Stacked Capacitor Patents (Class 438/253)
  • Patent number: 8859381
    Abstract: A field-effect transistor (FET) and methods for fabricating such. The FET includes a substrate having a crystalline orientation, a source region in the substrate, and a drain region in the substrate. Gate spacers are positioned over the source region and the drain region. The gate spacers include a gate spacer height. A source contact physically and electrically contacts the source region and extends beyond the gate spacer height. A drain contact physically and electrically contacts the drain region and extends beyond the gate spacer height. The source and drain contacts have the same crystalline orientation as the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Wilfried E. Haensch, Effendi Leobandung, Min Yang
  • Patent number: 8846542
    Abstract: The invention includes methods for selectively etching insulative material supports relative to conductive material. The invention can include methods for selectively etching silicon nitride relative to metal nitride. The metal nitride can be in the form of containers over a semiconductor substrate, with such containers having upwardly-extending openings with lateral widths of less than or equal to about 4000 angstroms; and the silicon nitride can be in the form of a layer extending between the containers. The selective etching can comprise exposure of at least some of the silicon nitride and the containers to Cl2 to remove the exposed silicon nitride, while not removing at least the majority of the metal nitride from the containers. In subsequent processing, the containers can be incorporated into capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Shea, Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Patent number: 8841185
    Abstract: A high density bulk fin capacitor is disclosed. Fin capacitors are formed near finFETs by further etching the fin capacitors to provide more surface area, resulting in increased capacitance density. Embodiments of the present invention include depletion-mode varactors and inversion-mode varactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Khakifirooz, Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8835252
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor device are provided including forming first through third silicon crystalline layers on first through third surfaces of an active region; removing the first silicon crystalline layer to expose the first surface; forming a bit line stack on the exposed first surface; forming bit line sidewall spacers on both side surfaces of the bit line stack to be vertically aligned with portions of the second and third silicon crystalline layers of the active region; removing the second and third silicon crystalline layers disposed under the bit line sidewall spacers to expose the second and third surfaces of the active region; and forming storage contact plugs in contact with the second and third surfaces of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Seok Moon, Jae-Rok Kahng, Hyun-Seung Song, Dong-Soo Woo, Sang-Hyun Lee, Hyun-Jung Lee
  • Patent number: 8836001
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least one body having two sidewalls by vertically etching a semiconductor substrate, forming a protective layer having open parts that expose portions of the both sidewalls of the body, forming a buffer layer that fills the open parts, and forming a buried bit line in the body by siliciding the buffer layer and a portion of the body between the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Eun-Shil Park, Ju-Hyun Myung
  • Patent number: 8835273
    Abstract: A first electrode layer for a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the first electrode layer contains a conductive metal oxide formed using a high temperature, low pressure ALD process. The high temperature ALD process results in a layer with enhanced crystallinity, higher density, reduced shrinkage, and lower carbon contamination. The high temperature ALD process can be used for either or both the bottom electrode and the top electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Edward L Haywood, Sandra G Malhotra, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Publication number: 20140252442
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a method of forming a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET). The method includes forming a semiconductor mesa on a semiconductor substrate; performing a first implantation to the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor mesa to form a drain of a first type conductivity; forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate and sidewall of the semiconductor mesa; forming a gate stack on the sidewall of the semiconductor mesa and the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the gate stack; and forming, on the semiconductor mesa, a source having a second type conductivity opposite to the first type conductivity. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The source, drain and gate stack are configured to form the TFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Yi-Ren Chen, Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Ming Zhu
  • Patent number: 8828821
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor stack and associated device such as a capacitor and DRAM cell. In particular, a bottom electrode upon which a dielectric layer is to be grown may have a ruthenium-based surface. Lattice matching of the ruthenium surface with the dielectric layer (e.g., titanium oxide, strontium titanate or barium strontium titanate) helps promote the growth of rutile-phase titanium oxide, thereby leading to higher dielectric constant and lower effective oxide thickness. The ruthenium-based material also provides a high work function material, leading to lower leakage. To mitigate nucleation delay associated with the use of ruthenium, an adherence or glue layer based in titanium may be employed. A pretreatment process may be further employed so as to increase effective capacitor plate area, and thus promote even further improvements in dielectric constant and effective oxide thickness (“EOT”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Nobumichi Fuchigami, Imran Hashim, Pragati Kumar, Sandra Malhotra, Sunil Shanker
  • Patent number: 8824226
    Abstract: Some embodiments are related to a mesh capacitor, which improves the SER FIT rate. In an embodiment, the capacitor is connected between an input and an output of a latch in a flip-flop, making the flip-flop harder to flip due to radiation (e.g., from neutrons and/or alpha particles). In some embodiments, the capacitor is built directly vertically on top of the flip-flop, saving chip layout areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Hao Shaw, Subramani Kengeri
  • Patent number: 8815677
    Abstract: A method for processing dielectric materials and electrodes to decrease leakage current is disclosed. The method includes a post dielectric anneal treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere to reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the dielectric material. The method further includes a post metallization anneal treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere to reduce the concentration of interface states at the electrode/dielectric interface and to further reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Xiangxin Rui, Sandra Malhotra, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8815661
    Abstract: A method of forming a FinFET structure having a metal-insulator-metal capacitor. Silicon fins are formed on a semiconductor substrate followed by formation of the metal-insulator-metal capacitor on the silicon fins by depositing sequential layers of a first layer of titanium nitride, a dielectric layer and a second layer of titanium nitride. A polysilicon layer is deposited over the metal-insulator-metal capacitor followed by etching back the polysilicon layer and the metal-insulator-metal capacitor layers from ends of the silicon fins so that the first and second ends of the silicon fins protrude from the polysilicon layer. A spacer may be formed on surfaces facing the ends of the silicon fins followed by the formation of epitaxial silicon over the ends of the silicon fins. Also disclosed is a FinFET structure having a metal-insulator-metal capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Effendi Leobandung, Tenko Yamashita, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 8816314
    Abstract: A memory element can include an opening formed within at least one insulating layer formed on an etch stop layer that exposes a first electrode portion and the etch stop layer at a bottom of the opening; a second electrode portion, formed on at least a side surface of the opening and in contact with the first electrode portion, the second electrode portion not filling the opening and being substantially not formed over a top surface of the at least one insulating layer; and at least one memory layer formed on a top surface of the at least one insulating layer and in contact with the second electrode portion, the at least one memory layer being reversibly programmable between at least two impedance states. Methods of forming such memory elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Adesto Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Chakravarthy Gopalan
  • Patent number: 8796089
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method of forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: forming a first semiconductor layer; forming a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer; forming a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer; forming an opening in the first, second and third semiconductor layers; forming a conductive region within the first, the and third semiconductor layer, the conductive region surrounding the opening, the conductive region being electrically coupled to the first semiconductor layer; forming a dielectric layer in the opening and over the conductive region; and forming a conductive layer over the dielectric layer in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Detlef Wilhelm, Guenter Pfeifer, Bernd Eisener, Dieter Claeys
  • Patent number: 8796087
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate; a bottom electrode on the substrate; a first dielectric layer on the bottom electrode, the first dielectric layer including a first metal oxide including at least one of Hf, Al, Zr, La, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Pb; a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer including a second metal oxide including at least one of Hf, Al, Zr, La, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Pb, wherein the first metal oxide and the second metal oxide are different materials; a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer including a metal carbon oxynitride; and an upper electrode on the third dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weon-Hong Kim, Min-Woo Song, Jung-Min Park
  • Patent number: 8796044
    Abstract: Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for a capacitor of a memory cell of ferroelectric random access memory device. The capacitor may include a first electrode comprised of a first conductor, a ferroelectric layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the ferroelectric layer, and a cap layer on an upper surface of the second electrode. The second electrode may be comprised of a second conductor, and the cap layer may have a composition that is free of titanium. The second electrode may be formed by etching a layer of a material formed on a layer of the second conductor to define a hardmask and then modifying the remaining portion of that material in the hardmask to have a comparatively less etch rate, when exposed to a chlorine-based reactive ion etch chemistry, than when initially formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Beecher, William J. Murphy, James S. Nakos, Bruce W. Porth
  • Patent number: 8796090
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor body lines in which a plurality of buried bit lines are buried, to be separated by a plurality of trenches, forming a filling layer that fills each of the plurality of trenches, forming a conductive layer over the plurality of semiconductor body lines and the filling layer, forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars over the plurality of semiconductor body lines by etching the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Heung-Jae Cho, Tae-Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8785274
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first electrical conduction type as a part of a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate and a first gate electrode and a capacitor structure, the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure being disposed on the first region; forming a first insulating film covering the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure, the first insulating film being covering the surface of the semiconductor substrate; implanting a first impurity of a second electrical conduction type into the semiconductor substrate, so as to form a region of the second electrical conduction type in each of a second region and a third region, the second region being a region between the first gate electrode and the capacitor structure, the third region being a region opposite to the capacitor structure with the first gate electrode therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Matsuura, Masayoshi Asano, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Myounggoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8778756
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: forming a first interlayer insulating film over a substrate; forming a first conductive film over the first interlayer insulating film; forming a ferroelectric film on the first conductive film; forming a second conductive film on the ferroelectric film; forming an upper electrode of a capacitor by patterning the second conductive film; forming a capacitor dielectric film by patterning the ferroelectric film; and forming a lower electrode of the capacitor by patterning the first conductive film, wherein forming the first conductive film includes: forming a lower conductive layer made of a noble metal other than iridium over the first interlayer insulating film; and forming an upper conductive layer on the lower conductive layer, the upper conductive layer being made of a conductive material, which is different from a material for the lower conductive layer, and which is other than platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Wensheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8778755
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal capacitor (MIMCap) is disclosed. A first metal layer is provided on top of an oxide layer. A nitride layer is then deposited on the first metal layer. The nitride layer and the first metal layer are etched to form a MIMCap metal layer. The gaps among the MIMCap metal layer are filled with a plasma oxide, and the excess plasma oxide is polished using the nitride layer a polish stop. After removing the nitride layer, a dielectric layer and a second metal layer are deposited on the MIMCap metal layer. Finally, the dielectric layer and the second metal layer are etched to form a set of MIMCap structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Jason F. Ross, Chi-Hua Yang, Thomas J. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 8772182
    Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacture method has the steps of: (a) coating a low dielectric constant low-level insulating film above a semiconductor substrate formed with a plurality of semiconductor elements; (b) processing the low-level insulating film to increase a mechanical strength of the low-level insulating film; (c) coating a low dielectric constant high-level insulating film above the low-level insulating film; and (d) forming a buried wiring including a wiring pattern in the high-level insulating film and a via conductor in the low-level insulating film. The low-level insulating film and high-level insulating film are made from the same material. The process of increasing the mechanical strength includes an ultraviolet ray irradiation process or a hydrogen plasma applying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ohkura
  • Patent number: 8765569
    Abstract: A metal oxide bilayer second electrode for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the layer of the electrode that is in contact with the dielectric layer (i.e. bottom layer) has a desired composition and crystal structure. An example is crystalline MoO2 if the dielectric layer is TiO2 in the rutile phase. The other component of the bilayer (i.e. top layer) is a sub-oxide of the same material as the bottom layer. The top layer serves to protect the bottom layer from oxidation during subsequent PMA or other DRAM fabrication steps by reacting with any oxygen species before they can reach the bottom layer of the bilayer second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 8765548
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, capacitors, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a capacitor includes forming a first material over a workpiece, and patterning the first material, forming a first capacitor plate in a first region of the workpiece and forming a first element in a second region of the workpiece. A second material is formed over the workpiece and over the patterned first material. The second material is patterned, forming a capacitor dielectric and a second capacitor plate in the first region of the workpiece over the first capacitor plate and forming a second element in a third region of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Ostermayr, Richard Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8765592
    Abstract: A method for contacting MOS devices. First openings in a photosensitive material are formed over a substrate having a top dielectric in a first die area and a second opening over a gate stack in a second die area having the top dielectric, a hard mask, and a gate electrode. The top dielectric layer is etched to form a semiconductor contact while etching at least a portion the hard mask layer thickness over a gate contact area exposed by the second opening. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) is deposited. A photosensitive material is patterned to generate a third opening in the photosensitive material over the semiconductor contact and a fourth opening inside the gate contact area. The ILD is etched through to reopen the semiconductor contact while etching through the ILD and residual hard mask if present to provide a gate contact to the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Fei Xie, Wen Cheng Tien, Ya Ping Chen, Li Bin Man, Kuo Jung Chen, Yu Liu, Tian Yi Zhang, Sisi Xie
  • Patent number: 8748257
    Abstract: Capacitor plates, capacitors, semiconductor devices, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a capacitor plate includes at least one via and at least one conductive member coupled to the at least one via. The at least one conductive member comprises an enlarged region proximate the at least one via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Sun-Oo Kim
  • Patent number: 8748258
    Abstract: An ETSOI transistor and a capacitor are formed respectively in a transistor and capacitor region thereof by etching through an ETSOI and thin BOX layers in a replacement gate HK/MG flow. The capacitor formation is compatible with an ETSOI replacement gate CMOS flow. A low resistance capacitor electrode makes it possible to obtain a high quality capacitor or varactor. The lack of topography during dummy gate patterning are achieved by lithography in combination accompanied with appropriate etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8741712
    Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high-k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high-k dielectric layer includes a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. An amorphous blocking is formed on the dielectric layer. The thickness of the blocking layer is chosen such that the blocking layer remains amorphous after a subsequent annealing treatment. A second electrode layer compatible with the blocking layer is formed on the blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpidia Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony P. Chiang, Wim Y. Deweerd, Sandra G Malhotra
  • Patent number: 8728887
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming an etch-stop layer and a mold layer over a substrate, sequentially forming a support layer and a hard mask pattern over the mold layer, forming a storage node hole by etching the support layer and the mold layer using the hard mask pattern as an etch barrier, forming a barrier layer on the sidewall of the mold layer inside the storage node hole, etching the etch-stop layer under the storage node hole, forming a storage node inside the storage node hole, and removing the hard mask pattern, the mold layer, and the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor
    Inventors: Jeong-Yeop Lee, Hyung-Soon Park, Young-Bang Lee, Su-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8709956
    Abstract: BEOL memory cells are described that include one or more sidewall protection layers on the memory device (including, for example, an MTJ element) deposited prior to interconnect via etching to prevent the formation of electrical shorts between layers. One embodiment uses a single layer sidewall protection sleeve that is deposited after the memory device has been patterned. The layer material is vertically etched down to expose the upper surface of the top electrode while leaving a residual layer of protective material surrounding the rest of the memory device. The material for the protection layer is selected to resist the etchant used to remove the first dielectric material from the via in the subsequent interconnect process. A second embodiment uses dual-layer sidewall protection in which the first layer covers the memory element is preferably an oxygen-free dielectric and the second layer protects the first layer during via etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Satoh, Yiming Hual, Jing Zhang, Ebrahim Abedlfard
  • Patent number: 8710673
    Abstract: A wiring structure in a semiconductor device may include a first insulation layer formed on a substrate, a first contact plug, a capping layer pattern, a second insulation layer and a second contact plug. The first insulation layer has a first opening that exposes a contact region of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed on the contact region to partially fill up the first opening. The capping layer pattern is formed on the first contact plug to fill up the first opening. The second insulation layer is formed on the capping layer pattern and the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer has a second opening passing through the capping layer pattern to expose the first contact plug. The second contact plug is formed on the first contact plug in the second opening. Since the wiring structure includes the capping layer pattern, the wiring structure may prevent a contact failure by preventing chemicals from permeating into the first contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Soon Bae, Sei-Ryung Choi
  • Patent number: 8709890
    Abstract: An ETSOI transistor and a combination of capacitors, junction diodes, bank end contacts and resistors are respectively formed in a transistor and capacitor region thereof by etching through an ETSOI and BOX layers in a replacement gate HK/MG flow. The capacitor and other devices formation are compatible with an ETSOI replacement gate CMOS flow. A low resistance capacitor electrode makes it possible to obtain a high quality capacitor, and devices. The lack of topography during dummy gate patterning are achieved by lithography in combination accompanied with appropriate etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Thomas N. Adam, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8704285
    Abstract: Present embodiments may be directed to a capacitor device, including a first electrode, which includes a first area and a second area, separated from each other, and a first bridge located between the first area and the second area, the first bridge electrically interconnecting the first area and the second area; a second electrode arranged to face the first electrode; and a dielectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Min Hong, Hee-Chul Jeon
  • Patent number: 8697517
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides reduced substrate coupling for inductors in semiconductor devices. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having reduced substrate coupling includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region. The method also includes forming a first gate structure over the first region and a second gate structure over the second region, wherein the first and second gate structures each include a dummy gate. The method next includes forming an inter layer dielectric (ILD) over the substrate and forming a photoresist (PR) layer over the second gate structure. Then, the method includes removing the dummy gate from the first gate structure, thereby forming a trench and forming a metal gate in the trench so that a transistor may be formed in the first region, which includes a metal gate, and an inductor component may be formed over the second region, which does not include a metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Hak-Lay Chuang, Ming Zhu, Lee-Wee Teo
  • Patent number: 8691656
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Busch, David K. Hwang, F. Daniel Gealy
  • Patent number: 8691657
    Abstract: Corona effect in a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is prevented by disposing a bottom metal layer on a substrate, defining a conductive via through the substrate electrically contacting the bottom metal layer, the conductive via further connected to a reference electrical potential, disposing a layer of dielectric material on a region of the bottom metal layer, forming a component metal layer over the conductive via and in electrical communication with the via and the bottom metal layer to define an electrical component, forming a top metal layer on the layer of dielectric material, the layer of dielectric layer interposed between the top metal layer and the bottom metal layer to thereby define an MMIC capacitor on the substrate, the top metal layer of the MMIC capacitor being separated from the electrical component, and disposing a passivation layer adjacent and conformal to a side wall of the top metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8691704
    Abstract: The invention includes methods for selectively etching insulative material supports relative to conductive material. The invention can include methods for selectively etching silicon nitride relative to metal nitride. The metal nitride can be in the form of containers over a semiconductor substrate, with such containers having upwardly-extending openings with lateral widths of less than or equal to about 4000 angstroms; and the silicon nitride can be in the form of a layer extending between the containers. The selective etching can comprise exposure of at least some of the silicon nitride and the containers to Cl2 to remove the exposed silicon nitride, while not removing at least the majority of the metal nitride from the containers. In subsequent processing, the containers can be incorporated into capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Shea, Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Publication number: 20140087533
    Abstract: A method of forming a transistor is provided. An upper portion of a substrate is partially removed forming a trench. An isolation layer partially fills the trench, forming active patterns of the substrate. The isolation layer has a void therein. A photoresist pattern is formed on the active patterns and the isolation layer. The active patterns and the isolation layer are partially removed using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask, thus forming a recess. A plasma treatment process is performed, removing the photoresist pattern and filling the void. A gate insulation layer and a gate electrode fill the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: DOO-WHAN CHOI, Jung-Bong Yun, Chang-Won Choi
  • Patent number: 8679913
    Abstract: A film is formed so that the atomic numbers ratio of Sr to Ti, i.e., Sr/Ti, in the film is not less than 1.2 and not more than 3. The film is then annealed in an atmosphere containing not less than 0.001% and not more than 80% of O2 at 500° C. or above. An SrO film forming step or a TiO film forming step are repeated a plurality of times so that a sequence, in which a plurality of SrO film forming steps or/and a plurality of TiO film forming steps are performed continuously, is included. When Sr is oxidized after the adsorption of Sr, O3 and H2O are used as an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yumiko Kawano, Susumu Arima, Akinobu Kakimoto, Toshiyuki Hirota, Takakazu Kiyomura
  • Publication number: 20140061572
    Abstract: This technology relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device may include a line layer formed over a substrate, and connection structures each configured to include a first metal layer pattern, a barrier layer pattern, and a second metal layer pattern sequentially stacked over the line layer, for bonding another substrate to the substrate. In accordance with this technology, abnormal silicidation may be prevented because the barrier layer is formed at the bonding interface of the substrates, and the bonding energy of the substrates may be improved by titanium (Ti)-silicon (Si) bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Heung-Jae CHO
  • Publication number: 20140061746
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form bulb-type trenches that define a plurality of active regions in the semiconductor substrate; forming a supporter in each of the bulb-type trenches; dividing each active region, of the plurality of active regions, into a pair of body lines by forming a trench through each active region; and forming a bit line in each body line of the pair of body lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Heung-Jae CHO, Eui-Seong HWANG, Eun-Shil PARK
  • Patent number: 8652926
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitors includes providing first capacitor electrodes within support material. The first capacitor electrodes contain TiN and the support material contains polysilicon. The polysilicon-containing support material is dry isotropically etched selectively relative to the TiN-containing first capacitor electrodes using a sulfur and fluorine-containing etching chemistry. A capacitor dielectric is formed over sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes and a second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric. Additional methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurpreet Lugani, Kevin J. Torek
  • Patent number: 8652855
    Abstract: An integrated circuit contains lower components in the substrate, a PMD layer, upper components over the PMD layer, lower contacts in the PMD layer connecting some upper components to some lower components, an ILD layer over the upper components, metal interconnect lines over the ILD layer, and upper contacts connecting some upper components to some metal interconnect lines, and also includes annular stacked contacts of lower annular contacts aligned with upper annular contacts. The lower contacts and upper contacts each have a metal liner and a contact metal on the liner. The lower annular contacts have at least one ring of liner metal and contact metal surrounding a pillar of PMD material, and the upper contacts have at least one ring of liner metal and contact metal surrounding a pillar of ILD material. The annular stacked contacts connect the metal interconnects to the lower components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott Robert Summerfelt, Hasibur Rahman, John Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 8633036
    Abstract: Provided is a ferroelectric memory including a silicon substrate, a transistor formed on the silicon substrate, and a ferroelectric capacitor formed above the transistor. The ferroelectric capacitor includes a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film formed on the lower electrode, an upper electrode formed on the ferroelectric film, and a metal film formed on the upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Kouichi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20140011334
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor body lines in which a plurality of buried bit lines are buried, to be separated by a plurality of trenches, forming a filling layer that fills each of the plurality of trenches, forming a conductive layer over the plurality of semiconductor body lines and the filling layer, forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars over the plurality of semiconductor body lines by etching the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Heung-Jae CHO, Tae-Yoon KIM
  • Patent number: 8627259
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for adjusting geometry of a capacitor includes fabricating a first composite capacitor residing in a first standard cell with a first set of process parameters. The method further includes using a second standard cell having substantially same dimensions as the first standard cell. The method further includes using a capacitance value from the first composite capacitor to adjust a geometry of a second composite capacitor residing in the second standard cell, wherein the second composite capacitor is fabricated with a second set of process parameters. The geometry of the second composite capacitor can be adjusted to cause the second composite capacitor to have a capacitance value substantially equal to the capacitance value from the first composite capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Huang, Ming-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 8627258
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for adjusting geometry of a capacitor includes fabricating a first composite capacitor residing in a first standard cell with a first set of process parameters. The method further includes using a second standard cell having substantially same dimensions as the first standard cell. The method further includes using a capacitance value from the first composite capacitor to adjust a geometry of a second composite capacitor residing in the second standard cell, wherein the second composite capacitor is fabricated with a second set of process parameters. The geometry of the second composite capacitor can be adjusted to cause the second composite capacitor to have a capacitance value substantially equal to the capacitance value from the first composite capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Huang, Ming-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 8617980
    Abstract: A substrate is provided with a first wiring layer 111, an interlayer insulating film 132 on the first wiring layer 111, a hole 112A formed in the interlayer insulating film, a first metal layer 112 covering the hole 112A, a second metal layer 113 formed in the hole 112A, a dielectric insulating film 135 on the first metal layer 112, and second wiring layers 114-116 on the dielectric insulating film 135, wherein the first metal layer 112 constitutes at least part of the lower electrode, an area, facing the lower electrode, of the second wiring layers 114-116 constitutes the upper electrode, and a capacitor 160 is constructed of the lower electrode, the dielectric insulating film 135 and the upper electrode P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8617949
    Abstract: A system-on-chip device comprises a first capacitor in a first region, a second capacitor in a second region, and may further comprise a third capacitor in a third region, and any additional number of capacitors in additional regions. The capacitors may be of different shapes and sizes. A region may comprise more than one capacitor. Each capacitor in a region has a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a capacitor insulator. The top electrodes of all the capacitors are formed in a common process, while the bottom electrodes of all the capacitors are formed in a common process. The capacitor insulator may have different number of sub-layers, formed with different materials or thickness. The capacitors may be formed in an inter-layer dielectric layer or in an inter-metal dielectric layer. The regions may be a mixed signal region, an analog region, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Tu, Wen-Chuan Chiang, Chen-Jong Wang
  • Patent number: 8614471
    Abstract: Collections of laterally crystallized semiconductor islands for use in thin film transistors and systems and methods for making same are described. A display device includes a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) on a substrate, such that the TFTs are spaced apart from each other and each include a channel region that has a crystalline microstructure and a direction along which a channel current flows. The channel region of each of the TFTs contains a crystallographic grain that spans the length of that channel region along its channel direction. Each crystallographic grain in the channel region of each of the TFTs is physically disconnected from and crystallographically uncorrelated with each crystallographic grain in the channel region of each adjacent TFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: James S. Im, Ui-Jin Chung
  • Publication number: 20130334583
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes word lines on a semiconductor substrate, common gates connected to each of the word lines and vertically disposed in the semiconductor substrate, buried bit lines intersecting the word lines at a non-right angle in a plan view, and a pair of vertical transistors sharing each of the common gates. The pair of vertical transistors is disposed on both sides of one of the word lines. Further, the pair of vertical transistors is electrically connected to the two adjacent buried bit lines. Electronic systems including the semiconductor device and related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Ki Ho YANG
  • Patent number: 8610187
    Abstract: A first transistor including a channel formation region, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a second transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode; and a capacitor including one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode, the second gate insulating layer, and an electrode provided to overlap with one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode over the second gate insulating layer are provided. The first gate electrode and one of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Kiyoshi Kato