Having Contacts Formed By Selective Growth Or Deposition Patents (Class 438/399)
  • Publication number: 20100009512
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes forming a plurality of individual capacitor electrodes using two masking steps. An earlier of the two masking steps is used to form an array of first openings over a plurality of storage node contacts. A later of the two masking steps is used to form an array of second openings received partially over and partially offset from the array of first openings. Overlapping portions of the first and second openings are received over the storage node contacts. After both of the two masking steps, conductive material of the individual capacitor electrodes is deposited into the overlapping portions of each of the first and second openings. The individual capacitor electrodes are incorporated into a plurality of capacitors. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Fred Fishburn
  • Patent number: 7629218
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a capacitor and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. Other example embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a capacitor having improved characteristics and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. In a method of manufacturing a capacitor having improved characteristics, an insulation layer, including a pad therein, may be formed on a substrate. An etch stop layer may be formed on the insulation layer. A mold layer may be formed on the etch stop layer. The mold layer may be partially etched by a first etching process to form a first contact hole exposing the etch stop layer. The mold layer may be partially etched by a second etching process to form a second contact hole. The exposed etch stop layer may be etched by a third etching process to form a third contact hole exposing the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Lee, Man-Sug Kang, Tae-Han Kim, Keum-Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 7622348
    Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the aspect ratio of contacts to bit lines in fabricating an IC including logic and memory. The method includes the steps of forming a first group of device regions to be contacted by a first level of metal and a second group of memory bit lines to be contacted by a second level of metal, the first level separated from the second level by at least one layer of dielectric material. Conductive material is plated by electroless plating on the device regions and bit lines and first and second conductive plugs are formed overlying the conductive material. The first conductive plugs are contacted by the first level of metal and the second conductive plugs are contacted by the second level of metal. The thickness of the plated conductive material provides a self aligned process for reducing the aspect ratio of the conductive plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: James Pan
  • Publication number: 20090275187
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes providing material having an opening therein over a node location on a substrate. A shield is provided within and across the opening, with a void being received within the opening above the shield and a void being received within the opening below the shield. The shield is etched through within the opening. After the etching, a first capacitor electrode is formed within the opening in electrical connection with the node location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Kiehlbauch, Kevin Shea
  • Patent number: 7605007
    Abstract: An upper electrode film includes a first conductive oxidation layer made of an oxide expressed by a chemical formula M1Ox2, a second conductive oxidation layer made of an oxide expressed by a chemical formula M2Oy2 and a third conductive oxidation layer. Here, the second conductive oxidation layer is formed to have a degree of oxidation higher than the first conductive oxidation layer and the third conductive oxidation layer, and among the composition parameters x1, x2, y1, y2, z1 and z2, there are the following relations, y2/y1>x2/x1, y2/y1>z2/z1, and z2/z1?x2/x1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Wensheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7598114
    Abstract: A method of forming an air gap within a semiconductor structure by the steps of: (a) using a sacrificial polymer to occupy a space in a semiconductor structure; and (b) heating the semiconductor structure to decompose the sacrificial polymer leaving an air gap within the semiconductor structure, wherein the sacrificial polymer of step (a) is: (a) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene (or a vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or (c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene. In addition, a semiconductor structure, having a sacrificial polymer positioned between conductor lines, wherein the sacrificial polymer is: (a) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and vinylbenzocyclobutene (or a vinylbenzocyclobutene derivative); or (b) a copolymer of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene and 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene; or (c) a polymer of 5-(3benzocyclobutylidene)-2-norbornene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventors: Youngfu Li, Robert A. Kirchhoff, Jason Q. Niu, Kenneth L. Foster
  • Patent number: 7598138
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device manufacturing method including the steps of: forming an n-type impurity diffusion region by ion-implanting arsenic into a capacitor formation region of a silicon substrate under a condition that a beam current is not less than 1 ?A but less than 3 mA; forming a capacitor dielectric film on the capacitor formation region of the silicon substrate; and forming a capacitor upper electrode on the capacitor dielectric film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Fujita
  • Publication number: 20090189249
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first and second structures formed in a first insulating layer, a lower metal interconnection formed in the second structure, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor formed in the first structure, and first, second and third electrodes formed in the first structure and electrically connected to the MIM capacitor. The first electrode is a chip bottom metal (CBM) layer, the second electrode is a first chip top metal (CTM) layer and the third electrode is a second chip top metal (CTM) layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Je-Sik Woo
  • Patent number: 7553738
    Abstract: A microelectronic device, a method of fabricating the device, and a system including the device. The method includes: providing a substrate including an underlying conductive layer and a polymer build-up layer overlying the underlying conductive layer; providing a passive microelectronic structure; embedding the passive structure in the polymer build-up layer of the substrate; and patterning the passive structure after embedding, patterning including over-etching the bottom electrode layer. The passive microelectronic structure being embedded includes an unpatterned bottom electrode layer; an unpatterned capacitor dielectric layer overlying the bottom electrode layer; and an unpatterned top electrode layer overlying the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yongki Min, Huankiat Seh
  • Patent number: 7550360
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor, at first, an anodic oxide film is formed on the surface of an aluminum base. Then, a solid electrolyte layer is formed of a conductive polymer or the like on the anodic oxide film. Then, a cathode electrode portion including a silver paste layer is formed on the solid electrolyte layer. Then, a conductive paste is coated on the anodic oxide film on one side of the aluminum base and cured, thereby forming a metal silver layer. Then, a laser beam is irradiated from the opposite side of the aluminum base to weld together the aluminum base and the metal silver layer, thereby forming an anode electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: NEC TOKIN Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshida, Katsuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7550380
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal cap over a conductive interconnect in a chalcogenide-based memory device is provided and includes, forming a layer of a first conductive material over a substrate, depositing an insulating layer over the first conductive material and the substrate, forming an opening in the insulating layer to expose at least a portion of the first conductive material, depositing a second conductive material over the insulating layer and within the opening, removing portions of the second conductive material to form a conductive area within the opening, recessing the conductive area within the opening to a level below an upper surface of the insulating layer, forming a cap of a third conductive material over the recessed conductive area within the opening, depositing a stack of a chalcogenide based memory cell material over the cap, and depositing a conductive material over the chalcogenide stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia C. Elkins, John T. Moore, Rita J. Klein
  • Patent number: 7547607
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit capacitor includes forming a first metal layer on a conductive plug in an interlayer insulating layer on a substrate. At least a portion of the first metal layer is silicided to form a metal silicide layer and a remaining first metal layer on the conductive plug. The remaining first metal layer is removed using a dry etching process. A lower electrode including a second metal layer is then formed on the metal silicide layer. Because the remaining first metal layer is removed, etching and/or other damage to the conductive plug and/or the interlayer insulating layer during a subsequent wet ethching process may be reduced and/or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-jin Moon, Gil-Heyun Choi, Sang-Woo Lee, Jae-Hwa Park
  • Patent number: 7544580
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing passive components is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided, and a connecting region, a capacitor region and an inductance region are defined in the substrate. The substrate includes a first metal layer and an insulating layer on the first metal layer. Subsequently, the insulating layer is etched, and then the first metal layer is etched. Thus, an outer connecting pad in the connecting region and a bottom electrode in the capacitor region are formed simultaneously, and a part of the insulating layer on the bottom electrode remains. Thereafter, a dielectric layer is deposited, and then a dual damascene copper process is performed to form an inductance structure and a top electrode of a capacitor in the dielectric layer simultaneously. Next, a passive layer is deposited and an etching process is thereafter performed to expose the outer connecting pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hung-Lin Shih
  • Publication number: 20090134493
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a MIM capacitor, and having excellent waterproof property and antioxidant property even when being formed between wiring layers. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first wiring layer embedded in the first insulating film, a wiring cap film for covering the first wiring layer, the MIM capacitor formed on the wiring cap film, a hydrogen barrier film for covering the MIM capacitor, a second insulating film formed on the hydrogen barrier film, conductive plugs passing through the second insulating film and the hydrogen barrier film, one of which being connected to an upper electrode of the MIM capacitor and the other of which being connected to a lower electrode of the MIM capacitor, and a second wiring layer connected to the conductive plugs, and the upper and lower electrodes of the MIM capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Iwaki
  • Publication number: 20090115023
    Abstract: A capacitor of a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. In one example embodiment, a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes a first electrode, first dielectric layer, second electrode, second dielectric layer, and third electrode sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate. The capacitor also includes a first contact coupled to the first electrode and to the third electrode. The capacitor further includes a second contact coupled to the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Do Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7517806
    Abstract: A method and structure for an integrated circuit structure that utilizes complementary fin-type field effect transistors (FinFETs) is disclosed. The invention has a first-type of FinFET which includes a first fin, and a second-type of FinFET which includes a second fin running parallel to the first fin. The invention also has an insulator fin positioned between the source/drain regions of the first first-type of FinFET and the second-type of FinFET. The insulator fin has approximately the same width dimensions as the first fin and the second fin, such that the spacing between the first-type of FinFET and the second-type of FinFET is approximately equal to the width of one fin. The invention also has a common gate formed over channel regions of the first-type of FinFET and the second-type of FinFET. The gate includes a first impurity doping region adjacent the first-type of FinFET and a second impurity doping region adjacent the second-type of FinFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Bryant, William F. Clark, Jr., David M. Fried, Mark D. Jaffe, Edward J. Nowak, John J. Pekarik, Christopher S. Putnam
  • Publication number: 20090090998
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first and second structures formed in a first insulating layer, a lower metal interconnection formed in the second structure, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor formed in the first structure, and first, second and third electrodes formed in the first structure and electrically connected to the MIM capacitor. The first electrode is a chip bottom metal (CBM) layer, the second electrode is a first chip top metal (CTM) layer and the third electrode is a second chip top metal (CTM) layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Je-Sik Woo
  • Patent number: 7491619
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of fabricating semiconductor devices. A method may include forming a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, a second conductive layer, a second dielectric layer, and a third conductive layer. The method may also include forming a mask layer on the third conductive layer, forming a photoresist pattern on the mask layer, and forming at least one middle electrode by patterning the mask layer, the third conductive layer, the second dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask. The method may also include forming a mask pattern by selectively etching a side wall of the patterned mask layer, removing the photoresist pattern, and forming an upper electrode by patterning the third conductive layer using the mask pattern as an etching mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-Wook Park, Hyung-Moo Park
  • Patent number: 7488644
    Abstract: Bit lines having first conductive patterns and bit line mask patterns are formed on a first insulating layer between capacitor contact regions of a substrate. An oxide second insulating layer is formed on the bit lines and contact patterns are formed to open storage node contact hole regions corresponding to portions of the second insulating layer. First spacers are formed on sidewalls of the etched portions. The second and first insulating layers are etched to form storage node contact holes exposing the capacitor contact regions. Simultaneously, second spacers of the second insulating layer are formed beneath the first spacers. A second conductive layer fills the storage node contact holes to form storage node contact pads. A loss of the bit line mask pattern decreases due to the reduced thickness of the bit line mask pattern and a bit line loading capacitance decreases due to the second spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Goo Lee, Cheol-Ju Yun
  • Patent number: 7485912
    Abstract: A flexible scheme for forming a multi-layer capacitor structure is provided. The multi-layer capacitor structure includes a first electrode and a second electrode extending through at least one metallization layer, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by dielectric materials. In each of the metallization layers, the first electrode comprises a first bus and first fingers connected to the first bus, wherein the first bus comprises a first leg in a first direction, and wherein the first fingers are parallel to each other and are in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction form an acute angle. In each of the metallization layers, the second electrode comprises a second bus and second fingers connected to the second bus, wherein the second fingers are parallel to the first fingers in a same metallization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Jung Wang
  • Patent number: 7482242
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a capacitor, a method of forming the same, a semiconductor device having the capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. Other example embodiments are directed to a capacitor having an upper electrode structure including a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode, a method of forming the same, a semiconductor device having the capacitor and a method of manufacturing the same. In a method of forming a capacitor, a lower electrode may be formed on a substrate, and then a dielectric layer may be formed on the lower electrode. An upper electrode structure may be formed on the dielectric layer. The upper electrode structure may include a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The second upper electrode may include at least two of a silicon layer, a first silicon germanium layer and a second silicon germanium layer doped with p-type impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Bum Park, Woo-Sung Lee, Nam-Kyu Kim, Jung-Hee Chung, Jae-Hyoung Choi
  • Publication number: 20090004810
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a memory device. The method includes forming an etch stop layer, bit lines, and a first hard mask pattern over a semiconductor substrate. A first SNC plug is formed between the bit lines, and an etch process is performed to reduce the height of the first hard mask pattern and the first SNC plug, to increase a top width of the first hard mask pattern, and to reduce a top width of the first SNC plug. The method also includes forming a second hard mask pattern on the first hard mask pattern, and forming a second SNC plug between the second hard mask patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Se Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7468108
    Abstract: A capacitor electrode forming method includes chemisorbing a layer of at least one metal precursor at least one monolayer thick on a substrate, the layer including non-metal components from the precursor. The chemisorbed layer can be treated with an oxidant and the non-metal components removed to form a treated layer of metal. A capacitor electrode can be formed including the treated layer and, optionally, additional treated layers. Preferably, treating the layer does not substantially oxidize the metal and the treated layers exhibit the property of inhibiting oxygen diffusion. The chemisorbing and the treating can be performed at a temperature below about 450° C. or preferably below about 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20080293212
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor in a semiconductor device comprises forming an inter-layer layer on a semi-finished substrate; etching the inter-layer insulation layer to form a plurality of first contact holes; forming a first insulation layer on sidewalls of the first contact holes; forming a plurality of storage-node contact plugs filled into the first contact holes; forming a second insulation layer with a different etch rate from the first insulation layer over the storage-node contact plugs; forming a third insulation layer on the second insulation layer; sequentially etching the third insulation layer and the second insulation layer to form a plurality of second contact holes exposing the storage-node contact plugs; and forming the storage node on each of the second contact holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Hyeub Sun, Sung-Kwon Lee, Sung-Yoon Cho
  • Patent number: 7456078
    Abstract: The thin-film capacitor comprises a capacitor part 20 formed over a base substrate 10 and including a first capacitor electrode 14, a capacitor dielectric film 16 formed over the first capacitor electrode 14, and a second capacitor electrode 18 formed over the capacitor dielectric film 16; leading-out electrodes 26a, 26b lead from the first capacitor electrode 14 or the second capacitor electrode 18 and formed of a conducting barrier film which prevents the diffusion of hydrogen or water; and outside connection electrodes 34a, 34b for connecting to outside and connected to the leading-out electrodes 26a, 26b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kurihara, Takeshi Shioga, John David Baniecki, Masatoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7449383
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a capacitor and a method of manufacturing a dynamic random access memory device, an insulating layer covering an upper portion of a conductive layer may be provided with an ozone gas so as to change the property of the upper portion of the insulating layer. The upper portion of the insulating layer may be chemically removed to expose the upper portion of the conductive layer. The exposed upper portion of the conductive layer may be removed so as to transform the conductive layer into a lower electrode. The remaining portion of the insulating layer may be removed, and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Sub Yoon, Jung-Hyeon Lee, Bong-Cheol Kim, Se-Young Park
  • Patent number: 7446014
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a NanoElectroChemical (NEC) cell. The method provides a bottom electrode with a top surface. Nanowire shells are formed. Each nanowire shell has a nanowire and a sleeve, with the nanowire connected to the bottom electrode top surface. A top electrode is formed overlying the nanowire shells. A main cavity is formed between the top electrode and bottom electrodes, partially displaced by a first plurality of nanowire shells. Electrolyte cavities are formed between the sleeves and nanowires by etching the first sacrificial layer. In one aspect, electrolyte cavities are formed between the bottom electrode top surface and a shell coating layer joining the sleeve bottom openings. Then, the main and electrolyte cavities are filled with either a liquid or gas phase electrolyte. In a different aspect, the first sacrificial layer is a solid phase electrolyte that is not etched away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fengyan Zhang, David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7439126
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory having a memory cell selection transistor and a capacitor, comprises a step of forming a polysilicon plug having a large-diameter portion on a side of the capacitor, a step of forming a hole reaching the large-diameter portion by etching an insulating film formed on the large-diameter portion using the large-diameter portion as an etching stopper layer, and a step of forming a conductive film inside the hole so as to serve as an electrode for the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7429535
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20080217732
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a memory cell and methods of manufacturing the integrated circuit are described. The memory cell includes a resistive memory element including a top contact, a bottom contact, and a carbon storage layer disposed between the top contact and the bottom contact. The memory cell operates at a voltage in a range of approximately 0.5V to approximately 3V, and at a current in a range of approximately 1 ?A to approximately 150 ?A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Franz Kreupl
  • Patent number: 7422954
    Abstract: A capacitor structure is described, including a substrate, a first metal layer in the substrate, an etching stop layer on the substrate having therein an opening that exposes a portion of the first metal layer, a connection layer on the portion of the first metal layer, the sidewall of the opening and a portion of the etching stop layer, a second metal layer over the connection layer, and an insulating layer between the second metal layer and the connection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Mingshang Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080203528
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor that includes a silicon nitride (SiN) dielectric film is disclosed. The MIM capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a dielectric layer positioned between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The dielectric layer includes a silicon nitride film that has a plurality of silicon-hydrogen bonds and a plurality of nitride-hydrogen bonds. A ratio of silicon-hydrogen bonds to nitride-hydrogen bonds is equal to or smaller than 0.5. Accordingly, the nitrogen-rich and compressive silicon nitride film can improve the breakdown voltage of the MIM capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Lian-Hua Shih, Yi-Ching Wu, Jiann-Fu Chen, Ming-Te Chen, Chin-Jen Cheng
  • Patent number: 7417275
    Abstract: A capacitor pair structure for increasing the match thereof has two finger electrode structures interlacing with each other in parallel and a common electrode being between the two finger electrode structures to form a capacitor pair structure with an appropriate ratio. Also, the capacitor pair structure could further increase its entire capacitance through vias connecting the same capacitor pair structures on different metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu
  • Patent number: 7407862
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric memory device includes the steps of forming an active element on a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric film on the substrate; forming a contact hole in the interlayer dielectric film; forming, in the contact hole, a contact plug that conductively connects to the active element; reacting trimethyl aluminum with the contact plug; applying an oxidation treatment to the contact plug reacted with the trimethyl aluminum; applying an ammonium plasma treatment to the contact plug treated with the oxidation treatment; forming a film of conductive material having a self-orientation property to form a conductive layer on the contact plug treated with the ammonium plasma treatment; and laminating a first electrode, a ferroelectric layer and a second electrode above the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20080179652
    Abstract: The semiconductor memory device includes: an interlayer insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film that is formed on the interlayer insulating film and has a cylinder hole; and a capacitor that has an impurity-containing silicon film, a lower metal electrode, a capacitive insulating film and an upper electrode, which are formed so as to cover a bottom and a side of the cylinder hole, wherein the cylinder hole extends through the insulating film so as to expose an end side of the contact plug, the end side facing opposite from the source electrode; and the impurity-containing silicon film has a silicide layer near an interface between the impurity-containing silicon film and the lower metal electrode, the silicide layer being produced by a reaction of impurity-containing silicon included in the impurity-containing silicon film with metal included in the lower metal electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Shigeru SUGIOKA
  • Patent number: 7393742
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate and an insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate, a contact plug electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate and formed in the contact hole, a buffer conductive layer pattern electrically connected to the contact plug and formed on the insulating layer and the contact plug, an etching stopping layer formed on the buffer conductive layer pattern, a gap between the buffer conductive layer pattern and the etching stopping layer, a capacitor lower electrode electrically connected to the buffer conductive layer pattern and formed on the buffer conductive layer pattern. The gap is filled by a portion of the capacitor lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-Mo Park
  • 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: 7354843
    Abstract: A decoupling capacitor is formed in a semiconductor substrate that includes a strained silicon layer. A substantially flat bottom electrode is formed in a portion of the strained silicon layer and a capacitor dielectric overlying the bottom electrode. A substantially flat top electrode overlies said capacitor dielectric. The top electrode is connected to a first reference voltage line and the bottom electrode is connected to a second reference voltage line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yee-Chia Yeo, Chenming Hu
  • Patent number: 7338879
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having a dual stacked MIM capacitor and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a dual stacked MIM capacitor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The dual stacked MIM capacitor includes a lower plate positioned, an upper plate electrically connected to the lower plate and positioned above the lower plate, and an intermediate plate interposed between the lower plate and the upper plate. An upper interconnection line is positioned at the same level as the upper plate. The upper interconnection line is electrically connected to the intermediate plate. As a result, the upper plate may be formed by a damascene process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-Jun Won
  • Patent number: 7339222
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a memory array includes forming a number of trenches in a substrate, where the trenches determine a number of wordline regions in the substrate, where each of the wordline regions is situated between two adjacent trenches, and where each of the wordline regions have a wordline region width. The memory array can be a flash memory array. The method further includes forming a number of bitlines in the substrate, where the bitlines are situated perpendicular to the trenches. The method further includes forming a dielectric region in each of the trenches. The method further includes forming a dielectric stack over the bitlines, wordline regions, and trenches. The method further includes forming a number of wordlines, where each wordline is situated over one of the wordline regions. The wordline region width determines an active wordline width of each of the wordlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Meng Ding, Hidehiko Shiraiwa, Mark Randolph
  • Publication number: 20080048235
    Abstract: A capacitor structure comprises a substrate having a contact plug, a conductive cylinder positioned on the substrate and an electroplating structure covering the conductive cylinder, wherein a bottom electrode of the capacitor structure comprises the conductive cylinder and the electroplating structure. The conductive cylinder can be a hollow conductive cylinder, and the electroplating structure comprises a first conductive layer covering the inner sidewall and bottom surface of the hollow conductive cylinder and a second conductive layer covering the first conductive layer and the outer sidewall of the hollow conductive cylinder. The conductive cylinder and the electroplating structure can be made of different conductive material, and the free end of the conductive cylinder is preferably round. The conductive cylinder can be made of titanium nitride or tantalum nitride, while the electroplating structure can be made of ruthenium or platinum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: PROMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Sheng Da Tsai
  • Patent number: 7329572
    Abstract: A method of forming a polysilicon-insulator-polysilicon (PIP) capacitor includes the steps of forming a lower electrode of a first polysilicon layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the lower electrode, forming a second polysilicon layer over the dielectric layer, patterning the second polysilicon layer, implanting impurities into a side wall of the patterns of the second polysilicon layer and selectively etching the side wall of the patterns of the second polysilicon layer. The impurities are implanted to control an effective line width of the patterns of the second polysilicon layer as an upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Wook Shin
  • Patent number: 7319069
    Abstract: A minute structure is provided in which electroconductive paths are only formed in nanoholes, and a material is filled in the nanoholes, which are disposed in a specific area, by using the electroconductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tohru Den, Tatsuya Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7316954
    Abstract: The present invention provides integrated circuit devices that include a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor region of first conductivity type therein extending adjacent the surface of the substrate. The device further includes an electrically insulating layer with a contact hole in it that exposes the semiconductor region of first conductivity type on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The device still further includes a poly-Si1-xGex conductive plug of first conductivity type that extends in the contact hole and is electrically connected to the semiconductor region of first conductivity type is provided. Related methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-jeong Oh, Yeong-kwan Kim, Seung-hwan Lee, Dong-chan Kim, Young-wook Park
  • Publication number: 20080003768
    Abstract: A capacitor of a memory device is formed on a semiconductor substrate having transistors thereon. A mold layer having holes defined therein is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A catalytic metal layer is formed proximate to a bottom boundary of each hole. Reaction gas is fed to the catalytic metal layer to form carbon nanotubes via a catalytic reaction of the reaction gas by the catalytic metal layer. After forming a lower electrode layer proximate to the bottom boundary and sidewall of each hole and over the carbon nanotubes, a dielectric layer is deposited over the lower electrode layer. Upper electrodes are formed on the dielectric layer to form capacitors electrically connected to the transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Min Oh
  • Patent number: 7312121
    Abstract: Manufacturing a semiconductor memory by first forming a first insulating layer covering a conductive pad. Next forming and pattering a bit line conductive layer and a second insulating layer to expose a part of the first insulating layer. A third insulating layer covering the exposed surfaces of the first insulating layer is formed. Exposing an upper surface of the bit line conductive layer pattern and an upper surface of the third insulating layer. Removing part of the third insulating layer and first insulating layer to expose the conductive pad. Forming a spacer on the side walls of the bit line conductive layer pattern and the first insulating layer. An insulating layer pattern and a second spacer layer are respectively formed on the bit line conductive layer pattern and on a side wall of the first spacer and a conductive plug, which is in contact with the conductive pad is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-woo Seo, Tae-hyuk Ahn, Jeong-sic Jeon
  • Patent number: 7298000
    Abstract: Container structures for use in integrated circuits and methods of their manufacture. The container structures have a dielectric cap on the top of a conductive container to reduce the risk of container-to-container shorting by insulating against bridging of conductive debris across the tops of adjacent container structures. The container structures are adapted for use in memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7294545
    Abstract: A memory cell having a bit line contact is provided. The memory cell may be a 6F2 memory cell. The bit line contact may have a contact hole bounded by insulating sidewalls, and the contact hole may be partially or completely filled with a doped polysilicon plug. The doped polysilicon plug may have an upper plug surface profile that is substantially free of concavities or substantially convex. Similarly, a storage node contact may comprise a doped polysilicon plug having an upper plug surface profile that is substantially free of concavities or that is substantially convex. Additionally, a semiconductor device having a conductive contact comprising a polysilicon plug may is provided. The plug may contact a capacitor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan Tran
  • Patent number: 7276751
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that contains at least one trench metal-oxide-metal (MIM) capacitor and at least one other logic circuitry component, preferably at least one field effect transistor (FET). The trench MIM capacitor is located in a trench in a substrate and comprises inner and outer metallic electrode layers with a dielectric layer therebetween. The FET comprises a source region, a drain region, a channel region, and at least one metal contact connected with the source or drain region. The present invention also relates to a fabrication process, which integrates the processing steps for fabricating the trench MIM capacitor with the conventional middle-of-line processing steps for fabricating metal contacts, so that the inner metallic electrode layer of the trench MIM capacitor and the metal contact of the FET or other logic circuitry components are formed by a single middle-of-line processing step and comprise essentially the same metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert L. Ho, Subramanian S. Iyer, Vidhya Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 7265406
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including providing a substrate; forming a lower conductor over the substrate; forming a conducting nanostructure over the lower conductor; forming a thin dielectric over the conducting nanostructure; and forming an upper conductor over the thin dielectric. The present invention further discloses a device including a substrate; a lower conductor located over the substrate; a conducting nanostructure located over the lower conductor; a thin dielectric located over the conducting nanostructure; and an upper conductor located over the thin dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Scot A. Kellar, Sarah E. Kim