Enclosed Cavity Patents (Class 438/422)
  • Patent number: 8476734
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor body, in which are formed: a substrate of a first conduction type, a buried semiconductor layer of a second conduction type arranged on the substrate, and a functional unit semiconductor layer of a third conduction type arranged on the buried semiconductor layer, in which at least two semiconductor functional units arranged laterally alongside one another are provided. The buried semiconductor layer is part of at least one semiconductor functional unit, the semiconductor functional units being electrically insulated from one another by an isolation structure which permeates the functional unit semiconductor layer, the buried semiconductor layer, and the substrate. The isolation structure includes at least one trench and an electrically conductive contact to the substrate, the contact to the substrate being electrically insulated from the functional unit semiconductor layer and the buried layer by the at least one trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Meiser, Walter Hartner, Hermann Gruber, Dietrich Bonart, Thomas Gross
  • Patent number: 8476118
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabrication method of the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including: a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode which are placed on a first surface of a substrate, and have a plurality of fingers; a gate terminal electrode, a source terminal electrode, and the drain terminal electrode which governed and formed a plurality of fingers for every the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; an active area placed on an underneath part of the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, on the substrate between the gate electrode and source electrode, and on the substrate between the gate electrode and the drain electrode; a sealing layer which is placed on the active area, the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode through a cavity part, and performs a hermetic seal of the active area, the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazutaka Takagi
  • Patent number: 8461015
    Abstract: A method for forming an STI structure is provided. In one embodiment, a trench is formed in a substrate, the trench having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, the sidewalls extending down to a bottom portion of the trench. An insulating material is deposited to line the surfaces of the sidewalls and the bottom portion. The insulating material proximate the top portions and the bottom portion of the trench are thereafter etched back. The insulating material is deposited to line the inside surfaces of the trench at a rate sufficient to allow a first protruding insulating material deposited on the first sidewall and a second protruding insulating material deposited on the second sidewall to approach theretogether. The steps of etching back and depositing are repeated to have the first and second protruding materials abut, thereby forming a void near the bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Han-Pin Chung, Shiang-Bau Wang
  • Publication number: 20130126816
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. A series of rails is formed to include bottom electrode contact material. Sacrificial material is patterned into a series of lines that cross the series of rails. A pattern of the series of lines is transferred into the bottom electrode contact material. At least a portion of the sacrificial material is subsequently replaced with top electrode material. Some embodiments include memory arrays that contain a second series of electrically conductive lines crossing a first series of electrically conductive lines. Memory cells are at locations where the electrically conductive lines of the second series overlap the electrically conductive lines of the first series. First and second memory cell materials are within the memory cell locations. The first memory cell material is configured as planar sheets and the second memory cell material is configured as upwardly-opening containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Scott E. Sills, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20130102124
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an isolation trench in a substrate, and forming an amorphous layer on a sidewall surface of the isolation trench. The method further includes forming a sacrificial layer in the isolation trench via the amorphous layer, and forming an air gap layer on the sacrificial layer. The method further includes forming an air gap in the isolation trench under the air gap layer by removing the sacrificial layer after forming the air gap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Keisuke NAKAZAWA
  • Patent number: 8420428
    Abstract: A method for the formation of buried cavities within a semiconductor body envisages the steps of: providing a wafer having a bulk region made of semiconductor material; digging, in the bulk region, trenches delimiting between them walls of semiconductor material; forming a closing layer for closing the trenches in the presence of a deoxidizing atmosphere so as to englobe the deoxidizing atmosphere within the trenches; and carrying out a thermal treatment such as to cause migration of the semiconductor material of the walls and to form a buried cavity. Furthermore, before the thermal treatment is carried out, a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to hydrogen is formed on the closing layer on top of the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Dino Faralli, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Patent number: 8395217
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure having an isolation region and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A plurality of gates is formed on the SOI substrate. The semiconductor device structure further includes trenches having sidewalls, formed between each of the plurality of gates. The semiconductor device structure further includes an epitaxial lateral growth layer formed in the trenches. The epitaxial lateral growth layer is grown laterally from the opposing sidewalls of the trenches, so that the epitaxial lateral growth layer encloses a portion of the trenches extended into the SOI substrate. The epitaxial lateral growth layer is formed in such way that it includes an air gap region overlying a buried dielectric layer of the SOI substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Pranita Kulkarni, Kevin McStay, Paul C. Parries, Chengwen Pei, Geng Wang, Yanli Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130059422
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, and methods of fabricating the same, include forming a trench between a plurality of patterns on a substrate to be adjacent to each other, forming a first sacrificial layer in the trench, forming a first porous insulation layer having a plurality of pores on the plurality of patterns and on the first sacrificial layer, and removing the first sacrificial layer through the plurality of pores of the first porous insulation layer to form a first air gap between the plurality of patterns and under the first porous insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Bo-Young LEE, Jongwan CHOI, Myoungbum LEE
  • Publication number: 20130026600
    Abstract: Methods of forming air gaps in memory arrays and memory arrays with air gaps thus formed are disclosed. One such method may include forming an isolation region, having a first dielectric, through a charge-storage structure that is over a semiconductor, the isolation region extending into the semiconductor; forming a second dielectric over the isolation region and charge-storage structure; and forming an air gap in the isolation region so that the air gap passes through the charge-storage structure and so that a thickness of the first dielectric is between the air gap and the second dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: James Matthew, Gordon Haller, Ronald A. Weimer, John Hopkins, Vinayak K. Shamanna, Sanjeev Sapra
  • Patent number: 8349697
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, William R. Tonti, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8344474
    Abstract: In a sophisticated metallization system, self-aligned air gaps may be provided in a locally selective manner by using a radiation sensitive material for filling recesses or for forming therein the metal regions. Consequently, upon selectively exposing the radiation sensitive material, a selective removal of exposed or non-exposed portions may be accomplished, thereby resulting in a highly efficient overall manufacturing flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Seidel, Thomas Werner
  • Patent number: 8334188
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an SOI wafer, including the steps of: forming, in a wafer of semiconductor material, cavities delimiting structures of semiconductor material; thinning out the structures through a thermal process; and completely oxidizing the structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona
  • Patent number: 8318581
    Abstract: Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a semiconductive layer disposed over a substrate. A trench is disposed in the semiconductive layer, the trench with a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. A first insulating material layer is disposed over an upper portion of the first sidewall, and a conductive material disposed within the trench. An air gap is disposed between the conductive material and the semiconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Mueller, Bernhard Winkler, Robert Gruenberger
  • Patent number: 8314005
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: providing a structure having a first layer overlying a substrate, where the first layer includes a dielectric material having a plurality of pores; applying a filling material to an exposed surface of the first layer; heating the structure to a first temperature to enable the filling material to homogeneously fill the plurality of pores; after filling the plurality of pores, performing at least one process on the structure; and after performing the at least one process, removing the filling material from the plurality of pores by heating the structure to a second temperature to decompose the filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sampath Purushothaman, Geraud Jean-Michel Dubois, Teddie P. Magbitang, Willi Volksen, Theo J. Frot
  • Patent number: 8309424
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming low k dielectric regions between electrically conductive lines. A construction may be formed to have a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive lines, and to have sacrificial material between the electrically conductive lines. The sacrificial material may be removed. Subsequently, electrically insulative material may be deposited over and between the lines. The deposition of the insulative material may occur under conditions in which bread-loafing of the insulative material creates bridges of the insulative material across gas-filled gaps between the lines. The gas-filled gaps may be considered to correspond to low k dielectric regions between the electrically conductive lines. In some embodiments the sacrificial material may be carbon. In some embodiments, the deposited insulative material may be a low k dielectric material, and in other embodiments the deposited insulative material may not be a low k dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex J. Schrinsky
  • Patent number: 8304845
    Abstract: An integrated component having a substrate, the substrate having a cavity which surrounds a mechanical structure. The cavity is filled by a fluid of a specific composition under a specific pressure, and the mechanical properties of the mechanical structure are influenced by the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Bischof, Holger Hoefer, Volker Schmitz, Axel Grosse, Lutz Mueller, Ralf Hausner
  • Patent number: 8298910
    Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, including forming an interconnect structure including first and second interconnects and an insulating material between the first and second interconnects, forming a first mask layer and a second mask layer having a plurality of micropores sequentially on the interconnect structure, coalescing the plurality of micropores in the second mask layer with each other and forming a plurality of first microholes in the second mask layer, forming a plurality of second microholes in the first mask layer using the plurality of first microholes, and removing the insulating material using the first mask layer with the plurality of second microholes as an etch mask so as to form an air-gap between the first and second interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Don Nam, Sang-Hoon Ahn, Eunkee Hong
  • Patent number: 8293617
    Abstract: Among various methods, devices, and apparatuses, a number of methods are provided for forming a gap between circuitry. One such method includes depositing a first oxide precursor material on at least two conductive lines having at least one gap between the at least two conductive lines, and forming a breadloaf configuration with the first oxide precursor material on a top of each of the at least two conductive lines that leaves a space between a closest approach of at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations. The method also includes depositing a second oxide precursor material over the first oxide precursor material, where depositing the second oxide precursor material results in closing the space between the closest approach of the at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. McGinnis, Sachin Joshi, Chan Lim
  • Publication number: 20120264275
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) that includes a drain formed in a first plane, a source formed in the first plane, a channel formed in the first plane and between the drain and the source and a gate formed in the first plane. The gate is separated from at least a portion of the body by an air gap. The air gap is also in the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Jed H. Rankin, William R. Tonti, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8241989
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with stacked devices. One embodiment provides a surface of a first semiconductor structure of a first crystalline semiconductor material including first and second portions. First structures are formed on the first portions. The second portions remain uncovered. Sacrificial structures of a second, different crystalline material are formed on the second portions. A second semiconductor structure of the first crystalline semiconductor material is formed over the sacrificial structures and over the first structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventor: Franz Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8241992
    Abstract: Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Maxime Darnon, Qinghuang Lin, Anthony D. Lisi, Satyanarayana V. Nitta
  • Patent number: 8236710
    Abstract: A method for forming a trench structure is provided for a semiconductor and/or memory device, such as an DRAM device. In one embodiment, the method for forming a trench structure includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and exposing the sidewalls of the trench to an arsenic-containing gas to adsorb an arsenic containing layer on the sidewalls of the trench. A material layer is then deposited on the sidewalls of the trench to encapsulate the arsenic-containing layer between the material layer and sidewalls of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashima B. Chakravarti, Jacob B. Dadson, Paul J. Higgins, Babar A. Khan, John J. Moore, Christopher C. Parks, Rohit S. Takalkar
  • Publication number: 20120193698
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes an element region, a gate insulating film, a first gate electrode, an intergate insulating film, a second gate electrode and an element isolation region. The gate insulating film is formed on the element region. The first gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film. The intergate insulating film is formed on the first gate electrode and has an opening. The second gate electrode is formed on the intergate insulating film and in contact with the first gate electrode via the opening. The element isolation region encloses a laminated structure formed by the element region, the gate insulating film, and the first gate electrode. The air gap is formed between the element isolation region and side surfaces of the element region, the gate insulating film and the first gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Mitsuhiko NODA, Hiroyuki Kutsukake, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8211777
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate having a main surface, first and second floating gates formed spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, first and second control gates respectively located on the first and second floating gates, a first insulation film formed on the first control gate, a second insulation film formed on the second control gate to contact the first insulation film, and a gap portion formed at least between the first floating gate and the second floating gate by achieving contact between the first insulation film and the second insulation film are included. With this, a function of a nonvolatile semiconductor device can be ensured and a variation in a threshold voltage of a floating gate can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Yonemochi, Hisakazu Otoi, Akio Nishida, Shigeru Shiratake
  • Patent number: 8178409
    Abstract: The invention is related to a semiconductor device with alternately arranged P-type and N-type thin semiconductor layers and method for manufacturing the same. For P-type device, the method includes trench formation, thermal oxide formation on trench sidewalls, N-type silicon formation in trenches, N-type impurity diffusion through thermal oxide into P-type epitaxial layer, oxidation of N-type silicon in trenches and oxide removal. In the semiconductor device, N-type thin semiconductor layers are formed by N-type impurity diffusion through oxide to P-type epitaxial layers, and trenches are filled with oxide. With this method, relatively low concentration impurity in high voltage device can be realized by current mass production process, and the device development cost and manufacturing cost are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Shanghai Hua Hong Nec Electronics Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shengan Xiao, Feng Han
  • Patent number: 8173513
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a semiconductor pressure sensor, wherein, in a silicon substrate, trenches are dug and delimit walls; a closing layer is epitaxially grown, that closes the trenches at the top and forms a suspended membrane; a heat treatment is performed so as to cause migration of the silicon of the walls and to form a closed cavity underneath the suspended membrane; and structures are formed for transducing the deflection of the suspended membrane into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Benedetto Vigna, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 8148235
    Abstract: Methods of forming air gaps between interconnects of integrated circuits and structures thereof are disclosed. A first insulating material is deposited over a workpiece, and a second insulating material having a sacrificial portion is deposited over the first insulating material. Conductive lines are formed in the first and second insulating layers. The second insulating material is treated to remove the sacrificial portion, and at least a portion of the first insulating material is removed, forming air gaps between the conductive lines. The second insulating material is impermeable as deposited and permeable after treating it to remove the sacrificial portion. A first region of the workpiece may be masked during the treatment, so that the second insulating material becomes permeable in a second region of the workpiece yet remains impermeable in the first region, thus allowing the formation of the air gaps in the second region, but not the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Naujok, Hermann Wendt, Alois Gutmann, Muhammed Shafi Pallachalil
  • Publication number: 20120070957
    Abstract: A method of forming air gaps between adjacent raised features on a substrate includes forming a carbon-containing material in a bottom region between the adjacent raised features using a flowable deposition process. The method also includes forming a silicon-containing film over the carbon-containing material using a flowable deposition process, where the silicon-containing film fills an upper region between the adjacent raised features and extends over the adjacent raised features. The method also includes curing the carbon-containing material and the silicon-containing material at an elevated temperature for a period of time to form the air gaps between the adjacent raised features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Basu Mallick, Nitin Ingle
  • Patent number: 8133794
    Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes removing a portion of a semiconductor material using an orientation-dependent etch to form a first cavity, a second cavity, wherein the first cavity is isolated from the second cavity, a first protrusion is between the first cavity and the second cavity, and the semiconductor material comprises silicon. The method further includes performing a thermal oxidation to convert a portion of the silicon of the semiconductor material to silicon dioxide and forming a first dielectric material over the first cavity, over the second cavity, over at least a portion of the semiconductor material, and over at least a portion of the first protrusion. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: HVVi Semiconductors, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Albert Tischler
  • Patent number: 8101448
    Abstract: A method manufactures a gas sensor integrated on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes: realizing a first plurality of openings in the semiconductor substrate; realizing a crystalline silicon membrane suspended on the semiconductor substrate, forming an insulating cavity buried in the substrate; realizing a second plurality of openings in the semiconductor substrate, so as to totally suspend on the semiconductor substrate the crystalline silicon membrane; realizing, through a thermal oxidation process of the totally suspended crystalline silicon membrane, a suspended dielectric membrane; realizing, through selective photolithography, a heating element; realizing, through selective photolithography, electrodes and a pair of electric contacts; and selectively realizing, above the electrodes, a sensitive element by compacting layers of metallic oxide through a sintering process generated in the gas sensor by connecting the electrodes to a voltage generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Crocifisso Marco Antonio Renna, Alessandro Auditore, Alessio Romano, Sebastiano Ravesi
  • Patent number: 8058138
    Abstract: Among various methods, devices, and apparatuses, a number of methods are provided for forming a gap between circuitry. One such method includes depositing a first oxide precursor material on at least two conductive lines having at least one gap between the at least two conductive lines, and forming a breadloaf configuration with the first oxide precursor material on a top of each of the at least two conductive lines that leaves a space between a closest approach of at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations. The method also includes depositing a second oxide precursor material over the first oxide precursor material, where depositing the second oxide precursor material results in closing the space between the closest approach of the at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. McGinnis, Sachin Joshi, Chan Lim
  • Patent number: 8048760
    Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a structure includes a dielectric material and a void below a surface of a substrate. The structure further includes a doped dielectric material over the dielectric material, over the first void, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric material is between at least a portion of the substrate and at least a portion of the doped dielectric material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: HVVi Semiconductors, Inc.
    Inventors: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi, Michael Albert Tischler
  • Patent number: 8034693
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of wiring trenches in the insulating film, forming a plurality of wirings in the plurality of wiring trenches, forming a resist mask having an opening for selectively exposing one of regions between the plurality of wirings, on the insulating film and the plurality of wirings, forming an air gap trench by removing the insulating film from the selectively exposed one of the regions between the plurality of wirings by etching using the resist mask, and forming an air gap in the air gap trench by depositing an inter-layer insulating film over the plurality of wirings after removal of the resist mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Shibata, Takeshi Harada, Akira Ueki
  • Patent number: 8026595
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabrication method of the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including: a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode which are placed on a first surface of a substrate, and have a plurality of fingers; a gate terminal electrode, a source terminal electrode, and the drain terminal electrode which governed and formed a plurality of fingers for every the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; an active area placed on an underneath part of the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, on the substrate between the gate electrode and source electrode, and on the substrate between the gate electrode and the drain electrode; a sealing layer which is placed on the active area, the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode through a cavity part, and performs a hermetic seal of the active area, the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazutaka Takagi
  • Patent number: 8026150
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including an interlayer insulating layer having a dielectric constant of about 1, includes at least one of hydrophobically modifying an interlayer insulating film for insulating lines from each other, before forming air gaps in the interlayer insulating film, and hydrophobically modifying the lines, after forming the air gaps in the interlayer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Reiko Sasahara, Jun Tamura, Shigeru Tahara
  • Patent number: 8008691
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ion sensitive field effect transistor, comprising: a GaN/sapphire layer, used as a substrate; an a-InN:Mg epilayer, deposited on the GaN/sapphire layer, used to provide a current path; a first metal contact, deposited on the a-InN:Mg epilayer to provide drain contact; and a second metal contact, deposited on the a-InN:Mg epilayer to provide source contact; and a patterned insulating layer, used to cover the first metal contact, the second metal contact and the a-InN:Mg epilayer, wherein the patterned insulating layer has a contact window defining an exposure area of the a-InN:Mg epilayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventors: Jer-Liang Andrew Yeh, Shang-Jr Gwo
  • Patent number: 7993950
    Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein generally include methods of fabricating MEMS devices within a structure. The MEMS device may be formed in a cavity above the structure, and additional metallization may occur above the MEMS device. The cavity may be formed by depositing an encapsulating layer over the sacrificial layers that enclose the MEMS device. The encapsulating layer may then be etched to expose portions of the sacrificial layers. The sacrificial layers are exposed because they extend through the sidewalls of the encapsulating layer. Therefore, no release holes are etched through the top of the encapsulating layer. An etchant then removes the sacrificial layers to free the MEMS device and form the cavity and an opening through the sidewall of the encapsulating layer. Another encapsulating layer may then be deposited to seal the cavity and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cavendish Kinetics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Damian Gordon Lacey, Mickael Renault, Vikram Joshi, James F. Bobey, Robertus P. Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20110186918
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shallow trench isolation structure having an air gap for suppressing the dark currents and cross-talk which occur in CMOS image sensors. The shallow trench isolation structure suppresses photons injected from neighboring pixels and dark current, so that high-quality images are obtained. Since impurities are removed from a p type ion implantation region for a photodiode when an inner wall oxide layer is etched to form the air gap, the p type ion implantation region has a uniform doping profile, thereby suppressing the diffusion of electrons towards the surface and achieving an image having a high quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CROSSTEK CAPITAL, LLC
    Inventor: Nag Kyun Sung
  • Patent number: 7985654
    Abstract: A key hole structure and method for forming a key hole structure to form a pore in a memory cell. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having an electrode formed therein, forming an isolation layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the isolation layer, and forming a planarization stop layer on the second dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a via to extend to the first dielectric layer and recessing the isolation layer and the stop layer with respect to the second dielectric layer, depositing a conformal film within via and over the stop layer, forming a key hole within the conformal film at a center region of the via such that a tip of the key hole is disposed at an upper surface of the second dielectric layer, and planarizing the conformal film to the stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Breitwisch, Yu Zhu
  • Patent number: 7982558
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a MEMS device integrated in a silicon substrate. In parallel to the manufacturing of the MEMS device passive components as trench capacitors with a high capacitance density can be processed. The method is especially suited for MEMS resonators with resonance frequencies in the range of 10 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Sworowski, David D. R. Chevrie, Pascal Philippe
  • Patent number: 7960275
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structure of electrical interconnections for an integrated circuit having levels of interconnections, the method having steps of depositing a layer of sacrificial material on the substrate, etching the layer of sacrificial material with a pattern corresponding to electrical conductors, depositing, on the etched layer of the layer of sacrificial material, a layer of permeable membrane allowing an attack agent to break down the sacrificial material, breaking down the sacrificial material by using the attack agent to form air gaps to replace the broken down sacrificial material, forming electrical conductors in the etched track so as to obtain electrical interconnections separated by air gaps, and depositing a layer of insulating material to cover the electrical interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Frédéric-Xavier Gaillard
  • Patent number: 7960290
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a via in a semiconductor substrate, filling the via with a disposable material such as amorphous carbon, forming a dielectric layer on the substrate covering the via, performing a back side etch to expose the disposable material in the via. A back side dielectric layer is then depositing, covering the exposed via. A small opening is then formed, and the disposable material is removed, for example by an isotropic etch process. The via may now be filled with a metal and used as a conductor or a dielectric material. The via may also be left unfilled to be used as an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Wen-Chih Chiou, Weng-Jin Wu
  • Patent number: 7947566
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing method includes providing a substrate, forming a plurality of semiconductor layers in the substrate, each of the semiconductor layers being distinct and selected from different groups of semiconductor element types. The semiconductor layers include a first, second, and third semiconductor layers. The method further includes forming a plurality of lateral void gap isolation regions for isolating portions of each of the semiconductor layers from portions of the other semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Hao Chen, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack Allan Mandelman
  • Patent number: 7932158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having one or more device regions. Each device region comprises at least a base semiconductor substrate layer and a semiconductor device layer with a buried insulator layer located therebetween, while the semiconductor device layer is supported by one or more vertical insulating pillars. The vertical insulating pillars each preferably has a ledge extending between the base semiconductor substrate layer and the semiconductor device layer. The SOI substrates of the present invention can be readily formed from a precursor substrate structure with a “floating” semiconductor device layer that is spaced apart from the base semiconductor substrate layer by an air gap and is supported by one or more vertical insulating pillars. The air gap is preferably formed by selective removal of a sacrificial layer located between the base semiconductor substrate layer and the semiconductor device layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Henson, Dureseti Chidambarrao, Kern Rim, Hsingjen Wann, Hung Y. Ng
  • Patent number: 7927963
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor structure, a design structure for the semiconductor structure and a method of forming the semiconductor structure. The embodiments reduce harmonics and improve isolation between the active semiconductor layer and the substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Specifically, the embodiments incorporate a trench isolation region extending to a fully or partially amorphized region of the wafer substrate. The trench isolation region is positioned outside lateral boundaries of at least one integrated circuit device located at or above the active semiconductor layer of the SOI wafer and, thereby improves isolation. The fully or partially amorphized region of the substrate reduces substrate mobility, which reduces the charge layer at the substrate/BOX interface and, thereby reduces harmonics. Optionally, the embodiments can incorporate an air gap between the wafer substrate and integrated circuit device(s) in order to further improve isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brennan J. Brown, James R. Elliott, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7927964
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming low k dielectric regions between electrically conductive lines. A construction may be formed to have a plurality of spaced apart electrically conductive lines, and to have sacrificial material between the electrically conductive lines. The sacrificial material may be removed. Subsequently, electrically insulative material may be deposited over and between the lines. The deposition of the insulative material may occur under conditions in which bread-loafing of the insulative material creates bridges of the insulative material across gas-filled gaps between the lines. The gas-filled gaps may be considered to correspond to low k dielectric regions between the electrically conductive lines. In some embodiments the sacrificial material may be carbon. In some embodiments, the deposited insulative material may be a low k dielectric material, and in other embodiments the deposited insulative material may not be a low k dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex J. Schrinsky
  • Patent number: 7897454
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-insulator-metal capacitor, which comprises a semiconductor substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and an insulation trench and two metal trenches all running through the interlayer dielectric layer and allowing the semiconductor substrate to be exposed; wherein the metal trenches being located on each side of the insulation trench and sharing a trench wall with the insulation trench respectively, the insulation trench being filled with insulation material as an insulation structure, the metal trenches being filled with metal material as electrodes of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Yuan Wang, Buxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7879683
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating air gaps in a dielectric material of an interconnect structure. One embodiment provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure comprising depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate, forming trenches in the first dielectric layer, filling the trenches with a conductive material, planarizing the conductive material to expose the first dielectric layer, depositing a dielectric barrier film on the conductive material and exposed first dielectric layer, depositing a hard mask layer over the dielectric barrier film, forming a pattern in the dielectric barrier film and the hard mask layer to expose selected regions of the substrate, oxidizing at least a portion of the first dielectric layer in the selected region of the substrate, removing oxidized portion of the first dielectric layer to form reversed trenches around the conductive material, and forming air gaps in the reversed trenches while depositing a second dielectric material in the reversed trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Al-Bayati, Alexandros T. Demos, Kang Sub Yim, Mehul Naik, Zhenjiang “David” Cui, Mihaela Balseanu, Meiyee (Maggie Le) Shek, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 7855123
    Abstract: A method for forming an air gap structure on a substrate is described. The method comprises depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming an adhesion-promoting layer between the sacrificial layer and the substrate, and depositing a capping layer over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer and the capping layer are patterned and metalized. Thereafter, the sacrificial layer is decomposed and removed through the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Eric M. Lee, Junjun Liu, Dorel I. Toma
  • Patent number: 7833890
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device according to example embodiments may have reduced disturbances during reading operations and a reduced short channel effect. The semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate having a body and a pair of fins protruding from the body. Inner spacer insulating layers may be formed on an upper portion of an inner sidewall of the pair of fins so as to reduce the entrance to the region between the pair of fins. A gate electrode may cover a portion of the external sidewalls of the pair of fins and may extend across the inner spacer insulating layers so as to define a void between the pair of fins. Gate insulating layers may be interposed between the gate electrode and the pair of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-joo Kim, June-mo Koo, Seung-hwan Song, Suk-pil Kim, Yoon-dong Park, Jong-jin Lee