Enclosed Cavity Patents (Class 438/422)
  • Patent number: 7829449
    Abstract: An electronic integrated circuit is fabricated by forming on a substrate, of which a part is composed of absorbing material, a portion made of a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material includes cobalt, nickel, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, gallium, indium, silver, gold, iron and/or chromium. A rigid portion is then formed in fixed contact with the substrate, on one side of the portion of sacrificial material opposite to the part of the substrate composed of absorbing material. The circuit is heated such that the sacrificial material is absorbed into the part of the substrate composed of absorbing material. A substantially empty volume is thus created in place of the portion of sacrificial material. The volume that is substantially empty can replace a dielectric material situated between the electrodes of a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christophe Regnier, Aurelie Humbert
  • Publication number: 20100273308
    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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi, Michael Albert Tischler
  • Patent number: 7816253
    Abstract: When an interconnect structure is built on porous ultra low k (ULK) material, the bottom of the trench and/or via is usually damaged by a following metallization process which may be suitable for dense higher dielectric materials. Embodiment of the present invention may provide a method of forming an interconnect structure on an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) material. The method includes steps of treating an exposed area of said ILD material to create a densified area, and metallizing said densified area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Qinghuang Lin, Kelly Malone, Sanjay Mehta, Terry A. Spooner, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 7811924
    Abstract: Methods for patterning films and their resulting structures. In an embodiment, an amorphous carbon mask is formed over a substrate, such as a damascene layer. A spacer layer is deposited over the amorphous carbon mask and the spacer layer is etched to form a spacer and to expose the amorphous carbon mask. The amorphous carbon mask is removed selectively to the spacer to expose the substrate layer. A gap fill layer is deposited around the spacer to cover the substrate layer but expose the spacer. The spacer is removed selectively to form a gap fill mask over the substrate. The pattern of the gap fill mask is transferred, in one implementation, into a damascene layer to remove at least a portion of an IMD and form an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjiang Cui, Mehul Naik, Christopher D. Bencher, Kenneth MacWilliams
  • Patent number: 7811896
    Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method to manufacture a semiconductor structure includes forming a cavity in a substrate. A portion of the substrate is doped, or a doped material is deposited over a portion of the substrate. At least a portion of the doped substrate or at least a portion of the doped material is converted to a dielectric material to enclose the cavity. The forming of the cavity may occur before or after the doping of the substrate or the depositing of the doped material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: HVVi Semiconductors, Inc.
    Inventor: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi
  • Patent number: 7811935
    Abstract: A dielectric liner is formed in first and second trenches respectively in first and second portions of a substrate. A layer of material is formed overlying the dielectric liner so as to substantially concurrently substantially fill the first trench and partially fill the second trench. The layer of material is removed substantially concurrently from the first and second trenches to expose substantially all of the dielectric liner within the second trench and to form a plug of the material in the one or more first trenches. A second layer of dielectric material is formed substantially concurrently on the plug in the first trench and on the exposed portion of the dielectric liner in the second trench. The second layer of dielectric material substantially fills a portion of the first trench above the plug and the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sukesh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7811848
    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: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Dino Faralli, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Patent number: 7811927
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal line according to embodiments includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the interlayer dielectric layer. A trench may be formed by etching the dielectric layer and the interlayer dielectric layer. A metal material may be disposed over the interlayer dielectric layer including the trench. A first planarization process may be performed on the metal material using the dielectric layer as an etch stop layer. A wet etch process may be performed on the semiconductor substrate subjected the first planarization process. A second planarization process may be performed on interlayer dielectric layer subjected to the wet etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-Il Kang
  • Patent number: 7807500
    Abstract: A process for producing an adhered SOI substrate without causing cracking and peeling of a single-crystal silicon thin film. The process consists of selectively forming a porous silicon layer in a single-crystal semiconductor substrate, adding hydrogen into the single-crystal semiconductor substrate to form a hydrogen-added layer, adhering the single-crystal semiconductor substrate to a supporting substrate, separating the single-crystal semiconductor substrate at the hydrogen-added layer by thermal annealing, performing thermal annealing again to stabilize the adhering interface, and selectively removing the porous silicon layer to give single-crystal silicon layer divided into islands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukunaga
  • Publication number: 20100248443
    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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric M. LEE, Junjun LIU, Dorel I. TOMA
  • Publication number: 20100237459
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Flavio VILLA, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona
  • Publication number: 20100230732
    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: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Jed H. Rankin, WiIliam R. Tonti, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 7790567
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor and a method for forming the same. The method includes forming a buried insulating layer locally in a substrate. The substrate is etched to form an opening exposing the buried insulating layer, and a silicon pattern spaced in at least one direction from the substrate is formed on the buried insulating layer. A first insulating layer is formed to enclose the silicon pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: O-Kyun Kwon, Dong-Woo Suh, Jung-Hyung Pyo, Gyung-Ock Kim
  • Patent number: 7790490
    Abstract: The invention concerns a manufacturing process, and the related micromachined capacitive ultra-acoustic transducer, that uses commercial silicon wafer 8 already covered on at least one or, more preferably, on both faces by an upper layer 9 and by a lower layer 9? of silicon nitride deposited with low pressure chemical vapour deposition technique, or deposition LPCVD deposition. One of the two layers 9 or 9? of silicon nitride, of optimal quality, covering the wafer 8 is used as emitting membrane of the transducer. As a consequence, the micro-cell array 6 forming the CMUT transducer is grown onto one of the two layers of silicon nitride, i.e. it is grown at the back of the transducer with a sequence of steps that is reversed with respect to the classical technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Esaote S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giosuè Caliano, Alessandro Caronti, Vittorio Foglietti, Elena Cianci, Antonio Minotti, Alessandro Nencioni, Massimo Pappalardo
  • Patent number: 7781301
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: forming an interlayer sacrificial film and an insulating film located thereon above a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor element, the interlayer sacrificial film having a wiring provided therein; etching the insulating film, or, etching the insulating film and the interlayer sacrificial film to form a trench reaching the interlayer sacrificial film; forming a gas permeable film in the trench; gasifying and removing the interlayer sacrificial film through the trench and the gas permeable film; and forming a sealing film on the gas permeable film for sealing the vicinity of an opening of the trench after removing the interlayer sacrificial film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kei Watanabe, Akifumi Gawase, Kenichi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7754578
    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: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona
  • Patent number: 7741663
    Abstract: Miniaturized complex transistor devices are formed with reduced leakage and reduced miller capacitance. Embodiments include transistors having reduced capacitance between the gate electrode and source/drain contact, as by utilizing a low-K dielectric constant sidewall spacer material. An embodiment includes forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate, forming a sidewall spacer on the side surfaces of the gate electrode, forming source/drain regions by ion implantation, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate electrode, sidewall spacers, and substrate, and forming a source/drain contact through the interlayer dielectric. The sidewall spacers and interlayer dielectric are then removed. A dielectric material, such as a low-K dielectric material, is then deposited in the gap between the gate electrode and the source/drain contact so that an air gap is formed, thereby reducing the parasitic “miller” capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Hause, Anthony C. Mowry, David G. Farber, Markus E. Lenski
  • Patent number: 7741191
    Abstract: Densely spaced gates of field effect transistors usually lead to voids in a contact interlayer dielectric. If such a void is opened by a contact via and filled with conductive material, an electrical short between neighboring contact regions of neighboring transistors may occur. By forming a recess between two neighboring contact regions, the void forms at a lower level. Thus, opening of the void by contact vias is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Frohberg, Sven Mueller, Frank Feustel
  • Patent number: 7736942
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided to enable to efficiently remove an oxide layer and an organic material layer. A third process unit (36) of a substrate processing apparatus (10) includes a box-shaped process vessel (chamber) (50), a nitrogen gas supply system (190) and an ozone gas supply system (191). The ozone gas supply system (191) includes an ozone gas supply unit (195) and an ozone gas supply pipe (196) connected to the ozone gas supply unit (195). The ozone gas supply pipe (196) has an ozone gas supply hole (197) having an opening arranged opposite to a wafer (W). The ozone gas supply unit (195) supplies an ozone (O3) gas into the chamber (50) through the ozone gas supply hole (197) via the ozone gas supply pipe (196).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Eiichi Nishimura, Takamichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7737045
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a first substrate having a micro-channel and a well both formed through the first substrate. The fluid delivery system also includes a second substrate and a delivery channel. The second substrate is on the first substrate and the delivery channel is formed between the first and second substrates. The delivery channel provides fluid communication between the micro-channel and the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Chang Liu, Kee Ryu, David Bullen
  • Publication number: 20100133648
    Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems, air gaps may be formed on the basis of a self-aligned patterning regime during which the conductive cap material of metal lines may be protected by providing one or more materials, which may subsequently be removed. Consequently, the etch behavior and the electrical characteristics of metal lines during the self-aligned patterning regime may be individually adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Seidel, Markus Nopper, Axel Preusse
  • Patent number: 7727878
    Abstract: A method for forming a passivation layer is disclosed. In the method, a substrate containing a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface is first provided, wherein a plurality of conductive pads are disposed on the top surface thereof. Thereafter, a first passivation layer is formed on the top surface of the substrate, wherein the first passivation layer has a characteristic of photoresist. A first exposure/develop step is then performed to form a plurality of first openings in the first passivation layer, wherein the conductive pads are exposed through the first openings. Then, a second passivation layer is formed on the first passivation layer, wherein the second passivation layer has a characteristic of photoresist. A second exposure/develop step is then performed to form a plurality of second openings in the second passivation layer, wherein the conductive pads are exposed through the second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsueh Su, Hsing-Fu Lu, Tsung-Chieh Ho, Shyh-Ing Wu
  • Publication number: 20100129980
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming diodes. A stack may be formed over a first conductive material. The stack may include, in ascending order, a sacrificial material, at least one dielectric material, and a second conductive material. Spacers may be formed along opposing sidewalls of the stack, and then an entirety of the sacrificial material may be removed to leave a gap between the first conductive material and the at least one dielectric material. In some embodiments of forming diodes, a layer may be formed over a first conductive material, with the layer containing supports interspersed in sacrificial material. At least one dielectric material may be formed over the layer, and a second conductive material may be formed over the at least one dielectric material. An entirety of the sacrificial material may then be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7704851
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate with gate structures. A sacrificial insulating layer is formed between the gate structures at a height lower than that of the gate structures such that a portion of each gate structure is exposed above the sacrificial insulating layer. Spacers are formed on sidewalls of the exposed portions of the gate structures. A portion of the sacrificial insulating layer between the spacers is exposed. The sacrificial insulating layer is removed, thereby forming spaces below the spacers. An insulating layer is formed to fill the spaces between the spacers such that air pockets are formed between the gate structures and below the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Soo Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7692264
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A gate insulating film is formed under a vacuum condition to prevent deterioration of reliability of the device due to degradation of a gate insulating material and to have stable operating characteristics. The semiconductor device includes an element isolating film formed at element isolating regions of a semiconductor substrate, which is divided into active regions and the element isolating regions; a gate insulating film having openings with a designated width formed at the active regions of the semiconductor substrate; gate electrodes formed on the gate insulating film; and lightly doped drain regions and source/drain impurity regions formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate at both sides of the gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 7682904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a flash memory device and includes forming an air-gap having a low dielectric constant between word lines and floating gates. Further, a tungsten nitride (WN) layer is formed on sidewalls of a tungsten (W) layer for a control gate. Hence, the cross section of the control gate that is finally formed can be increased while preventing abnormal oxidization of the tungsten layer in a subsequent annealing process. The method of the present invention can improve interference between neighboring word lines and, thus improve the reliability of a device. Accordingly, a robust high-speed device can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Soo Kim, Jung Geun Kim, Suk Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 7671442
    Abstract: Air-gap insulated interconnection structures and methods of fabricating the structures, the methods including: forming a dielectric layer on a substrate; forming a capping layer on a top surface of the dielectric layer; forming a trench through the capping layer, the trench extending toward said substrate and into but not through, the dielectric layer; forming a sacrificial layer on opposing sidewalls of the trench; filling the trench with a electrical conductor; and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer from between the electrical conductor and the dielectric layer to form air-gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 7666746
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes (i) a semiconductor substrate which includes a channel region, (ii) first and second source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate, (iii) a gate dielectric region, and (iv) a gate electrode region, (v) a plurality of interconnect layers on the gate electrode region, and (vi) first and second spaces. The gate dielectric region is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the channel region and the gate electrode region. The gate electrode region is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the gate dielectric region and the interconnect layers. The first and second spaces are in direct physical contact with the gate electrode region. The first space is disposed between the first source/drain region and the gate electrode region. The second space is disposed between the second source/drain region and the gate electrode region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter Gambino
  • Patent number: 7666754
    Abstract: A method for forming an air gap structure on a substrate is described. The method comprises forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a decomposable material that thermally decomposes at a thermal decomposition temperature above approximately 350 degrees C. Thereafter, a cap layer is formed on the sacrificial layer at a substrate temperature less than the thermal decomposition temperature of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is decomposed by performing a first exposure of the substrate to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and heating the substrate to a first temperature less than the thermal decomposition temperature of the sacrificial layer, and the decomposed sacrificial layer is removed through the cap layer. The cap layer is cured to cross-link the cap layer by performing a second exposure of the substrate to UV radiation and heating the substrate to a second temperature greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Dorel I. Toma, Junjun Liu
  • Publication number: 20100035403
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Brennan J. Brown, James R. Elliott, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7659178
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures with reduced junction capacitance and drain induced barrier lowering, methods for fabricating such device structures, and methods for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the substrate. The dielectric layer includes a first dielectric region with a first dielectric constant and a second dielectric region with a second dielectric constant that is greater than the first dielectric constant. In one embodiment, the dielectric constant of the first dielectric region may be less than about 3.9 and the dielectric constant of the second dielectric region may be greater than about ten (10). The semiconductor-on-insulator substrate comprises a semiconductor layer separated from a bulk layer by an insulator layer of a high-dielectric constant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack Allan Mandelman, Haining Yang
  • Patent number: 7651891
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a carrier, an integrated circuit die attached to the carrier, and a molding compound surrounding the integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit die includes a bottom surface attached to the carrier, a top surface including at least one stress sensitive area, and side surfaces. The molding compound has a top air cavity formed over the at least one stress sensitive area, and a side air cavity formed on the side surfaces of the integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit package may further include a top structural layer surrounding the top air cavity. The air cavities reduce molding-induced stresses in integrated circuit packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Luu Thanh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090305480
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Reiko SASAHARA, Jun Tamura, Shigeru Tahara
  • Patent number: 7629225
    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: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Naujok, Hermann Wendt, Alois Gutmann, Muhammed Shafi Pallachalil
  • Patent number: 7622359
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: (a) forming a SiGe layer on a Si substrate; (b) forming a Si layer on the SiGe layer; (c) forming a dummy pattern made of SiGe in a dummy region of the Si substrate; and (d) wet-etching and removing the SiGe layer formed under the Si layer. In the step (d), an etchant is kept to contact the dummy pattern from before a complete remove of the SiGe layer to an end of the etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Juri Kato, Kei Kanemoto
  • Publication number: 20090269904
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first diffusion region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor element formed in the first diffusion region, and a channel formed in the first diffusion region to receive a cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Hisato OYAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20090263951
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Shibata, Takeshi Harada, Akira Ueki
  • Patent number: 7605443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, which enables a semiconductor device to have high speed operating characteristics and high performance characteristics such as lower electrical power consumption, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a method of manufacturing the semiconductor substrate thereof in a process, as well as to a semiconductor substrate manufactured by the method of manufacturing the same and a semiconductor device manufactured using the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogura
  • Patent number: 7605025
    Abstract: A Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) can be formed by growing an epitaxial semiconductor layer on an upper surface of a sacrificial crystalline structure and on a substrate to form a buried sacrificial structure. The buried sacrificial structure can be removed to form a void in place of the buried sacrificial structure and a device isolation layer can be formed in the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-sang Kim, Chang-woo Oh, Dong-won Kim, Kyoung-hwan Yeo, Sung-min Kim
  • Patent number: 7602038
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a damascene structure and an air gap embedded in the damascene dielectric layer. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a metal barrier in advance as an etch stop, forming a copper damascene interconnect structure, forming an air gap, and depositing a photosensitive passivation material on the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Shanghai IC R&D Center, Shanghai Huahong (Group) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20090233415
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: ICEMOS TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Samuel Anderson, Koon Chong So
  • Patent number: 7585744
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a reflowable layer 51 is deposited over a semiconductor device 10 and reflowed in an environment having a pressure approximately equal to that of atmosphere to form a seal layer 52. The seal layer 52 seals all openings 43 in the underlying layer of the semiconductor device 10. Since the reflow is performed at approximately atmospheric pressure a gap 50 which was coupled to the opening 43 is sealed at approximately atmospheric pressure, which is desirable for the semiconductor device 10 to avoid oscillation. The seal layer 52 is also desirable because it prevents particles from entering the gap 50. In another embodiment, the seal layer 52 is deposited in an environment having a pressure approximately equal to atmospheric pressure to seal the hole 43 without a reflow being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bishnu P. Gogoi, Raymond M. Roop, Hemant D. Desai
  • Patent number: 7585743
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate of a first concentration type is described, which comprises at least a buried insulating cavity, comprising the following steps: forming on the semiconductor substrate a plurality of trenches, forming a surface layer on the semiconductor substrate in order to close superficially the plurality of trenches forming in the meantime at least a buried cavity in correspondence with the surface-distal end of the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Crocifisso Marco Antonio Renna, Luigi La Magna, Simona Lorenti, Salvatore Coffa
  • Patent number: 7579255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for isolating the same. The semiconductor device includes: a silicon substrate provided with a trench including at least one silicon pillar at a bottom portion of the trench, wherein the silicon pillar become sidewalls of micro trenches; and a device isolation layer selectively and partially filled into the plurality of micro trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Pyi
  • Patent number: 7560344
    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: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-pil Kim, Yoon-dong Park, Jong-jin Lee, Won-joo Kim, June-mo Koo, Seung-hwan Song
  • Publication number: 20090146249
    Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method to form a semiconductor structure includes removing a portion of a semiconductor material to form one or more suspended structures and a cavity, the cavity having a boundary that is below a surface of the semiconductor material and wherein the one or more suspended structures extend from the surface into the cavity. The method further includes altering the one or more suspended structures to form one or more altered suspended structures and forming a material over the one or more altered suspended structures and in a region between the one or more altered suspended structures. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Bishnu P. Gogoi, Michael A. Tischler, David William Wolfert, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090146248
    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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi, Michael Albert Tischler
  • Publication number: 20090148998
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Albert Tischler
  • Publication number: 20090115019
    Abstract: The semiconductor device having an air gap includes an insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a metal line forming region. A metal line is formed to fill the metal line forming region of the insulation layer. An air gap is formed between the insulation layer and the metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Hyo Seok LEE, Jong Min LEE, Chan Bae KIM, Chai O CHUNG, Hyeon Ju AN, Sung Kyu MIN
  • Patent number: 7507634
    Abstract: To change a plurality of trenches to one flat empty space by two-dimensionally forming the trenches on the surface of a semiconductor substrate and then applying heat treatment to the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sato, Mie Matsuo, Ichiro Mizushima, Yoshitaka Tsunashima, Shinichi Takagi