Having Additional Gate Electrode Surrounded By Dielectric (i.e., Floating Gate) Patents (Class 438/257)
  • Patent number: 10163721
    Abstract: A method for uniform fin reveal depth for semiconductor devices includes dry etching a dielectric material to reveal semiconductor fins by a quasi-atomic layer etching (quasi-ALE) process to achieve depth uniformity across different fin pitches. A lateral bias induced by the quasi-ALE process is compensated for by isotropically etching the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Donald F. Canaperi, Thamarai S. Devarajan, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Fee Li Lie, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 10115721
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming a planar-like transistor device on a fin-based field-effect transistor (finFET) architecture during a finFET fabrication process flow. In some embodiments, the planar-like transistor can include, for example, a semiconductor layer which is grown to locally merge/bridge a plurality of adjacent fins of the finFET architecture and subsequently planarized to provide a high-quality planar surface on which the planar-like transistor can be formed. In some instances, the semiconductor merging layer can be a bridged-epi growth, for example, comprising epitaxial silicon. In some embodiments, such a planar-like device may assist, for example, with analog, high-voltage, wide-Z transistor fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Walid M. Hafez, Peter J Vandervoorn, Chia-Hong Jan
  • Patent number: 10109631
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer on a substrate, a channel region on the insulating layer, a gate structure on the insulating layer, the gate structure crossing the channel region, source/drain regions on the insulating layer, the source/drain regions being spaced apart from each other with the gate structure interposed therebetween, the channel region connecting the source/drain regions to each other, and contact plugs connected to the source/drain regions, respectively. The channel region includes a plurality of semiconductor patterns that are vertically spaced apart from each other on the insulating layer, the insulating layer includes first recess regions that are adjacent to the source/drain regions, respectively, and the contact plugs include lower portions provided into the first recess regions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Dae Suk, Jongho Lee, Geumjong Bae
  • Patent number: 10103160
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures may include a stack of alternating dielectric materials and control gates, charge storage structures laterally adjacent to the control gates, a charge block material between each of the charge storage structures and the laterally adjacent control gates, and a pillar extending through the stack of alternating oxide materials and control gates. Each of the dielectric materials in the stack has at least two portions of different densities and/or different rates of removal. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srikant Jayanti, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Pavan Kumar Reddy Aella
  • Patent number: 10103162
    Abstract: Provided is a vertical neuromorphic devices stacked structure comprising a main gate which is formed on a substrate and has a vertical pillar shape, a main gate insulating layer stack formed on outer side surface of the main gate; a semiconductor region formed on outer side surface of the main gate insulating layer stack, a plurality of electrode layers formed on the side surface of the semiconductor region, a plurality of control gates formed on the side surface of the semiconductor region; and a plurality of control gate insulating layer stacks which are surrounding surfaces of the control gates and are formed between the control gate and the semiconductor region, and between the control gate and the electrode layer, and wherein the electrode layers and the control gates surrounded by the control gate insulating layer stack are stacked sequentially and alternately on the side surface of the semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jong-Ho Lee, Chul-Heung Kim, Suhwan Lim
  • Patent number: 10090328
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer on a substrate, a first channel pattern on the insulating layer and contacting the insulating layer, second channel patterns on the first channel pattern and being horizontally spaced apart from each other, a gate pattern on the insulating layer and surrounding the second channel patterns, and a source/drain pattern between the second channel patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junggil Yang, Dong Il Bae, Geumjong Bae, Seungmin Song, Jongho Lee
  • Patent number: 10043713
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the SC GH on a FinFET device while protecting the LC devices and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming an ILD over a substrate of a FinFET device, the ILD having a SC region and a LC region; forming a SC gate and a LC gate within the SC and LC regions, respectively, an upper surface of the SC and LC gates being substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the ILD; forming a lithography stack over the LC region; recessing the SC gate; stripping the lithography stack; forming a SiN cap layer over the SC and LC regions; forming a TEOS layer over the SiN cap layer; and planarizing the TEOS layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xinyuan Dou, Hong Yu, Zhenyu Hu, Xing Zhang
  • Patent number: 10038139
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells and methods of making the same. The RRAM cell includes a transistor and an RRAM structure. The RRAM structure includes a bottom electrode having a via portion and a top portion, a resistive material layer on the bottom electrode having a width that is same as a width of the top portion of the bottom electrode; a capping layer over the bottom electrode; a spacer surrounding the capping layer; and, a top electrode on the capping layer having a smaller width than the resistive material layer. The RRAM cell further includes a conductive material connecting the top electrode of the RRAM structure to a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsia-Wei Chen, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Chin-Chieh Yang, Chih-Yang Chang, Yu-Wen Liao
  • Patent number: 10026622
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a hole extending in a first direction in a workpiece. The method includes forming a first film on an upper surface of the workpiece and an upper portion of a side wall of the hole. The method includes forming a second film on the first film. The method includes removing portions of the first and second films from the upper surface of the workpiece so that at least a part of the first and second films formed on the upper portion remain. The method includes removing at least a part of a portion of the workpiece which is exposed through the hole using a second etchant. An etching rate of the first etchant for the first film is higher than an etching rate of the first etchant for the second film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Omura, Tsubasa Imamura, Itsuko Sakai
  • Patent number: 10020198
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a semiconductor fin, a metal gate over the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall spacer composed of low-k dielectric surrounding opposing sidewalls of the metal gate. A portion of the sidewall spacer comprises a tapered profile with a greater separation of the opposing sidewalls toward a top portion and a narrower separation of the opposing sidewalls toward a bottom portion of the sidewall spacer. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a polysilicon stripe over a semiconductor fin, forming a nitride sidewall spacer surrounding a long side of the polysilicon stripe, forming a raised source/drain region in the semiconductor fin, and forming a carbonitride etch stop layer surrounding the nitride sidewall spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shiang-Bau Wang, Victor Y. Lu
  • Patent number: 9997641
    Abstract: A method of scaling a nonvolatile trapped-charge memory device and the device made thereby is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a channel region including polysilicon electrically connecting a source region and a drain region in a substrate. A tunneling layer is formed on the substrate over the channel region by oxidizing the substrate to form an oxide film and nitridizing the oxide film. A multi-layer charge trapping layer including an oxygen-rich first layer and an oxygen-lean second layer is formed on the tunneling layer, and a blocking layer deposited on the multi-layer charge trapping layer. In one embodiment, the method further includes a dilute wet oxidation to densify a deposited blocking oxide and to oxidize a portion of the oxygen-lean second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrick B. Jenne, Sagy Charel Levy, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 9997524
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate. An insulation layer is disposed in a recess in the substrate. A first gate structure is disposed over the substrate and the insulation layer. A first etch stop layer is disposed over the first gate structure. A first oxide layer is disposed over the first etch stop layer. A second etch stop layer is disposed over the first oxide layer. A first contact material is surrounded by and in contact with the first gate structure, first etch stop layer, second etch stop layer, and first oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ling Shih, Chieh-Fei Chiu, Po-Wei Liu, Tsun-Kai Tsao, Wen-Tuo Huang, Yu-Ling Hsu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair
  • Patent number: 9947864
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for etching a workpiece including a lower electrode and a multi-layer film disposed on the lower electrode, the multi-layer film including a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and an insulating layer interposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, through a mask, is provided. The method includes exposing the workpiece to plasma of first processing gas which contains first rare gas and second rare gas having an atomic number larger than that of the first rare gas, and does not contain hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tamotsu Morimoto, Song yun Kang
  • Patent number: 9882018
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate including a channel region; a gate dielectric a tunneling layer, a charge storage layer, and a blocking layer sequentially disposed on the channel region; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric, wherein the tunneling layer has variations in nitrogen concentrations in a direction perpendicular to the channel region, and has a maximum nitrogen concentration in a position shifted from a center of the tunneling layer toward the charge storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Jin Noh, Jae Ho Choi, Bio Kim, Kwang Min Park, Jae Young Ahn, Dong Chul Yoo, Seung Hyun Lim, Jeon Il Lee
  • Patent number: 9882030
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fin-type semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a plurality of fins, and a plurality of trenches each disposed between two adjacent fins, filling each of the trenches with a spacer, and performing a first dopant implantation into the spacer to form an etch stop layer. The thus formed etch stop layer can decrease the etch rate of the HF/SiCoNi etchant towards oxide, e.g., silicon oxide, thereby reducing the spacer loss in a subsequent HF/SiCoNi etch of the dummy gate insulation layer, and improving the device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Fei Zhou
  • Patent number: 9865332
    Abstract: A floating body SRAM cell that is readily scalable for selection by a memory compiler for making memory arrays is provided. A method of selecting a floating body SRAM cell by a memory compiler for use in array design is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Louie, Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 9837603
    Abstract: Encapsulation of the magnetoresistive device after formation protects the sidewalls of the magnetoresistive device from degradation during subsequent deposition of interlayer dielectric material. The encapsulation also helps prevent short circuits between the top electrode of the magnetoresistive device and underlying layers within the magnetoresistive device. The encapsulation can be accomplished by depositing a layer of encapsulating material after device formation, where an etch back operation selectively removes the portions of the layer of encapsulating material other than the material on the sidewalls of the magnetoresistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sarin A. Deshpande, Sanjeev Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 9831258
    Abstract: A fin includes a first region and a second region arranged on a positive side in an X-axis direction with respect to the first region. A control gate electrode covers an upper surface of the first region, and a side surface of the first region on the positive side in a Y-axis direction. A memory gate electrode covers an upper surface of the second region, and a side surface of the second region on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The upper surface of the second region is lower than the upper surface of the first region. The side surface of the second region is arranged on the negative side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the side surface of the first region in the Y-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuyoshi Mihara
  • Patent number: 9825046
    Abstract: A flash memory cell structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a pad dielectric layer, a floating gate, a control gate, and a blocking layer. The pad dielectric layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The floating gate is disposed over the pad dielectric layer, in which the floating gate has a top surface opposite to the pad dielectric layer, and the top surface includes at least one recess formed thereon. The control gate is disposed over the top surface of the floating gate. The blocking layer is disposed between the floating gate and the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chu Lin, Hung-Che Liao, Kun-Tsang Chuang, Shih-Lu Hsu
  • Patent number: 9825036
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate; an isolation structure over the substrate; two fins extending from the substrate and through the isolation structure; a gate stack engaging channel regions of the two fins; a dielectric layer disposed over the isolation structure and adjacent to S/D regions of the two fins; and four S/D features over the S/D regions of the two fins. Each of the four S/D features includes a lower portion and an upper portion over the lower portion. The lower portions of the four S/D features are surrounded at least partially by the dielectric layer. The upper portions of the four S/D features merge into two merged second S/D features with one on each side of the gate stack. Each of the two merged S/D features has a curvy top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Jing Lee, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Ming-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 9806129
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to integrated circuit devices, and in particular to cross-point memory arrays and methods for fabricating the same. In one aspect, a method of fabricating cross-point memory arrays comprises forming a memory cell material stack which includes a first active material and a second active material over the first active material, wherein one of the first and second active materials comprises a storage material and the other of the first and second active materials comprises a selector material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Marcello Ravasio, Samuele Sciarrillo, Fabio Pellizzer, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Roberto Somaschini, Cristina Casellato, Riccardo Mottadelli
  • Patent number: 9768183
    Abstract: An initial etch forms a trench over first contact areas of a plurality of NAND strings, the initial etch also forming individual openings over second contact areas of the plurality of NAND strings. Material is added in the trench to reduce an area of exposed bottom surface of the trench while maintaining the individual openings without substantial reduction of bottom surface area. Subsequent further etching extends the trench and the plurality of individual openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Akimoto, Hidetoshi Nakamoto, Keita Kumamoto, Hidehito Koseki, Yuji Takahashi, Noritaka Fukuo, Tomoyasu Kakegawa, Takuya Futase
  • Patent number: 9754780
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes generating hydrogen radicals by plasma excitation of hydrogen gas and exposing a surface of a substrate on which silicon and metal are exposed to a reducing atmosphere created with the hydrogen radicals, and generating hydrogen radicals and hydroxyl radicals by plasma excitation of a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and oxygen-containing gas and oxidizing the silicon exposed on the surface of the substrate by exposing the surface of the substrate to the hydrogen radicals and hydroxyl radicals to obtain the substrate on which the metal and oxidized silicon are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Tatsushi Ueda, Tadashi Terasaki, Unryu Ogawa, Akito Hirano
  • Patent number: 9755143
    Abstract: A switching device includes a first dielectric material formed overlying a substrate. A bottom wiring material and a switching material are sequentially formed overlying the first dielectric material. The bottom wiring material and the switching material are patterned and etched to form a first structure having a top surface region and a side region. The first structure includes a bottom wiring structure and a switching element having the top surface region including an exposed region. A second dielectric material is formed overlying the first structure. A first opening region is formed in a portion of the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the top surface region. A dielectric side wall structure is formed overlying a side region of the first opening region. A top wiring material including a conductive material is formed overlying the top surface region to be directly contact with the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CROSSBAR, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 9748240
    Abstract: A device includes first and second semiconductor-regions located in a substrate which are adjacent to each other at a boundary. First contacts are located in the first semiconductor-region along the boundary and are electrically connected to the first semiconductor-region. Second contacts are located in the second semiconductor-region along the boundary and are electrically connected to the second semiconductor-region. The second contacts are not located in parts of the second semiconductor-region on an opposite side to the first contacts across the boundary. The parts of the second semiconductor-region are adjacent to the first contacts in a first direction s perpendicular to an arranging direction of the first and second contacts. The first contacts are not located in parts of the first semiconductor-region on an opposite side to the second contacts across the boundary. The parts of the first semiconductor-region are adjacent to second contacts in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuaki Utsumi
  • Patent number: 9698149
    Abstract: High-density semiconductor memory is provided with enhancements to gate-coupling and electrical isolation between discrete devices in non-volatile memory. The intermediate dielectric between control gates and charge storage regions is varied in the row direction, with different dielectric constants for the varied materials to provide adequate inter-gate coupling while protecting from fringing fields and parasitic capacitances. Electrical isolation is further provided, at least in part, by air gaps that are formed in the column (bit line) direction and/or air gaps that are formed in the row (word line) direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Vinod Robert Purayath, George Matamis, Henry Chien, James Kai, Yuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9673208
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device on a substrate having memory, core and HV device areas. The method includes forming a pair of conductive layers in all three areas, forming an insulation layer over the conductive layers in all three areas (to protect the core and HV device areas), and then etching through the insulation layer and the pair of conductive layers in the memory area to form memory stacks. The method further includes forming an insulation layer over the memory stacks (to protect the memory area), removing the pair of conductive layers in the core and HV device areas, and forming conductive gates disposed over and insulated from the substrate in the core and HV device areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinho Kim, Chien-Sheng Su, Feng Zhou, Xian Liu, Nhan Do, Prateep Tuntasood, Parviz Ghazavi
  • Patent number: 9660177
    Abstract: An improved method for etching a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) structure is achieved. A stack of MTJ layers is provided on a bottom electrode. The MTJ stack is patterned to form a MTJ device wherein sidewall damage or sidewall redeposition is formed on sidewalls of the MTJ device. A dielectric layer is deposited on the MTJ device and the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer is etched away using ion beam etching at an angle relative to vertical of greater than 50 degrees wherein the dielectric layer on the sidewalls is etched away and wherein sidewall damage or sidewall redeposition is also removed and wherein some of the dielectric layer remains on horizontal surfaces of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rao Annapragada, Yu-Jen Wang, Dongna Shen
  • Patent number: 9653289
    Abstract: A method of forming two or more nano-sheet devices with varying electrical gate lengths, including, forming at least two cut-stacks including a plurality of sacrificial release layers and at least one alternating nano-sheet channel layer on a substrate, removing a portion of the plurality of sacrificial release layers to form indentations having an indentation depth in the plurality of sacrificial release layers, and removing a portion of the at least one alternating nano-sheet channel layer to form a recess having a recess depth in the at least one alternating nano-sheet channel layers, where the recess depth is greater than the indentation depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9653547
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of gate stacks spaced apart from each other on a substrate, an etch stop layer formed on an upper surface of each gate stack, a dielectric cap layer formed on each etch stop layer, a plurality of source/drain regions formed on the substrate between respective pairs of adjacent gate stacks, and a plurality of contacts respectively corresponding to each source/drain region, wherein the contacts are separated from the gate structures and contact their corresponding source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Bruce B. Doris, Michael A. Guillorn, Isaac Lauer, Xin Miao
  • Patent number: 9646718
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a selective error correction code (ECC) function is provided. The semiconductor memory device divides a memory cell array into blocks according to data retention characteristics of memory cells. A block in which there are a plurality of fail cells generated at a refresh rate of a refresh cycle that is longer than a refresh cycle defined by the standards of the semiconductor device is selected from among the divided blocks. The selected block repairs the fail cells by performing the ECC function. The other blocks repair the fail cells by using redundancy cells. Accordingly, a refresh operation is performed on the memory cells of the memory cell array at the refresh rate of the refresh cycle that is longer than the refresh cycle by the standards of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-wook Park, Ki-won Park
  • Patent number: 9640432
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a memory device structure and a fabricating method thereof. The memory device structure includes a substrate including a device region and a peripheral region; multiple gate structures; a first dielectric layer, a second barrier layer, multiple source interconnecting lines, and multiple drain region plugs; a second dielectric layer in the device region include multiple source line plugs, and multiple second drain region plugs, and multiple controlling gate plugs; a third dielectric layer including multiple first conductive layers; a fourth dielectric layer including multiple interconnecting structures; a fifth dielectric layer including multiple second conductive layers; and a sixth dielectric layer including multiple third conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jinshuang Zhang, Shaobin Li, Sheng-Fen Chiu
  • Patent number: 9608115
    Abstract: FinFET and fabrication method thereof. The FinFET fabrication method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of trenches in the semiconductor substrate, forming a buffer layer on the semiconductor substrate by filling the trenches and covering the semiconductor substrate, and forming a fin body by etching the buffer layer. The FinFET fabrication method may further includes forming a insulation layer on the buffer layer around the fin body; forming a channel layer on the surface of the fin body; forming a gate structure across the fin body; forming source/drain regions in the channel layer on two sides of the gate structure; and forming an electrode layer on the source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Deyuan Xiao
  • Patent number: 9595534
    Abstract: A flash device comprising a well and a U-shaped flash cell string, the U-shaped flash cell string built directly on a substrate adjacent the well. The U-shaped flash cell string comprises one portion parallel to a surface of the substrate, comprising a junctionless bottom pass transistor, and two portions perpendicular to the surface of the substrate that comprise a string select transistor at a first top of the cell string, a ground select transistor at a second top of the cell string, a string select transistor drain, and a ground select transistor source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
    Inventor: Hyoung Seub Rhie
  • Patent number: 9590058
    Abstract: A method of forming a split gate memory cell structure using a substrate includes forming a gate stack comprising a select gate and a dielectric portion overlying the select gate. A charge storage layer is formed over the substrate including over the gate stack. A first sidewall spacer of conductive material is formed along a first sidewall of the gate stack extending past a top of the select gate. A second sidewall spacer of dielectric material is formed along the first sidewall on the first sidewall spacer. A portion of the first sidewall spacer is silicided using the second sidewall spacer as a mask whereby silicide does not extend to the charge storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Cheong Min Hong, Sung-Taeg Kang
  • Patent number: 9590078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication method includes forming a tunnel insulating film on a substrate containing silicon, forming a floating gate on the tunnel insulating film, forming an integral insulating film on the floating gate, and forming a control gate on the integral insulating film. The floating gate is formed on the tunnel insulating film by forming a seed layer containing amorphous silicon on the tunnel insulating film, forming an impurity later containing adsorbed boron or germanium on the seed layer, and forming a cap layer containing silicon on the impurity layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ishida, Kenichiro Toratani
  • Patent number: 9589805
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a substrate, a dielectric layer over the substrate, a first gate conductor, an inter-gate dielectric structure and a second gate conductor is disclosed. A gate dielectric structure is disposed between the first gate conductor and the dielectric layer, and may include two or more dielectric films disposed in an alternating manner. The inter-gate dielectric structure may be disposed between the first gate conductor and the second gate conductor, and may include two or more dielectric films disposed in an alternating manner. The second gate conductor is formed in an L shape such that the second gate has a relatively low aspect ratio, which allows for a reduction in spacing between adjacent gates, while maintaining the required electrical isolation between the gates and contacts that may subsequently be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Bell, Chun Chen, Lei Xue, Shenqing Fang, Angela T. Hui
  • Patent number: 9583639
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to nonvolatile memory devices using a 2D material, and methods of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device includes a channel layer formed on a substrate, a gate stack that includes a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes. The channel layer has a threshold voltage greater than that of a graphene layer, and the gate stack includes a 2D material floating gate that is not in contact with the channel layer. The channel layer includes first and second material layers and a first barrier layer disposed between the first and second material layers, and the first and second material layers may contact the first barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeho Lee, Jinseong Heo, Seongjun Park
  • Patent number: 9570452
    Abstract: A flash memory fabrication method includes: providing a substrate having a plurality of floating gate structures separated by trenches, which includes at least a source trench and a drain trench, and source/drain regions; forming a metal film on the substrate and on the floating gate structures; performing a thermal annealing process on the metal film to form a first silicide layer on the source regions and a second silicide layer on the drain regions; removing portions of the metal film to form a metal layer on the bottom and lower sidewalls of the source trench and contacting with the first silicide layer, and forming a dielectric layer on the substrate and the floating gate structures, covering the source trench and the drain trench. Further, the method includes forming a first conducting structure and one or more second conducting structures in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zhongshan Hong
  • Patent number: 9570592
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device on a semiconductor substrate having a memory region (with floating and control gates), a first logic region (with first logic gates) and a second logic region (with second logic gates). A first implantation forms the source regions adjacent the floating gates in the memory region, and the source and drain regions adjacent the first logic gates in the first logic region. A second implantation forms the source and drain regions adjacent the second logic gates in the second logic region. A third implantation forms the drain regions adjacent the control gates in the memory region, and enhances the source region in the memory region and the source/drain regions in the first logic region. A fourth implantation enhances the source/drain regions in the second logic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhan Do, Vipin Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9559180
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a P-well and an N-well disposed in the semiconductor substrate, a source disposed in the N-well and a drain disposed in the P-well, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure disposed in the P-well, a gate structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein a portion of the gate structure extends into the semiconductor substrate and is disposed in a location corresponding to the STI structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lei Fang
  • Patent number: 9553025
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) includes forming a plurality of fins on a substrate. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on the substrate, wherein a bottom portion of each fin of the plurality of fins is embedded in the oxide layer, and the bottom portion of each fin of the plurality of fins has substantially a same shape. The method further includes shaping at least one fin of the plurality of fins, wherein a top portion of the at least one fin has a different shape from a top portion of another fin of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Clement Hsingjen Wann, Ling-Yen Yeh, Chi-Yuan Shih, Yi-Tang Lin, Chih-Sheng Chang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9553103
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure provide devices and methods for processing a memory cell. A method embodiment includes removing a key-hole shaped column from a material, to define a profile for the memory cell. The method also includes partially filling the key-hole shaped column with a first number of materials. The method further includes filling the remaining portion of the key-hole shaped column with a second number of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Sakui
  • Patent number: 9548110
    Abstract: A memory device for thermoelectric heat confinement and method for producing same. The memory device includes a plurality of phase-change memory cells, wherein each of the phase-change memory cells has a first electrode, a second electrode and a phase-change material. The first electrode and the phase-change material are arranged such that a surface normal of a dominating interface for a current flow between the first electrode and the phase-change material points on one side to the phase-change material of the phase-change memory cell and on an opposite side to a phase-change material of a neighboring phase-change memory cell. A method for producing a memory device for thermoelectric heat confinement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aravinthan Athmanathan, Daniel Krebs
  • Patent number: 9523632
    Abstract: A particulate matter sensor comprises an insulating body and a pair of electrodes disposed apart form each other on a main surface of the insulating body. The insulating body includes an insulating portion being equal to or higher than the height of the pair of the electrodes in a direction perpendicular to the main surface, formed on the part where the pair of the electrodes are. In one of the methods for manufacturing the particulate matter sensor, first, an electrode pattern composed of a material for the pair of the electrodes is formed on a body material composing the insulating body, and a mask, having identical pattern of the electrode pattern and composed of material which vaporizes at a temperature equal to or lower than a temperature that the electrode pattern is sintered, is formed on the electrode pattern. A thin film of the material composing the insulating portion is formed, and the electrode pattern and the thin film is sintered to form the electrodes and the insulating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Nishijima, Tatsuhiro Hashida
  • Patent number: 9525128
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a material layer on a substrate, performing a selective oxidation process to form a capping oxide layer on a first surface of the material layer, wherein a second surface of the material layer is not oxidized, and etching the material layer through the second surface to form a material pattern. An etch rate of the capping oxide layer is less than an etch rate of the material layer. A semiconductor device may include a lower electrode on a substrate, a data storage part on a top surface of the lower electrode, an upper electrode on the data storage part, and a capping oxide layer arranged on at least a portion of a top surface of the upper electrode. The capping oxide layer may include an oxide formed by oxidation of an upper surface of the upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungyoon Chung, Jinhye Bae, Hyungjoon Kwon, Jongchul Park, Wonjun Lee
  • Patent number: 9508817
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure, a semiconductor device, and a method for forming the semiconductor device are provided. In various embodiments, the method for forming the semiconductor device includes forming transistors on a substrate. Forming each transistor includes forming a doped region on the substrate. A nanowire is formed protruding from the doped region. An interlayer dielectric layer is deposited over the doped region. A dielectric layer is deposited over the interlayer dielectric layer and surrounding each of the nanowires. A first gate layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and first gate layer are etched to expose portions of the nanowires and the interlayer dielectric layer. A second gate layer is formed over the exposed interlayer dielectric layer and surrounding the first gate layer. Then, the second gate layer was patterned to remove the second gate layer on the interlayer dielectric layer between the transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Sung Yen, Huan-Just Lin, Chun-Hsiung Lin, Chi-Cheng Hung
  • Patent number: 9502448
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an array substrate includes sequentially forming a bottom gate, a first gate insulating layer, an active layer and a second gate insulating layer on a base substrate, a gate line being formed at the same time as forming the bottom gate; forming a top gate on the second gate insulating layer; sequentially forming a gate isolation layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a pixel electrode on the top gate. Before forming the top gate on the second gate insulating layer, the method includes forming a nickel layer at an area on the active layer where the source electrode is to be formed and/or an area on the active layer where the drain electrode is to be formed, and then performing a heat treatment on the active layer at a temperature in the range of 500° C.-570° C. for 2 hours in an atmosphere of H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lei Shi
  • Patent number: 9502471
    Abstract: A multi-tier memory device is formed over a substrate such that memory stack structures extend through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers within each tier. Bit lines are formed between an underlying tier having drain regions over semiconductor channels and an overlying tier having drain regions under semiconductor channel, such that the bit lines are shared between the underlying tier and the overlying tier. Source lines can be formed over each tier in which source regions overlie semiconductor channels and drain regions. If another tier is present above the source lines, the source lines can be shared between two vertically neighboring tiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Zhenyu Lu, Henry Chien, Johann Alsmeier, Koji Miyata, Tong Zhang, Man Mui, James Kai, Wenguang Shi, Wei Zhao, Xiaolong Hu, Jiyin Xu, Gerrit Jan Hemink, Christopher Petti
  • Patent number: 9502257
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method of manufacturing the non-volatile memory device, where the non-volatile memory device includes a floating gate insulating layer and a floating gate disposed on a substrate, a dielectric layer formed perpendicular to the floating gate insulating layer and at two sides of the floating gate, and a first control gate at a first side of the dielectric layer distal from the floating gate and a second control gate at a second side of the dielectric layer distal from the floating gate, wherein the first control gate and the second control gate are connected to each other, and a second width of the second control gate is wider than a first width of the first control gate. A length of a control gate of a non-volatile memory device may be extended to effectively preventing the generation of leakage current when a control gate is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Magnachip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Ho Cho, Se Woon Kim, Kyung Min Kim, Jung Goo Park