Simultaneous Fabrication Of Periphery And Memory Cells (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.683)
  • Patent number: 10978565
    Abstract: Provided is a power transistor device including a substrate, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The substrate has an active region and a terminal region. The terminal region surrounds the active region. The substrate includes a first trench and a second trench. The first trench is disposed within the active region and adjacent to the terminal region. The second trench is disposed within the terminal region and adjacent to the active region. The first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed in the first trench and the second trench. The first electrode and the second electrode both are electrically floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: uPl Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Chen, Yi-Yun Tsai
  • Patent number: 10843920
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is provided that includes a substrate having a dielectric cavity formed therein and a movable electromechanical device suspended in the dielectric cavity. The dielectric cavity includes a substantially planar bottom surface and at least one sidewall surface extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom surface. The movable electromechanical device is suspended in the dielectric cavity such that the movable electromechanical device is spaced apart from the bottom surface and the at least one sidewall surface of the dielectric cavity. The bottom surface of the cavity and each of the at least one sidewall surface of the cavity meet at a rectilinear corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Kotlanka Rama Krishna, Michael John Flynn, Lynn Khine, Seamus Paul Whiston, Paul Lambkin
  • Patent number: 9801136
    Abstract: A wireless communication device including an integrated processing circuit, a first memory and a testing circuit is provided. The integrated processing circuit includes a processing unit capable of processing a wireless communication signal and a radio frequency (RF) unit capable of performing a conversion between a radio frequency (RF) signal and a baseband signal, wherein the wireless communication signal is one of the RF signal and the baseband signal. The first memory is coupled to the integrated processing circuit. The first memory is capable of storing data used by the processing unit. The testing circuit is coupled to the first memory, and is capable of testing the first memory for determining if the first memory is an effective memory. The RF unit is put in a first package, the first memory is put in a second package, and the first package and the second package are packaged in a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Tu, Chia-Hao Yang, Tsung-Huang Chen
  • Patent number: 9713093
    Abstract: A wireless communication device including an integrated processing circuit, a first memory and a testing circuit is provided. The integrated processing circuit includes a processing unit capable of processing a wireless communication signal and a radio frequency (RF) unit capable of performing a conversion between a radio frequency (RF) signal and a baseband signal, wherein the wireless communication signal is one of the RF signal and the baseband signal. The first memory is coupled to the integrated processing circuit. The first memory is capable of storing data used by the processing unit. The testing circuit is coupled to the first memory, and is capable of testing the first memory for determining if the first memory is an effective memory. The RF unit and the first memory are placed in a single module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Tu, Chia-Hao Yang, Tsung-Huang Chen
  • Patent number: 9369172
    Abstract: A wireless communication device including an integrated processing circuit and a first memory is provided. The integrated processing circuit includes a processing unit capable of processing a wireless communication signal and a radio frequency (RF) unit capable of performing a conversion between a radio frequency (RF) signal and a baseband signal, wherein the wireless communication signal is one of the RF signal and the baseband signal. The first memory is coupled to the integrated processing circuit. The first memory is capable of storing data used by the processing unit, wherein the integrated processing circuit and the first memory are packaged in a single semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Tu, Chia-Hao Yang, Tsung-Huang Chen
  • Patent number: 9275709
    Abstract: This invention makes is possible to protect programs and shorten the activation time of an electronic apparatus even if a non-volatile memory such as an MRAM stores the programs including a boot program, and is used as a main memory. Upon power-on or receiving a reset signal, a program stored in bank 102 of the non-volatile memory is transferred to another bank. Upon completion of the transfer operation, to disable access from the outside of the non-volatile memory to the bank 102 to protect the bank 102, the bank is set in a disconnection state in the non-volatile memory. A signal indicating completion of the program transfer operation is output to the outside, and a reset-release signal to a processor is generated using the signal as a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8907315
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell includes forming programmable material within an opening in dielectric material over an elevationally inner conductive electrode of the memory cell. Conductive electrode material is formed over the dielectric material and within the opening. The programmable material within the opening has an elevationally outer edge surface angling elevationally and laterally inward relative to a sidewall of the opening. The conductive electrode material is formed to cover over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material is removed back at least to an elevationally outermost surface of the dielectric material and to leave the conductive electrode material covering over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material constitutes at least part of an elevationally outer conductive electrode of the memory cell. Memory cells independent of method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8895400
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral circuit region defined therein. A buried word line is disposed in the substrate in the cell region and has a top surface lower than top surfaces of cell active regions in the cell region. A gate line is disposed on the substrate in the peripheral circuit region. A word line interconnect is disposed in the substrate in the peripheral circuit region, the word line interconnect including a first portion contacting the buried word line and having a top surface lower than a top surfaces of the cell active regions and a second portion that is overlapped by and in contact with the gate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeoung-Won Seo, Yun-Gi Kim, Young-Woong Son, Bong-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8860123
    Abstract: A memory device may include a semiconductor substrate, and a memory transistor in the semiconductor substrate. The memory transistor may include source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate and a channel region therebetween, and a gate stack having a first dielectric layer over the channel region, a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, a first diffusion barrier layer over the second dielectric layer, a first electrically conductive layer over the first diffusion barrier layer, a second diffusion barrier layer over the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer over the second diffusion barrier layer. The first and second dielectric layers may include different dielectric materials, and the first diffusion barrier layer may be thinner than the second diffusion barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Prasanna Khare, Stephane Allegret-Maret, Nicolas Loubet, Qing Liu, Hemanth Jagannathan, Lisa Edge, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce Doris
  • Patent number: 8786003
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a substrate; a memory unit provided on the substrate; and a non-memory unit provided on the substrate. The memory unit includes: a first stacked body including a plurality of first electrode films and a first inter-electrode insulating film, the plurality of first electrode films being stacked along a first axis perpendicular to the major surface, the first inter-electrode insulating film being provided between two of the first electrode films mutually adjacent along the first axis; a first semiconductor layer opposing side surfaces of the first electrode films; a first memory film provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first electrode films; and a first conductive film provided on the first stacked body apart from the first stacked body. The non-memory unit includes a resistance element unit of the same layer as the conductive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Iwase, Hiroyasu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8691622
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell includes forming programmable material within an opening in dielectric material over an elevationally inner conductive electrode of the memory cell. Conductive electrode material is formed over the dielectric material and within the opening. The programmable material within the opening has an elevationally outer edge surface angling elevationally and laterally inward relative to a sidewall of the opening. The conductive electrode material is formed to cover over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material is removed back at least to an elevationally outermost surface of the dielectric material and to leave the conductive electrode material covering over the angling surface of the programmable material within the opening. The conductive electrode material constitutes at least part of an elevationally outer conductive electrode of the memory cell. Memory cells independent of method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8574987
    Abstract: A first dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor layer in an NVM region and a logic region. A charge storage layer is formed over the first dielectric layer in the NVM and logic regions. The charge storage layer is patterned to form a dummy gate in the logic region and a charge storage structure in the NVM region. A second dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor layer in the NVM and logic regions which surrounds the charge storage structure and the dummy gate. The dummy gate is replaced with a logic gate. The second dielectric layer is removed from the NVM region while protecting the second dielectric layer in the logic region. A third dielectric layer is formed over the charge storage structure, and a control gate layer is formed over the third dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul D. Shroff, Mark D. Hall
  • Patent number: 8309425
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A semiconductor substrate is prepared. The semiconductor substrate has a first region and a second region other than the first region. A first mask is formed over the first region. The first mask has a first line-and-space pattern extending in a first direction. A first removing process is performed. The first removing process selectively removes the first region with the first mask to form a first groove extending in the first direction. The first removing process removes an upper part of the second region while a remaining part of the second region having a first surface facing upward. The bottom level of the first groove is higher than the level of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Oshima
  • Patent number: 8247862
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing charge storage in an E2PROM cell structure that includes a read transistor having spaced apart source an drain diffusion regions formed in a semiconductor substrate to define a substrate channel region therebetween, a conductive charge storage element formed over the substrate channel region and separated therefrom by gate dielectric material, a conductive control gate that is separated from the charge storage element by intervening dielectric material, and a conductive heating element disposed in proximity to the charge storage element. The method comprises performing a programming operation that causes charge to be placed on the charge storage element and, during the programming operation, heating the heating element to a temperature such that heat is provided to the charge storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff A Babcock, Yuri Mirgorodski, Natalia Lavrovskaya, Saurabh Desai
  • Patent number: 8178408
    Abstract: Some methods are directed to manufacturing charge trap-type non-volatile memory devices. An isolation layer pattern can be formed that extends in a first direction in a substrate. A recess unit is formed in the substrate by recessing an exposed surface of the substrate adjacent to the isolation layer pattern. A tunnel insulating layer and a charge trap layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. The tunnel insulating layer and the charge trap layer are patterned to form an isolated island-shaped tunnel insulating layer pattern and an isolated island-shaped charge trap layer pattern by etching defined regions of the substrate, the isolation layer pattern, the tunnel insulating layer, and the charge trap layer until a top surface of the charge trap layer that is disposed on a bottom surface of the recess unit is aligned with a top surface of the isolation layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hak-Sun Lee, Kyoung-Sub Shin, Jeong-Dong Choe
  • Patent number: 8097913
    Abstract: An electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) device and a method of manufacturing the EEPROM device are provided. First and second gate structures having the same structure are formed on a tunnel insulating layer formed on a substrate, such that the first and second gate structures are spaced apart from each other. A common source region is formed at a portion of the substrate located between the first and second gate structures. First and second drain regions are formed at first and second portions of the substrate adjacent to the first and second gate structures, respectively. Thus, the EEPROM device is manufactured including first and second transistors that have the same structure and may alternately serve as a memory transistor and a selection transistor according to an applied signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weon-Ho Park, Jeong-Uk Han, Yong-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8076199
    Abstract: A memory and method of manufacture employing word line scaling. A layered stack, including a charge trapping component and a core polysilicon layer, is formed on a core section and a peripheral section of a substrate. A portion of the layered stack, including the core polysilicon layer is then removed from the peripheral section. A peripheral polysilicon layer, which is thicker than the core polysilicon layer of the layered stack, is next formed on the layered stack and the peripheral section. The layered stack is then isolated from the peripheral polysilicon layer by removing a portion of the peripheral polysilicon layer from the core section, and polysilicon lines are patterned in the isolated layered stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Shenqing Fang, Chun Chen, Wenmei Li, Inkuk Kang, Gang Xue, Hyesook Hong
  • Patent number: 8044451
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, by which a cell transistor formed on a cell array area of a semiconductor substrate employs a structure in which an electrode in the shape of spacers is used to form a gate and a multi-bit operation is possible using localized bits, and transistors having structures optimized to satisfy different requirements depending upon functions of the transistors can be formed on a peripheral circuit area which is the residual area of the semiconductor substrate. In this method, a cell transistor is formed on the cell array area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-yong Choi, Choong-ho Lee, Dong-won Kim, Dong-gun Park
  • Patent number: 8034681
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile memory device includes the following steps. First and second cell gates are formed in a cell region. First and second peripheral gates are formed in a peripheral-region. A first insulating layer is formed over the first and second cell gates and the first and second peripheral gates. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second conductive layer. Selected portions of the third insulating layer, the second conductive layer, and the first insulating layer are removed to form an inter-gate plug provided between the first and second cell gates. The inter-gate plug completely fills a space defined between the first and second cell gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 7977218
    Abstract: Novel fabrication methods implement the use of dummy tiles to avoid the effects of in-line charging, ESD events, and such charge effects in the formation of a memory device region region. One method involves forming at least a portion of a memory core array upon a semiconductor substrate that involves forming STI structures in the substrate substantially surrounding a memory device region region within the array. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate in the memory device region region and over the STI's, wherein an inner section of the oxide layer formed over the memory device region region is thicker than an outer section of the oxide layer formed over the STI's. A first polysilicon layer is then formed over the inner and outer sections comprising one or more dummy tiles formed over one or more outer sections and electrically connected to at least one inner section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Cinti Chen, Yi He, Wenmei Li, Zhizheng Liu, Ming-Sang Kwan, Yu Sun, Jean Yee-Mei Yang
  • Patent number: 7972929
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an ONO layer in a memory region and forming several gate oxide layer patterns in a logic region, a nitride layer in the logic region can be used as a hard mask, enabling a reduction in the number of masks used. This results in improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs of a SONOS semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 7968405
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device is provided. The method includes forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor substrate defining an active region and forming a molding pattern on the isolation layer. A first conductive layer is formed on a sidewall and a top surface of the molding pattern and on the semiconductor substrate. The first conductive layer on the top surface of the molding pattern is selectively removed forming a conductive pattern. The conductive pattern includes a body plate disposed on the active region and a protrusion which extends from an edge of the body plate onto the sidewall of the molding pattern. The molding pattern is then removed. An inter-gate dielectric layer is formed on the isolation layer and the conductive pattern. Nonvolatile memory devices manufactured using the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Mi Hong, Kwang-Tae Kim, Ji-Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 7955920
    Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches include a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan Kraft
  • Patent number: 7927950
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a floating trap type nonvolatile memory device includes forming a cell gate insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, the cell gate insulating layer being comprised of a lower insulating layer, a charge storage layer and an upper insulating layer sequentially stacked; thermally annealing the cell gate insulating Layer at a temperature of approximately 810° C. to approximately 1370° C.; and forming a gate electrode on the thermally annealed cell gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Mei Choi, Chang-Hyun Lee, Seung-Hwan Lee, Young-Geun Park, Sung-Jung Kim, Young-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 7919772
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory has a problem in that applied voltage is high. This is because a carrier needs to be injected into a floating gate through an insulating film by a tunneling effect. In addition, there is concern about deterioration of the insulating film by performing such carrier injection. An object of the present invention is to provide a memory in which applied voltage is lowered and deterioration of an insulating film is prevented. One feature is to use a layer in which an inorganic compound having a charge-transfer complex is mixed with an organic compound as a layer functioning as a floating gate of a memory. A specific example is an element having a transistor structure where a layer in which an inorganic compound having a charge-transfer complex is mixed with an organic compound and which is sandwiched between insulating layers is used as a floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Furukawa, Ryota Imahayashi
  • Patent number: 7919369
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a flash memory device, a lower capping conductive layer of a peri region is patterned. A step formed between a cell gate and a gate for a peri region transistor is decreased by controlling a target etch thickness of a hard mask. Thus, an impurity does not infiltrate into the bottom of the gate for the peri region transistor through a lost portion of a SAC nitride layer. Accordingly, a hump phenomenon of the transistor formed in the peri region can be improved. Furthermore, a leakage current characteristic of the transistor formed in the peri region can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Soo Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7911005
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a DRAM region and a logic region embedded together therein, including a first transistor formed in a DRAM region, and having a first source/drain region containing arsenic and phosphorus as impurities; and a second transistor formed in a logic region, and having a second source/drain region containing at least arsenic as an impurity, wherein each of the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region has a silicide layer respectively formed in the surficial portion thereof, and the first source/drain region has a junction depth which is determined by phosphorus and is deeper than the junction depth of the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: RENESAS Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Shirai
  • Patent number: 7884005
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that may simplify a manufacturing process and may reduce process costs. According to embodiments, the method may include simultaneously forming a first gate of a first device area and a second gate of a second device area, patterning a PMD layer to form a first contact hole exposing the first gate, depositing and planarizing a high dielectric constant material and first and second metallic materials on the semiconductor substrate to expose PMD layer, forming an insulating layer, a metal layer and a third gate in the first contact hole, patterning the PMD layer to form a second contact hole exposing the second gate, and depositing a third metallic material on the semiconductor substrate and planarizing it such that the PMD layer is exposed, thereby forming a contact in the second contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 7879658
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon crystal layer on an insulating layer, the silicon crystal layer containing a crystal lattice mismatch plane, a memory cell array portion on the silicon crystal layer, the memory cell array portion including memory strings, each of the memory strings including nonvolatile memory cell transistors connected in series in a first direction, the memory strings being arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the crystal lattice mismatch plane crossing the silicon crystal along the second direction without passing under gates of the nonvolatile memory cell transistors as viewed from a top of the silicon crystal layer, or crossing the silicon crystal along the first direction with passing under gates of the nonvolatile memory cell transistors as viewed from the top of the silicon crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozawa, Ichiro Mizushima, Takashi Suzuki, Hirokazu Ishida, Yoshitaka Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 7855421
    Abstract: An embedded memory required for a high performance, multifunction SOC, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The memory includes a bipolar transistor, a phase-change memory device and a MOS transistor, adjacent and electrically connected, on a substrate. The bipolar transistor includes a base composed of SiGe disposed on a collector. The phase-change memory device has a phase-change material layer which is changed from an amorphous state to a crystalline state by a current, and a heating layer composed of SiGe that contacts the lower surface of the phase-change material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seung-Yun Lee, Sangouk Ryu, Sung Min Yoon, Young Sam Park, Kyu-Jeong Choi, Nam-Yeal Lee, Byoung-Gon Yu
  • Patent number: 7750384
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes first and second cell gates formed in a cell region; first and second peripheral gates are formed in a peri-region; and an inter-gate plug is provided between the first and second cell gates. The inter-gate plug includes a first insulating layer, a second conductive layer formed over the first insulating layer, and a third insulating layer formed over the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 7745827
    Abstract: Conventionally, the layer of the insulator between a cathode and an anode is formed by a droplet discharge method, vapor deposition, or the like separately from an interlayer insulating film formed over a thin film transistor, which creates problems of increase in cost and the number of manufacturing steps. A memory device of the present invention includes a first conductive film; an insulating film formed over the first conductive film; and a second conductive film formed over the insulating film, and an opening and a contact hole which are formed in the insulating film. Further, the insulating film exists between the first conductive film and the second conductive film formed in the opening, and the first conductive film and the second conductive film are electrically connected in the contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Asami
  • Patent number: 7687847
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A substrate having a memory cell region and a high voltage circuit region are provided. First and second source/drain regions are formed in the substrate within these two regions. A silicon oxide layer, a first conductive layer and a top layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. A floating gate is defined in the memory cell region and the top layer and the first conductive layer of the high voltage circuit region are removed. The exposed silicon oxide layer is thickened. Thereafter, the top layer is removed and then a barrier layer is formed on the exposed surface of the floating gate. A second conductor layer is formed over the substrate, and then a gate is defined in the high voltage circuit region and a control gate is defined in the memory cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Fang Lee, Dave Hsu, Asam Lin
  • Patent number: 7638430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming contact plugs of a semiconductor device. According to the method, a first insulating layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate in which a cell region and a peri region are defined and a first contact plug is formed in the peri region. The first insulating layer is etched using an etch process, thus forming contact holes through which junctions are exposed in the cell region and the first contact plug is exposed in the peri region. Second contact plugs are formed in the contact holes. The second contact plug formed within the contact hole of the peri region are removed using an etch process. A spacer is formed on sidewalls of the contact holes. Third contact plugs are formed within the contact holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 7585731
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided including providing a substrate with projecting island regions formed in stripes, with first regions of the substrate adjacent the projecting island regions and with a conductive film covering the projecting island regions and first regions. An insulating film is formed between the projecting island regions and conductive film, wherein the projecting island regions extend in a first direction in stripes. The conductive film is anisotropically etched using a mask covering portions of the conductive film to form conductive lines on sides of the projecting island regions and the portions of the conductive film integrated with the conductive lines, which conductive lines serve as common gate electrodes for MISFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Shoji Shukuri
  • Patent number: 7582550
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first impurity region; a second impurity region; a channel region; a first gate formed on a main surface on a side of the first impurity region; a second gate formed on the main surface on a side of the second impurity region, with a second insulating film being interposed; and a third insulating film formed on a side surface of the first gate. An interface between the third insulating film and the semiconductor substrate directly under the third insulating film is located above an interface between the second insulating film and the main surface of the semiconductor substrate directly under the second insulating film. The total number of steps can thus be reduced, and lower cost is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Motoi Ashida
  • Patent number: 7573095
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory cell in a first region and a logic MOS device in a second region of a semiconductor substrate. The memory cell includes a first gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate; a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate electrode, wherein the first gate spacer comprises a storage on a tunneling layer; and a first lightly-doped source or drain (LDD) region and a first pocket region adjacent to the first gate electrode. The logic MOS device includes a second gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate; a second gate spacer on a sidewall of the second gate electrode; a second LDD region and a second pocket region adjacent the second gate electrode, wherein at least one of the first LDD region and the first pocket region has a higher impurity concentration than a impurity concentration of the respective second LDD region and the second pocket region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzyh-Cheang Lee, Fu-Liang Yang
  • Patent number: 7560388
    Abstract: A method providing features in a dielectric layer is provided. A sacrificial layer is formed over the dielectric layer. A set of sacrificial layer features is etched into the sacrificial layer. A first set of dielectric layer features is etched into the dielectric layer through the sacrificial layer. The first set of dielectric layer features and the set of sacrificial layer features are filled with a filler material. The sacrificial layer is removed. The widths of the spaces between the parts of the filler material are shrunk with a shrink sidewall deposition. A second set of dielectric layer features is etched into the dielectric layer through the shrink sidewall deposition. The filler material and shrink sidewall deposition are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jisoo Kim, Sangheon Lee, Daehan Choi, S. M. Reza Sadjadi
  • Patent number: 7553724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method manufacturing a code address memory (CAM) cell. The present invention uses a dielectric film in which an oxide film and a nitride film between a floating gate and a control gate in a flash memory cell are stacked as a gate insulating film between a semiconductor substrate and a gate in the CAM cell. Therefore, the present invention can reduce the area of a peripheral circuit region and stably secure repaired data since the CAM cell can be stably driven at a low operating voltage and additional boosting circuit is thus not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jum Soo Kim, Sung Mun Jung, Min Kuck Cho, Young Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 7550363
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a trench device isolation layer and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The method comprises forming a plurality of first trenches on a first region of a semiconductor substrate, filling the first trenches with a first insulation material to form first device isolation layers, forming a plurality of second trenches on a second region of the semiconductor substrate, and filling the second trenches with a second insulation material different from the first insulation material to form second device isolation layers, wherein the first trenches and the second trenches are formed using different respective processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wook-Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 7547602
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided including providing a substrate with projecting island regions formed in stripes, with first regions of the substrate adjacent the projecting island regions and with a conductive film covering the projecting island regions and first regions. An insulating film is formed between the projecting island regions and conductive film, wherein the projecting island regions extend in a first direction in stripes. The conductive film is anisotropically etched using a mask covering contact regions to form conductive lines on sides of the projecting island regions and the contact regions integrated with the conductive lines, which conductive lines serve as common gate electrodes for MISFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Shoji Shukuri
  • Publication number: 20080283873
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor layer including a first circuit, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer and having a second circuit, and a via extending through portions of the first and second semiconductor layers and by which the first and second circuits are electrically connected. One of the circuits is a logic circuit and the other of the circuits is a memory circuit. The semiconductor device is manufactured by fabricating transistors of the logic and memory circuits on respective substrates, stacking the substrates, and electrically connecting the logic and memory circuits with a via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Jin YANG, Jeong-Uk HAN, Yong-Tae KIM, Yong-Suk CHOI, Hyok-Ki KWON
  • Publication number: 20080248618
    Abstract: The use of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form a nanolaminate layered dielectric layer of cerium oxide and aluminum oxide acting as a single dielectric layer with a ratio of approximately two to one between the cerium oxide and the aluminum oxide, and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer is described. The described arrangement produces a reliable structure with a high dielectric constant (high-k) for use in a variety of electronic devices. The dielectric structure is formed by depositing cerium oxide by atomic layer deposition onto a substrate surface using precursor chemicals, followed by depositing aluminum oxide onto the substrate using precursor chemicals, and repeating to form the thin laminate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7427552
    Abstract: A method for fabricating integrated circuit devices, e.g., Flash memory devices, embedded Flash memory devices. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, e.g., silicon, silicon on insulator, epitaxial silicon. In a specific embodiment, the semiconductor substrate has a peripheral region and a cell region. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer (e.g., silicon dioxide) having a first thickness overlying a cell region and a second dielectric layer (e.g., silicon dixode) having a second thickness overlying the peripheral region. In a specific embodiment, the cell region is for Flash memory devices and/or other like structures. The method forms a pad oxide layer overlying the first dielectric layer and forms a nitride layer overlying the pad oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Da Jin, Shu Shu Tang, Zuo Ya Yang
  • Publication number: 20080211009
    Abstract: An embodiment of a process is described for manufacturing a non volatile memory electronic device integrated on a semiconductor substrate which comprises a matrix of non volatile memory cells, the memory cells being organized in rows, called word lines, and columns, called bit lines and an associated circuitry comprising high voltage transistors and low voltage transistors, the process comprising the steps for realizing: gate electrodes of the non volatile memory cells which comprise at least one first conductive layer, one first insulating layer, one second conductive layer and one third conductive layer and are insulated from the semiconductor substrate by means of a second insulating layer, gate electrodes of high voltage transistors which comprise the at least one first conductive layer whereon the third polysilicon layer is overlapped and is insulated from the semiconductor substrate by means of a third insulating layer of greater thickness than the second insulating layer, gate electrodes of low volt
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Daniela Brazzelli, Sonia Costantini, Alessia Pavan
  • Patent number: 7390749
    Abstract: A method for providing features in an etch layer with a memory region and a peripheral region is provided. A memory patterned mask is formed over a first sacrificial layer. A first set of sacrificial layer features is etched into the first sacrificial layer and a second sacrificial layer. Features of the first set of sacrificial layer features are filled with filler material. The first sacrificial layer is removed. The spaces are shrunk with a shrink sidewall deposition. A second set of sacrificial layer features is etched into the second sacrificial layer. The filler material and shrink sidewall deposition are removed. A peripheral patterned mask is formed over the memory region and peripheral region. The second sacrificial layer is etched through the peripheral patterned mask. The peripheral patterned mask is removed. Features are etched into the etch layer from the second sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Soo Kim, Sangheon Lee, Daehan Choi, S. M. Reza Sadjadi
  • Publication number: 20080135915
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory and method of fabricating the same are provided. The method of fabricating a non-volatile memory comprises forming a tunnel insulating layer, a first conductive layer and a first patterned hard mask layer on a semiconductor substrate sequentially. A first conductive pattern is formed by etching the first conductive layer using the first patterned hard mask layer as a mask. The first patterned hard mask layer is removed. A second patterned hard mask layer is formed on an edge of the first conductive pattern. A pair of opposing spacers is formed on sidewalls of the second patterned hard mask layer. The first conductive pattern is etched using the second patterned hard mask layer and the spacers as masks to form a pair of stacked structures comprising the spacers, the second patterned hard mask layer and the remaining first conductive pattern. A pair of inter gate insulating layers are formed on sidewalls of the first conductive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Ing-Ruey Liaw, Thomas Chang
  • Patent number: 7250322
    Abstract: A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Christenson, Seyed R. Zarabadi, Dan W. Chilcott
  • Patent number: 7202522
    Abstract: Provided is an erasable and programmable read only memory (EPROM) device in which a plasma enhanced oxide (PEOX) film covers an upper surface of a floating gate in a single poly one time programmable (OTP) cell and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having the same. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate having an OTP cell region, on which a floating gate is formed for making an OTP cell transistor, and a main chip region, on which a gate of a transistor is formed. A PEOX film is formed on the OTP cell region and the main chip region. The PEOX film covers the floating gate in a close state and covers the gate by a predetermined distance. A silicon oxy nitride (SiON) film is interposed between the gate and the PEOX film in the main chip region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Hyung Lee, Seung-Han Yoo
  • Publication number: 20070059883
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a floating trap type nonvolatile memory device is provided. The method includes forming a cell gate insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, the cell gate insulating layer being comprised of a lower insulating layer, a charge storage layer and an upper insulating layer sequentially stacked; thermally annealing a resultant substrate including the cell gate insulating layer in a temperature range of 810-100° C.; and forming a gate electrode on the thermally annealed cell gate insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Mei CHOI, Chang-Hyun Lee, Seung-Hwan LEE, Young-Geun PARK, Sun-Jung KIM, Young-Sun KIM