Vertical Channel Patents (Class 438/156)
  • Patent number: 6465298
    Abstract: A memory cell array for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes word and body lines that are buried below the active semiconductor surface in dielectric material in alternating parallel isolation trenches between adjacent ones of the memory cells. Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) processing techniques form the access transistor of each memory cell on a silicon island defined by the trenches and isolated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The word and body lines are oriented in the trenches to have a line width that is less than a minimum lithographic feature size F. The memory cells, including portions of the word and body lines, have a surface area of about 8 F2. Also disclosed is a process for fabricating the DRAM cell using SOI processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Publication number: 20020146867
    Abstract: An integration process in a SOI substrate of a semiconductor device having at least a dielectrically insulated well, the process including: an oxidizing step directed to form an oxide layer; a depositing step of a nitride layer onto the oxide layer; a masking step, carried out onto the nitride layer using a resist layer and directed to define suitable photolithographic openings for forming at least one dielectric trench effective to provide side insulation for the well; an etching step of the nitride layer and oxide layer, as suitably masked by the resist layer, the nitride layer being used as a hardmask; a step of forming the at least one dielectric trench, which step comprises at least one step of etching the substrate, an oxidizing step of at least sidewalls of the at least one dielectric trench, and a step of filling the at least one trench with a filling material; and a step of defining active areas of components to be integrated in the well, being carried out after the step of forming the at least one d
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Leonardi Salvatore
  • Patent number: 6461900
    Abstract: A method to form a closely-spaced, vertical NMOS and PMOS transistor pair in an integrated circuit device is achieved. A substrate comprises silicon implanted oxide (SIMOX) wherein an oxide layer is sandwiched between underlying and overlying silicon layers. Ions are selectively implanted into a first part of the overlying silicon layer to form a drain, channel region, and source for an NMOS transistor. The drain is formed directly overlying the oxide layer, the channel region is formed overlying the drain, and the source is formed overlying the channel region. Ions are selectively implanted into a second part of the overlying silicon layer to form a drain, channel region, and source for a PMOS transistor. The drain is formed directly overlying the oxide layer, the PMOS channel region is formed overlying the drain, and the source is formed overlying the channel region. The PMOS transistor drain is in contact with said NMOS transistor drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Ravi Sundaresan, Yang Pan, James Lee Young Meng, Ying Keung Leung, Yelehanka Ramachandramurthy Pradeep, Jia Zhen Zheng, Lap Chan, Elgin Quek
  • Patent number: 6462401
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of chips arranged in a matrix and a plurality of scribe lines separating the chips from one another. A polyimide overcoat film covering each chip except for electrode pads of the chip has a bank crossing the scribe line for preventing the ground particles generated by grinding the bottom surface of the wafer from entering the chip along the scribe lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Moyuru Fujii
  • Publication number: 20020142527
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a body region of a first conduction type for a vertical MOS transistor configuration in a semiconductor body such that the body region has a reduced resistivity without a corresponding reduction in the breakdown voltage of the transistor. The method includes, inter alia: performing a first implantation of a doping material of a first conduction type into the semiconductor body such that an implantation maximum of the first implantation lies within the semiconductor body set back from the channel region; and performing a second implantation of a doping material of the first conduction type such that an implantation maximum of the second implantation lies within the semiconductor body below the implantation maximum of the first implantation. The dose of the second implantation is less than the dose of the first implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Helmut Gassel, Werner Kanert, Helmut Strack, Franz Hirler, Herbert Pairitsch
  • Patent number: 6455377
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a vertical channel transistor, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor substrate having an upper surface is provided. A high doped N-type lower epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A low doped P-type middle epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the lower epitaxial silicon layer. A high doped N-type upper epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the middle epitaxial silicon layer. The lower, middle, and upper epitaxial silicon layers are etched to form a epitaxial layer stack defined by isolation trenches. Oxide is formed within the isolation trenches. The oxide is etched to form a gate trench within one of the isolation trenches exposing a sidewall of the epitaxial layer stack facing the gate trench. Multi-quantum wells or a stained-layer super lattice is formed on the exposed epitaxial layer stack sidewall. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the multi-quantum wells or the stained-layer super lattice and within the gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia Zhen Zheng, Lap Chan, Elgin Quek, Ravi Sundaresan, Yang Pan, James Yong Meng Lee, Ying Keung Leung, Yelehanka Ramachandramurthy Pradeep
  • Patent number: 6436770
    Abstract: A method for a vertical MOS transistor whose vertical channel width can be accurately defined and controlled. Isolation regions are formed in a substrate. The isolation regions defining an active area. Then, we form a source region in the active area. A dielectric layer is formed over the active area and the isolation regions. We form a barrier layer over the dielectric layer. We form an opening in the barrier layer. A gate layer is formed in the opening. We form an insulating layer over the conductive layer and the barrier layer. We form a gate opening through the insulating layer, the gate layer and the dielectric layer to expose the source region. Gate dielectric spacers are formed over the sidewalls of the gate layer. Then, we form a conductive plug filling the gate opening. The insulating layer is removed. We form a drain region in top and side portions of the conductive plug and form doped gate regions in the gate layer. The remaining portions of the conductive plug comprise a channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Keung Leung, Yelehanka Ramachandramurthy Pradeep, Jia Zhen Zheng, Lap Chan, Elgin Quek, Ravi Sundaresan, Yang Pan, James Yong Meng Lee
  • Patent number: 6436742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film transistor (TFT) and a fabrication method thereof which suppresses the back channel effects in which a leakage current flows between a source electrode and a drain electrode at times during a turn off state of the TFT. A thin silicon oxynitride film 90 having a thickness preferably equal to or less than 50 Å is formed between an amorphous silicon layer 40 and a channel passivation film 50 (a silicon nitride film) above a back channel region 100 between a source electrode and a drain electrode of an inverted staggered type TFT to cause Si—O bonds to exist in an upper interface of the amorphous silicon layer. The Si—O bonds increase the Density of States in the back channel region and has an effect for suppressing the leakage current through the back channel region 100 at times during the turn off of the TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Miyamoto, Takatoshi Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6429457
    Abstract: A field-effect transistor is made with electrodes (2, 4, 5) and isolators (3) in vertically provided layers, such that at least the electrodes (4, 5) and the isolators (3) form a step (6) oriented vertically relative to the first electrode (2) or the substrate (1). Implemented as a junction field-effect transistor (JFET) or a metal-oxide semiconducting field-effect transistor (MOSFET) the electrodes (2, 5) forming respectively the drain and source electrode of the field-effect transistor or vice versa and the electrode (4) the gate electrode of the field-effect transistor. Over the layers in the vertical step (6) an amorphous, polycrystalline or microcrystalline inorganic or organic semiconductor material is provided and forms the active semiconductor of the transistor contacting the gate electrode (8) directly or indirectly and forming a vertically oriented transistor channel (9) of the p or n type between the first (2) and the second (5) electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
    Inventors: Rolf Magnus Berggren, Bengt Goran Gustafsson, Johan Roger Axel Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20020102784
    Abstract: A method for a vertical transistor by selective epi deposition to form the conductive source, drain, and channel layers. The conductive source, drain, and channel layers are preferably formed by a selective epi process. Dielectric masks define the conductive layers and make areas to form vertical contacts to the conductive S/D and channel layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: James Yong Meng Lee, Ying Keung Leung, Yelehanka Ramachandramurthy Pradeep, Jia Zhen Zheng, Lap Chan, Elgin Quek, Ravi Sundaresan, Yang Pan
  • Patent number: 6426259
    Abstract: For fabricating a vertical field effect transistor on a semiconductor substrate, a first layer of dielectric material is deposited on the semiconductor substrate. A layer of metal is then deposited on the first layer of dielectric material, and a second layer of dielectric material is deposited on the layer of metal. A channel opening is etched through the second layer of dielectric material, the layer of metal, and the first layer of dielectric material. A source and drain dopant is implanted through the channel opening and into the semiconductor substrate to form a drain region of the vertical field effect transistor in the semiconductor substrate. Metal oxide is then formed at any exposed surface of the layer of metal on sidewalls of the channel opening in a thermal oxidation process to form a gate dielectric of the vertical field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Yu
  • Publication number: 20020098655
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a vertical channel transistor, comprising the following steps. A semiconductor substrate having an upper surface is provided. A high doped N-type lower epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A low doped P-type middle epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the lower epitaxial silicon layer. A high doped N-type upper epitaxial silicon layer is formed on the middle epitaxial silicon layer. The lower, middle, and upper epitaxial silicon layers are etched to form a epitaxial layer stack defined by isolation trenches. Oxide is formed within the isolation trenches. The oxide is etched to form a gate trench within one of the isolation trenches exposing a sidewall of the epitaxial layer stack facing the gate trench. Multi-quantum wells or a stained-layer super lattice is formed on the exposed epitaxial layer stack sidewall. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the multi-quantum wells or the stained-layer super lattice and within the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia Zhen Zheng, Lap Chan, Elgin Quek, Ravi Sundaresan, Yang Pan, James Yong Meng Lee, Ying Keung Leung, Yelehanka Ramachandramurthy Pradeep
  • Patent number: 6417033
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the following steps. A silicon substrate is provided. A first oxidation-resistant layer is formed on the silicon substrate. The first oxidation-resistant layer and the silicon substrate are formed to form a trench. A second oxidation-resistant layer if formed on the first oxidation-resistant layer and inside the trench. A portion of the second oxidation-resistant layer is removed to form a spacer on sidewalls of the trench. A portion of the exposed silicon substrate on bottom of the trench is performed by directional etching to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the trench. A thermal oxidation step is performed on the exposed portion of the sidewall of the trench. The second spacer is removed and a dielectric layer is formed over the substrate to fill in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 6417031
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which has a crystalline silicon film comprises the steps of forming crystal nuclei in a surface region of an amorphous silicon film and then growing the crystals from the nuclei by a laser light. Typically the crystal nuclei are silicon crystals or metal silicides having an equivalent structure as silicon crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohtani, Akiharu Miyanaga, Junichi Takeyama
  • Publication number: 20020086468
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of crystallizing amorphous silicon using a metal catalyst. More specifically, the method includes forming an amorphous silicon layer over a substrate, forming a plurality of metal clusters on the amorphous silicon film, forming a heat insulating layer on the amorphous silicon layer including the metal clusters, disposing a pair of electrodes on the heat insulating layer, simultaneously applying a thermal treatment and a voltage to crystallize the amorphous silicon, and removing the heat insulating layer including the electrodes from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hae-Yeol Kim, Binn Kim, Joon-Young Yang, Sang-Soo Han
  • Patent number: 6410373
    Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon thin film transistor. An amorphous silicon channel layer is formed over an insulating substrate. An active region is patterned out in the amorphous silicon channel layer. An oxide layer and a gate electrode are sequentially formed over the amorphous silicon channel layer. A lightly doped source/drain region is formed in the amorphous silicon channel layer and then a spacer is formed over the gate electrode. A source/drain region is formed in the amorphous silicon channel layer. A portion of the oxide layer above the source/drain region is removed. An isolation spacer is formed on the sidewalls of the spacer. A self-aligned silicide layer is formed at the top section of the spacer and the source/drain region. Finally, a metal-induced lateral crystallization process is conducted to transform the amorphous silicon channel layer into a lateral-crystallization-polysilicon channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ting-Chang Chang, Hsiao-Wen Zan, Po-Sheng Shih
  • Publication number: 20020076864
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the following steps. A silicon substrate is provided. A first oxidation-resistant layer is formed on the silicon substrate. The first oxidation-resistant layer and the silicon substrate are formed to form a trench. A second oxidation-resistant layer if formed on the first oxidation-resistant layer and inside the trench. A portion of the second oxidation-resistant layer is removed to form a spacer on sidewalls of the trench. A portion of the exposed silicon substrate on bottom of the trench is performed by directional etching to expose a portion of the sidewalls of the trench. A thermal oxidation step is performed on the exposed portion of the sidewall of the trench. The second spacer is removed and a dielectric layer is formed over the substrate to fill in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20020068390
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a semiconductor thin film which is free from damage to the film with radiation of a pulse laser beam with the optimum energy value for perfect polycrystallization. For forming an amorphous silicon thin film, a surface of a plastic substrate as a base and insulating layers are each radiated with a pulse laser beam for removing volatile contaminants like a resist as a pretreatment. Damage to the film caused by a gas emitted from the base substrate and the insulating layers resulting from volatile contaminants is thus prevented. A protective layer including a gas barrier layer and a refractory buffer layer is formed on the substrate. Gas penetration from the substrate to the amorphous silicon film is thereby prevented. Conduction of heat produced by energy beam radiation to the substrate is prevented as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Dharam Pal Gosain, Jonathan Westwater, Miyako Nakagoe, Setsuo Usui, Kazumasa Nomoto
  • Publication number: 20020055209
    Abstract: An amorphous semiconductor film having a thickness of 400 Å or more is formed on a=insulating surface and is wholly or selectively etched to form a region having a thickness of 300 Å or less. This is used as a channel-forming region in a TFT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Naoto Kusumoto, Yasuhiko Takemura, Hisashi Ohtani
  • Patent number: 6380007
    Abstract: A Ni film is formed in contact with a semiconductor film from an amorphous silicon film, a microcrystalline silicon film, etc. The semiconductor film is heated at between 450 and 650° C., moving the Ni, and forming a crystalline semiconductor film. Next, a group 15 element is selectively doped into the crystalline semiconductor film including a region that becomes a source region and a drain region, forming a group 15 element doped region. Heat treatment is performed next at between 500 and 850° C., and the crystallization promoting element remaining in a region to be gettered is absorbed by the group 15 element doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 6380025
    Abstract: In the present invention, a diaphragm for pressurizing and heating an encapsulating material is pre-heated to a predetermined temperature before laminating a lamination unit comprising a photovoltaic module and the encapsulating material. As a result, one surface of the lamination unit is heated by a heater provided on a table and the other surface is heated by the diaphragm, so it is possible to prevent appearance of a temperature difference between the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Hideo Yamagishi, Masataka Kondo
  • Patent number: 6372559
    Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned vertical double-gate metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device is provided that includes processing steps that are CMOS compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Crowder, Michael J. Hargrove, Suk Hoon Ku, L. Ronald Logan
  • Publication number: 20020031874
    Abstract: Measure of forming an EL layer by selectively depositing through evaporation a material for forming the EL layer at a desired location is provided. When a material for forming an EL layer is deposited, a mask (113) is provided between a sample boat (111) and a substrate (110). By applying voltage to the mask (113), the direction of progress of the material for forming the EL layer is controlled to be selectively deposited at a desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Masaaki Hiroki, Noriko Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20020031875
    Abstract: A stress buffer and dopant barrier in the form of a TetraEthylOrthoSilicate (TEOS) film is deposited after the capacitor cell plate has been etched and cleaned to thereby eliminate electrical shorts from the bit line to the cell plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kunal R. Parekh, Charles H. Dennison, Jeffrey W. Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 6352882
    Abstract: Doped polysilicon plugs are formed in contact with MOSFET device regions and passing through the buried oxide region into the opposite type silicon substrate of an SOI structure. The polysilicon plugs are in contact with the sources and drains of the MOSFET devices to provide paths for dissipating positive and negative ESD stresses. In addition, the polysilicon plugs provide a thermal dissipation pathway for directing heat away from the circuitry, and provide a diode for the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fariborz Assaderaghi, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack Allan Mandelman
  • Patent number: 6350635
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and fabrication method includes a memory cell for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Vertically oriented access transistors are formed on semiconductor pillars on buried bit lines. Buried first and second gates are provided for each access transistor on opposing sides of the pillars. Buried word lines extend in trenches orthogonal to the bit lines. The buried word lines interconnect ones of the first and second gates. In one embodiment, unitary gates are interposed and shared between adjacent pillars for gating the transistors therein. In another embodiment, separate split gates are interposed between and provided to the adjacent pillars for separately gating the transistors therein. In one embodiment, the memory cell has a surface area that is approximately 4 F2, where F is a minimum feature size. Bulk-semiconductor and semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell P. Noble, Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Publication number: 20020016029
    Abstract: In producing a thin film transistor used for such devices as a large-sized liquid crystal display panel with a high pixel density, a leftover of an insulating film caused by insufficient etching and a loss of a semiconductor layer caused by overetching are prevented, and a reliable electrical contact between the source and drain electrodes and the semiconductor layer is achieved. These are achieved by (a) forming a contact hole region of a silicon film so that the region has a larger thickness, for example, by making the film to have a plurality of layers, and (b) providing a suicide layer between an electrode metal and the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawakita, Keizaburo Kuramasu, Shigeo Ikuda
  • Patent number: 6344374
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of forming an isolation region in a silicon-containing substrate. The method includes forming a mask layer on the silicon-containing substrate. A window is subsequently formed in the mask layer to expose the isolation area to be formed in the substrate. An oxygen-containing region is formed in the substrate by introducing oxygen-containing ions through the window in the mask layer. Then, the oxygen-containing region is subjected to a thermal treatment, thereby resulting in a silicon oxide insulator (SiOx) for isolating electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20020001887
    Abstract: A TFT structure having sufficiently low resistance wiring is provided, in which characteristic defects thereof caused by undercuts in a barrier metal layer can be prevented, the undercuts formed in a step for processing a source and a drain electrode composed of copper. The TFT structure of the present invention comprises a gate electrode on a glass substrate, a gate insulation film, a semiconductor active layer disposed on the gate insulation film so as to oppose the gate electrode, ohmic contact layers formed on both edge portions of the semiconductor active layer, and a source and a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor active layer via the respective ohmic contact layers. In addition, the source electrode and the drain electrode are formed of copper, and barrier metal layers are formed on the bottom surfaces of the source electrode and the drain electrode above areas at which the upper surfaces of the respective ohmic contact layers are located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Chae Gee Sung, Jo Gyoo Chul
  • Patent number: 6335267
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. An oxide film (13) is formed by oxidizing an edge section and a lower major surface of an SOI substrate (10). This oxidizing step is performed in a manner similar to LOCOS (Local Oxide of Silicon) oxidation by using an oxide film (11) exposed on the edge section and lower major surface of the SOI substrate (10) as an underlying oxide film. Then, the thickness of the oxide film (13) is greater than that of the oxide film (11) on the edge section and lower major surface of the SOI substrate (10). The semiconductor substrate prevents particles of dust from being produced at the edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iwamatsu, Yasuo Yamaguchi, Takashi Ipposhi, Shigenobu Maeda, Yuichi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20010053577
    Abstract: A memory cell array for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes word and body lines that are buried below the active semiconductor surface in dielectric material in alternating parallel isolation trenches between adjacent ones of the memory cells. Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) processing techniques form the access transistor of each memory cell on a silicon island defined by the trenches and isolated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The word and body lines are oriented in the trenches to have a line width that is less than a minimum lithographic feature size F. The memory cells, including portions of the word and body lines, have a surface area of about 8 F2. Also disclosed is a process for fabricating the DRAM cell using SOI processing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 6329228
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a PBGA structure comprising a wiring board, a semiconductor integrated circuit chip, substrate electrodes of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip for electrically connecting the electrodes of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip to the wiring board by connection wires, and a resin sealing body for covering the entire surface of the wiring board to protect the semiconductor integrated circuit chip, wherein the semiconductor integrated circuit chip and the substrate electrodes are respectively provided on the front surface of the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Terashima
  • Publication number: 20010049162
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer diaphragm comprising a non-flat film coupled to a mounting lip is disclosed. The semiconductor wafer diaphragm is useful for reducing the edge fracture of semiconductor wafer die due to sagging of prior art semiconductor wafer tape after a semiconductor wafer adhered thereto is cut. The non-flat film of the semiconductor wafer diaphragm preferably has a surface of a convex shape and is either inherently sticky or has an adhesive layer applied to said surface. The semiconductor wafer diaphragm is used by mounting an uncut semiconductor wafer to the diaphragm in the ordinary way thereby collapsing the diaphragm, cutting the semiconductor wafer, thereafter restoring the diaphragm to the original expanded shape of the semiconductor wafer diaphragm, and removing the individually created die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: MICHELLE BROYLES
  • Publication number: 20010044190
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a vertical transistor of a memory cell is disclosed. According to this method, a semiconductor substrate is first provided. A pad layer is formed over the substrate. Then, a deep trench is formed in the substrate. In the deep trench, a trench capacitor is formed, a collar oxide layer is then formed on the sidewalls above the trench capacitor. A first conductive layer is formed above the trench capacitor. A second conductive layer is formed to fill the deep trench. The pad layer, the substrate, the first and the second conductive layers and the collar oxide layer are patterned. A first insulating layer is deposited to form the Shallow Trench Isolation. Both sides of the Shallow Trench Isolation and a portion of the second conductive layer are removed to form a buried strap and an opening. The pad layer is removed. A second insulating layer is formed over the substrate and the buried strap, and is removed after forming a well. A third insulating layer is formed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Kuen-Chy Heo, Jeng-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 6306692
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor, including: depositing an amorphous silicon layer, an insulating layer, and a gate metal layer on a substrate sequentially; patterning the insulating layer and the gate metal layer to form a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode; treating an impurity and a catalyst metal on the amorphous silicon layer using the gate electrode as a mask; and applying a DC voltage to both terminals of the amorphous silicon layer to form a polysilicon layer, the polysilicon layer having source and drain regions and an active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: LG. Philips Lcd., Co. LTD
    Inventors: Seong Moh Seo, Sung Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 6300198
    Abstract: In order to produce a vertical MOS transistor with optimized gate overlap capacitances, a mesa structure is formed with an upper source/drain region, a channel region and a lower source/drain region. With the aid of chemical/mechanical polishing, an insulation structure is formed which essentially covers the side walls of the lower source/drain region. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode, whose height is essentially equal to the height of the channel region, are formed on the side walls of the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
    Inventors: Thomas Aeugle, Wolfgang Rösner, Dag Behammer
  • Publication number: 20010026964
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first heat treatment for crystallization is conducted after nickel elements are introduced in an amorphous silicon film. Then, after the crystalline silicon film is obtained, a heat treatment is again conducted through the heating method which is identical with the first heat treatment. In this state, HCl or the like is added to the atmosphere to conduct gettering of the nickel elements remaining in the crystalline silicon film. With this process, there can be obtained a crystalline silicon film low in the concentration of the metal elements and high in crystallinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Teramoto, Jun Koyama, Akiharu Miyanaga
  • Publication number: 20010026006
    Abstract: Improved methods and structures are provided that are lateral to surfaces with a (110) crystal plane orientation such that an electrical current of such structures is conducted in the <110> direction. Advantageously, improvements in hole carrier mobility of approximately 50% can be obtained by orienting the structure's channel in a (110) plane such that the electrical current flow is in the <110> direction. Moreover, these improved methods and structures can be used in conjunction with existing fabrication and processing techniques with minimal or no added complexity. Embodiments of a method of forming an integrated circuit include forming a trench in a silicon wafer. A trench wall of the trench has a (110) crystal plane orientation. A semiconductor device is also formed lateral to the trench wall such that the semiconductor device is capable of conducting an electrical current in a <110> direction. One method of the present invention provides for forming an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell P. Noble, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 6297132
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a MOSFET device, featuring a narrow lateral delta doping, or a narrow anti-punchthrough region, located in the center of the MOSFET channel region, has been developed. The process features formation of the narrow, anti-punchthrough region, via use of an ion implantation procedure, performed using an opening, comprised with sidewall spacers, as an implant mask. After formation of the narrow, anti-punchthrough region, the sidewall spacers are removed, and a gate insulator layer, and a polysilicon gate structure, are formed in the spacerless opening, defining a channel region wider than the narrow, anti-punchthrough region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiong Zhang, Kai Shao, Shao-Fu Sanford Chu
  • Patent number: 6297534
    Abstract: A first conductivity type active layer having high resistance is provided on an insulation region. A second conductivity type base layer is selectively formed on a surface of the first conductivity type active layer. A first conductivity type source layer is selectively formed on a surface of the second conductivity type base layer. A first conductivity type drain layer is selectively formed on a surface of the first conductivity type active layer. A gate electrode is formed facing, through a gate insulating film, a surface region of the second conductivity type base layer between the first conductivity type source layer and the first conductivity type active layer. A plurality of first and second conductivity type semiconductor regions are formed between the second conductivity type base layer and the first conductivity type drain layer. Each of the second conductivity type semiconductor regions is arranged alternately with each of the first conductivity type semiconductor regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusuke Kawaguchi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Akio Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6297080
    Abstract: A method of crystallizing a silicon film and a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus which uses the Joule heat of a heat generating conductive layer to increase the temperature of a silicon film for expediting silicon crystallization includes forming an amorphous silicon film on an insulating substrate, forming a heat generating conductive layer over the amorphous silicon film, and applying a voltage to the heat generating conductive layer wherein electric current flows through the heat generating conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Eon Lee, Jae-Beom Choi
  • Publication number: 20010024842
    Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive film is provided having excellent conductivity at low cost. The method includes steps of forming a colloid layer on a substrate, and then irradiating the surface of the colloid layer with an energy beam such that higher energy beam absorption occurs in the colloid layer than in the substrate. Preferably, the colloid layer is a metal colloid layer and an electrically conductive film is obtained as the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Morii
  • Publication number: 20010024843
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus provides a heating chamber, a chamber for laser light irradiation and a robot arm, wherein a temperature of a substrate on which a silicon film to be irradiated with laser light is formed is heated to 450 to 750° C. in the heating chamber followed by irradiating the silicon film with laser light so that a silicon film having a single crystal or a silicon film that can be regarded as the single crystal can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Satoshi Teramoto, Hisashi Ohtani, Akiharu Miyanaga, Toshiji Hamatani, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20010023092
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which has a crystalline silicon film comprises the steps of forming crystal nuclei in a surface region of an amorphous silicon film and then growing the crystals from the nuclei by a laser light. Typically the crystal nuclei are silicon crystals or metal suicides having an equivalent structure as silicon crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohtani, Akiharu Miyanaga, Junichi Takeyama
  • Publication number: 20010019861
    Abstract: The illumination energy of an excimer laser is measured and adjusted to always effect illumination at constant energy. A laser beam output from an optics is reflected by a mirror, and applied to a sample. A beam profiler is disposed behind the mirror to measure the energy of an illumination laser beam. An energy attenuating device disposed between another mirror and the optics is operated based on the measurement value so that the energy of the laser beam applied to the sample is kept constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Koichiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010018239
    Abstract: In order to promote an effect of laser annealing in respect of a semiconductor film, moisture is intentionally included in an atmosphere in irradiating laser beam to the semiconductor film by which a temperature holding layer comprising water vapor is formed on the surface of the semiconductor film in irradiating the laser beam and the laser annealing operation can be performed effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. a Japanese corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Kusumoto, Shunpei Yamazaki, Koichiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010016376
    Abstract: A TFT having stable characteristics is obtained by using a crystal silicon film obtained by crystallizing an amorphous silicon film by using nickel. Phosphorus ions are implanted to regions 111 and 112 by using a mask 109. Then, a heat treatment is performed to getter nickel existing in a region 113 to the regions 111 and 112. Then, the mask 109 is side-etched to obtain a pattern 115. Then, the regions 111 and 112 are removed by utilizing the pattern 115 and to pattern the region 113. Thus, a region 116 from which nickel element has been removed is obtained. The TFT is fabricated by using the region 116 as an active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hisashi Ohtani, Hideto Ohnuma
  • Publication number: 20010016375
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a polycrysalline silicon layer, comprising: depositing an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; patterning the amorphous silicon layer to form a semiconductor layer having saw-toothed portions at both sides; and scanning the semiconductor layer from the saw-toothed side portion using a laser beam to form a polycyrstalline silicon layer. The laser beam has a line shape elongated in a perpendicular direction to a scanning direction. The grain size can be larger and the number of grain boundaries is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Myoung-Su Yang
  • Publication number: 20010015470
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor is vertically isolated from underlying silicon by an isolation layer of conductivity type opposite that of the collector. This isolation layer lies beneath the heavily doped buried layer portion of the collector, and is formed either by ion implantation prior to epitaxial growth of well regions, or by high energy ion implantation into the substrate prior to formation of the well and the heavily doped buried collector layer. Utilization of trench lateral isolation extending into the semiconductor material beyond the isolation layer permits blanket implant of the isolation layer, obviating the need for an additional masking step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haydn James Gregory
  • Publication number: 20010010952
    Abstract: A method for producing a color CMOS image sensor including a matrix of pixels (e.g., CMOS APS cells) that are fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. A silicon-nitride layer is deposited on the upper surface of the pixels, and is etched using a reactive ion etching (RIE) process to form microlenses. A protective layer including a lower color transparent layer formed from a polymeric material, a color filter layer and an upper color transparent layer are then formed over the microlenses. Standard packaging techniques are then used to secure the upper color transparent layer to a glass substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: Irit Abramovich