Having Stacked Capacitor Structure (e.g., Stacked Trench, Buried Stacked Capacitor, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/387)
  • Patent number: 7381613
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a group of capacitors and a trench. Each capacitor includes a first conductive material layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive material layer. The dielectric layer is located between the first and second conductive material layers. The first conductive material layer coats an inside surface of a cup-shaped opening formed in an insulating layer. The trench is formed in the insulating layer. The trench extends between and crosses each of the capacitors in the group. The dielectric layer and the second conductive material layer are formed over the first conductive material layer in the cup-shaped openings and over an inside surface of the trench. The second conductive material layer extends between the capacitors of the group via the trench. Also, the second conductive material layer forms top electrodes for the capacitors of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chi Tu
  • Patent number: 7364965
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a DRAM has a capacitor in which a dielectric film and an upper electrode are laminated on a lower electrode comprising a polysilicone, in which a natural oxide film oxidized by oxygen in the atmosphere grows to at least 1.5 nm on the surface of a lower electrode of the capacitor. Further, in forming the dielectric film, the dioxide film further grows in the case of using an oxidative raw material. This brings forth a reduction in capacitance, and an increase of a leakage current is caused. Therefore, after a dielectric film having a reduction property has been formed, the reduction property is promoted by a heat treatment to thereby reduce a dioxide film and realize making the dioxide film on the lower electrode surface thinner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Tonomura, Hiroshi Miki, Yuichi Matsui, Tomoko Sekiguchi, Kikuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7364979
    Abstract: A capacitor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The capacitor includes: a substrate; an inter-layer insulation layer formed over the substrate and including a contact hole; a storage node formed over the inter-layer insulation layer and filled into the contact hole; a tantalum oxide layer of single crystal formed over the storage node; and a plate formed over the tantalum oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Do-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 7361549
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for fabricating a memory device having memory cells which are formed on a microstructured driving unit (100), in which method a shaping layer (104) is provided and is patterned in such a manner that vertical trench structures (105) are formed perpendicular to the surface of the driving unit (100). Deposition of a seed layer (106) on side walls (105a) of the trench structures (105) allows a crystallization agent (107) which has filled the trench structures (105), during crystallization, to have grain boundaries perpendicular to electrode surfaces that are to be formed. This provides memory cells based on vertical ferroelectric capacitors in a chain FeRAM structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rainer Bruchhaus, Martin Gutsche
  • Patent number: 7354822
    Abstract: A vertical pass transistor used in a DRAM cell for maintaining a low total leakage current and providing adequate drive current is described together with a method of fabricating such a device. The transistor gate is engineered in lieu of the channel. The vertical pass transistor for the DRAM cell incorporates two gate materials having different work functions. The gate material near the storage node is n-type doped polysilicon. The gate material near the bit line diffusion is made of silicide or metal having a higher work function than the n-polysilicon. The novel device structure shows several advantages: the channel doping is reduced while maintaining a high Vt and a low sub-threshold leakage current; the carrier mobility improves with the reduced channel doping; the body effect of the device is reduced which improves the write back current; and the sub-threshold swing is reduced because of the low channel doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Geng Wang, Yujun Li, Qiqing C. Ouyang
  • Patent number: 7348234
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein
  • Publication number: 20080061341
    Abstract: A memory cell device of the type that includes a memory material switchable between electrical property states by application of energy, situated between first and second (“bottom” and “top”) electrodes has a top electrode including a larger body portion and a stem portion. The memory material is disposed as a layer over a bottom electrode layer, and a base of the stem portion of the top electrode is in electrical contact with a small area of the surface of the memory material. Methods for making the memory cell are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Lan Lung
  • Patent number: 7338878
    Abstract: Upon a deep-hole capacitor fabrication, a hole is formed in an insulator layer, and then a film of a conductive material is formed on the insulator layer and on the whole inner surface of the hole. The film and the insulator layer are exposed to a chemical-mechanical polishing process to form a lower electrodes of the conductive material. A capacitor dielectric on the lower electrode is formed, and then an upper electrode is formed on the capacitor dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriaki Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20080050884
    Abstract: An objective of this invention is to solve the problem that in ALD film deposition using a vertical batch processing machine advantageous for improving a throughput, reliability in a dielectric body formed on the bottom of a hole such as a capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate is reduced as the hole is finer and deeper. A dielectric body is formed by an ALD film deposition process comprising a gas flow sequence where a purging step after supplying a source and a reactant gases is a two-stage purging of vacuum purging and gas purging and the step of supplying a reactant gas is further divided. The process allows a highly reliable dielectric body to be formed in the bottom of a deep hole, contributing to improvement in reliability of a capacitor and a semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi KOYANAGI, Takashi ARAO
  • Patent number: 7332401
    Abstract: An electrode structure includes a first layer of conductive material and a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the first layer. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the surface of the first layer. A binding layer is formed on the dielectric layer and on the exposed portion of the surface of the first layer and a second layer of conductive material is formed on the conductive binding layer. The binding layer can be an oxide and the second layer a conductive material that is diffusible into an oxide. The electrode structure can be annealed to cause conductive material from the second layer to be chemisorbed into the binding layer to improve adhesion between the first and second layers. A programmable cell can be formed by forming a doped glass layer in the electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Ing.
    Inventors: John T. Moore, Joseph F. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7332390
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and fabrication method thereof. In a semiconductor memory device, each memory cell comprises a deep trench and a capacitor disposed on the lower portion thereof. A collar oxide layer having a first second sidewalls is disposed on the deep trench. The top of the first sidewall is at the same height as the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The top of the second sidewall is substantially equal to the top of the capacitor. The memory cell further comprises a buried conductor layer disposed on the second sidewall and the capacitor and a buried strap adjoining the buried conductive layer, and a transistor disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the capacitor through the buried strap and the buried conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Yueh Jang
  • Patent number: 7326626
    Abstract: The capacitor of the present invention comprises: an opening part formed in an interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; a lower electrode made of a polycrystalline silicon with an uneven surface part; a chemical oxide film formed on the uneven surface part of the lower electrode; an silicon oxynitride film which is obtained by modifying the chemical oxide film by nitriding processing; a capacitive insulating film made of a metal oxide film formed on the silicon oxynitride film; and an upper electrode formed on the capacitive insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawasaki, Kenji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7320912
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench capacitor includes: removing a portion of the substrate to form a trench within the substrate; forming at a buried isolation layer within the substrate; forming in the substrate a first electrode of the trench capacitor at least in areas surrounding a lower portion of the trench; forming a dielectric layer of the trench capacitor; and forming a second electrode of the trench capacitor in the trench. The buried isolation layer intersects with the trench and has one or more gaps for providing body contact between a first substrate area above the buried isolation layer and a second substrate area below the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: PROMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yueh-Chuan Lee, Ming-Sheng Tung
  • Patent number: 7312115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fabrication method for a semiconductor structure having integrated capacitors and a corresponding semiconductor structure. The fabrication method has the following steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate (1; 1?, 60, 1?) having a front side (VS) and a rear side (RS); providing trenches (5) in the semiconductor substrate (1; 1?, 60, 1?) proceeding from the front side (VS) of the semiconductor substrate (1; 1?, 60, 1?); providing a respective inner capacitor electrode (6) in the trenches (5); uncovering the inner capacitor electrodes (6) proceeding from the rear side (RS) of the semiconductor substrate (1; 1?, 60, 1?); providing a capacitor dielectric (40) on the uncovered inner capacitor electrodes (6); and providing outer capacitor electrodes (50) on the capacitor dielectric (40) on the inner capacitor electrodes (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Gutsche, Harald Seidl
  • Patent number: 7312114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a trench capacitor having an isolation collar which is electrically connected with a substrate on a single side via a buried contact. More specifically, the present invention relates to manufacturing method for a trench capacitor having an isolation collar with a metal conductive fill in the collar region connected to a metal fill in the capacitor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stephan Kudelka, Guenther Aichmayr
  • Publication number: 20070287249
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of: forming a first insulation film on a substrate; forming a hole in the first insulation film; forming a lower electrode on a bottom surface and a sidewall surface of the hole; forming a capacitor insulation film on the lower electrode; forming a second conductive layer on the capacitor insulation film; forming a second insulation film on the second conductive layer so that the second insulation film fills a recess corresponding to the hole; forming a resist mask on the second insulation film so that the resist mask covers the recess; patterning the second insulation film by using the resist mask; and patterning the second conductive layer and the capacitor insulation film by using the patterned second insulation film as a hard mask. By dry etching using a hard mask, a dielectric capacitor having a three-dimensionally stacked structure can be formed with a high yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi YOSHIDA, Toyoji ITO, Yoshihisa NAGANO
  • Patent number: 7306988
    Abstract: Methods of making memory devices/cells are disclosed. A memory cell contains first and second electrode layers and a controllably conductive media therebetween. The controllably conductive media contains a copper sulfide-containing passive layer and active layer containing a Cu-doped tantalum oxide and/or titanium oxide layer. Methods of using the memory devices/cells, and devices such as computers containing the memory devices/cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Avanzino, Wen Yu
  • Patent number: 7307303
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided which has a capacitor insulating film made up of zirconium aliminate being an amorphous film obtained by having crystalline dielectric contain amorphous aluminum oxide and having its composition of AlXZr(1-X)OY (0.05?x?0.3), hereby being capable of preventing, in a process of forming a capacitor of MIM (Metal Insulator Metal) structure, dielectric breakdown of a capacitor insulating film while a relative dielectric constant of a metal oxide film used as the capacitor insulating film is kept high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7297591
    Abstract: Provided is a capacitor of a semiconductor device. The capacitor includes a capacitor lower electrode disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A first dielectric layer comprising aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is disposed on the capacitor lower electrode. A second dielectric layer comprising a material having a higher dielectric constant than that of aluminum oxide is disposed on the first dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer comprising aluminum oxide is disposed on the second dielectric layer. A capacitor upper electrode is disposed on the third dielectric layer. The capacitor of the present invention can improve electrical properties. Thus, power consumption can be reduced and capacitance per unit area is high enough to achieve high integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Jun Won, Myong-geun Yoon, Yong-Kuk Jeong, Dae-jin Kwon
  • Patent number: 7294544
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an improved metal-insulator-metal capacitor is achieved. An insulating layer is provided overlying conducting lines on a semiconductor substrate. Via openings through the insulating layer to the conducting lines are filled with metal plugs. A first metal layer is deposited overlying the insulating layer and the metal plugs. A capacitor dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first metal layer wherein capacitor dielectric layer is deposited as a dual layer, each layer deposited within a separate chamber whereby pinholes are eliminated. A second metal layer and a barrier metal layer are deposited overlying the capacitor dielectric layer. The second metal layer and the barrier metal layer are patterned to form a top plate electrode. Thereafter, the capacitor dielectric layer and the first metal layer are patterned to form a bottom plate electrode completing fabrication of a metal-insulator-metal capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Shih Ho, Jau-Yuann Chung, Chun-Hon Chen, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Patent number: 7279380
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a chalcogenide memory cell is described. The cross-sectional area of a chalcogenide memory element within the cell is controlled by the thickness of a bottom electrode and the width of a word line. The method allows the formation of ultra small chalcogenide memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Lan Lung
  • Patent number: 7268028
    Abstract: A well isolation trenches for a CMOS device and the method for forming the same. The CMOS device includes (a) a semiconductor substrate, (b) a P well and an N well in the semiconductor substrate, (c) a well isolation region sandwiched between and in direct physical contact with the P well and the N well. The P well comprises a first shallow trench isolation (STI) region, and the N well comprises a second STI region. A bottom surface of the well isolation region is at a lower level than bottom surfaces of the first and second STI regions. When going from top to bottom of the well isolation region, an area of a horizontal cross section of the well isolation region is an essentially continuous function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, David Vaclav Horak, Charles William Koburger, III, Jack Allan Mandelman, William Robert Tonti
  • Patent number: 7244649
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a capacitor is disclosed. An etch-stop layer or a polishing stop layer is employed to protect a storage electrode of the capacitor from being damaged by a chemical mechanical polishing process or an etch-back process during its fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Dong Lee, Chang-Ki Hong, Young-Rae Park
  • Publication number: 20070161200
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor in a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulation layer over a substrate, forming storage node contact plugs in the first insulation layer, contacting predetermined portions of the substrate, forming a second insulation layer over the first insulation layer and the storage node contact plugs, forming trenches exposing the storage node contact plugs, forming storage nodes in the trenches, forming a plasma barrier layer over the second insulation layer and the storage nodes, forming a capping layer over the plasma barrier layer and filled in the trenches, removing the capping layer, the plasma barrier layer, and the second insulation layer, forming a dielectric layer over the storage nodes, and forming a plate electrode over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Hyung-Bok Choi
  • Patent number: 7229879
    Abstract: A microelectronic product and a method for fabricating the same each provide a capacitor formed interposed between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer formed over a substrate having a first contact region and a second contact region exposed therein. The capacitor is also connected to a first conductor stud that penetrates the first dielectric layer and contacts the first contact region and a second conductor stud that penetrates the second dielectric layer. A contiguous conductor interconnect and conductor stud layer is formed within a dual damascene aperture through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer and contacting the second contact region. An etch stop layer employed when forming a trench within the dual damascene aperture also passivates a capacitor sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 7229887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a phase-change memory device. The device includes a lower electrode disposed in a recess of a first dielectric. The lower electrode comprises a first side and a second side. The first side communicates to a volume of phase-change memory material. The second side has a length that is less than the first side. Additionally, a second dielectric may overlie the lower electrode. The second dielectric has a shape that is substantially similar to the lower electrode. The present invention also relates to a method of making a phase-change memory device. The method includes providing a lower electrode material in a recess. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Dennison
  • Patent number: 7223651
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a selection transistor and a trench capacitor. The trench capacitor is filled with a conductive trench filling on which an insulating covering layer is arranged. The insulating covering layer is laterally overgrown, proceeding from the substrate with a selectively grown epitaxial layer. The selection transistor is formed in the selectively grown epitaxial layer, comprises a source region connected to the trench capacitor and a drain region connected to a bit line. The junction depth of the source region is chosen so that the source region reaches as far as the insulating covering layer. Optionally, the thickness of the epitaxial layer can be reduced to a thickness by oxidation and a subsequent etching. Afterwards, a contact trench is etched through the source region down to the conductive trench filling, which trench is filled with a conductive contact and electrically connects the conductive trench filling to the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Dietmar Temmler, Andreas Wich-Glasen
  • Patent number: 7214582
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor circuit formed therein and associated fabrication methods are provided. A multiplicity of depressions with a respective dielectric layer and a capacitor electrode are formed for realizing buried capacitors in a carrier substrate and an actual semiconductor component layer being insulated from the carrier substrate by an insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franz Hofmann, Volker Lehmann, Lothar Risoh, Wolfgang Rösner, Michael Specht
  • Patent number: 7214602
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive structure is disclosed. The method includes forming an interconnect in a substrate, and forming a layer of iridium on the interconnect. The layer of iridium has a thickness of less than six hundred angstroms. The method further includes annealing the layer of iridium, forming a dielectric layer on the layer of iridium, and forming a conductive layer on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Patent number: 7211493
    Abstract: A variable capacitor comprising a substrate having a first type ion-doped buried layer, a first type ion-doped well, a second type ion-doped region and a conductive layer thereon. The first type ion-doped well is formed within the substrate. The first type ion-doped well has a cavity. The first type ion-doped buried layer is in the substrate underneath the first type ion-doped well. The first type ion-doped buried layer and the first type ion-doped well are connected. The second type ion-doped region is at the bottom of the cavity of the first type ion-doped well. The conductive layer is above and in connection with the first type ion-doped buried layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jin-Horng Gau, Anchor Chen
  • Patent number: 7208370
    Abstract: To fabricate a vertical transistor, a trench is provided, the side wall of which is formed by a semiconductor substrate in single crystal form and the base of which is formed by a polycrystalline semiconductor substrate. A transition region is arranged between the side wall and the base. A semiconductor layer is deposited so that an epitaxial semiconductor layer grows on the side wall and a semiconductor layer grows on the base, with a space remaining between these layers. The semiconductor layers are covered with a thin dielectric, which partially limits a flow of current, and the space is filled. During a subsequent heat treatment, dopants diffuse out of the conductive material into the epitaxial semiconductor layer, where they form a doping region. The thin dielectric limits the diffusion of the dopants into the semiconductor substrate and prevents the propagation of crystal lattice defects into the epitaxial semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albert Birner, Joern Luetzen
  • Patent number: 7199005
    Abstract: The invention comprises methods of forming pluralities of capacitors. In one implementation, metal is formed over individual capacitor storage node locations on a substrate. A patterned masking layer is formed over the metal. The patterned masking layer comprises openings therethrough to an outer surface of the metal. Individual of the openings are received over individual of the capacitor storage node locations. A pit is formed in the metal outer surface within individual of the openings. After forming the pits, the metal is anodically oxidized through the openings effective to form a single metal oxide-lined channel in individual of the openings over the individual capacitor storage nodes. Individual capacitor electrodes are formed within the channels in electrical connection with the individual capacitor storage node locations. At least some of the metal oxide is removed from the substrate, and the individual capacitor electrodes are incorporated into a plurality of capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, H. Montgomery Manning, Stephen J. Kramer
  • Patent number: 7189613
    Abstract: A process for integrally fabricating a memory cell capacitor and a logic device is disclosed. A first conductive layer and second conductive layer are formed above a semiconductor substrate with a logic region and memory cell region. A first photoresist layer is formed to cover the logic region, and expose an inter-metal dielectric layer adjacent to the second conductive layer in the memory cell region. The exposed inter-metal dielectric layer is etched off to form an opening adjacent to the second conductive layer. A capacitor dielectric layer and third conductive layer are formed on inner walls of the opening to constitute a metal-insulator-metal capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chi Tu
  • Patent number: 7186625
    Abstract: A structure, apparatus and method for utilizing vertically interdigitated electrodes serves to increase the capacitor area surface while maintaining a minimal horizontal foot print. Since capacitance is proportional to the surface area the structure enables continual use of current dielectric materials such as Si3N4 at current thicknesses. In a second embodiment of the interdigitated MIMCAP structure the electrodes are formed in a spiral fashion which serves to increase the physical strength of the MIMCAP. Also included is a spiral shaped capacitor electrode which lends itself to modular design by offering a wide range of discrete capacitive values easily specified by the circuit designer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Louis L. Hsu, Joseph F. Shepard, Jr., William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7183170
    Abstract: After an upper electrode protective film is formed such that it is in a firm contact with ruthenium film of the upper electrode without damaging the ruthenium film, the upper electrode is etched, thereby, a MIM capacitor is obtained in which leak current is not increased due to oxidation of the ruthenium film of the upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Kawagoe, Hiroshi Sakuma, Isamu Asano, Keiji Kuroki, Hidekazu Goto, Shinpei Iijima
  • Patent number: 7183143
    Abstract: A method for forming a nitrided tunnel oxide layer is described. A silicon oxide layer as a tunnel oxide layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a plasma nitridation process is performed to implant nitrogen atoms into the silicon oxide layer. A thermal drive-in process is then performed to diffuse the implanted nitrogen atoms across the silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7176100
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a capacitor including the steps of forming a lower electrode on a substrate, forming an insulation film formed of a perovskite type metal oxide on the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode on the insulation film. The step of forming the insulation film includes the steps of coating a dispersion liquid in which fine crystal powder of a second metal oxide of a perovskite type in a liquid containing a precursor compound of a first metal oxide of a perovskite type on the lower electrode, and performing a heat treatment of the dispersion liquid after coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Motohisa Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7169680
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor is disclosed. First, a dielectric layer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate. Next, at least one dual damascene opening and at least one capacitor opening are formed in the dielectric layer. Next, a first conductive layer is disposed on the surface of the dielectric layer, the bottom and sidewall of the capacitor opening, and the dual damascene opening. Next, an insulating layer is formed on the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer is disposed on the insulating layer. Following that, a planarization process is performed to remove the second conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the first conductive layer on the dielectric surface for forming a capacitor and a dual damascene conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jinsheng Yang, Ching-Hung Kao
  • Patent number: 7161205
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device including a cylindrical storage electrode and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor memory device includes an interlevel dielectric layer with storage contact plugs formed on a semiconductor substrate. Cylindrical storage electrodes are formed above the interlevel dielectric layer and are electrically connected to the storage contact plugs. A spacer is coupled to a predetermined portion of the outer wall of the storage electrodes. A dielectric layer is formed on the storage electrode and on the spacer, and a plate electrode is formed above the dielectric layer. Accordingly, leaning and bit fail of the storage electrode are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Gil Choi, Sang-Sup Jeong
  • Patent number: 7157328
    Abstract: The surface area of the walls of a trench formed in a substrate is increased. A barrier layer is formed on the walls of the trench such that the barrier layer is thinner near the corners of the trench and is thicker between the corners of the trench. A dopant is introduced into the substrate through the barrier layer to form higher doped regions in the substrate near the corners of the trench and lesser doped regions between the corners of the trench. The barrier layer is removed, and the walls of the trench are etched in a manner that etches the lesser doped regions of the substrate at a higher rate than the higher doped regions of the substrate to widen and lengthen the trench and to form rounded corners at the intersections of the walls of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Helmut Horst Tews, Stephan Kudelka, Kenneth T. Settlemyer
  • Patent number: 7153737
    Abstract: A DRAM cell in a substrate has a deep trench (DT) extending from a surface of the substrate into the substrate, a word line (WL) formed on the surface of the substrate adjacent the deep trench, and oxide (TTO) disposed in a top portion of the trench and extending beyond the trench in the direction of the word line. In this manner, when silicided, there is oxide rather than silicon on the surface of the substrate in a gap between the word line (WL) and a passing word line (PWL) disposed above the deep trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oh-Jung Kwon, Kim Bosang, Herbert Lei Ho, Babar Ali Khan, Deok-kee Kim
  • Patent number: 7148117
    Abstract: Methods for forming STI structures in semiconductor devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Hun Seo
  • Patent number: 7141482
    Abstract: Methods of making memory devices/cells are disclosed. First and second electrode layers and a controllably conductive media therebetween are formed over a dielectric layer that has a planar surface and at least one opening. The layers on the dielectric layer planar surface are removed so that the remaining second electrode surface in the opening is co-planar with the dielectric layer planar surface. Methods of using the memory devices/cells, and devices such as computers containing the memory devices/cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Steven C. Avanzino
  • Patent number: 7132300
    Abstract: In a method for forming a ferroelectric film of insulating metal oxide on a surface of an electrode with a concave or a convex or in convex shape which is formed above a substrate, multiple types of source gases constituting a material gas and each containing an organometallic compound are introduced into a chamber and main components of the multiple types of source gases are allowed to chemically react with one another with the chemical reaction proceeding depending on the reaction rate. Then, the ferroelectric film is deposited on the surface of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Tatsunari, Shinichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7132324
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory cell having a trench capacitor and a vertical transistor in a semiconductor substrate includes a step of providing a bonded semiconductor wafer having a lower substrate with an [010] axis parallel to a first wafer axis and an upper semiconductor layer having an [010] axis oriented at forty-five degrees with respect to the wafer axis, the two being connected by a layer of bonding insulator; etching a trench through the upper layer and lower substrate; enlarging the lower portion of the trench and converting the cross section of the upper portion of the trench from octagonal to rectangular, so that sensitivity to alignment errors between the trench lithography and the active area lithography is reduced. An alternative version employs a bonded semiconductor wafer having a lower substrate formed from a (111) crystal structure and the same upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Carl J. Radens
  • Patent number: 7129131
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a bit line structure formed on a substrate and including stacked layers of a bit line, a hard mask and a spacer. The spacer is formed along a profile containing the bit line and the hard mask. A first inter-layer insulation layer is deposited on an entire surface of the bit line structure. A storage node contact plug is formed on the substrate by passing through the inter-layer insulation layer and having a partially etched portion. A second inter-layer insulation layer is formed on a partial portion of the first inter-layer insulation layer and the storage node contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Nam-Jae Lee, Kye-Soon Park
  • Patent number: 7129535
    Abstract: The invention includes methods in which metal oxide dielectric materials are deposited over barrier layers. The barrier layers can comprise compositions of metal and one or more of carbon, boron and nitrogen, and the metal oxide of the dielectric material can comprise the same metal as the barrier layer. The dielectric material/barrier layer constructions can be incorporated into capacitors. The capacitors can be used in, for example, DRAM cells, which in turn can be used in electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cem Basceri, F. Daniel Gealy, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7129133
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and structures for fabrication of reliable and efficient memory cells. The methods involve formation of a conformal diffusion barrier layer in a via, deposition of an electrode material in the via, removal of a certain portion of the electrode material from the via to expose a the portion of the diffusion barrier layer, converting the exposed portion of the diffusion barrier layer into an oxide, forming a memory element film, and forming and patterning a top electrode. Improved electrical conduction and data retention from the memory element of a memory cell by preventing short circuits and leakage of current through the conductive diffusion barrier layer, and thereby enhanced reliability and performance of a memory cell are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Avanzino, Minh Tran
  • Patent number: 7122437
    Abstract: A deep trench capacitor used in a trench DRAM includes a buried plate and an isolation collar. The deep trench is bottle-shaped, and the isolation collar is formed in upper portion of the wider region of the bottle-shaped trench. The buried plate surrounds the lower portion of the wider part of the bottle-shaped trench, and hemispherical grain polysilicon lines the walls of at least the lower portion of the wider part of the trench. A nitride liner layer lines the inner walls of the oxide collar and prevents diffusion of dopant through the oxide collar into the substrate when the HSG polysilicon and the doped buried plate are formed. The buried plate region is self-aligned to the isolation collar. The depth of the top of the wider part of the bottle shape and the bottom depth of the isolation collar are determined by successive resist deposition and recessing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Dyer, Chun-yung Sung, Ravikumar Ramachandran, Ramachandra Divakaruni, Carl Radens
  • Patent number: 7123465
    Abstract: A capacitor structure may be incorporated into an interposer or substrate associated with an IC chip to stabilize the input/output signals, such as power and ground, between the IC chip and a printed circuit board. In accordance with one embodiment, the capacitor structure may include a plurality of individual capacitors connected together to form a monolithic capacitor blade having a length, width, and height, wherein each of the length and height of the blade spans multiple of the individual capacitors. The blade includes multiple electrical conductive paths extending the height of the capacitor blade. According to another embodiment, the capacitor structure includes multiple interleaved power and ground layers separated by insulating layers. The power layers connect to power leads and the ground layers connect to ground leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Silicon Bandwidth, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Zsolt Horvath, Josh Nickel, Myoung-soo Jeon, Charley Ogata, Vincent Alcaria, Patrick Codd