Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an isolation structure, a conductive structure, and a first contact structure. The isolation structure is disposed in the substrate. The conductive structure is disposed on the isolation structure. The conductive structure extends upwards from the isolation structure, in which the first contact structure has a top portion on the conductive structure and a bottom portion in contact with the isolation structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active device region and a plurality of guard rings arranged in a first concentric pattern surrounding the active device region. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of junctions arranged in a second concentric pattern surrounding the active device region. At least one of the plurality of junctions is arranged between two adjacent guard rings of the plurality of guard rings, and the plurality of junctions have a different resistivity than the plurality of guard rings. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of coupling paths. At least one of the plurality of coupling paths is arranged to connect two adjacent guard rings of the plurality of guard rings.

Abstract: Memory cells in a memory array may be configured to include a fuse that will blow in the case of a defective cell. In a 1T-1R memory cell, a fuse may be placed in series with the select element and/or the memory element to counteract a short-circuit in either of these elements. A fuse may be formed by selectively etching a phase-change material (PCM) between two electrodes to leave a cavity. When sufficient energy is applied to the PCM material, the PCM filament will break its crystalline structure and be distributed within the cavity. This prevents the PCM material from recrystallizing. Another fuse may be formed by depositing a material between two electrodes that is doped with mobile ions. When subjected to an excessive signal, the resulting electric field may push these ions permanently towards one of the electrodes, thereby permanently destroying the conductive pathway.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first interconnect within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A memory device is disposed over the first interconnect and is surrounded by a second ILD layer. A sidewall spacer is arranged along opposing sides of the memory device and an etch stop layer is arranged on the sidewall spacer. The sidewall spacer and the etch stop layer have upper surfaces that are vertically offset from one another by a non-zero distance. A second interconnect extends from a top of the second ILD layer to an upper surface of the memory device.

Abstract: Strain relief trenches may be formed in a substrate prior to growth of an epitaxial layer on the substrate. The trenches may reduce the stresses and strains on the epitaxial layer that occur during the epitaxial growth process due to differences in material properties (e.g., lattice mismatches, differences in thermal expansion coefficients, and/or the like) between the epitaxial layer material and the substrate material. The stress and strain relief provided by the trenches may reduce or eliminate cracks and/or other types of defects in the epitaxial layer and the substrate, may reduce and/or eliminate bowing and warping of the substrate, may reduce breakage of the substrate, and/or the like. This may increase the center-to-edge quality of the epitaxial layer, may permit epitaxial layers to be grown on larger substrates, and/or the like.

Abstract: A filament type non-volatile memory device, includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an active layer extending between the first electrode and the second electrode, the active layer electrically interconnecting the first electrode to the second electrode, the device being suitable for having: a low resistive state, in which a conducting filament electrically interconnecting the first electrode to the second electrode uninterruptedly extends from end to end through the active layer, the filament having a low electric resistance, and a highly resistive state, in which the filament is broken, the filament having a high electric resistance. The device further includes a shunt resistance electrically connected in parallel to the active layer, between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory is provided. The resistive random access memory includes a bottom electrode, a metal oxide layer including a plurality of conductive filament regions formed on the bottom electrode, and a plurality of top electrodes formed on the metal oxide layer, corresponding to the respective conductive filament regions. Each of the conductive filament regions has a bottom portion and a top portion. The width of the bottom portion is greater than that of the top portion. The conductive filament regions include oxygen vacancies, and regions other than the conductive filament regions in the metal oxide layer are nitrogen-containing regions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a capacitor layout of a digital-to-analog conversion integrated circuit (DAC IC), comprising a first capacitor group, a second capacitor group and a third capacitor group. The first capacitor group, located within an interior layout area of the capacitor layout, determines a most significant bit (MSB) of the DAC IC and includes a plurality of capacitor units coupled between a first upper circuit and a first lower circuit. The second capacitor group, located within the interior layout area, determines a non-MSB bit of the DAC IC and includes at least one capacitor unit(s) coupled between a second upper circuit and a second lower circuit. The third capacitor group includes a plurality of capacitor units coupled between a third upper circuit and a third lower circuit which are not short-circuited; the capacitor units of the third capacitor group are disposed around the interior layout area.

Abstract: A nanotip apparatus which includes nanotips arranged in a pattern on a semiconductor base. Each of the nanotips have a pointed tip portion and a base portion in contact with the semiconductor base. Further, each of the nanotips include a gradient of silicon germanium (SiGe) with the highest concentration of germanium being at the pointed tip portion and the lowest concentration of germanium being at the base in contact with the semiconductor base. Also disclosed is a method in which the nanotips may be formed.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having capacitor arrays. A semiconductor device is formed including a capacitor array formed in a plurality of cells in a two-dimensional grid. The capacitor array includes a plurality of operational capacitors formed in a first subset of the plurality of cells along a diagonal of the capacitor array. A first operational capacitor is formed in a cell at a first edge of the capacitor array and at a first edge of the diagonal of the capacitor array. The capacitor array also includes a plurality of dummy patterns formed about the plurality of operational capacitors in the capacitor array in a second subset of the plurality of cells to achieve symmetry in the grid about the diagonal. Each one of the plurality of operational capacitors is electrically coupled to another one of the plurality of operational capacitors.

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices. The method includes forming a capacitor array comprising a plurality of cells in a two-dimensional grid. The step of forming includes forming a plurality of operational capacitors in a first subset of the plurality of cells along a diagonal of the array, the plurality of operational capacitors comprising a first operational capacitor formed in a cell at a first edge of the capacitor array and at a first edge of the diagonal of the capacitor array. The step of forming also includes forming a plurality of dummy patterns about the plurality of operational capacitors in the capacitor array in a second subset of the plurality of cells to achieve symmetry in the grid about the diagonal. The method also includes electrically coupling each one of the plurality of operational capacitors to another one of the plurality of operational capacitors.

Abstract: Electrical components for microelectronic devices and methods for forming electrical components. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises depositing an underlying layer onto a workpiece, and forming a conductive layer on the underlying layer. The method can continue by disposing a dielectric layer on the conductive layer. The underlying layer is a material that causes the dielectric layer to have a higher dielectric constant than without the underlying layer being present under the conductive layer. For example, the underlying layer can impart a structure or another property to the film stack that causes an otherwise amorphous dielectric layer to crystallize without having to undergo a separate high temperature annealing process after disposing the dielectric layer onto the conductive layer. Several examples of this method are expected to be very useful for forming dielectric layers with high dielectric constants because they avoid using a separate high temperature annealing process.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes isolation capacitors which include a silicon dioxide dielectric layer and a polymer dielectric layer over the layer of silicon dioxide. The silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer extend across the integrated circuit. Top plates of the isolation capacitors have bond pads for wire bonds or bump bonds. Bottom plates of the isolation capacitors are connected to components of the integrated circuit. Other bond pads are connected to components in the integrated circuit through vias through the silicon dioxide dielectric layer and the polymer dielectric layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having capacitor arrays and methods of forming the same. A semiconductor device is formed including a capacitor array. The capacitor array includes a plurality of operational capacitors formed along a diagonal of the capacitor array. The capacitor array also includes a plurality of dummy capacitors formed substantially symmetrically about the plurality of operational capacitors in the capacitor array. A first operational capacitor is formed at a first edge of the capacitor array. Each one of the plurality of operational capacitors is electrically coupled to a non-adjacent other one of the plurality of operational capacitors.

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: A semiconductor capacitor with large area plates and a small footprint is formed on a semiconductor wafer by forming an opening in the wafer, depositing a first metal atoms through a first shadow mask that lies spaced apart from the wafer to form a first metal layer in the opening, a dielectric layer on the first metal layer, and a second metal atoms through a second shadow mask that lies spaced apart from the wafer to form a second metal layer on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a metal gate electrode, a passive device and a hard mask layer. The passive device has a poly-silicon element layer. The hard mask layer is disposed on the metal gate electrode and the passive electrode and has a first opening and a second opening substantially coplanar with each other, wherein the metal gate electrode and the poly-silicon element layer are respectively exposed via the first opening and the second opening; and there is a distance between the first opening and the metal gate electrode substantially less than the distance between the second opening and the poly-silicon element layer.

Abstract: A buried decoupling capacitor apparatus and method are provided. According to various embodiments, a buried decoupling capacitor apparatus includes a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate having a buried insulator region and top semiconductor region on the buried insulator region. The apparatus embodiment also includes a first capacitor plate having a doped region in the top semiconductor region in the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The apparatus embodiment further includes a dielectric material on the first capacitor plate, and a second capacitor plate on the dielectric material. According to various embodiments, the first capacitor plate, the dielectric material and the second capacitor plate form a decoupling capacitor for use in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: Capacitors include a first electrical terminal that has fins formed from doped semiconductor on a top layer of doped semiconductor on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate; a second electrical terminal that has an undoped material having bottom surface shape that is complementary to the first electrical terminal, such that an interface area between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal is larger than a capacitor footprint; and a dielectric layer separating the first and second electrical terminals.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a capacitor. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing an insulator material layer over a substrate, etching at least one via in the insulator material layer and depositing a contact material fill in the at least one via to form a first set of contacts. The method further comprises etching the insulator material layer adjacent at least one contact of the first set of contacts to form at least one void, depositing a dielectric material layer over the at least one void and over the first set of contacts and depositing a contact material fill in the at least void to form a second set of contacts.

Abstract: A package for a use in a package-on-package (PoP) device. The package includes a substrate, a polymer layer formed on the substrate, a first via formed in the polymer layer, and a material disposed in the first via to form a first passive device. The material may be a high dielectric constant dielectric material in order to form a capacitor or a resistive material to form a resistor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrically programmable non-volatile memory cell comprises forming a first electrode on a substrate, forming an inter-electrode layer of material on the first electrode having a property which is characterized by progressive change in response to stress, and forming a second electrode over the inter-electrode layer of material. The inter-electrode layer comprises a dielectric layer, such as ultra-thin oxide, between the first and second electrodes. A programmable resistance, or other property, is established by stressing the dielectric layer, representing stored data. Embodiments of the memory cell are adapted to store multiple bits of data per cell and/or adapted for programming more than one time without an erase process.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a semiconductor device integrating various elements without using a semiconductor substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, a layer to be separated including an inductor, a capacitor, a resistor element, a TFT element, an embedded wiring and the like, is formed over a substrate, separated from the substrate, and transferred onto a circuit board 100. An electrical conduction with a wiring pattern 114 provided in the circuit board 100 is made by a wire 112 or a solder 107, thereby forming a high frequency module or the like.

Abstract: A reconfigurable device and a method of creating, erasing, or reconfiguring the device are provided. At an interface between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, an electrically conductive, quasi one- or zero-dimensional electron gas is present such that the interface presents an electrically conductive region that is non-volatile. The second insulating layer is of a thickness to allow metal-insulator transitions upon the application of a first external electric field. The electrically conductive region is subject to erasing upon application of a second external electric field.

Abstract: A reconfigurable device and a method of creating, erasing, or reconfiguring the device are provided. At an interface between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, an electrically conductive, quasi one- or zero-dimensional electron gas is present such that the interface presents an electrically conductive region that is non-volatile. The second insulating layer is of a thickness to allow metal-insulator transitions upon the application of a first external electric field. The electrically conductive region is subject to erasing upon application of a second external electric field.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a metal gate electrode, a passive device and a hard mask layer. The passive device has a poly-silicon element layer. The hard mask layer is disposed on the metal gate electrode and the passive electrode and has a first opening and a second opening substantially coplanar with each other, wherein the metal gate electrode and the poly-silicon element layer are respectively exposed via the first opening and the second opening; and there is a distance between the first opening and the metal gate electrode substantially less than the distance between the second opening and the poly-silicon element layer.

Abstract: Methods for making a programmable metallization memory cell are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to form a resistive random access memory (RRAM) by forming a first metal electrode layer; depositing an insulator above the metal electrode layer and etching the insulator to expose one or more metal portions; depositing a Pr1-XCaXMnO3 (PCMO) layer above the insulator and the metal portions, wherein X is between approximately 0.3 and approximately 0.5, to form one or more self-aligned RRAM cells above the first metal electrode; and depositing a second metal electrode layer above the PCMO layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor layer, a power device formed in the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of concentric guard rings formed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the power device, and voltage applying means for applying successively higher voltages respectively to the plurality of concentric guard rings, with the outermost concentric guard ring having the highest voltage applied thereto.

Abstract: Methods for making a programmable metallization memory cell are disclosed.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods for manufacturing are described herein. A memory device as described herein includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a thermal isolation structure including a layer of thermal isolation material between the first and second electrode layers. The first and second electrode layers and the thermal isolation structure define a multi-layer stack having a sidewall. A sidewall conductor layer including a sidewall conductor material is on the sidewall of the multi-layer stack. The sidewall conductor material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the thermal isolation material. A memory element including memory material is on and in contact with the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a first set of metal lines and a second set of metal lines. The first set of metal lines and the second set of metal lines are placed in alternate planes and are orthogonal to each other. A via is used to connect a first metal line from the first set of metal lines with a second metal line from the second set of metal lines. The via location is offset such that a side of the first metal line is aligned with a side of the second metal line. Consequently, a metal line adjacent to the first metal line does not need to detour around the via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device containing a cylindrical shaped capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same is presented. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of storage nodes and a support pattern. The plurality of storage nodes is formed over a semiconductor substrate. The support pattern is fixed to adjacent storage nodes in which the support pattern has a flowable insulation layer buried within the support pattern. The buried flowable insulation layer direct contacts adjacent storage nodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a semiconductor layer, a power device formed in the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of concentric guard rings formed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the power device, and voltage applying means for applying successively higher voltages respectively to the plurality of concentric guard rings, with the outermost concentric guard ring having the highest voltage applied thereto.

Abstract: Capacitive structures in integrated circuits are disclosed. The capacitive structures are formed on a substrate. Each capacitive structure includes a first conductive finger and a second conductive finger. The first and second conductive fingers are arranged in parallel with each other and separated from each other by a dielectric material. The first finger is connected to a first interconnect and the second conductive finger is connected to a second interconnect. A first capacitor is formed from a first group of the plurality of capacitive structures having respective interconnects coupled together. A second capacitor is formed from a second group of the plurality of capacitive structures having respective interconnects coupled together. The capacitive structures of the first group are intertwined with the capacitive structures of the second group.

Abstract: A buried decoupling capacitor apparatus and method are provided. According to various embodiments, a buried decoupling capacitor apparatus includes a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate having a buried insulator region and top semiconductor region on the buried insulator region. The apparatus embodiment also includes a first capacitor plate having a doped region in the top semiconductor region in the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The apparatus embodiment further includes a dielectric material on the first capacitor plate, and a second capacitor plate on the dielectric material. According to various embodiments, the first capacitor plate, the dielectric material and the second capacitor plate form a decoupling capacitor for use in an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device provide high quality cylindrical capacitors. The semiconductor device includes a substrate defining a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, a plurality of capacitors in the cell region, and supports for supporting lower electrodes of the capacitors. The lower electrodes are disposed in a plurality of rows each extending in a first direction. A dielectric layer is disposed on the lower electrodes, and an upper electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer. The supports are in the form of stripes extending longitudinally in the first direction and spaced from each other along a second direction. Each of the supports engages the lower electrodes of a respective plurality of adjacent rows of the lower electrodes. Each one of the supports is also disposed at a different level in the device from the support that is adjacent thereto in the second direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region; an insulation region in the second region of the semiconductor substrate; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) over the insulation region. A transistor is in the first region. The transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A first conductive line and a second conductive line are over the insulation region. The first conductive line and the second conductive line are substantially parallel to each other and extending in a first direction. A first metal line and a second metal line are in a bottom metal layer (M1) and extending in the first direction. The first metal line and the second metal line substantially vertically overlap the first conductive line and the second conductive line, respectively. The first metal line and the second metal line form two capacitor electrodes of a capacitor.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor structure includes: a substrate; and a plurality of devices at least partially overlying the substrate, where the plurality of devices include a first device coupled to a second device via a first raised source/drain having a first length, where the first device is further coupled to a second raised source/drain having a second length, where the first device comprises a transistor, where the first raised source/drain and the second raised source/drain at least partially overly the substrate, where the second raised source/drain comprises a terminal electrical contact, where the second length is greater than the first length.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method of forming a container capacitor structure on a substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises etching a recess in the substrate, depositing a first conductive layer on the substrate so as to overlie the substrate and the recess, depositing a filler layer so as to overlie the first conductive layer and fill the recess, and etching the first and second conductive layers so as to define a lower electrode within the recess. The method further comprises forming a cap layer on the lower electrode so as to overlie the first conductive layer and the filler layer and etching at least a portion of the substrate away from the lower electrode to thereby at least partially isolate the lower electrode. Subsequently, the remainder of the capacitor structure may be formed by depositing a dielectric layer on the lower electrode and depositing a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer so as to form an upper electrode.

Abstract: A programmable metallization memory cell that has an apertured insulating layer comprising at least one aperture therethrough positioned between the active electrode and the inert electrode. Superionic clusters are present within the at least one aperture, and may extend past the at least one aperture. Also, methods for making a programmable metallization memory cell are disclosed.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods for manufacturing are described herein. A memory device as described herein includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a thermal isolation structure including a layer of thermal isolation material between the first and second electrode layers. The first and second electrode layers and the thermal isolation structure define a multi-layer stack having a sidewall. A sidewall conductor layer including a sidewall conductor material is on the sidewall of the multi-layer stack. The sidewall conductor material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the thermal isolation material. A memory element including memory material is on the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with a substrate. A plurality of dielectric films and electrode films are alternately stacked on the substrate and have a through hole penetrating in the stacking direction. A semiconductor pillar is formed inside the through hole. A charge storage layer is provided at least between the semiconductor pillar and the electrode film. At least part of a side surface of a portion of the through hole located in the electrode film is sloped relative to the stacking direction.

Abstract: A seal-ring structure includes a substrate, a source/drain layer, a first dielectric layer, a first lower metal layer, a gate layer and a second lower metal layer. The source/drain layer is disposed within the substrate. The first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first lower metal layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and coupled to the source/drain layer via a first contact. The gate layer is disposed within the first dielectric layer. The second lower metal layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and coupled to the gate layer via a second contact.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resistive divider circuit, includes providing a silicon body having a plurality of opposing pairs of intermediate taps extending therefrom. Each tap comprises a thin silicon stem supporting a relatively wider silicon platform. A silicidation protection (SIPROT) layer is deposited over the body and intermediate taps and then patterned to expose the platform. A silicidation process is performed to silicidate the platform to form a contact pad of relatively low resistivity.

Abstract: A nanoscale device and a method for creating and erasing of nanoscale conducting regions at the interface between two insulating oxides SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 is provided. The method uses the tip of a conducting atomic force microscope to locally and reversibly switch between conducting and insulating states. This allows ultra-high density patterning of quasi zero or one dimensional electron gas conductive regions, such as nanowires and conducting quantum dots respectively. The patterned structures are stable at room temperature after removal of the external electric field.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device provided with an electronic component which comprises an integrated circuit arrangement including a semiconducting substrate, active components, and passive components such as capacitors and resistors. The resistors comprise materials of a high resistivity and can be manufactured with resistance values which lie within a narrow tolerance range. The invention further relates to a transmitter, a receiver, an electronic component, a peripheral circuit, a current supply circuit, a filter module, and an integrated circuit arrangement.

Abstract: Electrical components for microelectronic devices and methods for forming electrical components. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises depositing an underlying layer onto a workpiece, and forming a conductive layer on the underlying layer. The method can continue by disposing a dielectric layer on the conductive layer. The underlying layer is a material that causes the dielectric layer to have a higher dielectric constant than without the underlying layer being present under the conductive layer. For example, the underlying layer can impart a structure or another property to the film stack that causes an otherwise amorphous dielectric layer to crystallize without having to undergo a separate high temperature annealing process after disposing the dielectric layer onto the conductive layer. Several examples of this method are expected to be very useful for forming dielectric layers with high dielectric constants because they avoid using a separate high temperature annealing process.

Abstract: A semiconductor display device with an interlayer insulating film in which surface levelness is ensured with a limited film formation time, heat treatment for removing moisture does not take long, and moisture in the interlayer insulating film is prevented from escaping into a film or electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. A TFT is formed and then a nitrogen-containing inorganic insulating film that transmits less moisture compared to organic resin film is formed so as to cover the TFT. Next, organic resin including photosensitive acrylic resin is applied and an opening is formed by partially exposing the organic resin film to light. The organic resin film where the opening is formed, is then covered with a nitrogen-containing inorganic insulating film which transmits less moisture than organic resin film does.

Abstract: A resistive element having two vertical resistive portions placed in two holes formed in the upper portion of a substrate and a horizontal resistive portion placed in a buried cavity connecting the bottoms of the holes.