Stacked Capacitor Patents (Class 438/396)
  • Patent number: 9917007
    Abstract: A method of forming an opening pattern including the following steps is provided. An ultra low dielectric constant layer, a dielectric hard mask layer and a patterned metal hard mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A portion of the dielectric hard mask layer is removed to form a patterned dielectric hard mask layer by using the patterned metal hard mask layer as a mask. The patterned metal hard mask layer is removed after forming the patterned dielectric hard mask layer. A portion of the ultra low dielectric constant layer is removed to form a first opening by using the patterned dielectric hard mask layer as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Yu Wu, Bin-Siang Tsai
  • Patent number: 9881865
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite dielectric material can be provided by performing a first deposition cycle to form a first dielectric material and performing a second deposition cycle to form a second dielectric material on the first dielectric material, wherein the first and second dielectric materials comprise different dielectric materials selected from a list consisting of a transition metal nitride, a transition metal oxide, a transition metal carbide, a transition metal silicide, a post-transition metal nitride, a post-transition metal oxide, a post-transition metal carbide, a post-transition metal silicide, a metalloid nitride, a metalloid oxide, and a metalloid carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Ki-Hyun Kim, Friedrich B. Prinz, Jinsung Kang, Youngdong Lee, John Provine, Peter Schindler, Stephen P. Walch, Yongmin Kim, Hyo Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9806328
    Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Enevate Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Yong Park, Ian R. Browne, Stephen W. Schank, Steve Pierce
  • Patent number: 9716013
    Abstract: A method of etching a metal containing layer including a metal including material includes providing a substrate including a top semiconductor surface having the metal containing layer thereon. A photoresist pattern is formed from a photoresist layer on the metal containing layer including forming sloped edge regions of the photoresist layer, wherein the sloped edge regions have an average angle over a full length of the sloped edge regions of from ten (10) to fifty (50) degrees. The metal containing layer is dry etched using the photoresist pattern, wherein the sloped edge regions of the photoresist layer reduce deposition and growth of an etch byproduct including the metal including material into sidewalls of the photoresist layer (metal/polymer sidewall defect) as compared to a conventional vertical (or near-vertical) edge of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Elizabeth Costner Stewart, Neng Jiang, Yung Shan Chang, Ricky Alan Jackson
  • Patent number: 9685498
    Abstract: To form a dielectric layer, an organometallic precursor is adsorbed on a substrate loaded into a process chamber. The organometallic precursor includes a central metal and ligands bound to the central metal. An inactive oxidant is provided onto the substrate. The inactive oxidant is reactive with the organometallic precursor. An active oxidant is also provided onto the substrate. The active oxidant has a higher reactivity than that of the inactive oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Yeol Kang, Suk-Jin Chung, Youn-Soo Kim, Jae-Hyoung Choi, Jae-Soon Lim, Min-Young Park
  • Patent number: 9601494
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same. The semiconductor devices include an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, contact pads on the semiconductor substrate and penetrating the interlayer insulating layer, a stopping insulating layer on the interlayer insulating layer, storage electrodes on the contact pads, upper supporters between upper parts of the storage electrodes, side supporters between the storage electrodes and the upper supporters, a capacitor dielectric layer on the storage electrodes, the side supporters, and the upper supporters, and a plate electrode on the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Eun Kim, Dae-Ik Kim, Seung-Jun Lee, Young-Seung Cho
  • Patent number: 9583269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug element (10), in particular for producing capacitors (C), which comprises three sections (1, 2, 3) in the direction of its longitudinal extent, wherein a first section (1) has a tapered shape at one end of the plug element (10), said tapered shape complementing a shape of a third section (3) at that end of the plug element (10) which is averted from the first section (1), and wherein a second section (2) is arranged between the first and the third section (1, 3), said second section connecting the first and the third section (1, 3) to one another. The invention also relates to a plug system (100) comprising plug elements (10) by means of which (cylindrical) capacitors (C) can be created, wherein electrically conductive layers (L1, D, L2, U) of the capacitor (C) which is formed from the plug system (100) simultaneously form a conduction structure of an inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dirk Diehl
  • Patent number: 9536940
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure. The method comprises forming a high-k dielectric material, forming a continuous interfacial material over the high-k dielectric material, and forming a conductive material over the continuous interfacial material. Additional methods and semiconductor structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhe Song, Jennifer K. Sigman
  • Patent number: 9524975
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device may include a dummy structure formed on a peripheral region of a substrate, and insulating spacers configured to pass through the dummy structure and protrude from an upper surface of the dummy structure. The semiconductor device may include first contact plugs configured to pass through the insulating spacers and protrude from upper surfaces of the insulating spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Sung Eom
  • Patent number: 9478736
    Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a memory array device. An example memory array device includes a plurality of memory cells, each including a FET over a substrate and a memory element over the FET. Each memory element includes a plurality of epitaxially grown memory element layers. The memory elements formed utilizing two etches through all epitaxially grown layers. Each of these etches can be split to two separate processes specific to CMOS transistor etch and to memory element etch. The memory array device includes a plurality of gate conductors configured along a first axis, in parallel. Each FET of the memory cells adjacent to two gate conductors. The memory array device includes a plurality of bit lines configured along a second axis, in parallel, and electrically coupled to a plurality of memory elements along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. DeBrosse, Chung H. Lam, Janusz J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 9418999
    Abstract: A capacitor and methods for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode; treating the bottom electrode in an oxygen-containing environment to convert a top layer of the bottom electrode into a buffer layer; forming an insulating layer on the buffer layer; and forming a top electrode over the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ta Wu, Jason Lee, Chung Chien Wang, Hsing-Lien Lin, Yu-Jen Wang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chern-Yow Hsu, Yuan-Hung Liu, Chi-Hsin Lo, Chia-Shiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 9391133
    Abstract: A capacitor and a method of fabricating thereof are provided. A structure of low pressure tetraethyl orthosilicate—low pressure silicon nitride—low pressure tetraethyl orthosilicate is used in the capacitor to replace the oxide-nitride-oxide structure of the existing capacitor; the capacitor has a relatively high unit capacitance value. Furthermore, the structure of low pressure tetraethyl orthosilicate—low pressure silicon nitride—low pressure tetraethyl orthosilicate is fabricaited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition method at relatively low temperature; thus the heat produced in the whole process is relatively low, which is insufficient to make the semiconductor device shift or make the gate metal layer or the metallized silicon layer peel off. Accordingly, the capacitor and the method of fabricating the capacitor of the present invention can be well applied in the process of the 0.5 ?m PIP capacitor or below 0.5 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB1 CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rengang Qin, Dejin Wang, Boyong He
  • Patent number: 9384974
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for filling a trench formed on an insulating film of a workpiece. The method includes forming a first impurity-containing amorphous silicon film on a wall surface which defines the trench, forming a second amorphous silicon film on the first amorphous silicon film, and annealing the workpiece after the second amorphous silicon film is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Suzuki, Kazuya Takahashi, Mitsuhiro Okada, Katsuhiko Komori, Satoshi Onodera
  • Patent number: 9379543
    Abstract: A system for energy harvesting comprises a first interface for receiving energy from at least one renewable energy source (ERS); a second interface coupled to at least one load circuit; a third interface coupled to an least one primary energy storage (PES); a DC-to-DC converter connected to one of a single inductor and a single capacitor; a switching circuitry connected to the first, second, and third interfaces and the DC-to-DC converter; a control unit connected to the DC-to-DC converter and the switching circuitry, the control unit controls the system to operate in an operation mode including any one of: provide energy from the ERS to the at least one load via the DC-to-DC converter, charge the least one PES from the at least one ERS via the DC-to-DC converter, and provide energy from the at least one PES to the at least one load circuit via the DC-to-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Sol Chip Ltd.
    Inventors: Shani Keysar, Reuven Holzer, Rami Friedlander
  • Patent number: 9372406
    Abstract: A film layer on a substrate of the wafer is patterned to form a first plurality of areas of the film layer and a second plurality of areas of the film layer. The first plurality of areas of the film layer is removed. The second plurality of areas of the film layer is kept on the substrate. A first portion of the film layer is kept on the substrate. A first edge of the first portion of the film layer is substantially near an edge of the wafer. The first portion of the film layer defines a boundary for the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Chang, Wang-Pen Mo, Hung-Chang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9356104
    Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a contact etch stop layer over the semiconductor substrate and sidewalls of the gate stack. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer over the contact etch stop layer. In addition, the semiconductor device includes an interfacial layer between the contact etch stop layer and the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung-Tsun Liu
  • Patent number: 9349813
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least two gate patterns on a substrate, forming sidewalls surrounding the gate patterns, wherein the sidewalls extend above an upper surface of the gate patterns, and forming a first conducting material in a first space and a second space, wherein the first space is provided above the gate patterns and between the sidewalls that extend above the upper surface of the gate patterns and the second space is provided between the gate patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Sul Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9306162
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method for fabricated a memory cell comprising depositing a material to form an interface cap above a bulk conductive plug and below active cell materials in the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Sills, Beth Cook, Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9305774
    Abstract: A stable and minute processing method of a thin film is provided. Further, a miniaturized semiconductor device is provided. A method for processing a thin film includes the following steps: forming a film to be processed over a formation surface; forming an organic coating film over the film to be processed; forming a resist film over the organic coating film; exposing the resist film to light or an electron beam; removing part of the resist film by development to expose part of the organic coating film; depositing an organic material layer on the top surface and a side surface of the resist film by plasma treatment; etching part of the organic coating film using the resist film and the organic material layer as masks to expose part of the film to be processed; and etching part of the film to be processed using the resist film and the organic material layer as masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiga Muraoka, Motomu Kurata, Shinya Sasagawa, Katsuaki Tochibayashi
  • Patent number: 9275951
    Abstract: A method for reducing areas of high field density in an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first curvilinear wiring structure in a first interconnect layer of an integrated circuit. A second curvilinear wiring structure may be formed in a second interconnect layer of the integrated circuit, such that the first and second curvilinear wiring structures are substantially vertically aligned. The first curvilinear wiring structure may then be electrically connected to the second curvilinear wiring structure. A corresponding apparatus and design structure are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Felix Patrick Anderson, Thomas Leddy McDevitt, Anthony Kendall Stamper
  • Patent number: 9257638
    Abstract: A method for etching a stack with an Ru containing layer disposed below a hardmask and above a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack with pinned layer is provided. The hardmask is etched with a dry etch. The Ru containing layer is etched, where the etching uses hypochlorite and/or O3 based chemistries. The MTJ stack is etched. The MTJ stack is capped with dielectric materials. The pinned layer is etched following the MTJ capping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Samantha S.H. Tan, Wenbing Yang, Meihua Shen, Richard P. Janek, Jeffrey Marks, Harmeet Singh, Thorsten Lill
  • Patent number: 9257325
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for forming isolation between fin structures formed from a bulk silicon wafer are provided. A bulk silicon wafer is provided having one or more fin structures formed therefrom. Forming of the fin structures defines isolation trenches between the one or more fin structures. Each of the fin structures has vertical sidewalls. An oxide layer is deposited in the isolation trenches and on the vertical sidewalls using HDPCVD in about a 4:1 ratio or greater. The oxide layer is isotropically etched to remove the oxide layer from the vertical sidewalls and a portion of the oxide layer from the bottom of the isolation trenches. A substantially uniformly thick isolating oxide layer is formed on the bottom of the isolation trench to isolate the one or more fin structures and substantially reduce fin height variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Knorr, Frank Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 9257383
    Abstract: A methodology for forming trench capacitors on an interposer wafer by an integrated process that provides high-capacitance, ultra-low profile capacitor structures and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a polymer block on a front side of an interposer wafer, patterning and etching the polymer block to form one or more trenches, and forming a capacitor on an upper surface of the polymer block and in the one or more trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventor: Luke England
  • Patent number: 9257272
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. An embodiment comprises forming a deposited layer using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The ALD process may utilize a first precursor for a first time period, a first purge for a second time period longer than the first time period, a second precursor for a third time period longer than the first time period, and a second purge for a fourth time period longer than the third time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wen Chang, Cheng-Yuan Tsai, Hsing-Lien Lin
  • Patent number: 9252097
    Abstract: The semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of first wiring lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of second wiring lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and a memory cell array comprising memory cells, the memory cells being connected to the first wiring lines and second wiring lines in the crossing portions of the first and second wiring lines. A plurality of first dummy-wiring-line regions are formed in the peripheral area around the memory cell array. A contact is formed in the peripheral area, the contact extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. A plurality of second dummy-wiring-line regions are formed in the periphery of the contact. The mean value of the areas of the second dummy-wiring-line regions is less than the mean value of the areas of the first dummy-wiring-line regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Baba
  • Patent number: 9236296
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide an MIM capacitor and fabrication method thereof. An exemplary MIM capacitor can include a dielectric layer disposed over a substrate containing a conductive layer. The dielectric layer can include a groove to expose the conductive layer in the substrate. A first metal layer can be disposed on a bottom surface and a bottom portion of a sidewall surface of the groove. A top surface of the first metal layer on the sidewall surface of the groove can be lower than a top surface of the dielectric layer. A dielectric material layer can be disposed on the first metal layer and on a top portion of the sidewall surface of the groove. A second metal layer can be disposed on the dielectric material layer; and a third metal layer can be disposed on the second metal layer to fill the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zhongshan Hong
  • Patent number: 9232665
    Abstract: A packaging substrate includes: a dielectric layer unit having top and bottom surfaces; a positioning pad embedded in the bottom surface of the dielectric layer unit; at least a passive element having a plurality of electrode pads disposed on upper and lower surfaces thereof, the passive element being embedded in the dielectric layer unit and corresponding to the positioning pad; a first circuit layer disposed on the top surface of the dielectric layer unit, the first circuit layer having first conductive vias electrically connected to the electrode pads disposed on the upper surface of the passive element; and a second circuit layer disposed on the bottom surface of the dielectric layer unit, the second circuit layer having second conductive vias electrically connected to the electrode pads disposed on the lower surface of the passive element. Through the embedding of the passive element, the overall structure may have a reduced height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Unimicron Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Hsu, Zhao-Chong Zeng
  • Patent number: 9224878
    Abstract: Provided are MIM DRAM capacitors and methods of forming thereof. A MIM DRAM capacitor may include an electrode layer formed from a high work function material (e.g., greater than about 5.0 eV). This layer may be used to reduce the leakage current through the capacitor. The capacitor may also include another electrode layer having a high conductivity base portion and a conductive metal oxide portion. The conductive metal oxide portion serves to promote the growth of the high k phase of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra G. Malhotra, Hanhong Chen, Wim Deweerd, Arthur Gevondyan, Hiroyuki Ode
  • Patent number: 9159767
    Abstract: In a method of an MRAM device, first and second patterns are formed on a substrate alternately and repeatedly in a second direction. Each first pattern and each second pattern extend in a first direction perpendicular to the second direction. Some of the second patterns are removed to form first openings extending in the first direction. Source lines filling the first openings are formed. A mask is formed on the first and second patterns and the source lines. The mask includes second openings in the first direction, each of which extends in the second direction. Portions of the second patterns exposed by the second openings are removed to form third openings. Third patterns filling the third openings are formed. The second patterns surrounded by the first and third patterns are removed to form fourth openings. Contact plugs filling the fourth openings are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Chul Park, Gwang-Hyun Baek, Hyung-Joon Kwon, In-Ho Kim, Chang-Woo Sun
  • Patent number: 9147745
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: sequentially forming a sacrificial layer and a semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming a first cover layer on the semiconductor layer; forming an opening extending into the substrate with the first cover layer as a mask; selectively removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer through the opening, and filling an insulating material in a gap due to removal of the sacrificial layer; forming one of source and drain regions in the opening; forming a second cover layer on the substrate; forming the other of the source and drain regions with the second cover layer as a mask; removing a portion of the second cover layer; and forming a gate dielectric layer, and forming a gate conductor in the form of spacer on a sidewall of a remaining portion of the second cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Qingqing Liang, Huicai Zhong, Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 9142557
    Abstract: A high capacitance embedded metal interconnect capacitor and associated fabrication processes are disclosed for using a directional barrier metal formation sequence in a dual damascene copper process to form multi-layer stacked copper interconnect structure having reduced barrier metal layer formation at the bottom of each via hole so that the multi-layer stacked copper interconnect structure may be readily removed and replaced with high capacitance MIM capacitor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.
    Inventor: Soogeun Lee
  • Patent number: 9136128
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the same. One such apparatus can include a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, and a conductive material between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. A charge storage element, such as a floating gate or charge trap, is between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material and adjacent to the conductive material. The charge storage element has a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are substantially separated from the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, respectively, by a first air gap and a second air gap. Additional apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Minsoo Lee, Akira Goda
  • Patent number: 9136317
    Abstract: A capacitor including a substrate, a conductive layer, a middle dielectric material layer, a first dielectric material layer, and a second dielectric material layer is provided. The conductive layer includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the conductive layer is located over the substrate. The middle dielectric material layer is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first dielectric material layer is located between the middle dielectric material layer and the first electrode. The second dielectric material layer is located between the middle dielectric material layer and the second electrode. The dielectric constant of the middle dielectric material layer is different from the dielectric constants of the first dielectric material layer and the second dielectric material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Yong-Ji Mao
  • Patent number: 9123632
    Abstract: A highly reliable structure is provided when high-speed driving of a semiconductor device is achieved by improving on-state characteristics of the transistor. The on-state characteristics of the transistor are improved as follows: an end portion of a source electrode and an end portion of a drain electrode overlap with end portions of a gate electrode, and the gate electrode surely overlaps with a region serving as a channel formation region of an oxide semiconductor layer. Further, embedded conductive layers are formed in an insulating layer so that large contact areas are obtained between the embedded conductive layers and the source and drain electrodes; thus, the contact resistance of the transistor can be reduced. Prevention of coverage failure with a gate insulating layer enables the oxide semiconductor layer to be thin; thus, the transistor is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Atsuo Isobe, Toshinari Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9117908
    Abstract: One method disclosed includes, forming a sacrificial gate structure trench in a stack of sacrificial material layers, forming a sacrificial gate structure within the trench, performing at least one process operation to remove at least portions of the stack of sacrificial material layers and thereby expose sidewalls of the sacrificial gate structure, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent the exposed sidewalls of the sacrificial gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate structure so as to define a replacement gate cavity between the spacers, forming a replacement gate structure in the replacement gate cavity, and forming a gate cap above the replacement gate structure within the replacement gate cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Xiuyu Cai, Andy C. Wei
  • Patent number: 9112275
    Abstract: A radome is provided and includes a substrate formed of moisture permeable material and a coating disposed on a surface of the SCFS substrate. The coating includes a layer of inorganic material disposed adjacent to at least one layer of organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: John Bedinger, Michael A. Moore, Waid A. Paine
  • Patent number: 9099446
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor device includes: a process for forming a first conductor on a first interlayer insulating film provided on a semiconductor substrate, a process for forming in order a first stopper interlayer film, a second interlayer insulating film, a second stopper interlayer film, and a third interlayer insulating film on the first interlayer insulating film to cover the first conductor, a process for penetrating the third interlayer insulating film, the second stopper interlayer film, and the second interlayer insulating film, and forming a first contact hole having a first inner diameter on a position corresponding to the first conductor, a process for expanding the inner diameter of the first contact hole on the second interlayer insulating film to a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter, and a process for forming on the first stopper interlayer film a second contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9093418
    Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor is formed on a semiconductor substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor comprising a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film and an upper electrode stacked in an order recited. A first capacitor protective film of aluminum oxide having a thickness equal to or thicker than 30 nm is formed covering the ferroelectric capacitor. A first insulating film of silicon oxide is formed on the first capacitor protective film by chemical vapor deposition using high density plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 9082695
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic memory cell, including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), includes using silicon nitride layer and silicon oxide layer to form a trench for depositing copper to be employed for connecting the MTJ to other circuitry without the use of a via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Satoh, Yiming Huai, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9070514
    Abstract: A thin-film device system includes a substrate and a plurality of pillars. The plurality of pillars project from a surface of the substrate. Each of the plurality of pillars have a perimeter that includes at least four protrusions that define at least four recessed regions between the at least four protrusions. Each of the at least four recessed regions of each of the plurality of pillars receives one protrusion from an adjacent one of the plurality of pillars. A thin-film device is fabricated over the plurality of pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Wasson
  • Publication number: 20150140779
    Abstract: MIMCAP diodes are provided that can be suitable for memory device applications, such as current selector devices for cross point memory array. The MIMCAP diodes can have lower thermal budget as compared to Schottky diodes and controllable lower barrier height and lower series resistance as compared to MIMCAP tunneling diodes. The MIMCAP diode can include a barrier height modification layer, a low leakage dielectric layer and a high leakage dielectric layer. The layers can be sandwiched between two electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Prashant B. Phatak
  • Publication number: 20150140778
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing the MIM capacitor structure is provided. A first damascene electrode layer is formed in the first opening formed in a first dielectric layer. An insulating barrier layer is formed to cover the first dielectric layer and the first damascene electrode layer. A second opening and a third opening are formed in the second dielectric layer formed on the insulating barrier layer. The second opening and the third opening are located above the first damascene electrode layer to expose a portion of the insulating barrier layer therefrom. The insulating barrier layer in the third opening is removed to expose a portion of the first damascene electrode layer. A second damascene electrode layer is formed in the second opening to be contacted with the insulating barrier layer and a dual damascene structure is formed in the third opening to be contacted with the first damascene electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JI FENG, DUAN-QUAN LIAO, HAI-LONG GU, YING-TU CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150123242
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a semiconductor device with metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure are provided. The MIM capacitor structure includes a substrate; and a MIM capacitor formed on the substrate. The MIM capacitor includes a bottom electrode formed over the substrate. The bottom electrode is a top metal layer. The MIM capacitor also includes an insulating layer formed on the bottom electrode; and a top electrode formed on the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chi-Chung JEN, Chia-Lun HSU
  • Patent number: 9023699
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell includes a transistor, a bottom electrode adjacent to a drain region of the transistor and coplanar with the gate, a resistive material layer on the bottom electrode, a top electrode on the resistive material layer, and a conductive material connecting the bottom electrode to the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Wen-Ting Chu, Kuo-Chi Tu, Yu-Wen Liao, Hsia-Wei Chen, Chin-Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 9023711
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive material comprises forming at least one opening extending through an organic material and an insulative material underlying the organic material to expose at least a portion of a substrate and a conductive contact in the substrate. The method further comprises lining exposed surfaces of the insulative material, the conductive contact, and the at least a portion of the substrate in the at least one opening with a conductive material without forming the conductive material on the organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20150115402
    Abstract: An inductive capacitive structure including a first substrate, a first conductive line over the first substrate, a first shielding layer over the first substrate and a second substrate over the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Tsung YEN, Cheng-Wei LUO
  • Patent number: 9012299
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device, initially, a first electrode is provided. An oxide layer is provided on the first electrode, and a protective layer is provided on the oxide layer. An opening through the protective layer is provided to expose a portion of the oxide layer, and a portion of the first electrode underlying the exposed portion of the oxide layer is oxidized. A second electrode is provided in contact with the exposed portion of the oxide layer. In alternative embodiments, the initially provided oxide layer may be eliminated, and spacers of insulating material may be provided in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Steven Avanzino, Tzu-Ning Fang, Swaroop Kaza, Dong-Xiang Liao, Wai Lo, Christie Marrian, Sameer Haddad
  • Patent number: 9012298
    Abstract: A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a flash layer between the dielectric layer and the first electrode layer. A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a capping layer between the dielectric layer and the second electrode layer. The flash layer and the capping layer can be formed using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The precursor materials used for forming the flash layer and the capping layer are selected such they include at least one metal-oxygen bond. Additionally, the precursor materials are selected to also include “bulky” ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra G. Malhotra, Hiroyuki Ode, Xiangxin Rui
  • Patent number: 9012295
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method of forming a compressive polycrystalline semiconductive material layer is disclosed. The method comprises forming a polycrystalline semiconductive seed layer over a substrate and forming a silicon layer by depositing silicon directly on the polycrystalline silicon seed layer under amorphous process conditions at a temperature below 600 C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lehnert, Stefan Pompl, Markus Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150102461
    Abstract: A high capacitance embedded metal interconnect capacitor and associated fabrication processes are disclosed for using a directional barrier metal formation sequence in a dual damascene copper process to form multi-layer stacked copper interconnect structure having reduced barrier metal layer formation at the bottom of each via hole so that the multi-layer stacked copper interconnect structure may be readily removed and replaced with high capacitance MIM capacitor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
    Inventor: Soogeun Lee