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: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. According to the semiconductor device, a silicide layer is formed on at least a part of both sidewalls of a gate pattern on a device isolation layer, thereby reducing resistance of the gate pattern. This makes an operation speed of the device rapid. According to the method of the semiconductor device, a sidewall spacer pattern is formed on at least a part of both sidewalls of the gate pattern in following salicide process by entirely or partially removing remaining portions of the sidewall spacer except for portions which are used as an ion implantation mask to form source/drain regions. This can reduce resistance of the gate pattern, thereby fabricating a semiconductor device with a rapid operation speed.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment includes a method of manufacturing a fuse element that includes forming a polysilicon layer over a semiconductor structure, doping the polysilicon layer with carbon or nitrogen, depositing a metal over the polysilicon layer; and annealing the metal and polysilicon layer to form a silicide in an upper portion of the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a SOI wafer having a SOI layer over a BOX and at least one active area formed in the wafer; a gate stack over a portion of the at least one active area which serves as a channel of the device; source and drain regions of the device adjacent to the gate stack, wherein the source and drain regions of the device include a semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium; and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions of the device, wherein an interface is present between the silicide contacts and the semiconductor material, and wherein the interface has an interface roughness of less than about 5 nanometers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device including forming a dielectric layer surrounding a dummy feature located over a substrate, removing the dummy feature to form an opening in the dielectric layer, and forming a metal-silicide layer conforming to the opening. The metal-silicide layer may then be annealed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method therefor. Conventionally, platinum is deposited in a device substrate to suppress diffusion of nickel in nickel silicide. However, introducing platinum by means of deposition makes the platinum only stay on the surface but fails to effectively suppress the diffusion of nickel over a desirable depth. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device is formed by implanting platinum into a substrate and forming NiSi in a region of the substrate where platinum is implanted. With the present invention, platinum can be distributed over a desirable depth range so as to more effectively suppress nickel diffusion.

Abstract: An S/D region including a first region and a second region is provided. The first region is located, with at least a partial thickness, in the substrate. The second region is formed on the first region and made of a material different from that of the first region. A method for forming an S/D region is further provided, and the method includes: forming trenches at both sides of a gate stack structure in a substrate; forming a first semiconductor layer, wherein at least a part of the first semiconductor layer is filled into the trenches; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer is made of a material different from that of the first semiconductor layer. A contact hole and a forming method thereof are also provided which may increase the contact area between a contact hole and a contact region, and reduce the contact resistance.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a transistor with a high ON current including a silicide layer without increasing the number of steps. A semiconductor device comprising the transistor includes a first region in which a thickness is increased from an edge on a channel formation region side and a second region in which a thickness is more uniform than that of the first region. The first and second region are separated by a line which is perpendicular to a horizontal line and passes through a point where a line, which passes through the edge of the silicide layer and forms an angle ? (0°<?<45°) with the horizontal line, intersects with an interface between the silicide layer and an impurity region, and the thickness of the second region to a thickness of a silicon film is 0.6 or more.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention reduces the external resistance of a transistor by utilizing a silicon germanium alloy for the source and drain regions and a nickel silicon germanium self-aligned silicide (i.e., salicide) layer to form the contact surface of the source and drain regions. The interface of the silicon germanium and the nickel silicon germanium silicide has a lower specific contact resistivity based on a decreased metal-semiconductor work function between the silicon germanium and the silicide and the increased carrier mobility in silicon germanium versus silicon. The silicon germanium may be doped to further tune its electrical properties. A reduction of the external resistance of a transistor equates to increased transistor performance both in switching speed and power consumption.

Abstract: The invention included to methods of forming CoSi2, methods of forming field effect transistors, and methods of forming conductive contacts. In one implementation, a method of forming CoSi2 includes forming a substantially amorphous layer comprising MSix over a silicon-containing substrate, where “M” comprises at least some metal other than cobalt. A layer comprising cobalt is deposited over the substantially amorphous MSix-comprising layer. The substrate is annealed effective to diffuse cobalt of the cobalt-comprising layer through the substantially amorphous MSix-comprising layer and combine with silicon of the silicon-containing substrate to form CoSi2 beneath the substantially amorphous MSix-comprising layer. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: By forming the first metallization layer of a semiconductor device as a dual damascene structure, the contact elements may be formed on the basis of a significantly reduced aspect ratio, thereby enhancing process robustness and also improving electrical performance of the contact structure.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The method includes forming an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor substrate, forming a contact hole in the interlayer dielectric to expose the semiconductor substrate, forming a metal pattern including a dopant on the exposed semiconductor substrate, and performing a heat treatment process to react the semiconductor substrate with the metal pattern to form a metal silicide pattern. The heat treatment process includes diffuses the dopant into the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device may include a charge storage structure and a gate. The charge storage structure is formed on a substrate. The gate is formed on the charge storage structure. The gate includes a lower portion formed of silicon and an upper portion formed of metal silicide. The upper portion of the gate has a width greater than that of the lower portion of the gate.

Abstract: A MOS solid-state imaging device having: a semiconductor substrate provided with a pair of source and drain regions in a pixel area, the pair of source and drain regions constituting part of a transistor in the pixel area; an insulating film formed over the semiconductor substrate; a wiring layer formed over the insulating film; and a contact plug penetrating through the insulating film to connect either one of the pair of source and drain regions with the wiring layer, wherein a surface area of said one of the pair of source and drain regions is silicided, the surface area contacting with the contact plug, and a width of the surface area is equal to a width of the contact plug.

Abstract: Transistor devices are formed with nickel silicide layers formulated to prevent degradation upon removal of overlying stress liners. Embodiments include transistors with nickel silicide layers having a platinum composition gradient increasing in platinum content toward the upper surfaces thereof, i.e., increasing in platinum in a direction away from the gate electrode and source/drain regions. Embodiments include forming a first layer of nickel having a first amount of platinum and forming, on the first layer of nickel, a second layer of nickel having a second amount of platinum, the second weight percent of platinum being greater than the first weight percent. The layers of nickel are then annealed to form a nickel silicide layer having the platinum composition gradient increasing in platinum toward the upper surface.

Abstract: Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a first gate structure is provided in a cell transistor region and includes a floating gate electrode, a first dielectric layer pattern, and a control gate electrode including a first metal silicide pattern. A second gate structure is provided in a selecting transistor region and includes a first conductive layer pattern, a second dielectric layer pattern, and a first gate electrode including a second metal silicide pattern. A third gate structure is provided in a peripheral circuit region and includes a second conductive layer pattern, a third dielectric layer pattern including opening portions on the second conductive layer pattern, and a second gate electrode including a concavo-convex portion at an upper surface portion thereof and a third metal silicide pattern. The third metal silicide pattern has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: In order that a top surface of a gate electrode does not have sharp portions, ends of the top surface of the gate electrode are rounded before refractory metal is deposited for silicidation. This reduces intensive application of film stresses which are generated in heat treatment, enabling formation of a silicide layer with a uniform, sufficient thickness.

Abstract: Methods for forming cobalt silicide materials are disclosed herein. In one example, a method for forming a cobalt silicide material includes exposing a substrate having a silicon-containing material to either a wet etch solution or a pre-clean plasma during a first step and then to a hydrogen plasma during a second step of a pre-clean process. The exemplary method further includes depositing a cobalt metal layer on the silicon-containing material by a CVD process, heating the substrate to form a first cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi at the interface of the cobalt metal layer and the silicon-containing material during a first annealing process, removing any unreacted cobalt metal from the first cobalt silicide layer during an etch process, and heating the substrate to form a second cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi2 during a second annealing process.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing buried silicide lines are described herein, along with high density stacked memory structures. A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit as described herein includes forming a semiconductor body comprising silicon. A plurality of trenches are formed in the semiconductor body to define semiconductor lines comprising silicon between adjacent trenches, the semiconductor lines having sidewalls. A silicide precursor is deposited within the trenches to contact the sidewalls of the semiconductor lines, and a portion of the silicide precursor is removed to expose upper portions of the sidewalls and leave remaining strips of silicide precursor along the sidewalls. Silicide conductors are then formed by inducing reaction of the strips of silicide with the silicon of the semiconductor lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming self-aligned metal silicide contacts over at least two silicon-containing semiconductor regions that are spaced apart from each other by an exposed dielectric region. Preferably, each of the self-aligned metal silicide contacts so formed comprises at least nickel silicide and platinum silicide with a substantially smooth surface, and the exposed dielectric region is essentially free of metal and metal silicide. More preferably, the method comprises the steps of nickel or nickel alloy deposition, low-temperature annealing, nickel etching, high-temperature annealing, and aqua regia etching.

Abstract: A transistor, comprising a first gate structure formed on a substrate, and having a stacked structure of a first gate electrode and a first gate hard mask, a first gate spacer formed on sidewalls of the first gate structure, a second gate structure having a stacked structure of a second gate electrode and a second gate hard mask, the second gate structure surrounding both sidewalls and top surfaces of the first gate structure and the first gate spacer, and a second gate spacer formed on sidewalls of the second gate structure.

Abstract: In order that a top surface of a gate electrode does not have sharp portions, ends of the top surface of the gate electrode are rounded before refractory metal is deposited for silicidation. This reduces intensive application of film stresses which are generated in heat treatment, enabling formation of a silicide layer with a uniform, sufficient thickness.

Abstract: The semiconductor structure is provided that has entirely self-aligned metallic contacts. The semiconductor structure includes at least one field effect transistor located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The at least one field effect transistor includes a gate conductor stack comprising a lower layer of polysilicon and an upper layer of a first metal semiconductor alloy, the gate conductor stack having sidewalls that include at least one spacer. The structure further includes a second metal semiconductor alloy layer located within the semiconductor substrate at a footprint of the at least one spacer.

Abstract: A method for making a transistor 20 that includes using a transition metal nitride layer 200 and/or a SOG layer 220 to protect the source/drain regions 60 from silicidation during the silicidation of the gate electrode 90. The SOG layer 210 is planarized to expose the transition metal nitride layer 200 or the gate electrode 93 before the gate silicidation process. If a transition metal nitride layer 200 is used, then it is removed from the top of the gate electrode 93 before the full silicidation of the gate electrode 90.

Abstract: A low resistance contact structure and method of making the structure. The structure includes a polysilicon contact through an upper silicon layer and buried oxide layer to a lower silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulation substrate. A region of the upper silicon layer surrounds the polysilicon contact and top surface of the polysilicon contact and surrounding region of upper silicon layer are metal silicided providing an extended contact area greater than the area of the top surface of polysilicon contact.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal gate includes providing a substrate including a gate electrode located on the substrate. A plurality of layers is formed, including a first layer located on the substrate and the gate electrode and a second layer adjacent the first layer. The layers are etched to form a plurality of adjacent spacers, including a first spacer located on the substrate and adjacent the gate electrode and a second spacer adjacent the first spacer. The first spacer is then etched and a metal layer is formed on the device immediately adjacent to the gate electrode. The metal layer is then reacted with the gate electrode to form a metal gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode line provided to extend from an N-type area through a device isolation area to a P-type area, and source/drain diffused regions formed in N-type and P-type areas. The gate electrode line includes a first silicide region which configures a P-type MOSFET gate electrode and includes therein a silicide of metal M1, a second silicide region which configures an N-type MOSFET gate electrode and includes therein a silicide of metal M2, and an impurity-doped silicon region which is provided on a device isolation area and includes therein impurities at a higher concentration than both the gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a silicon substrate and a field effect transistor including a gate insulating film on the silicon substrate, a gate electrode on the gate insulating film, and source/drain regions formed in the substrate on opposite sides of the gate electrode, wherein the gate electrode includes a silicide layer containing an Ni3Si crystal phase, at least in a portion of the gate electrode, the portion including a lower surface thereof, and the transistor includes an adhesion layer containing a metal oxide component, between the gate insulating film and the gate electrode.

Abstract: By forming a direct contact structure connecting, for instance, a polysilicon line with an active region on the basis of an increased amount of metal silicide by removing the sidewall spacers prior to the silicidation process, a significantly increased etch selectivity may be achieved during the contact etch stop layer opening. Hence, undue etching of the highly doped silicon material of the active region would be suppressed. Additionally or alternatively, an appropriately designed test structure is disclosed, which may enable the detection of electrical characteristics of contact structures formed in accordance with a specified manufacturing sequence and on the basis of specific design criteria.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same include a gate electrode formed over the silicon substrate, the gate electrode including low-concentration conductive impurity regions, a high-concentration conductive impurity region formed between the low-concentration conductive impurity regions and a first silicide layer formed over the high-concentration conductive impurity region, and contact electrodes including a first contact electrode connected electrically to the gate electrode and a second contact electrode connected electrically to source/drain regions. The first contact electrode contacts the uppermost surface of the gate electrode and a sidewall of the gate electrode. The gate electrode can be easily connected to the contact electrode, the high-concentration region can be disposed only on the channel region, making it possible to maximize overall performance of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: By using a non-conformal diffusion barrier in conjunction with a similarly deposited non-conformal initial deposition of siliciding material, a substantially uniform and conformal silicide can be formed in a 3D structure such as the fin of a FinFET. The siliciding material may be nickel (Ni), the diffusion barrier may be titanium (Ti) or titanium nitride (TiN). Generally, the diffusion barrier may be any material which will inhibit, but not block, diffusion of the siliciding material into the silicon. In this manner, a non-conformal barrier deposition, in conjunction with a non-conformal silicide material deposition, after anneal, results in substantially conformal silicide formation.

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: Methods for reducing contact resistance in semiconductor devices are provided in the present invention. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having semiconductor device formed thereon, wherein the device has source and drain regions and a gate structure formed therein, performing a silicidation process on the substrate by a thermal annealing process, and performing a laser anneal process on the substrate. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having implanted dopants, performing a silicidation process on the substrate by a thermal annealing process, and activating the dopants by a laser anneal process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided in which non-directional and directional metal (e.g. Ni) deposition steps are performed in the same process chamber. A first plasma is formed for removing material from a target; a secondary plasma for increasing ion density in the material is formed in the interior of an annular electrode (e.g. a Ni ring) connected to an RF generator. Material is deposited non-directionally on the substrate in the absence of the secondary plasma and electrical biasing of the substrate, and deposited directionally when the secondary plasma is present and the substrate is electrically biased. Nickel silicide formed from the deposited metal has a lower gate polysilicon sheet resistance and may have a lower density of pipe defects than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely directional process, and has a lower source/drain contact resistance than NiSi formed from metal deposited in a solely non-directional process.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is disclosed. The MOS transistor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a gate disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate comprises two sidewalls; a spacer formed on the sidewalls of the gate; a source/drain region disposed in the semiconductor substrate; a silicide layer disposed on top of the gate and the surface of the source/drain region; and a retarded interface layer disposed in the junction between the silicide layer and the gate and source/drain region.

Abstract: A p-type field effect transistor (PFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET) are formed by patterning of a gate dielectric layer, a thin silicon layer, and a silicon-germanium alloy layer. After formation of the source/drain regions and gate spacers, silicon germanium alloy portions are removed from gate stacks. A dielectric layer is formed and patterned to cover an NFET gate electrode, while exposing a thin silicon portion for a PFET. Germanium is selectively deposited on semiconductor surfaces including the exposed silicon portion. The dielectric layer is removed and a metal layer is deposited and reacted with underlying semiconductor material to form a metal silicide for a gate electrode of the NFET, while forming a metal silicide-germanide alloy for a gate electrode of the PFET.

Abstract: A method for making a transistor 20 that includes using a transition metal nitride layer 200 and/or a SOG layer 220 to protect the source/drain regions 60 from silicidation during the silicidation of the gate electrode 90. The SOG layer 210 is planarized to expose the transition metal nitride layer 200 or the gate electrode 93 before the gate silicidation process. If a transition metal nitride layer 200 is used, then it is removed from the top of the gate electrode 93 before the full silicidation of the gate electrode 90.

Abstract: A method for making a transistor 20 that includes using a transition metal nitride layer 200 and/or a SOG layer 220 to protect the source/drain regions 60 from silicidation during the silicidation of the gate electrode 90. The SOG layer 210 is planarized to expose the transition metal nitride layer 200 or the gate electrode 93 before the gate silicidation process. If a transition metal nitride layer 200 is used, then it is removed from the top of the gate electrode 93 before the full silicidation of the gate electrode 90.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing thin nickel (Ni) monosilicide or NiSi films (having a thickness on the order of about 30 nm or less), as contacts in CMOS devices wherein an amorphous Ni alloy silicide layer is formed during annealing which eliminates (i.e., completely by-passing) the formation of metal-rich silicide layers. By eliminating the formation of the metal-rich silicide layers, the resultant NiSi film formed has improved surface roughness as compared to a NiSi film formed from a metal-rich silicide phase. The method of the present invention also forms Ni monosilicide films without experiencing any dependence of the dopant type concentration within the Si-containing substrate that exists with the prior art NiSi films.

Abstract: An object is to provide a semiconductor device mounted with memory which can be driven in the ranges of a current value and a voltage value which can be generated from a wireless signal. Another object is to provide write-once read-many memory to which data can be written anytime after manufacture of a semiconductor device. An antenna, antifuse-type ROM, and a driver circuit are formed over an insulating substrate. Of a pair of electrodes included in the antifuse-type ROM, the other of the pair of the electrodes is also formed through the same step and of the same material as a source electrode and a drain electrode of a transistor included in the driver circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first MIS transistor of a non-salicide structure and a second MIS transistor of a salicide structure which are both formed on a substrate of silicon. The first MIS transistor includes a first gate electrode of silicon, first sidewalls, a first source and drain, and plasma reaction films grown in a plasma atmosphere to cover the top surfaces of the first gate electrode and first source and drain, wherein the plasma reaction film prevents silicide formation on the first MIS transistor.

Abstract: A method of formation of contacts with cobalt silicide since is disclosed. For example, after siliciding with the SOM solution, both unreacted sections of the deposition layer including, for example, cobalt as initial layer for the siliciding and an oxidation protection layer including titanium and deposited by means of cathode beam sputtering, for instance, may be removed rapidly and with high selectivity relative to the cobalt silicide and other, densified metal structures and metal layers.

Abstract: A low resistance contact structure and method of making the structure. The structure includes a polysilicon contact through an upper silicon layer and buried oxide layer to a lower silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulation substrate. A region of the upper silicon layer surrounds the polysilicon contact and top surface of the polysilicon contact and surrounding region of upper silicon layer are metal silicided providing an extended contact area greater than the area of the top surface of polysilicon contact.

Abstract: In order that a top surface of a gate electrode does not have sharp portions, ends of the top surface of the gate electrode are rounded before refractory metal is deposited for silicidation. This reduces intensive application of film stresses which are generated in heat treatment, enabling formation of a silicide layer with a uniform, sufficient thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming self-aligned metal silicide contacts over at least two silicon-containing semiconductor regions that are spaced apart from each other by an exposed dielectric region. Preferably, each of the self-aligned metal silicide contacts so formed comprises at least nickel silicide and platinum silicide with a substantially smooth surface, and the exposed dielectric region is essentially free of metal and metal silicide. More preferably, the method comprises the steps of nickel or nickel alloy deposition, low-temperature annealing, nickel etching, high-temperature annealing, and aqua regia etching.

Abstract: The present invention includes semiconductor circuitry. Such circuitry encompasses a metal silicide layer over a substrate and a layer comprising silicon, nitrogen and oxygen in physical contact with the metal silicide layer. The present invention also includes a gate stack which encompasses a polysilicon layer over a substrate, a metal silicide layer over the polysilicon layer, an antireflective material layer over the metal silicide layer, a silicon nitride layer over the antireflective material layer, and a layer of photoresist over the silicon nitride layer, for photolithographically patterning the layer of photoresist to form a patterned masking layer from the layer of photoresist and transferring a pattern from the patterned masking layer to the silicon nitride layer, antireflective material layer, metal silicide layer and polysilicon layer. The patterned silicon nitride layer, antireflective material layer, metal silicide layer and polysilicon layer encompass a gate stack.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric film formed over an active area of a semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode formed over the gate dielectric film and formed of a silicidation film having a polysilicon area at the bottom of the gate electrode. Therefore, with embodiments, a work function can variously controlled and the gate pattern having different work function can be applied to the transistors by using a non-silicided polysilicon region due to the formation a partially silicided gate pattern, such that the resistance of the gate electrode and junction can be reduced, making it possible to maximize the device characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mask ROM device and a method of forming the same. This device includes a plurality of cells. At least one among the plurality of cells is programmed. The programmed cell includes a cell gate pattern, cell source/drain regions, a cell insulating spacer, a cell metal silicide, and a cell metal pattern. The cell metal pattern is extended along a surface of a cell capping pattern being the uppermost layer of the cell insulating spacer and the cell gate pattern to be electrically connected to cell metal silicide at opposing sides of the cell gate pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region; a plurality of bit line diffusion layers formed in an upper portion of the semiconductor region and each extending in a row direction; a plurality of bit line insulating films formed on the bit line diffusion layers; a plurality of gate insulting films formed between the respective adjacent bit line diffusion layers on the semiconductor region; and a plurality of word lines each formed on the semiconductor region in a column direction and each intersecting with the bit line insulating films and the gate insulating films. Memory cells are formed at intersections of the gate insulating films and the word lines. A plurality of connection diffusion layers including connection parts electrically connected to the bit line diffusion layers are formed in the upper portion of the semiconductor region, and a level of upper faces of the connection parts is lower than a level of upper faces of the connection diffusion layers in the semiconductor region.