Electrical Characteristics Due To Properties Of Entire Semiconductor Body Rather Than Just Surface Region (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.002)

  • Patent number: 8853782
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a so-called SOI structure in which an element is constituted by a semiconductor layer on an insulating surface, and the semiconductor layer is extremely thin as 5 nm to 30 nm. The semiconductor device is provided with a field effect transistor that includes in addition to such a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer with a thickness of 2 nm to 20 nm and a gate electrode, and a channel length is ten times or more and less than 40 times the thickness of the semiconductor layer. When the semiconductor layer is formed to be thin, the semiconductor device operates so as not to be easily influenced by a concentration of impurity imparting one conductivity type added to a channel formation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yasuyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 8847187
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a nonvolatile memory device that contains nonvolatile resistive random access memory device with improved device performance and lifetime. In some embodiments, nonvolatile resistive random access memory device includes a diode, a metal silicon nitride embedded resistor, and a resistive switching layer disposed between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. In some embodiments, the method of forming a resistive random access memory device includes forming a diode, forming a metal silicon nitride embedded resistor, forming a first electrode layer, forming a second electrode layer, and forming a resistive switching layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Mihir Tendulkar, David Chi
  • Patent number: 8841218
    Abstract: A resist underlayer composition, including a solvent, and an organosilane condensation polymerization product of hydrolyzed products produced from a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cheil Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwen-Woo Han, Mi-Young Kim, Woo-Jin Lee, Han-Song Lee, Seung-Hee Hong, Sang-Kyun Kim, Jin-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8835890
    Abstract: Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof. A ReRAM cell includes an embedded resistor and a resistive switching layer connected in series with this resistor. The resistor is configured to prevent over-programming of the cell by limiting electrical currents through the resistive switching layer. Unlike the resistive switching layer, which changes its resistance in order to store data, the embedded resistor maintains a substantially constant resistance during operation of the cell. The embedded resistor is formed from tantalum nitride and silicon nitride. The atomic ratio of tantalum and silicon may be specifically selected to yield resistors with desired densities and resistivities as well as ability to remain amorphous when subjected to various annealing conditions. The embedded resistor may also function as a diffusion barrier layer and prevent migration of components between one of the electrodes and the resistive switching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Lan Hsueh, Randall J. Higuchi, Mihir Tendulkar
  • Patent number: 8816313
    Abstract: Provided are a memory element and a memory device. A memory layer is provided with an ion source layer. The ion source layer includes Zr (zirconium), Cu (copper), and Al (aluminum) as a metal element together with an ion conductive material such as S (sulfur), Se (selenium), and Te (tellurium) (chalcogen element). The amount of Al in the ion source layer is 30 to 50 atomic percent. The amount of Zr is preferably 7.5 to 25 atomic percent, and more preferably, the composition ratio of Zr to the chalcogen element in total included in the ion source layer (=Zr (atomic percent)/chalcogen element in total (atomic percent)) falls within a range from 0.2 to 0.74.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohba, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Shuichiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8816315
    Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a reversible resistance-switching element above a substrate. The reversible resistance-switching element includes an etched material layer that includes an oxidized layer of the etched material layer above a non-oxidized layer of the etched material layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, Brad Herner, Mark H. Clark
  • Patent number: 8809114
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes forming a steering element above a substrate, forming a material layer on the substrate, patterning and etching the material layer, and oxidizing the patterned and etched material layer to form a reversible resistance-switching material. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: April D. Schricker, S. Brad Herner, Mark H. Clark
  • Patent number: 8796816
    Abstract: A semiconductor module is provided which is capable of lowering surges caused when switching elements are switched on and off. The module has a plurality of lead frames, switching elements, electronic components, and a sealing member. The switching elements are electrically connected to the lead frames respectively. Part of the lead frames, the switching elements, and the electronic components are sealed by the sealing member. The electronic components are mounted on primary surfaces of the lead frames respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hayashi, Yuuichi Handa
  • Patent number: 8796812
    Abstract: A stack of a first hard mask portion and a second hard mask portion is formed over a semiconductor material layer by anisotropically etching a stack, from bottom to top, of a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. The first hard mask portion is laterally recessed by an isotropic etch. A dielectric material layer is conformally deposited and planarized. The dielectric material layer is etched employing an anisotropic etch that is selective to the first hard mask portion to form a dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the first hard mask portion. After removal of the second and first hard mask portions, the semiconductor material layer is etched employing the dielectric material portion as an etch mask. Optionally, portions of the semiconductor material layer underneath the first and second hard mask portions can be undercut at a periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chiahsun Tseng, Chun-chen Yeh, Yunpeng Yin, Lei L. Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8791461
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device including a digital circuit portion and an analog circuit portion having a capacitor portion provided over a substrate, the capacitor portion is provided with a first wiring, a second wiring and a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of capacitor elements. Further, each the plurality of capacitor elements provided in each block has a semiconductor film having a first impurity region and a plurality of second impurity regions provided apart with the first impurity region interposed therebetween, and a conductive film provided over the first impurity region with an insulating film therebetween. A capacitor is formed from the first impurity region, the insulating film, and the conductive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Atsumi, Hiroki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8785238
    Abstract: The method includes: forming a lower electrode layer above a substrate; forming a variable resistance layer on the lower electrode layer; forming an upper electrode layer on the variable resistance layer; forming a hard mask layer on the upper electrode layer; forming a photoresist mask on the hard mask layer; forming a hard mask by performing etching on the hard mask layer using the photoresist mask; and forming a nonvolatile memory element by performing etching on the upper electrode layer, the variable resistance layer, and the lower electrode layer, using the hard mask. In the forming of a photoresist mask, the photoresist mask is formed to have corner portions which recede toward the center portion in planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Kawashima, Takumi Mikawa
  • Patent number: 8779464
    Abstract: A structure for starting a semiconductor component including a porous silicon layer in the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate. This porous silicon layer is contacted, on its upper surface side, by a metallization and, on its lower surface side, by a heavily-doped semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventor: Samuel Menard
  • Patent number: 8779407
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element is disclosed comprising a first electrode, a near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer having bistable resistance, and a second electrode in contact with the near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer. At least one electrode is a resistive electrode comprising a sub-stoichiometric transition metal nitride or oxynitride, and has a resistivity between 0.1 and 10 ?cm. The resistive electrode provides the functionality of an embedded current-limiting resistor and also serves as a source and sink of oxygen vacancies for setting and resetting the resistance state of the metal oxide layer. Novel fabrication methods for the second electrode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Hieu Pham, Vidyut Gopal, Imran Hashim, Dipankar Pramanik, Yun Wang, Hong Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8772750
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory element includes: a memory layer disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a buffer layer disposed between the memory layer and the first electrode. The memory layer includes a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer and the second material layer are configured to exchange ionic species to change a resistance state of the memory layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-bum Lee, Chang-jung Kim, Young-bae Kim, Myoung-jae Lee, Ji-hyun Hur, Dong-soo Lee, Man Chang, Seung-ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 8765521
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a variable resistance memory device include an ohmic pattern on a substrate; a first electrode pattern including a first portion that has a plate shape and contacts a top surface of the ohmic pattern and a second portion that extends from one end of the first portion to a top; a variable resistance pattern electrically connected to the first electrode pattern; and a second electrode pattern electrically connected to the variable resistance pattern, wherein one end of the ohmic pattern and the other end of the first portion are disposed on the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Jin Kang, Youngnam Hwang
  • Patent number: 8759979
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a cell pattern formed on an interconnection and capable of reducing an interconnection resistance and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a cell area, a core area, and a peripheral area are defined and a bottom structure is formed, a conductive line formed on an entire structure of the semiconductor substrate, a memory cell pattern formed on the conductive line in the cell area, and a dummy conductive pattern formed on any one of the conductive line in the core area and the peripheral area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jang Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 8753919
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Patent number: 8748890
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer of the present invention includes the steps of: obtaining a composite base by forming a base surface flattening layer having a surface RMS roughness of not more than 1.0 nm on a base; obtaining a composite substrate by attaching a semiconductor crystal layer to a side of the composite base where the base surface flattening layer is located; growing at least one semiconductor layer on the semiconductor crystal layer of the composite substrate; and obtaining the semiconductor wafer including the semiconductor crystal layer and the semiconductor layer by removing the base surface flattening layer by wet etching and thereby separating the semiconductor crystal layer from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Seki, Issei Satoh, Koji Uematsu, Yoshiyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8742542
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device having low depletion ratio capacitor comprising: forming hemispherical grains (HSG) on a poly-silicon; doping the hemispherical grained polysilicon in a phosphine gas; and rapid thermal oxidizing the doped hemispherical grained polysilicon at 850° C. for 10 seconds. The method further comprises nitridizing the rapid thermal oxidized hemispherical-grained polysilicon and depositing a alumina film on the silicon nitride layer. A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a low depletion ratio capacitor according to the disclosed manufacturing method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng Yang, Bo Tao, Jason Luo, Jinganag Wu
  • Patent number: 8742389
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a variable resistance memory device may include memory cells, in which contact areas between word lines and a variable resistance layer are almost constant. The variable resistance memory device may include a vertical electrode on a substrate, horizontal electrode layers and insulating layers sequentially and alternately stacked on the substrate. The horizontal electrode layers and the insulating layers may be adjacent to the vertical electrode. The variable resistance layer may be between the vertical electrode the horizontal electrode layers. A thickness of one of the horizontal electrode layers adjacent to the substrate may be thickness than a thickness of an other of the horizontal electrode layers that is spaced apart from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-won Lee
  • Patent number: 8735864
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the current limiting layer are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises a tunnel nitride that is a current limiting material that is disposed within a resistive switching memory element in a nonvolatile resistive switching memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Mihir Tendulkar, Tim Minvielle, Yun Wang, Takeshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8735217
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element is disclosed comprising a first electrode, a near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer having bistable resistance, and a second electrode in contact with the near-stoichiometric metal oxide memory layer. At least one electrode is a resistive electrode comprising a sub-stoichiometric transition metal nitride or oxynitride, and has a resistivity between 0.1 and 10 ?cm. The resistive electrode provides the functionality of an embedded current-limiting resistor and also serves as a source and sink of oxygen vacancies for setting and resetting the resistance state of the metal oxide layer. Novel fabrication methods for the second electrode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Hieu Pham, Vidyut Gopal, Imran Hashim, Tim Minvielle, Dipankar Pramanik, Yun Wang, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Hong Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8729522
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory constructions having a film of phase change material between first and second materials; with the entirety of film having a thickness of less than or equal to about 10 nanometers. The memory constructions are configured to transit from one memory state having a first phase of the phase change material to a second memory state having a second phase of the phase change material, and are configured so that an entirety of the phase change material film changes from the first phase to the second phase in transitioning from the first memory state to the second memory state. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second materials may be carbon, W, TiN, TaN or TiAlN. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second materials may be part of a structure having bands of two or more different compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrea Redaelli
  • Patent number: 8729519
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory constructions having a plurality of bands between top and bottom electrically conductive materials. The bands include chalcogenide bands alternating with non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, there may be least two of the chalcogenide bands and at least one of the non-chalcogenide bands. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be between a pair of electrodes; with one of the electrodes being configured as a lance, angled plate, container or beam. In some embodiments, the memory cells may be electrically coupled with select devices, such as, for example, diodes, field effect transistors or bipolar junction transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Redaelli, Agostino Pirovano
  • Patent number: 8716842
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer in which zirconium, hafnium, and a IV group element are mixed. A method for fabricating a capacitor includes forming a bottom electrode, forming the dielectric layer and forming a top electrode over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kee-Jeung Lee, Kwon Hong, Kyung-Woong Park, Ji-Hoon Ahn
  • Patent number: 8716690
    Abstract: A variable resistor, a nonvolatile memory device and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The variable resistor includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a variable resistive layer including CdS nanoscale particles provided between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and an initial metal atom diffusion layer within the variable resistive layer. The variable resistor is a bipolar switching element and configured to be in a reset state when a positive voltage relative to a cathode electrode is applied to the anode electrode, and configured to be in a set state when a negative voltage relative to the cathode electrode is applied to the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: SK Hynic Inc., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Woong Kim, Yong chan Ju, Seungwook Kim
  • Patent number: 8716059
    Abstract: Memory arrays and methods of forming the same are provided. One example method of forming a memory array can include forming a conductive material in a number of vias and on a substrate structure, the conductive material to serve as a number of conductive lines of the array and coupling the number of conductive lines to the array circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Somaschini, Fabio Pellizzer, Carmela Cupeta, Nicola Nastasi
  • Publication number: 20140117490
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a bulk substrate layer, an active semiconductor layer and a buried insulator layer disposed between the bulk substrate layer and the active semiconductor layer. A trench is formed through the SOI substrate to expose the bulk substrate layer. A doped well is formed in an upper region of the bulk substrate layer adjacent trench. The semiconductor device further includes a first doped region different from the doped well that is formed in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tenko Yamashita, Terence B. Hook, Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20140117510
    Abstract: A system and method for bonding semiconductor devices is provided. An embodiment comprises halting the flow of a eutectic bonding material by providing additional material of one of the reactants in a grid pattern, such that, as the eutectic material flows into the additional material, the additional material will change the composition of the flowing eutectic material and solidify the material, thereby stopping the flow. Other embodiments provide for additional layouts to put the additional material into the path of the flowing eutectic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuei-Sung Chang, Nien-Tsung Tsai, Ting-Hau Wu, Yi Heng Tsai
  • Patent number: 8710633
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor overlapped PN structure and manufacturing method thereof. The method includes: providing a substrate; providing a first mask to define a P (or N) type well and at least one overlapped region in the substrate; implanting P (or N) type impurities into the P (or N) type well and the at least one overlapped region; providing a second mask having at least one opening to define an N (or P) type well in the substrate, and to define at least one dual-implanted region in the at least one overlapped region; implanting N (or P) type impurities into the N (or P) type well and the at least one dual-implanted region such that the at least one dual-implanted region has P type and N type impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tsung-Yi Huang, Chien-Hao Huang, Ying-Shiou Lin
  • Patent number: 8710478
    Abstract: Provided is a resistance change type nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a diode capable of passing therethrough a sufficient current to a resistance changing operation even when the memory cell is miniaturized. A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device has first wires extending in X direction, second wires extending in Y direction, and memory cells disposed at intersection points of the first wires and the second wires. The memory cell includes a diode disposed over the first wire, and coupled to the first wire at one end, and a resistance change part disposed over the diode, and series-coupled to the diode at one end, and coupled to the second wire at the other end, and storing information through changes in resistance value. The diode includes a first conductivity type first semiconductor layer, and a second conductivity type second semiconductor layer extending into the inside of the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Sakotsubo
  • Publication number: 20140110817
    Abstract: Fin structures and methods of manufacturing fin structures using a dual-material sidewall image transfer mask to enable patterning of sub-lithographic features is disclosed. The method of forming a plurality of fins includes forming a first set of fins having a first pitch. The method further includes forming an adjacent fin to the first set of fins. The adjacent fin and a nearest fin of the first set of fins have a second pitch larger than the first pitch. The first set of fins and the adjacent fin are sub-lithographic features formed using a sidewall image transfer process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, David V. Horak, Charles W. Koburger, III, Shom Ponoth, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8704203
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include nonvolatile memory elements and memory devices comprising the nonvolatile memory elements. Methods for forming the nonvolatile memory elements are also disclosed. The nonvolatile memory element comprises a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a plurality of layers of an oxide disposed between the first and second electrode layers. One of the oxide layers has linear resistance and substoichiometric composition, and the other oxide layer has bistable resistance and near-stoichiometric composition. Preferably, the sum of the two oxide layer thicknesses is between about 20 ? and about 100 ?, and the oxide layer with bistable resistance has a thickness between about 25% and about 75% of the total thickness. In one embodiment, the oxide layers are formed using reactive sputtering in an atmosphere with controlled flows of argon and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Hieu Pham, Vidyut Gopal, Imran Hashim, Tim Minvielle, Yun Wang, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Hong Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8698203
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a plurality of active regions that are separated by element isolation grooves, a capacitive film having a sidewall covering portion covering a sidewall of the element isolation grooves, and an electrode film laminated on the capacitive film, and a capacitor element is formed by the semiconductor layer, the capacitive film and the electrode film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bungo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140097521
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first cavity within a substrate. The first cavity is disposed under a portion of the substrate. The method further includes forming a first pillar within the first cavity to support the portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES DRESDEN GMBH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Alessia Scire, Steffen Bieselt
  • Patent number: 8692289
    Abstract: Fast turn on silicon controlled rectifiers for ESD protection. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a first well of a second conductivity type; a second well of the second conductivity type; a first diffused region of the first conductivity type and coupled to a first terminal; a first diffused region of the second conductivity type; a second diffused region of the first conductivity type; a second diffused region of the second conductivity type in the second well; wherein the first diffused region of the first conductivity type and the first diffused region of the second conductivity type form a first diode, and the second diffused region of the first conductivity type and the second diffused region of the second conductivity type form a second diode, and the first and second diodes are series coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ti Su, Tzu-Heng Chang, Jen-Chou Tseng, Ming-Hsiang Song
  • Publication number: 20140091439
    Abstract: One embodiment for forming a shaped substrate for an electronic device can form a shaped perimeter to define the substrate shape on the surface of a substrate. The shaped perimeter can extend at least part way into the substrate. A subsequent thinning process can remove substrate material and expose the shaped perimeter effectively forming shaped dies from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Shawn X. ARNOLD, Matthew E. LAST
  • Patent number: 8686389
    Abstract: Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells having diffusion barrier layers formed from various materials, such as beryllium oxide or titanium silicon nitrides. Resistive switching layers used in ReRAM cells often need to have at least one inert interface such that substantially no materials pass through this interface. The other (reactive) interface may be used to introduce and remove defects from the resistive switching layers causing the switching. While some electrode materials, such as platinum and doped polysilicon, may form inert interfaces, these materials are often difficult to integrate. To expand electrode material options, a diffusion barrier layer is disposed between an electrode and a resistive switching layer and forms the inert interface with the resistive switching layer. In some embodiments, tantalum nitride and titanium nitride may be used for electrodes separated by such diffusion barrier layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Wang, Imran Hashim
  • Patent number: 8685786
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device, including: a first electrode formed on a substrate; an ion source layer formed on an upper layer of the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on an upper layer of the ion source layer. Resistance change type memory cells in each of which either a surface of the first electrode or a surface of the ion source layer is oxidized to form a resistance change type memory layer in an interface between the first electrode and the ion source interface are arranged in a array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kagawa, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Ichiro Fujiwara, Akira Kouchiyama, Satoshi Sasaki, Naomi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8686391
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode is provided that includes providing a pillar of a first phase change material atop a conductive structure of a dielectric layer; or the inverted structure; forming an insulating material atop dielectric layer and adjacent the pillar, wherein an upper surface of the first insulating material is coplanar with an upper surface of the pillar; recessing the upper surface of the pillar below the upper surface of the insulating material to provide a recessed cavity; and forming a second phase change material atop the recessed cavity and the upper surface of the insulating material, wherein the second phase change material has a greater phase resistivity than the first phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alejandro G. Schrott, Chung H. Lam, Eric A. Joseph, Matthew J. Breitwisch, Roger W. Cheek
  • Publication number: 20140084411
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) deep trench capacitor. One embodiment includes a method of forming a deep trench capacitor structure. The method includes: providing a SOI structure including a first and second trench opening in a semiconductor layer of the SOI structure, forming a doped semiconductor layer covering the semiconductor layer, forming a first dielectric layer covering the doped semiconductor layer, forming a node metal layer over the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer covering the node metal layer, filling a remaining portion of each trench opening with a metal layer to form an inner node in each of the trench openings, the metal layer including a plate coupling each of the inner nodes, and forming a node connection structure to conductively connect the node metal layer in the first trench opening with the node metal layer in the second trench opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Barth, JR., Herbert L. Ho, Babar A. Khan, Kirk D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8680651
    Abstract: Techniques for incorporating nanotechnology into decoupling capacitor designs are provided. In one aspect, a decoupling capacitor is provided. The decoupling capacitor comprises a first electrode; an intermediate layer adjacent to the first electrode having a plurality of nanochannels therein; a conformal dielectric layer formed over the intermediate layer and lining the nanochannels; and a second electrode at least a portion of which is formed from an array of nanopillars that fill the nanochannels in the intermediate layer. Methods for fabricating the decoupling capacitor are also provided, as are semiconductor devices incorporating the decoupling capacitor design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Satya N. Chakravarti, Dechao Guo, Huiming Bu, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
  • Patent number: 8681530
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises at least one layer of resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the formed resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the formed current limiting layer, or resistive layer, are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the formed resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Yun Wang, Imran Hashim, Tony Chiang
  • Publication number: 20140077866
    Abstract: A field device and method of operating high voltage semiconductor device applied with the same are provided. The field device includes a first well having a second conductive type and second well having a first conductive type both formed in the substrate (having the first conductive type) and extending down from a surface of the substrate, the second well adjacent to one side of the first well and the substrate is at the other side of the first well; a first doping region having the first conductive type and formed in the second well, the first doping region spaced apart from the first well; a conductive line electrically connected to the first doping region and across the first well region; and a conductive body insulatively positioned between the conductive line and the first well, and the conductive body correspondingly across the first well region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: An-Li Cheng, Miao-Chun Chung, Chih-Chia Hsu, Yin-Fu Huang
  • Publication number: 20140070215
    Abstract: A method of forming a strained semiconductor material that in one embodiment includes forming a cleave layer in a host semiconductor substrate, and contacting a strain inducing material layer on a surface of a transfer portion of the host semiconductor substrate. A handle substrate is then contacted to an exposed surface of the stress inducing material layer. The transfer portion of the host semiconductor substrate may then be separated from the host semiconductor substrate along the cleave layer. A dielectric layer is formed directly on the transfer portion of the host semiconductor substrate. The handle substrate and the stress inducing material are then removed, wherein the transferred portion of the host semiconductor substrate provides a strained semiconductor layer that is in direct contact with a dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Publication number: 20140070366
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a floating substrate; and a capacitor grounded and connected to the floating substrate. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: HSIAO-TSUNG YEN, YU-LING LIN, CHIN-WEI KUO, HO-HSIANG CHEN, CHEWN-PU JOU, MIN-CHIE JENG
  • Publication number: 20140070376
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a chip arrangement is provided, the method including: forming a hole in a carrier including at least one chip, wherein forming a hole in the carrier includes: selectively removing carrier material, thereby forming a cavity in the carrier, forming passivation material over one or more cavity walls exposed by the selective removal of the carrier material; selectively removing a portion of the passivation material and further carrier material exposed by the selective removal of the passivation material, wherein a further portion of the passivation material remains over at least one cavity side wall; the method further including subsequently forming a layer over the further portion of passivation material remaining over the at least one cavity side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Hess, Katharina Umminger, Gabriel Maier, Markus Menath, Gunther Mackh, Hannes Eder, Alexander Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20140061869
    Abstract: An electronic element includes a substrate; a patterned first electrically conductive layer on the substrate; a patterned second electrically conductive layer on the substrate; and a dielectric stack on the substrate. A portion of the first electrically conductive layer and a portion of the second electrically conductive layer overlap each other such that an overlap region is present. At least a portion of the dielectric stack is positioned in the overlap region between the patterned first electrically conductive layer and the patterned second electrically conductive layer. The dielectric stack includes a first inorganic thin film dielectric material layer and a second inorganic thin film dielectric material layer. The first inorganic thin film dielectric material layer and the second inorganic thin film dielectric material layer have the same material composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Shelby F. Nelson, Carolyn R. Ellinger, David H. Levy
  • Publication number: 20140054755
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure comprises forming at least one reflective structure comprising at least two dielectric materials having different refractive indices over at least one radiation-sensitive structure, the at least one reflective structure configured to substantially reflect therefrom radiation within a predetermined wavelength range and to substantially transmit therethrough radiation within a different predetermined wavelength range. Additional methods of forming a semiconductor device structure are described. Semiconductor device structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Xinyu Zhang, Soichi Sugiura, Yu Zeng
  • Publication number: 20140054754
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for filling an opening with material of a high integrity. A material having properties in a first physical state suitable for formation of a hard mask layer and in a second physical state having properties facilitating removal of the former hard mask layer is utilized. Utilizing the material as a mask layer and subsequently removing the material enables a number of mask layers to be minimized in a subsequent filling operation (e.g., metallization). Material amenable to being in a first physical state and a second physical state is an optically reactive material. The optically reactive dielectric can comprise an element or compound which can act as an agent/catalyst in the optical conversion process along with any element or compound which can act as an accelerator for the optical reaction. Conversion can be brought about by exposure to electromagnetic radiation and/or application of thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA AMERICA ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Watanabe, Hideaki Masuda, Hideshi Miyajima