Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor member, first and second electrodes, a gate electrode, a gate terminal, a first conductive member, a first terminal, and a first insulating member. The semiconductor member includes first and second semiconductor regions, and a third semiconductor region provided between the first and second semiconductor regions. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first semiconductor region. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second semiconductor region. The gate terminal is electrically connected to the gate electrode. The first conductive member is electrically insulated from the first and second electrodes, and the gate electrode. The first terminal is electrically connected to the first conductive member.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a dual trench structure. The method includes providing a wafer comprising a semiconductor layer including a top surface. The method includes providing charge compensation trenches and termination trenches open to the top surface that are formed in a single etch step but with different final shield oxide thicknesses. A first shield oxide layer of a first thickness is formed on the plurality of charge compensation surfaces and the termination trench surface, wherein the first thickness of the first shield oxide layer is sufficient to allow formation of voids through the charge compensation trenches. Poly-silicon is deposited to form the electrodes in the charge compensation trenches. An isolated poly-silicon etch and clean etch is performed in the termination trenches to expose the first shield oxide layer. A second shield oxide layer is deposited on the first shield oxide layer in the termination trenches.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a gate trench penetrating through an active area and a trench isolation region surrounding the active area. The gate trench exposes a sidewall of the active area and a sidewall of the trench isolation region. The sidewall of the trench isolation region includes a void. A first gate dielectric layer conformally covers the sidewall of the active area and the sidewall of the trench isolation region. The void in the sidewall of the trench isolation region is filled with the first gate dielectric layer. A second gate dielectric layer is grown on the sidewall of the active area. A gate is embedded in the gate trench.

Abstract: A method of silicide formation in a semiconductor fabrication process is disclosed. An active area (RX) mask is used to form an active silicon area, and is then reused to form a trench transfer (TT) area. A trench block (TB) mask is logically ANDed with the active area (RX) mask to form a trench silicide (TS) region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first active region, a first gate structure over the first active region, wherein the first gate structure includes a first interfacial layer having a convex top surface, a first high-k dielectric over the first interfacial layer, and a first gate electrode over the first high-k dielectric.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate including a first epitaxial layer that has a first electrical type, and a second epitaxial layer; a transistor that includes a source region and an insulating spacer; an inner surrounding structure including an annular trench and an insulating spacer; an outer surrounding structure that has a second electrical type opposite to the first electrical type, and that is disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the second epitaxial layer to surround and contact the inner surrounding structure; and a conductive structure connecting to the source region, and the inner and outer surrounding structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of transistors comprise a gate stack overlying a semiconductor material. The gate stack comprises a deposited oxide layer overlying the semiconductor material, an oxygen-diffusion barrier layer overlying the deposited oxide layer, a high-k dielectric layer overlying the oxygen-diffusion barrier layer, and a conductive material (e.g., an oxygen-gettering conductive material) overlying the high-k dielectric layer. When the conductive material is an oxygen-gettering conductive material, the oxygen-diffusion barrier layer prevents diffusion of oxygen from the deposited oxide layer to the oxygen-gettering conductive material.

Abstract: Dummy structures between a high voltage (HV) region and a low voltage (LV) region of a substrate are disclosed, along with methods of forming the dummy structures. An embodiment is a structure comprising a HV gate dielectric over a HV region of a substrate, a LV gate dielectric over a LV region of the substrate, and a dummy structure over a top surface of the HV gate dielectric. A thickness of the LV gate dielectric is less than a thickness of the HV gate dielectric. The dummy structure is on a sidewall of the HV gate dielectric.

Abstract: Disclosed are example bipolar transistors capable of reducing the area of a collector, reducing the distance between a base and a collector, and/or reducing the number of ion implantation processes. A bipolar transistor may includes a trench formed by etching a portion of a semiconductor substrate. A first collector may be formed on the inner wall of the trench. A second collector may be formed inside the semiconductor substrate in the inner wall of the trench. A first isolation film may be formed on the sidewall of the first collector. An intrinsic base may be connected to the third collector. An extrinsic base may be formed on the intrinsic base and inside the first isolation film. A second isolation film may be formed on the inner wall of the extrinsic base. An emitter may be formed by burying a conductive material inside the second isolation film.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a tapered field plate dielectric for high-voltage semiconductor devices is disclosed. The process may include depositing a thin layer of oxide, depositing a polysilicon hard mask, depositing a resist layer and etching a trench area, performing deep silicon trench etch, and stripping the resist layer. The process may further include repeated steps of depositing a layer of oxide and anisotropic etching of the oxide to form a tapered wall within the trench. The process may further include depositing poly and performing further processing to form the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A power device integrated on a semiconductor substrate and having a plurality of conductive bridges within a trench gate structure. In an embodiment, a semiconductor substrate includes a trench having sidewalls and a bottom, the walls and bottom are covered with a first insulating coating layer which then also includes a conductive gate structure. An embodiment provides the formation of the conductive gate structure with covering at least the sidewalls with a second conductive coating layer of a first conductive material. This results in a conductive central region of a second conductive material having a different resistivity than the first conductive material forming a plurality of conductive bridges between said second conductive coating layer and said conductive central region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure, and method of forming a semiconductor structure, that includes a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate, in which the gate structure includes a gate conductor and a high-k gate dielectric layer. The high-k gate dielectric layer is in contact with the base of the gate conductor and is present on the sidewalls of the gate conductor for a dimension that is less than ¼ the gate structure's height. The semiconductor structure also includes source regions and drain regions present in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the gate structure.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a trenched power MOSFET is provided. A pattern layer having a first opening is formed on a substrate. A portion of the substrate is removed, using the pattern layer as a mask, to form a trench in the substrate. A width of the trench is expanded. A gate oxide layer is formed on a surface of the trench. A portion of the gate oxide layer on a bottom of the trench is removed, using the pattern layer as a mask, to form a second opening in the gate oxide layer. The width of the expanded trench is greater than that of the second opening. A thick oxide layer is formed in the second opening. Heavily doped regions are formed beside the thick oxide layer. A gate is formed in the trench. A body layer surrounding the trench is formed. Sources are formed beside the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device. The device comprises an active region isolated by an isolation structure on a substrate. The device further comprises a gate electrode extending across the active area and overlying the substrate, a pair of source region and drain region, disposed on either side of the gate electrode on the substrate in the active area, and a gate dielectric layer disposed between the substrate and the gate electrode. The gate dielectric layer comprises a relatively-thicker high voltage (HV) dielectric portion and a relatively-thinner low voltage (LV) dielectric portion, wherein the HV dielectric portion occupies a first intersection among the drain region, the isolation structure, and the gate electrode, and a second intersection among the source region, the isolation structure, and the gate electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making an integrated circuit with multiple thickness and/or multiple composition high-K gate dielectric layers and integrated circuits containing multiple thickness and/or multiple composition high-K gate dielectrics. The methods involve forming a layer of high-K atoms over a conventional gate dielectric and heating the layer of high-K atoms to form a high-K gate dielectric layer. Methods of suppressing gate leakage current while mitigating mobility degradation are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are a power semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The power semiconductor device has a PIP capacitor and an LDMOS transistor, the LDMOS transistor having second and third gate electrodes separate from a first gate electrode, which may be formed in the process of forming the upper electrode of the PIP capacitor, so it is possible to realize an LDMOS having a higher breakdown voltage and lower Ron and Rsp without additional processing. A drain voltage, which may be different from a voltage applied to the first gate electrode, may be applied to the third gate electrode, so it is possible to realize an LDMOS having a high breakdown voltage and low Ron and Rsp.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of methods for increasing the relative thickness in the peripheral or edge regions of gate dielectric patterns to suppress leakage through these regions. The methods provide alternatives to conventional GPOX processes and provide the improved leakage resistance without incurring the degree of increased gate electrode resistance associated with GPOX processes. Each of the methods includes forming a first opening to expose an active area region, forming an oxidation control region on the exposed portion and then forming a second opening whereby a peripheral region free of the oxidation control region is exposed for formation of a gate dielectric layer. The resulting gate dielectric layers are characterized by a thinner central region surrounded or bounded by a thicker peripheral region.

Abstract: An LDMOS device and method of fabrication are provided. The LDMOS device has a substrate with a source region and a drain region formed in the substrate. An insulating layer is provided on a portion of the substrate between the source and the drain region, such that a planar interface is provided between the insulating layer and a surface of the substrate. An insulating member is then formed on a portion of the insulating layer, and a gate layer is formed over part of the insulating member and the insulating layer. By employing such a structure, it has been found that a flat current path exists which enables the on-resistance to be decreased while maintaining a high breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit substrate and a first gate pattern on the substrate. A non-conductive barrier layer pattern is on the first gate pattern. The barrier layer pattern has openings at selected locations therein extending to the first gate pattern. A second gate pattern is on the barrier layer pattern and extends into the opening in the barrier layer pattern to electrically connect the second gate pattern to the first gate pattern.

Abstract: A trench is formed in a semiconductor body, the side walls and the bottom of the trench covered with a first dielectric material layer, the trench filled with a second dielectric material layer, the first and the second dielectric material layers are etched via a partial, simultaneous, and controlled etching such that the dielectric materials have similar etching rates, a gate-oxide layer having a thickness smaller than the first dielectric material layer deposited on the walls of the trench, a gate region of conductive material formed within the trench, and body regions and source regions formed within the semiconductor body at the sides of and insulated from the gate region. Thereby, the gate region extends only on top of the remaining portions of the first and second dielectric material layers.

Abstract: An antifuse element (102, 152, 252, 302, 352, 402, 602, 652, 702) includes a substrate material (101) having an active area (106) formed in an upper surface, a gate electrode (104) having at least a portion positioned above the active area (106), and a gate oxide layer (110) disposed between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106). The gate oxide layer (110) includes one of a gate oxide dip (128) or a gate oxide undercut (614). During operation a voltage applied between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106) creates a current path through the gate oxide layer (110) and a rupture of the gate oxide layer (110) in a rupture region (130). The rupture region (130) is defined by the oxide structure and the gate oxide dip (128) or the gate oxide undercut (614).

Abstract: In fabricating a semiconductor device, an element forming surface formation step of forming a plurality of element forming surfaces of different heights on a semiconductor layer to have different levels, a semiconductor element formation step of forming a plurality of semiconductor elements and, one in each of a corresponding number of regions of the semiconductor layer, each region including an associated one of the plurality of element forming surfaces, a level-difference compensation insulating film formation step of forming a level-difference compensation insulating film on the semiconductor layer to cover the semiconductor elements and have a surface with different levels along the element forming surfaces, a release layer formation step of forming a release layer in the semiconductor layer by ion-implanting a peeling material through the level-difference compensation insulating film into the semiconductor layer, and a separation step of separating part of the semiconductor layer along the release layer

Abstract: A blocking dielectric engineered, charge trapping memory cell includes a charge trapping element that is separated from a gate by a blocking dielectric including a buffer layer in contact with the charge trapping element, such as silicon dioxide which can be made with high-quality, and a second capping layer in contact with said one of the gate and the channel. The capping layer has a dielectric constant that is higher than that of the first layer, and preferably includes a high-? material. The second layer also has a conduction band offset that is relatively high. A bandgap engineered tunneling layer between the channel and the charge trapping element is provided which, in combination with the multilayer blocking dielectric described herein, provides for high-speed erase operations by hole tunneling. In an alternative, a single layer tunneling layer is used.

Abstract: A DC-DC boost converter in multi-die package is proposed having an output Schottky diode and a low-side vertical MOSFET controlled by a power regulating controller (PRC). The multi-die package includes a single die pad with the Schottky diode placed there on side by side with the vertical MOSFET. The PRC die is attached atop the single die pad via an insulating die bond. Alternatively, the single die pad is grounded. The vertical MOSFET is a top drain vertical N-channel FET, the substrate of Schottky diode die is its anode. The Schottky diode and the vertical MOSFET are stacked atop the single die pad. The PRC is attached atop the single die pad via a standard conductive die bond. The Schottky diode die can be supplied in a flip-chip configuration with cathode being its substrate. Alternatively, the Schottky diode is supplied with anode being its substrate without the flip-chip configuration.

Abstract: A trench MIS device is formed in a P-epitaxial layer that overlies an N-epitaxial layer and an N+ substrate. In one embodiment, the device includes an N-type drain-drift region that extends from the bottom of the trench to the N-epitaxial layer. Preferably, the drain-drift region is formed at least in part by fabricating spacers on the sidewalls of the trench and implanting an N-type dopant between the sidewall spacers and through the bottom of the trench. The drain-drift region can be doped more heavily than the conventional “drift region” that is formed in an N-epitaxial layer. Thus, the device has a low on-resistance. The device can be terminated by a plurality of polysilicon-filled termination trenches located near the edge of the die, with the polysilicon in each termination trench being connected to the mesa adjacent the termination trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of doped regions, a metal layer and a polysilicon layer is provided. The doped regions are disposed in a substrate. The metal layer includes a plurality of metal line patterns. The polysilicon layer disposed between the substrate and the metal layer includes a gate pattern and at least one guard ring pattern. The at least one guard ring pattern connects to the gate pattern and surrounds at least one of the metal line patterns. One of the metal line patterns connects to the gate pattern. The others of the metal line patterns connect to one of the doped regions in the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of methods for increasing the relative thickness in the peripheral or edge regions of gate dielectric patterns to suppress leakage through these regions. The methods provide alternatives to conventional GPOX processes and provide the improved leakage resistance without incurring the degree of increased gate electrode resistance associated with GPOX processes. Each of the methods includes forming a first opening to expose an active area region, forming an oxidation control region on the exposed portion and then forming a second opening whereby a peripheral region free of the oxidation control region is exposed for formation of a gate dielectric layer. The resulting gate dielectric layers are characterized by a thinner central region surrounded or bounded by a thicker peripheral region.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a gate structure of a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the gate structure. An oxide layer may be formed on a silicon substrate before a gate insulating layer is formed. The oxide layer may be etched to form an opening exposing a channel area of the silicon substrate. After forming the gate insulating layer in the opening, a gate conductive layer may be deposited and etched to form a gate. The oxide layer may be continuously etched such that the oxide layer remains at both edge portions of the gate insulating layer. The oxide layer formed at both edge portions of the gate insulating layer may protect the gate insulating layer during a gate etching process, and may improve a reliability of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a drift region of a first conduction type, a base region of a second conduction type, a source region of the first conduction type, a contact hole, a column region of the second conduction type, a plug and wiring. The drift region formed on a semiconductor substrate of the first conduction type. The base region of a second is formed in a prescribed region of the surface of the drift region. The source region is formed in a prescribed region of the surface of the base region. The contact hole extends from the source region surface side to the base region. The column region is formed in the drift region below the contact hole. The plug comprises a first conductive material and fills the contact hole. The wiring comprises a second conductive material and is electrically connected to the plug.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulated gate semiconductor device which has floating regions around the bottoms of trenches and which is capable of reliably achieving a high withstand voltage. An insulated gate semiconductor device 100 includes a cell area through which current flows and an terminal area which surrounds the cell area. The semiconductor device 100 also has a plurality of gate trenches 21 in the cell area and a plurality of terminal trenches 62 in the terminal area. The gate trenches 21 are formed in a striped shape, and the terminal trenches 62 are formed concentrically. In the semiconductor device 100, the gate trenches 21 and the terminal trenches 62 are positioned in a manner that spacings between the ends of the gate trenches 21 and the side of the terminal trench 62 are uniform. That is, the length of the gate trenches 21 is adjusted according to the curvature of the corners of the terminal trench 62.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the invention includes forming a thick silicon oxide film uniformly in a trench. Argon ions or the like implanted obliquely into the trench to form an ion implanted damaged region selectively in the portion of the silicon oxide film on the trench sidewall utilizing the shadowing effects of the oblique ion implantation. The silicon oxide film is wet etched to selectively remove the silicon oxide film in the ion implanted damaged region utilizing the etching rate difference, wherein the etching rate is faster in the damaged region than in the undamaged region. As a result, a thick residual oxide film is formed on the bottom and the lower sidewall portion of the trenchwithout causing any bird's beak.

Abstract: An antifuse element (102, 152, 252, 302, 352, 402, 602, 652, 702) and method of fabricating the antifuse element, including a substrate material (101) having an active area (106) formed in an upper surface, a gate electrode (104) having at least a portion positioned above the active area (106), and a gate oxide layer (110) disposed between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106). The gate oxide layer (110) including the fabrication of one of a gate oxide dip (128) or a gate oxide undercut (614). During operation a voltage applied between the gate electrode (104) and the active area (106) creates a current path through the gate oxide layer (110) and a rupture of the gate oxide layer (110) in a rupture region (130). The rupture region (130) defined by the oxide structure and the gate oxide dip (128) or the gate oxide undercut (614).

Abstract: A semiconductor element of this invention includes a drift layer of a first conductivity type formed on a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, a well layer of a second conductivity type selectively formed in the surface of the drift layer, a source layer of the first conductivity type selectively formed in the surface of the well layer, a trench formed to reach at least the inside of the drift layer from the surface of the source layer through the well layer, a buried electrode formed in the trench through a first insulating film, and a control electrode formed on the drift layer, the well layer, and the source layer through a second insulating film.

Abstract: A semiconductor component and also a method for producing it are disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor component includes a surface region or a modified doping region is provided alternatively or simultaneously in the edge region of the cell array, in which surface region or modified doping region the doping concentration is lowered and/or in which surface region or modified doping region the conductivity type is formed such that it is opposite to the conductivity type of the actual semiconductor material region, or in which a field plate region is provided.

Abstract: A method and structure is disclosed for a transistor having a gate, a channel region below the gate, a source region on one side of the channel region, a drain region on an opposite side of the channel region from the source region, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in the substrate between the drain region and the channel region, and a drain extension below the STI region. The drain extension is positioned along a bottom of the STI region and along a portion of sides of the STI. Portions of the drain extension along the bottom of the STI may comprise different dopant implants than the portions of the drain extensions along the sides of the STI. Portions of the drain extensions along sides of the STI extend from the bottom of the STI to a position partially up the sides of the STI. The STI region is below a portion of the gate. The drain extension provides a conductive path between the drain region and the channel region around a lower perimeter of the STI.

Abstract: An array of memory cells configured to store at least one bit per one F2 includes substantially vertical structures providing an electronic memory function spaced apart a distance equal to one half of a minimum pitch of the array. The structures providing the electronic memory function are configured to store more than one bit per gate. The array also includes electrical contacts to the memory cells including the substantially vertical structures. The cells can be programmed to have one of a number of charge levels trapped in the gate insulator adjacent to the first source/drain region such that the channel region has a first voltage threshold region (Vt1) and a second voltage threshold region (Vt2) and such that the programmed cell operates at reduced drain source current.

Abstract: Memory devices, arrays, and strings are described that facilitate the use of NROM memory cells in NAND architecture memory strings, arrays, and devices. NROM NAND architecture memory embodiments of the present invention include NROM memory cells in high density vertical NAND architecture arrays or strings facilitating the use of reduced feature size process techniques. These NAND architecture vertical NROM memory cell strings allow for an improved high density memory devices or arrays that can take advantage of the feature sizes semiconductor fabrication processes are generally capable of and yet do not suffer from charge separation issues in multi-bit NROM cells.

Abstract: A low-GIDL current MOSFET device structure and a method of fabrication thereof which provides a low-GIDL current. The MOSFET device structure contains a central gate conductor whose edges may slightly overlap the source/drain diffusions, and left and right side wing gate conductors which are separated from the central gate conductor by a thin insulating and diffusion barrier layer.