Using Structure Alterable To Nonconductive State (i.e., Fuse) Patents (Class 438/132)
  • Patent number: 11502089
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computing systems relating to three-dimensional fuse architectures are disclosed. An apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a fuse array on or in the semiconductor substrate, and fuse circuitry on or in the semiconductor substrate. The fuse array includes fuse cells. The fuse circuitry is configured to access the fuse cells. The fuse circuitry is offset from the fuse array such that the fuse circuitry is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the fuse array, or the fuse array is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the fuse circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan He, Daigo Toyama
  • Patent number: 11121080
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an active pattern on the first surface, the active pattern including a source/drain region, a power rail electrically connected to the source/drain region, and a power delivery network on the second surface, the power delivery network electrically connected to the power rail. The semiconductor layer includes an etch stop dopant, and the etch stop dopant has a maximum concentration at the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Sasaki, Sungkeun Lim, Pil-Kyu Kang, Weonhong Kim, Seungha Oh, Yongho Ha, Sangjin Hyun
  • Patent number: 9941289
    Abstract: An anti-fuse type nonvolatile memory cell includes a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a junction region having a second conductivity type and a trench isolation layer disposed in an upper portion of the semiconductor layer spaced apart from each other by a channel region, an anti-fuse insulation pattern disposed on the channel region, a gate electrode disposed on the anti-fuse insulation pattern, a gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the anti-fuse insulation pattern and the gate electrode, a word line connected to the gate electrode, and a bit line connected to the junction region. The anti-fuse insulation pattern is broken if a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage are applied to the word line and the bit line, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Il Choi
  • Patent number: 9806273
    Abstract: A field effect transistor array comprising a substrate and a plurality of single wall carbon nano-tubes disposed on a surface of the substrate. A plurality of electrodes are disposed over the nano-tubes such that the conductive strips are spaced-apart from each other. These electrodes form the contact point for the drain and source of the field effect transistor, while one or more of the nano-carbon tubes form the channel between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Shashi P. Karna, Govind Mallick
  • Patent number: 9307578
    Abstract: A system for measuring temperatures of and controlling a multi-zone heating plate in a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing includes a current measurement device and switching arrangements. A first switching arrangement connects power return lines selectively to an electrical ground, a voltage supply or an electrically isolated terminal, independent of the other power return lines. A second switching arrangement connects power supply lines selectively to the electrical ground, a power supply, the current measurement device or an electrically isolated terminal, independent of the other power supply lines. The system can be used to maintain a desired temperature profile of the heater plate by taking current readings of reverse saturation currents of diodes serially connected to planar heating zones, calculating temperatures of the heating zones and powering each heater zone to achieve the desired temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Pease
  • Patent number: 9153546
    Abstract: An electrical fuse has an anode contact on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The electrical fuse has a cathode contact on the surface of the semiconductor substrate spaced from the anode contact. The electrical fuse has a link within the substrate electrically interconnecting the anode contact and the cathode contact. The link comprises a semiconductor layer and a silicide layer. The silicide layer extends beyond the anode contact. An opposite end of the silicide layer extends beyond the cathode contact. A silicon germanium region is embedded in the semiconductor layer under the silicide layer, between the anode contact and the cathode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Zun Li, Zhengwen Li, Chengwen Pei, Jian Yu
  • Patent number: 9147824
    Abstract: Techniques for forming metal contacts to LMDC-based devices are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a metal contact to a LMDC semiconductor material includes the steps of: depositing a contact metal onto the LMDC semiconductor material; and annealing the LMDC semiconductor material and the contact metal under conditions sufficient to react the contact metal with the LMDC semiconductor material and thereby form a buffer layer as an interface between the contact metal and the LMDC semiconductor material that compositionally is a transition from the LMDC semiconductor material to the contact metal and connects the LMDC semiconductor material and the contact metal by covalent bonds. The LMDC semiconductor material can be a material having a formula MX2, wherein M is a metal, and X is a chalcogen. A LMDC-based device and techniques for forming the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Shu-Jen Han
  • Patent number: 9126836
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube (CNT) of a predetermined length is disclosed. The method includes generating an electric field to align one or more CNTs and severing the one or more aligned CNTs at a predetermined location. The severing each of the aligned CNTs may include etching the predetermined location of the one or more aligned CNTs and applying a voltage across the one or more etched CNTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Kwangyeol Lee
  • Patent number: 9129964
    Abstract: A method of forming an electronic fuse including forming a first metal line and a second metal line in a first interconnect level, the first metal line is electrically insulated from the second metal line, forming a single via in a second interconnect level above the first interconnect level, the via is made from the same material as either the first metal line or the second metal line, and the via is in direct contact with both the first metal line and the second metal line, a contact area between the via and the first metal line or the second metal line ranges from about 5% to about 25% of a total cross-sectional area of the via, the via has a height to width ratio greater than 1, and forming a third metal line in the second interconnect level in direct contact with the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Coyner, Baozhen Li, Keith Kwong Hon Wong, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 9121101
    Abstract: To provide an etchant for copper oxide, control of the etching rate, and etching method using the same for enabling exposed portions to be selectively etched against unexposed portions in the case of performing exposure with laser light using an oxide of copper as a heat-reactive resist material, an etchant of the invention is an etchant for copper oxide to selectively remove a copper oxide of a particular valence from a copper oxide-containing layer containing copper oxides of different valences, and is characterized by containing at least an amino acid, a chelating agent and water, where a weight percentage of the amino acid is higher than that of the chelating agent, and pH thereof is 3.5 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials Corporation
    Inventors: Takuto Nakata, Norikiyo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9119051
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting, by a first device including a least one processor and a first Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), a second device having a second UICC, detecting, by the first device, that the second UICC is unprovisioned, selecting, by the first device, one of a plurality of selectable options, where the selection identifies a first network operator selected from a plurality of network operators, receiving, by the first device, first credential information of the first network operator, and transmitting, by the first device, to the second device the first credential information for enabling the second device to facilitate establishment of communication services with network equipment of the first network operator according to the first credential information. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Christopher, Dana Tardelli
  • Patent number: 9093336
    Abstract: In a semiconductor chip for an electronic device, a programmable trim code is independent from a default trim code. An output trim code is produced by selecting either the default trim code or the programmable trim code. The default trim code for a plurality of the semiconductor chips is set by forming metal interconnects according to a first metal layout in a metal interconnect layer during fabrication of at least one of the semiconductor chips. The default trim code is reset by forming the metal interconnects according to a second metal layout in the metal interconnect layer during fabrication of subsequent semiconductor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gopalkrishna Ullal Nayak, Matthew Craig Bullock
  • Patent number: 9087842
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a fuse area and a device area; a fuse structure in an insulating layer of the fuse area, and a wire structure in the insulating layer of the device area. The fuse structure includes a fuse via, a fuse line electrically connected to a top end of the fuse via pattern and extending in a direction. The wire structure includes a wire via, a wire line electrically connected to a top end of the wire via and extending in the first direction. A width in the first direction of the fuse via is smaller than a width in the first direction of the wire via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Min Choi, Shigenobu Maeda, Ji-Hoon Yoon, Sung-Man Lim
  • Patent number: 9035420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device and a method for preparing the same. An organic light emitting device according to the present invention comprises an organic light emitting unit having a structure in which a substrate, a first electrode, an organic material layer, and a second electrode are sequentially laminated, wherein the organic light emitting device comprises an auxiliary electrode and a fuse pattern; and the first electrode and the auxiliary electrode are electrically connected to each other through the fuse pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Hyoung Lee, Minsoo Kang, Ducksu Oh
  • Patent number: 9018083
    Abstract: In an example of a method for controlling the formation of dopants in an electrically actuated device, a predetermined concentration of a dopant initiator is selected. The predetermined amount of the dopant is localized, via diffusion, at an interface between an electrode and an active region adjacent to the electrode. The dopant initiator reacts with a portion of the active region to form the dopants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jianhua Yang, Duncan Stewart, Philip J. Kuekes, William Tong
  • Publication number: 20150097266
    Abstract: An electronic fuse link with lower programming current for high performance and self-aligned methods of forming the same. The invention provides a horizontal e-fuse structure in the middle of the line. A reduced fuse link width is achieved by spacers on sides of pair of dummy or active gates, to create sub-lithographic dimension between gates with spacers to confine a fuse link. A reduced height in the third dimension on the fuse link achieved by etching the link, thereby creating a fuse link having a sub-lithographic size in all dimensions. The fuse link is formed over an isolation region to enhanced heating and aid fuse blow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junjun Li, Yan Zun Li, Chengwen Pei, Pinping Sun
  • Patent number: 8999767
    Abstract: A method including etching a dual damascene feature in a dielectric layer, the dual damascene feature including a first via opening, a second via opening, and a trench opening, forming a seed layer within the dual damascene feature, the seed layer including a conductive material, and heating the seed layer causing the seed layer to reflow and fill the first via opening, fill the second via opening, and partially fill the trench opening to form a first via, a second via, and a fuse line, respectively, wherein the seed layer no longer remains along an entire length of a sidewall of the trench opening. The method further including forming an insulating layer on top of the fuse line, and forming a fill material on top of the insulating layer and substantially filling the trench opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chad M. Burke, Baozhen Li, Keith Kwong Hon Wong, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 9000516
    Abstract: A super-junction device including a unit region is disclosed. The unit region includes a heavily doped substrate; a first epitaxial layer over the heavily doped substrate; a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer; a plurality of first trenches in the second epitaxial layer; an oxide film in each of the plurality of first trenches; and a pair of first films on both sides of each of the plurality of first trenches, thereby forming a sandwich structure between every two adjacent ones of the plurality of first trenches, the sandwich structure including two first films and a second film sandwiched therebetween, the second film being formed of a portion of the second epitaxial layer between the two first films of a sandwich structure. A method of forming a super-junction device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Hua Hong NEC Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shengan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8932912
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a one-time programmable (OTP) device having a lateral diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) structure comprises a pass gate including a pass gate electrode and a pass gate dielectric, and a programming gate including a programming gate electrode and a programming gate dielectric. The programming gate is spaced from the pass gate by a drain extension region of the LDMOS structure. The LDMOS structure provides protection for the pass gate when a programming voltage for rupturing the programming gate dielectric is applied to the programming gate electrode. A method for producing such an OTP device comprises forming a drain extension region, fabricating a pass gate over a first portion of the drain extension region, and fabricating a programming gate over a second portion of the drain extension region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ito, Xiangdong Chen
  • Patent number: 8921167
    Abstract: A method of forming an electronic fuse including providing an Mx level including a first Mx metal, a second Mx metal, and an Mx cap dielectric above of the first and second Mx metal, forming an Mx+1 level above the Mx level, the Mx+1 level including an Mx+1 metal and a via electrically connecting the second Mx metal to the Mx+1 metal in a vertical orientation, and forming a nano-pillar from the Mx cap dielectric at a bottom of the via and above the second Mx metal, the nano-pillar having a height less than a height of the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junjing Bao, Griselda Bonilla, Samuel S. Choi, Ronald G. Filippi, Naftali E. Lustig, Andrew H. Simon
  • Patent number: 8896089
    Abstract: Interposers for semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interposer includes a substrate, a contact pad disposed on the substrate, and a first through-via in the substrate coupled to the contact pad. A first fuse is coupled to the first through-via. A second through-via in the substrate is coupled to the contact pad, and a second fuse is coupled to the second through-via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Wei Chiu, Tzu-Yu Wang, Wei-Cheng Wu, Chun-Yi Liu, Hsien-Pin Hu, Shang-Yun Hou
  • Patent number: 8896088
    Abstract: An electrical fuse has an anode contact on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The electrical fuse has a cathode contact on the surface of the semiconductor substrate spaced from the anode contact. The electrical fuse has a link within the substrate electrically interconnecting the anode contact and the cathode contact. The link comprises a semiconductor layer and a silicide layer. The silicide layer extends beyond the anode contact. An opposite end of the silicide layer extends beyond the cathode contact. A silicon germanium region is embedded in the semiconductor layer under the silicide layer, between the anode contact and the cathode contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Zun Li, Zhengwen Li, Chengwen Pei, Jian Yu
  • Patent number: 8896090
    Abstract: A fuse, a method of making the fuse and a circuit containing the fuse. The fuse includes an electrically conductive and conformal liner on sidewalls and the bottom of a trench; a copper layer on the conformal liner, a first thickness of the copper layer over the bottom of the trench in a lower portion of the trench greater than a second thickness of the copper layer over the sidewalls of the trench in an abutting upper portion of the trench; and a dielectric material on the copper layer in the trench, the dielectric material filling remaining space in the upper portion of said trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Hogle, Baozhen Li, Keith Kwong Hon Wong, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8889491
    Abstract: An electronic fuse structure having an Mx level including an Mx dielectric, a fuse line, an Mx cap dielectric above at least a portion of the Mx dielectric, and a modified portion of the Mx cap dielectric directly above at least a portion of the fuse line, where the modified portion of the Mx cap dielectric is chemically different from the remainder of the Mx cap dielectric, an Mx+1 level including an Mx+1 dielectric, a first Mx+1 metal, an Mx+1 cap dielectric above of the Mx+1 dielectric and the first Mx+1 metal, where the Mx+1 level is above the Mx level, and a first via electrically connecting the fuse line to the first Mx+1 metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Filippi, John A. Fitzsimmons, Erdem Kaltalioglu, Ping-Chuan Wang, Lijuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8866257
    Abstract: An electrically reprogrammable fuse comprising an interconnect disposed in a dielectric material, a sensing wire disposed at a first end of the interconnect, a first programming wire disposed at a second end of the interconnect, and a second programming wire disposed at a second end of the interconnect, wherein the fuse is operative to form a surface void at the interface between the interconnect and the sensing wire when a first directional electron current is applied from the first programming wire through the interconnect to the second programming wire, and wherein, the fuse is further operative to heal the surface void between the interconnect and the sensing wire when a second directional electron current is applied from the second programming wire through the interconnect to the first programming wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kaushik Chanda, Lynne M. Gignac, Wai-Kin Ll, Ping-Chaun Wang
  • Patent number: 8865592
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jiang Yan, Henning Haffner, Frank Huebinger, SunOo Kim, Richard Lindsay, Klaus Schruefer
  • Patent number: 8866171
    Abstract: To provide a light-emitting element or a light-emitting device in which power is not consumed wastefully even if a short-circuit failure occurs. The present invention focuses on heat generated due to a short-circuit failure which occurs in a light-emitting element. A fusible alloy which is melted at temperature T2 by heat generated due to the short-circuit failure when the short-circuit failure occurs is used for at least one of a pair of electrodes in a light-emitting element, and a layer containing an organic composition which is melted at temperature T1 is formed on a surface of the electrode opposite to a surface facing the other electrode. The present inventors have reached a structure in which the temperature T2 is lower than temperature T3 at which the light-emitting element is damaged and the temperature T1 is lower than the temperature T2, and this structure can achieve the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nakamura, Satoshi Seo, Masaaki Hiroki
  • Patent number: 8866256
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a semiconductor substrate, and a first conductive fuse bus having a triangular-shaped portion with a bottom surface aligned along a plane substantially parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The apparatus can include a second conductive fuse bus having a bottom surface aligned along the plane, and a plurality of fuse links coupled between the triangular-shaped portion of the first conductive fuse bus and the second conductive fuse bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Newberry
  • Patent number: 8860176
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antifuse for preventing a flow of electrical current in an integrated circuit. One such antifuse includes a reactive material and a silicon region thermally coupled to the reactive material, where an electrical current to the reactive material causes the reactive material to release heat which transitions the silicon region from a high resistance state to a low resistance state. Another such antifuse includes a reactive material, at least one metal and a silicon region adjacent to the at least one metal and thermally coupled to the reactive material, where an electrical current to the reactive material causes the reactive material to release heat which transitions the silicon region from a high resistance state to a low resistance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Fritz, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Ali Khakifirooz, Dirk Pfeiffer, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8841208
    Abstract: An electronic fuse structure including a first Mx metal comprising a conductive cap, an Mx+1 metal located above the Mx metal, wherein the Mx+1 metal does not comprise a conductive cap, and a via, wherein the via electrically connects the Mx metal to the Mx+1 metal in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junjing Bao, Elbert Emin Huang, Yan Zun Li, Dan Moy
  • Patent number: 8829645
    Abstract: An e-fuse structure and method has an anode; a fuse link (a first end of the fuse link is connected to the anode); a cathode (a second end of the fuse link opposite the first end is connected to the cathode); and a silicide layer on the fuse link. The silicide layer has a first silicide region adjacent the anode and a second silicide region adjacent the cathode. The second silicide region comprises an impurity not contained within the first silicide region. Further, the first silicide region is thinner than the second silicide region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Deok-Kee Kim, Ahmet S Ozcan, Haining S Yang
  • Publication number: 20140239439
    Abstract: A fuse, a method of making the fuse and a circuit containing the fuse. The fuse includes an electrically conductive and conformal liner on sidewalls and the bottom of a trench; a copper layer on the conformal liner, a first thickness of the copper layer over the bottom of the trench in a lower portion of the trench greater than a second thickness of the copper layer over the sidewalls of the trench in an abutting upper portion of the trench; and a dielectric material on the copper layer in the trench, the dielectric material filling remaining space in the upper portion of said trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8809997
    Abstract: An e-fuse structure includes a first doped region and a second doped region formed in a substrate. The first doped region has a first conductivity type and the second doped region has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The first and second doped regions contact each other. A conductive pattern is disposed on the first and second doped regions and contacts the first and second doped regions. A first contact plug is disposed on the conductive pattern in an area corresponding to the first doped region, and a second contact plug is disposed on the conductive pattern in an area corresponding to the second doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongsang Cho, Intaek Ku, Donghoon Kim, Ikhwan Kim, Choulhwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8809734
    Abstract: A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Electron Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Cordingley, Jonathan S. Ehrmann, David M. Filgas, Shepard D. Johnson, Joohan Lee, Donald V. Smart, Donald J. Svetkoff
  • Patent number: 8809142
    Abstract: An e-fuse structure and method has an anode; a fuse link (a first end of the fuse link is connected to the anode); a cathode (a second end of the fuse link opposite the first end is connected to the cathode); and a silicide layer on the fuse link. The silicide layer has a first silicide region adjacent the anode and a second silicide region adjacent the cathode. The second silicide region comprises an impurity not contained within the first silicide region. Further, the first silicide region is thinner than the second silicide region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Deok-Kee Kim, Ahmet S. Ozcan, Haining S. Yang
  • Patent number: 8802494
    Abstract: The method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include forming a semiconductor die on a substrate, forming an interposer including at least one integrated circuit connected to the semiconductor die on the substrate or on the semiconductor die, and performing encapsulation to surround the semiconductor die and the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Amkor Technology Korea, Inc.
    Inventors: Choon Heung Lee, Ki Cheol Bae, Do Hyun Na
  • Patent number: 8803281
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a field insulating film provided on a semiconductor substrate, and a fuse provided on the field insulating film and having a fuse trimming laser irradiation portion and fuse terminals. The semiconductor device further includes an intermediate insulating film covering the fuse, a first TEOS layer on the intermediate insulating film, an SOG layer for planarizing the first TEOS layer, a second TEOS layer on the SOG layer and on the first TEOS layer, a protective film on the second TEOS layer, and an opening portion above the fuse trimming laser irradiation portion in a region from the protective film to the first TEOS layer. A seal ring is provided on the intermediate insulating film so as to surround the opening portion. The seal ring is disposed over the fuse so as to overlap each of the fuse terminals in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Hisashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8749020
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure is provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; a metal fuse in the dielectric layer; a dummy pattern adjacent the metal fuse; and a metal line in the dielectric layer, wherein a thickness of the metal fuse is substantially less than a thickness of the metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Wei Chen, Hao-Yi Tsai, Shin-Puu Jeng, Shih-Hsun Hsu
  • Patent number: 8748235
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a non-volatile anti-fuse memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell consists of a programmable n-channel diode-connectable transistor. The poly-silicon gate of the transistor has two portions. One portion is doped more highly than a second portion. The transistor also has a source with two portions where one portion of the source is doped more highly than a second portion. The portion of the gate that is physically closer to the source is more lightly doped than the other portion of the poly-silicon gate. The portion of the source that is physically closer to the lightly doped portion of the poly-silicone gate is lightly doped with respect to the other portion of the source. When the transistor is programmed, a rupture in the insulator will most likely occur in the portion of the poly-silicone gate that is heavily doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan T. Mitchell, Mark A. Eskew, Keith Jarreau
  • Patent number: 8735242
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a field-effect transistor (FET), and forming a fuse which includes a graphene layer and is electrically connected to the FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Wenjuan Zhu
  • Patent number: 8729663
    Abstract: On a silicon substrate 120 of a semiconductor device, a field oxide film 101 is provided. On the field oxide film 101, two fuses 104 are provided. Directly below the fuses 104 in the silicon substrate 120, an n-type well 102 is provided. Besides the n-type well 102, a p-type well 103 is provided in such a manner as to surround a region directly under the fuses 104 in the silicon substrate 120. A cover insulating film 108 is provided over the silicon substrate 120 and the field oxide film 101. A seal ring composed of a contact 106 and an interconnection 107 is embedded in the cover insulating film 108 so as to surround the fuses 104.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Miwa, Nayuta Kariya
  • Patent number: 8728876
    Abstract: The invention prevents a conductive fuse blown out by laser trimming from reconnecting by a plating electrode in a plating process and prevents a plating solution etc from entering a fuse blowout portion. On a semiconductor substrate of a multilayered wiring structure including a fuse blowout groove formed by blowing out a conductive fuse by laser trimming in a trimming element forming region, a second protection layer is formed so as to cover the trimming element forming region and then a plating electrode is formed on an draw-out pad electrode made of a topmost metal wiring. A third protection layer is then formed so as to cover the semiconductor substrate including the second protection layer and have an opening on the plating electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Eiji Kurose
  • Patent number: 8723290
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a fuse device of a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an electrical fuse device of a semiconductor device. Embodiments of the invention provide a fuse device that is capable of reducing programming error caused by non-uniform current densities in a fuse link. In one respect, there is provided an electrical fuse device that includes: an anode; a fuse link coupled to the anode on a first side of the fuse link; a cathode coupled to the fuse link on a second side of the fuse link; a first cathode contact coupled to the cathode; and a first anode contact coupled to the anode, at least one of the first cathode contact and the first anode contact being disposed across a virtual extending surface of the fuse link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-suk Shin, Andrew-Tae Kim, Hong-jae Shin
  • Patent number: 8716071
    Abstract: An electrically reprogrammable fuse comprising an interconnect disposed in a dielectric material, a sensing wire disposed at a first end of the interconnect, a first programming wire disposed at a second end of the interconnect, and a second programming wire disposed at a second end of the interconnect, wherein the fuse is operative to form a surface void at the interface between the interconnect and the sensing wire when a first directional electron current is applied from the first programming wire through the interconnect to the second programming wire, and wherein, the fuse is further operative to heal the surface void between the interconnect and the sensing wire when a second directional electron current is applied from the second programming wire through the interconnect to the first programming wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kaushik Chanda, Lynne M. Gignac, Wai-Kin Li, Ping-Chuan Wang
  • Patent number: 8710591
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor chip including a TSV passing through a transistor, and a stack module and a memory card using such a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip may include a semiconductor layer that has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A conductive layer may be disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer. A TSV may pass through the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer. A side wall insulating layer may surround a side wall of the TSV in order to electrically insulate the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer from the TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyong-ryol Hwang, Ho-cheol Lee, Byong-wook Na
  • Patent number: 8703237
    Abstract: Provided are methods of forming a material layer by chemically adsorbing metal atoms to a substrate having anions formed on the surface thereof, and a method of fabricating a memory device by using the material layer forming method. Accordingly, a via hole with a small diameter can be filled with a material layer without forming voids or seams. Thus, a reliable memory device can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-young Park, Sung-lae Cho, Jin-il Lee, Do-hyung Kim, Dong-hyun Im
  • Patent number: 8691639
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology disclose manufacture methods of a thin film transistor and an array substrate and a mask therefor are provided. The manufacture method of the thin film transistor comprises: patterning a wire layer by using a exposure machine and a mask with a first exposure amount larger than a normal exposure amount during formation of source and drain electrodes; forming a semiconductor layer on the patterned wire layer; patterning the semiconductor layer by using the exposure machine and the mask with a second exposure amount smaller than the first exposure amount. The mask comprises a source region for forming the source electrode, a drain region for forming the drain electrode and a slit provided between the source region and the drain region, and the width of the slit is smaller than the resolution of the exposure machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weifeng Zhou, Jianshe Xue
  • Patent number: 8686536
    Abstract: An embodiment is a fuse structure. In accordance with an embodiment, a fuse structure comprises an anode, a cathode, a fuse link interposed between the anode and the cathode, and cathode connectors coupled to the cathode. The cathode connectors are each equivalent to or larger than about two times a minimum feature size of a contact that couples to an active device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shien-Yang Wu, Wei-Chan Kung
  • Patent number: 8670246
    Abstract: A computer including an undiced semiconductor wafer having a multitude of microchips. The computer also including an outer chamber and at least one inner chamber inside the outer chamber. The outer chamber and the inner chamber being separated at least in part by an internal sipe, and at least a portion of a surface of the outer chamber forming at least a portion of a surface of the internal sipe. The internal sipe has opposing surfaces that are separate from each other and therefore can move relative to each other, and at least a portion of the opposing surfaces are in contact with each other in a unloaded condition. The outer chamber including a Faraday Cage. The multitude of microchips on the wafer are configured to allow the microchip to function independently and including independent communication capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8658476
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile memory device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region of the substrate. A first electrode structure is formed overlying the first dielectric material and a p+ polycrystalline silicon germanium material is formed overlying the first electrode structure. A p+ polycrystalline silicon material is formed overlying the first electrode structure using the polycrystalline silicon germanium material as a seed layer at a deposition temperature ranging from about 430 Degree Celsius to about 475 Degree Celsius without further anneal. The method forms a resistive switching material overlying the polycrystalline silicon material, and a second electrode structure including an active metal material overlying the resistive switching material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Sun, Sung Hyun Jo, Tanmay Kumar