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110). The portion of the channel region located along the sidewall has a first vertical dimension that is greater than a vertical dimension of any portion of the channel region of the P-channel transistor of the memory cell located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110).

Abstract: A wafer-cutting process includes first cutting a semiconductive wafer along a first path at a given first cutting intensity including cutting across an intersection. The process also includes second cutting the semiconductive wafer along a second path at a given second cutting intensity. The second cutting intensity is diminished during crossing the intersection and resumed to the given cutting intensity after crossing the intersection.

Abstract: A local interconnect is formed with a gate conductor line that has an exposed sidewall on an active area of a semiconductor substrate. The exposes sidewall comprises a silicon containing material that may form a silicide alloy upon silicidation. During a silicidation process, a gate conductor sidewall silicide alloy forms on the exposed sidewall of the gate conductor line and an active area silicide is formed on the active area. The two silicides are joined to provide an electrical connection between the active area and the gate conductor line. Multiple sidewalls may be exposed on the gate conductor line to make multiple connections to different active area silicides.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device capable of increasing a capacitor capacitance. A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a circuit element formed on a semiconductor substrate; and capacitors formed on the semiconductor substrate and including: a lower capacitance electrode formed of a lower wiring line connected to the circuit element; a capacitance insulating film covering an upper surface and a side surface of the lower wiring line; and an upper capacitance electrode formed on the capacitance insulating film, the lower capacitance electrode including at least one of a power supply line and a ground line formed of the lower wiring line.

Abstract: A CMOS memory element comprising silicon-on-insulator MOSFET transistors is disclosed wherein at least one of the MOSFET transistors is configured such that the body of the transistor is not connected to a voltage source and is instead permitted to electrically float. Implementations of the disclosed memory element with increased immunity to errors caused by heavy ion radiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of processing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece, the workpiece comprising a material layer to be patterned disposed thereon. A hard mask is formed over the material layer. A first pattern is formed in the hard mask and an upper portion of the material layer using a first etch process. A second pattern is formed in the hard mask and the upper portion of the material layer using a second etch process, the second pattern being different than the first pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern are formed in a lower portion of the material layer using a third etch process and using the hard mask as a mask.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a logic circuit and a memory cell. The logic circuit includes a P-channel transistor, and the memory cell includes a P-channel transistor. The P-channel transistor of the logic circuit includes a channel region. The channel region has a portion located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110). The portion of the channel region located along the sidewall has a first vertical dimension that is greater than a vertical dimension of any portion of the channel region of the P-channel transistor of the memory cell located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110).

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprising an SRAM/inverter cell and a method for forming the same are provided, wherein the SRAM/inverter cell has an improved write margin. The SRAM/inverter cell includes a pull-up PMOS device comprising a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode on the gate dielectric wherein the gate electrode comprises a p-type impurity and an n-type impurity, and a stressor formed in a source/drain region. The device drive current of the pull-up PMOS device is reduced due to the counter-doping of the gate electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and methods for laying out the integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit includes a first and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first active region comprising a first source and a first drain; and a first gate electrode over the first active region. The second transistor includes a second active region comprising a second source and a second drain; and a second gate electrode over the second active region and connected to the first gate electrode, wherein the first source and the second source are electrically connected, and the first drain and the second drain are electrically connected.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device can include a first chip having transistors of only the NMOS type, a second chip having transistors of only the PMOS type, and an interconnection electrically connecting the first and second chips to each other. By forming NMOS and PMOS transistors on separate chips, the total number of implant photo processes can be decreased, thereby reducing the fabrication cost.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a substrate having a semiconductor surface, forming a gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor surface and a polysilicon layer on the gate dielectric layer. The polysilicon layer is patterned while being undoped to form a plurality of polysilicon comprising gates. A first pattern is used to protect a plurality of PMOS devices and a first n-type implant is performed to dope the gates and source/drain regions for a plurality of NMOS devices. A second pattern is used to protect the PMOS devices and the sources/drains and gates for a portion of the plurality of NMOS devices and a second n-type implant is performed to dope the gates of the other NMOS devices.

Abstract: A static random access memory at least includes: pluralities of transistors disposed on a substrate, each transistor at least includes a gate, a gate dielectric layer, a source doped region and a drain doped region, in which some of the source doped regions are used for connecting with a Vss voltage or a Vdd voltage, and a salicide layer disposed on the gates, the source doped regions except those source doped regions used for connecting a Vss voltage and a Vdd voltage and the drain doped regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device may include a semiconductor substrate, a static memory cell on the semiconductor substrate, a tensile stress film on the pull-down transistors, and a compressive stress film on the pass transistors. The static memory cell may include multiple pull-up transistors and pull-down transistors, which form a latch, and multiple pass transistors may be used to access the latch.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device has a base area defining a longitudinal axis. Four in-line transistors, which are NMOS transistors in exemplary embodiments, are each centered on the longitudinal axis. Two off-set transistors, which are PMOS transistors in exemplary embodiments, are off-set to first and second sides of the longitudinal axis, respectively.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A substrate is first provided, and then several IO devices and several core devices are formed on the substrate, wherein those IO devices include IO PMOS and IO NMOS, and those core devices include core PMOS and core NMOS. Thereafter, a buffer layer is formed on the substrate, and then the buffer layer except a surface of the IO PMOS is removed in order to reduce the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) of the IO PMOS. Afterwards, a tensile contact etching stop layer (CESL) is formed on the IO NMOS and the core NMOS, and a compressive CESL is formed the core PMOS.

Abstract: A memory gain cell for a memory circuit, a memory circuit formed from multiple memory gain cells, and methods of fabricating such memory gain cells and memory circuits. The memory gain cell includes a storage device capable of holding a stored electrical charge, a write device, and a read device. The read device includes a fin of semiconducting material, electrically-isolated first and second gate electrodes flanking the fin, and a source and drain formed in the fin adjacent to the first and the second gate electrodes. The first gate electrode is electrically coupled with the storage device. The first and second gate electrodes are operative for gating a region of the fin defined between the source and the drain to thereby regulate a current flowing from the source to the drain. When gated, the magnitude of the current is dependent upon the electrical charge stored by the storage device.

Abstract: A symmetrical circuit is disclosed (FIG. 4). The circuit includes a first transistor (220) having a first channel in a substantial shape of a parallelogram (FIG. 5A) with acute angles. The first transistor has a first current path (506) oriented in a first crystal direction (520). A first control gate (362) overlies the first channel. A second transistor (222) is connected to the first transistor and has a second channel in the substantial shape of a parallelogram with acute angles. The second transistor has a second current path (502) oriented parallel to the first current path. A second control gate (360) overlies the second channel.

Abstract: An intra-metal capacitor unit cell comprises a first electrode and a second electrode formed in the same device layer. A dielectric layer separates the electrodes. The first electrode is substantially surrounded by the second electrode. Misalignment between the first and second electrodes does not substantively alter the capacitance of the unit cell.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for a memory cell includes a substrate, a body extending vertically from the substrate, a first gate having a vertical member and a horizontal member and a second gate comprising a vertical member and a horizontal member. The first gate is disposed laterally from the body and the second gate is disposed laterally from the first gate.

Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) cell structure at least comprising a substrate, a transistor, an upper electrode and a capacitor dielectric layer. A device isolation structure is set up in the substrate to define an active region. The active region has an opening. The transistor is set up over the active region of the substrate. The source region of the transistor is next to the opening. The upper electrode is set up over the opening such that the opening is completely filled. The capacitor dielectric layer is set up between the upper electrode and the substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, capacitors, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a capacitor includes forming a first material over a workpiece, and patterning the first material, forming a first capacitor plate in a first region of the workpiece and forming a first element in a second region of the workpiece. A second material is formed over the workpiece and over the patterned first material. The second material is patterned, forming a capacitor dielectric and a second capacitor plate in the first region of the workpiece over the first capacitor plate and forming a second element in a third region of the workpiece.

Abstract: The gate tunnel leakage current is increased in the up-to-date process, so that it is necessary to reduce the gate tunnel leakage current in the LSI which is driven by a battery for use in a cellular phone and which needs to be in a standby mode at a low leakage current. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, the ground source electrode lines of logic and memory circuits are kept at a ground potential in an active mode, and are kept at a voltage higher than the ground potential in an unselected standby mode. The gate tunnel leakage current can be reduced without destroying data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device structure that includes at least one SRAM cell formed in a substrate. Such SRAM cell comprises two pull-up transistors, two pull-down transistors, and two pass-gate transistors. The pull-down transistors and the pass-gate transistors are substantially similar in channel widths and have substantially similar source-drain doping concentrations, while the SRAM cell has a beta ratio of at least 1.5. The substrate preferably comprises a hybrid substrate with at two isolated sets of regions, while carrier mobility in these two sets of regions differentiates by a factor of at least about 1.5. More preferably, the pull-down transistors of the SRAM cell are formed in one set of regions, and the pass-gate transistors are formed in the other set of regions, so that current flow in the pull-down transistors is larger than that in the pass-gate transistors.

Abstract: A 4-T SRAM cell in which two layers of permanent SOG (with an intermediate oxide layer) are used to provide planarization between the first and topmost poly layers.