Grooved And Refilled With Deposited Dielectric Material Patents (Class 438/424)
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Patent number: 12080758Abstract: The present disclosure provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure. The manufacturing method of a semiconductor structure includes: providing a substrate, the substrate includes active regions and isolation regions, each of the isolation regions includes a first trench and an isolation layer formed in the first trench; removing part of the isolation layer to form first grooves; forming a first mask layer, the first mask layer covers upper surfaces of the active regions and fills the first grooves; planarizing the first mask layer, such that an upper surface of a portion of the first mask layer located above the active regions is flush with an upper surface of a portion of the first mask layer located above the isolation regions; removing part of the first mask layer, part of the isolation layer, and part of the substrate, to form second trenches and third trenches.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Weichao Zhang
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Patent number: 12054827Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods of plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer deposited using a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes plasma treating an amorphous silicon layer by flowing a substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas into a processing volume of a processing chamber, the processing volume having the substrate disposed on a substrate support therein, forming a treatment plasma of the substantially silicon-free hydrogen treatment gas, and exposing the substrate having the amorphous silicon layer deposited on a surface thereof to the treatment plasma. Herein, the amorphous silicon layer is deposited using an FCVD process.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Shishi Jiang, Pramit Manna, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Suresh Chand Seth, Srinivas D. Nemani
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Patent number: 12040370Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate structure which extends along a first direction, and a plurality of supporting patterns which are separated from each other and arranged along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Wei-Cheng Hung, Yu-Jen Liu
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Patent number: 11996317Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench and a semiconductor strip. A sidewall of the semiconductor strip is exposed to the trench. The method further includes depositing a silicon-containing layer extending into the trench, wherein the silicon-containing layer extends on the sidewall of the semiconductor strip, filling the trench with a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric material is on a sidewall of the silicon-containing layer, and oxidizing the silicon-containing layer to form a liner. The liner comprises oxidized silicon. The liner and the dielectric material form parts of an isolation region. The isolation region is recessed, so that a portion of the semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the isolation region and forms a semiconductor fin.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Po-Kai Hsiao, Han-De Chen, Tsai-Yu Huang, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Patent number: 11967520Abstract: A method for making a high-voltage thick gate oxide, which includes depositing a pad silicon oxide on a silicon substrate and depositing a pad silicon nitride on the pad silicon oxide; performing shallow trench isolation photolithography, etching, silicon oxide filling and chemical mechanical polishing; sequentially depositing a mask silicon nitride and a mask silicon oxide on a silicon wafer; removing the mask silicon oxide and the mask silicon nitride in a high-voltage thick gate oxide region, and remaining the pad silicon nitride between two shallow trench isolations in the high-voltage thick gate oxide region; performing first thermal oxidation growth; removing the pad silicon nitride between the two shallow trench isolations in the high-voltage thick gate oxide region; performing second thermal oxidation growth to produce a high-voltage thick gate oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Hua Hong Semiconductor (Wuxi) LimitedInventor: Junwen Liu
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Patent number: 11955369Abstract: An approach for creating a buried local interconnect around a DDB (double diffusion break) to reduce parasitic capacitance on a semiconductor device is disclosed. The approach utilizes a metal, as the local interconnect, buried in a cavity around the DDB region of a semiconductor substrate. The metal is disposed by two dielectric layers and the substrate. The two dielectric layers are recessed beneath two gate spacers. The buried local interconnect is recessed into the cavity where the top surface of the interconnect is situated below the top surface of the surrounding S/D (source/drain) epi (epitaxy). The metal of the local interconnect can be made from W, Ru or Co.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lan Yu, Chen Zhang, Huimei Zhou, Ruilong Xie
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Patent number: 11929418Abstract: A gate structure includes a substrate divided into an N-type transistor region and a P-type transistor region. An interlayer dielectric covers the substrate. A first trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the N-type transistor region. A first gate electrode having a bullet-shaped profile is disposed in the first trench. A gate dielectric contacts the first trench. An N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the first gate electrode. A second trench is embedded in the interlayer dielectric within the P-type transistor region. A second gate electrode having a first mushroom-shaped profile is disposed in the second trench. The gate dielectric layer contacts the second trench. The N-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the second gate electrode. A first P-type work function layer is disposed between the gate dielectric layer and the N-type work function layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Jie-Ning Yang, Wen-Tsung Chang, Po-Wen Su, Kuan-Ying Lai, Bo-Yu Su, Chun-Mao Chiou, Yao-Jhan Wang
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Patent number: 11908729Abstract: Techniques of fabricating shallow trench isolation structures that reduce or minimize the number of trench cones during the formation of shallow trenches. The disclosed techniques introduce separate etch steps for etching shallow trenches with small feature dimensions and for etching shallow trenches with large feature dimensions. As an example, the disclosed techniques involve etching a first shallow trench in a first region of a substrate with a first etching parameter, and etching a second shallow trench in a second region of a substrate with a second etching parameter different from the first etching parameter. Among other things, the etching parameter may include an etching selectivity ratio of silicon to an etch retardant that contributes to cone formations. Because of the separate etch steps, the disclosed techniques allow the sidewall slopes between the first and second shallow trenches to be within a few degrees of deviation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Karen Hildegard Ralston Kirmse, Jonathan Philip Davis
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Patent number: 11910594Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including first and second region, a bit line structure on the first region, key structures on the second region, each key structure having an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the bit line structure, a first trench disposed between two adjacent key structures spaced apart from each other in a first direction, a filling pattern in a lower portion of the first trench, the filling pattern having a flat upper surface and including a first conductive material, and a first conductive structure on the flat upper surface of the filling pattern, an upper sidewall of the first trench, and the upper surface of each of the plurality of key structures, the first conductive structure including a second conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yanghee Lee, Jonghyuk Park, Ilyoung Yoon, Boun Yoon, Heesook Cheon
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Patent number: 11901237Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin, a gate structure, gate spacers, and a dielectric feature. The semiconductor fin is over a substrate. The gate structure is over the semiconductor fin and includes a gate dielectric layer over the semiconductor fin and a gate metal covering the gate dielectric layer. The gate spacers are on opposite sides of the gate structure. The dielectric feature is over the substrate. The dielectric feature is in contact with the gate metal, the gate dielectric layer, and the gate spacers, and an interface between the gate metal and the dielectric feature is substantially aligned with an interface between the dielectric feature and one of the gate spacers.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chang-Yun Chang, Bone-Fong Wu, Ming-Chang Wen, Ya-Hsiu Lin
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Patent number: 11894396Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide methods of forming a capacitor layer or a gate insulating layer with high dielectric constant as well as low film current leakage and desired film qualities for display applications. In one embodiment, a thin film transistor structure includes a dielectric layer formed on a substrate, wherein the dielectric layer is a zirconium containing material comprising aluminum, and gate, source and drain electrodes formed on the substrate, wherein the gate, source and drain electrodes formed above or below the dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Lai Zhao, Jrjyan Jerry Chen, Soo Young Choi, Yujia Zhai
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Patent number: 11881402Abstract: A method for forming a nanostructure on a substrate includes performing a first lithography-and-etch process, including patterning a mandrel layer disposed on a first dielectric layer, performing a spacer patterning process, including forming a spacer layer on sidewalls of the patterned mandrel layer, performing a first gap-filling process, including forming a gap-filling layer in openings of the spacer layer on the first dielectric layer and over the patterned mandrel layer, performing a second lithography-and-etch process, including patterning the gap-filling layer and further patterning the patterned mandrel layer, performing a second gap-filling process, including further forming the gap-filling layer in openings of the twice patterned mandrel layer, and performing a spacer removing process, including removing the patterned spacer layer and the twice patterned mandrel layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Lili Feng, Madhur Singh Sachan, Regina Germanie Freed
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Patent number: 11837504Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method, and more particularly to a semiconductor device having self-aligned isolation structures. The present disclosure provides self-aligned isolation fins that can be formed by depositing dielectric material in openings formed in a spacing layer or by replacing portions of fins with dielectric material. The self-aligned isolation fins can be separated from each other by a critical dimension of the utilized photolithography process. The separation between self-aligned isolation fins or between the self-aligned isolation fins and active fins can be approximately equal to or larger than the separations of the active fins.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Kuan-Ting Pan
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Patent number: 11830765Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure that extends into a substrate. A masking layer is formed over the substrate and includes an opening overlying the STI structure. A first removal process removes portions of the STI structure underlying the opening of the STI structure. A second removal process laterally removes portions of the substrate below the STI structure. A third removal process removes portions of the substrate that directly underlie the opening of the masking layer. An insulator liner layer is formed within inner surfaces of the substrate as defined by the first, second, and third removal processes. Further, a fourth removal process removes portions of the insulator liner layer covering a lower surface of the substrate. A semiconductor material is then formed over the SOI substrate and on the insulator liner layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hung-Ling Shih
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Patent number: 11792925Abstract: A printed wiring board includes a first resin insulating layer, a second resin insulating layer formed on a surface of the first layer, and a conductor layer formed on the surface of the first layer such that the second layer is covering the conductor layer and that the conductor layer includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth circuits such that the third and fourth circuits are sandwiching the first circuit and that the fifth and sixth circuits are sandwiching the second circuit. Widths between the first and third circuits and between the first and fourth circuits are 5 ?m to 14 ?m, and when a width between the second and fifth circuits and a width between the second and sixth circuits is 20 ?m or more, the upper surface of the first circuit, and the upper surface and side walls of the second circuit are formed to have unevenness.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: IBIDEN CO., LTD.Inventor: Kyohei Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 11791336Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first fin extending along a first direction, a second fin extending parallel to the first fin, and a gate structure over and wrapping around the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first fin bents away from the second fin along the second direction and the second fin bents away from the first fin along the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Jiun-Ming Kuo, Pei-Ling Gao, Chen-Hsuan Liao, Hung-Ju Chou, Chih-Chung Chang, Che-Yuan Hsu
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Patent number: 11777011Abstract: Integrated circuitry comprises an electronic component. Insulative silicon dioxide is adjacent the electronic component. The insulative silicon dioxide has at least one of (a) and (b), where: (a): an average concentration of elemental-form H of 0.002 to 0.5 atomic percent; and (b): an average concentration of elemental-form N of 0.005 to 0.3 atomic percent. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Masihhur R. Laskar, Jeffery B. Hull, Hung-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 11764103Abstract: A semiconductor feature includes: a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric structure and a semiconductor device disposed on the semiconductor substrate; an interconnecting structure disposed in the dielectric structure and connected to the semiconductor device; an STI structure disposed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the semiconductor device; two DTI structures penetrating the semiconductor substrate and the STI structure and surrounding the semiconductor device; a passivation structure connected to the semiconductor substrate and the DTI structures and located opposite to the interconnecting structure; and a conductive structure surrounded by the passivation structure, penetrating the semiconductor substrate and the STI structure into the dielectric structure, located between the DTI structures and electrically connected to the semiconductor device via the interconnecting structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Chung-Jen Huang, Wen-Tuo Huang, Wei-Cheng Wu
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Patent number: 11735498Abstract: A semiconductor includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the substrate having a via hole extending in a thickness direction from the first surface, a circuit pattern in the first surface of the substrate, a through electrode structure in the via hole, a device isolation structure in a first trench extending in one direction in the first surface of the substrate, the device isolation structure between the via hole and the circuit pattern, the device isolation structure including a first oxide layer pattern and a first nitride layer pattern sequentially stacked on an inner surface of the first trench, the first nitride layer pattern filling the first trench, and an insulation interlayer on the first surface of the substrate and covering the circuit pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kwangwuk Park, Youngmin Lee, Sungdong Cho, Eunji Kim, Hyoungyol Mun, Seokhwan Jeong
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Patent number: 11735692Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for a CMOS compatible substrate having multiple stacks of semiconductor layers. The multiple stacks, at least, each include i) a layer of a tellurium based semiconductor layer on top of ii) a porous silicon layer. The porous silicon layer is a compliant layer to accept structural defects from the tellurium based semiconductor layer into the porous silicon layer. The multiple stacks are grown on the CMOS compatible substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SRI InternationalInventor: Winston K. Chan
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Patent number: 11728424Abstract: According to an aspect, a semiconductor device for integrating multiple transistors includes a wafer substrate including a first region and a second region. The first region defines at least a portion of at least one first transistor. The second region defines at least a portion of at least one second transistor. The semiconductor device includes an isolation area located between the first region and the second region, at least one terminal of the at least one first transistor contacting the first region of the wafer substrate, at least one terminal of the at least one second transistor contacting the second region of the wafer substrate, and an encapsulation material, where the encapsulation material includes a portion located within the isolation area.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Takashi Noma, Yusheng Lin, Kazuo Okada, Hideaki Yoshimi, Shunsuke Yasuda
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Patent number: 11728206Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and an adjacent second fin structure protruding from the semiconductor substrate and an isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate and in direct contact with the first fin structure and the second fin structure. The first fin structure and the second fin structure each include a first portion protruding above a top surface of the isolation structure, a second portion in direct contact with a bottom surface of the first portion, and a third portion extending from a bottom of the second portion. A top width of the third portion is different than a bottom width of the third portion and a bottom width of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Tien-Shao Chuang, Kuang-Cheng Tai, Chun-Hung Chen, Chih-Hung Hsieh, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon-Jhy Liaw
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Patent number: 11703681Abstract: A method for producing a MEMS device comprises fabricating a first semiconductor layer and selectively depositing a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor layer comprises a first part composed of monocrystalline semiconductor material and a second part composed of polycrystalline semiconductor material. The method furthermore comprises structuring at least one of the semiconductor layers, wherein the monocrystalline semiconductor material of the first part and underlying material of the first semiconductor layer form a spring element of the MEMS device and the polycrystalline semiconductor material of the second part and underlying material of the first semiconductor layer form at least one part of a comb drive of the MEMS device.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Stephan Gerhard Albert, Marten Oldsen
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Patent number: 11688792Abstract: Dual self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures, and methods of fabricating dual self-aligned gate endcap (SAGE) architectures, are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a first semiconductor fin having a cut along a length of the first semiconductor fin. A second semiconductor fin is parallel with the first semiconductor fin. A first gate endcap isolation structure is between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. A second gate endcap isolation structure is in a location of the cut along the length of the first semiconductor fin.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Sairam Subramanian, Walid M. Hafez, Sridhar Govindaraju, Mark Liu, Szuya S. Liao, Chia-Hong Jan, Nick Lindert, Christopher Kenyon
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Patent number: 11600644Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an image sensor, including a first photodiode and a second photodiode disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A floating diffusion node is disposed along a frontside of the semiconductor substrate and between the first and second photodiodes. A partial backside deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed within the semiconductor substrate and between the first and second photodiodes. The partial BDTI extends from a backside of the semiconductor substrate and is spaced from the floating diffusion node. A full BDTI structure extends from the backside of the semiconductor substrate to the frontside of the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yimin Huang
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Patent number: 11563319Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single integrated circuit chip with a main logic that operates a vehicle component such as a valve driver. Isolated from the main logic within the chip is a safety area that operates to verify proper operation of the main logic. The safety area is internally powered by an internal regulated voltage generated by an internal voltage regulator that generates the internal regulated voltage from an external voltage while protecting against shorts of the external line delivering the external voltage. The safety area includes protection circuits that level shift external analog signals downward in voltage for monitoring within the safety area, the protection circuits serving to protect against shorts of the external line delivering the external analog signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Marco Cignoli, Nicola Errico, Paolo Vilmercati, Stefano Castorina, Enrico Ferrara
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Patent number: 11562923Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes an isolation structure having a first electrical insulator layer in a trench in a semiconductor substrate and a second electrical insulator layer in the trench and over the first electrical insulator layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.Inventors: Wei-Liang Chen, Cheng-Hsien Chen, Yu-Lung Yeh, Chuang Chihchous, Yen-Hsiu Chen
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Patent number: 11527610Abstract: An integrated circuit structure comprises a silicon substrate and a III-nitride (III-N) substrate over the silicon substrate. A first III-N transistor and a second III-N transistor is on the III-N substrate. An insulator structure is formed in the III-N substrate between the first III-N transistor and the second III-N, wherein the insulator structure comprises one of: a shallow trench filled with an oxide, nitride or low-K dielectric; or a first gap adjacent to the first III-N transistor and a second gap adjacent to the second III-N transistor.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Marko Radosavljevic, Sansaptak Dasgupta, Han Wui Then
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Patent number: 11462546Abstract: A method may include providing a substrate, the substrate comprising a substrate base and a patterning stack, disposed on the substrate base. The substrate may include first linear structures in the patterning stack, the first linear structures being elongated along a first direction; and second linear structures in the patterning stack, the second linear structures being elongated along a second direction, the second direction forming a non-zero angle with respect to the first direction. The method may also include selectively forming a set of sidewall spacers on one set of sidewalls of the second linear structures.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Sony Varghese, Naushad Variam
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Patent number: 11456179Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming a semiconductor device. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a patterned hardmask over a substrate, and providing, from an ion source, a plasma treatment to a first section of the patterned hardmask, wherein a second section of the patterned hardmask does not receive the plasma treatment. The method may further include etching the substrate to form a plurality of fins in the substrate, wherein the first section of the patterned hardmask is etched faster than the second section of the patterned hardmask.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Min Gyu Sung
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Patent number: 11450584Abstract: A method is provided. A bottom passivation layer is formed on a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. Then, a first opening is formed in the bottom passivation layer to expose a portion of the dielectric layer. Next, a metal pad is formed in the first opening. Afterwards, a first oxide-based passivation layer is formed over the metal pad. Then, a second oxide-based passivation layer is formed over the first oxide-based passivation layer. The second oxide-based passivation layer has a hardness less than a hardness of the first oxide-based passivation layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yun-Ting Wang, Yi-An Lin, Ching-Chuan Chang, Po-Chang Kuo
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Patent number: 11450661Abstract: A first Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET) and a second FinFET are adjacent to each other. Each of the first FinFET and the second FinFET includes a semiconductor fin, a gate dielectric on sidewalls and a top surface of the semiconductor fin, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. The semiconductor fin of the first FinFET and the semiconductor fin of the second FinFET are aligned to a straight line. An isolation region is aligned to the straight line, wherein the isolation region includes a portion at a same level as the semiconductor fins of the first FinFET and the second FinFET. A continuous straight semiconductor strip is overlapped by the semiconductor fins of the first FinFET and the second FinFET. A Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) region is on a side of, and contacts, the semiconductor strip. The isolation region and the first STI region form a distinguishable interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Yi-Tang Lin, Clement Hsingjen Wann, Chih-Sheng Chang, Wei-Chun Tsai, Jyh-Cherng Sheu, Chi-Yuan Shih
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Patent number: 11444183Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a formation method thereof are provided. In one form, the method includes: providing a base; patterning the base to form a substrate and discrete fins and pseudo fins which protrude from the substrate, wherein the fins are located in a device region, and the pseudo fins are located in isolation regions; removing the pseudo fins in the isolation regions; forming isolation layers on the substrate exposed by the fins, wherein the isolation layers cover part of the side walls of the fins; and thinning the isolation layers in the isolation regions, wherein the remaining isolation layers in the isolation regions are regarded as target isolation layers, and the surfaces of the target isolation layers are lower than the surfaces of the isolation layers between the discrete fins.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATIONInventor: Nan Wang
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Patent number: 11411004Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including first and second region, a bit line structure on the first region, key structures on the second region, each key structure having an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the bit line structure, a first trench disposed between two adjacent key structures spaced apart from each other in a first direction, a filling pattern in a lower portion of the first trench, the filling pattern having a flat upper surface and including a first conductive material, and a first conductive structure on the flat upper surface of the filling pattern, an upper sidewall of the first trench, and the upper surface of each of the plurality of key structures, the first conductive structure including a second conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yanghee Lee, Jonghyuk Park, Ilyoung Yoon, Boun Yoon, Heesook Cheon
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Patent number: 11404305Abstract: A manufacturing method a semiconductor device includes the following steps. A first mask pattern and a second mask pattern are formed on a first region and a second region of a substrate respectively. The second region is located adjacent to the first region. A top surface of the first mask pattern is lower than a top surface of the second mask pattern in a thickness direction of the substrate. A trench is formed in the substrate. The trench is partly located in the first region and partly located in the second region. A first etching process is performed for reducing a thickness of the second mask pattern and reducing a height difference between the top surface of the first mask pattern and the top surface of the second mask pattern in the thickness direction of the substrate. An isolation structure is formed in the trench after the first etching process.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Ta-Wei Chiu, Shin-Hung Li, Tsung-Yu Yang, Ruei-Jhe Tsao
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Patent number: 11404323Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. The isolation regions extend into a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes etching a portion of the semiconductor fin to form a trench, filling the trench with a first dielectric material, wherein the first dielectric material has a first bandgap, and performing a recessing process to recess the first dielectric material. A recess is formed between opposing portions of the isolation regions. The recess is filled with a second dielectric material. The first dielectric material and the second dielectric material in combination form an additional isolation region. The second dielectric material has a second bandgap smaller than the first bandgap.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chung-Ting Ko, Chi On Chui
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Patent number: 11403454Abstract: A system and method for placement and simulation of a cell in proximity to a cell with a diffusion break is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, an integrated circuit is designed to include a first cell that has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first cell may also include a diffusion region that extends from the first edge to the second edge with a diffusion break separating the diffusion region. The diffusion break may be spaced away from the second edge by a distance that degrades a metric (e.g., a delay, a slew, dynamic power, or leakage) of a second cell placed next to the second edge beyond a threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.Inventors: Deepak Dattatraya Sherlekar, Shanie George
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Patent number: 11380583Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first trench on a mandrel line through a top mask layer and stopping at a middle mask layer; and a second trench on a non-mandrel line through the top mask layer and stopping at the middle mask layer. A spacer material is removed from a structure resulting from etching the first trench and the second trench. The device includes a first via structure, formed using a removable material, in the first trench; a second via structure, formed using a removable material, in the second trench; an air-gap formed in a third trench created at a location of the spacer; a fourth trench formed by etching, to remove the first via structure and a first portion of a bottom mask layer under the first via structure; and a self-aligned line-end via on the mandrel line formed by filling the fourth trench with a conductive metal.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TESSERA LLCInventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Carl J. Radens, John H. Zhang
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Patent number: 11355498Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device includes: over a substrate, forming first hard mask patterns extending in a first direction parallel to a top surface of the substrate and arranged at a first pitch in a second direction; forming a plurality of first trenches in the substrate using the first hard mask patterns as etching masks; forming a plurality of first gate electrodes on inner walls of the plurality of first trenches; over the substrate, forming second hard mask patterns extending in the first direction and arranged at a second pitch in the second direction; forming a plurality of second trenches in the substrate using the second hard mask patterns as etching masks, each of the plurality of second trenches being disposed between two adjacent first trenches; and forming a plurality of second gate electrodes on inner walls of the plurality of second trenches.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jaybok Choi, Yongseok Ahn, Seunghyung Lee
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Patent number: 11355464Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a silicon layer disposed over a first semiconductor die, and a first mask layer disposed over the silicon layer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second semiconductor die disposed over the first mask layer, and a through silicon via penetrating through the silicon layer and the first mask layer. A bottom surface of the through silicon via is greater than a top surface of the through silicon via, and the top surface of the through silicon via is greater than a cross-section of the through silicon via between and parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface of the through silicon via.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Shing-Yih Shih, Tse-Yao Huang
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Patent number: 11342217Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for improving HDP filling defects through an STI etching process, comprises a wafer uniformly distributed with pixel areas and logical areas, and dividing the wafer into quadrants 1 to 4; placing the second quadrants in an etching chamber in a manner of facing to a cantilever of an etching machine; etching the wafer to form STI areas with the same depth in the pixel areas and the logical areas of the quadrants 1 to 4; removing the wafer from the etching machine and covering the STI areas of the pixel areas with a photoresist; placing the wafer on an electrostatic chuck of the etching chamber again, and enabling any quadrant except the second quadrant to face to the cantilever; continuously etching the STI areas of the logical areas of the quadrants 1 to 4 to form deep STI areas.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Shanghai Huali Microelectronics CorporationInventors: Zhengying Wei, Xuedong Fan, Zhiyong Wu
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Patent number: 11282890Abstract: A method of fabricating a target shallow trench isolation (STI) structure between devices in a wafer-level image sensor having a large number of pixels includes etching a trench, the trench having a greater depth and width than a target STI structure and epitaxially growing the substrate material in the trench for a length of time necessary to provide the target depth and width of the isolation structure. An STI structure formed in a semiconductor substrate includes a trench etched in the substrate having a depth and width greater than that of the STI structure, and semiconductor material epitaxially grown in the trench to provide a critical dimension and target depth of the STI structure. An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a photodiode region, a pixel transistor region and an STI structure between the photodiode region and the pixel transistor region.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Seong Yeol Mun
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Patent number: 11239315Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to dual trench isolation structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a doped well region in a substrate; a dual trench isolation region within the doped well region, the dual trench isolation region comprising a first isolation region of a first depth and a second isolation region of a second depth, different than the first depth; and a gate structure on the substrate and extending over a portion of the dual trench isolation region.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.Inventors: Shiv Kumar Mishra, Baofu Zhu, Arkadiusz Malinowski, Kaushikee Mishra
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Critical dimension trimming method designed to minimize line width roughness and line edge roughness
Patent number: 11227767Abstract: A substrate is provided with a patterned layer over a stack of one or more processing layers. The processing layers include at least one patterned layer and one etch target layer. CD trimming between the CD of the patterned layer and the CD of the etch target layer may be achieved after the pattern is transferred to the etch target layer. After the etch target layer is patterned, a plasma free gas phase etch process may be used to trim the CD of the etch target layer to finely tune the CD. In an alternate embodiment, plasma etch trim processes may be used in combination with the gas phase etch process. In such an embodiment, partial CD trimming may be achieved via the plasma etching of the various process layers and then additional CD trimming may be achieved by subjecting the etch target layer to the plasma free gas phase etch after the desired pattern has been formed in the etch target layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Angelique Raley, Kal Subhadeep -
Patent number: 11227789Abstract: There is provided a method of filling one or more recesses by providing the substrate in a reaction chamber and introducing a first reactant to the substrate with a first dose, introducing a second reactant to the substrate with a second dose, wherein the first and the second doses overlap in an overlap area where the first and second reactants react and leave an initially substantially unreacted area where the first and the second areas do not overlap; introducing a third reactant to the substrate with a third dose, the third reactant reacting with the first or second reactant to form deposited material; and etching the deposited material. An apparatus for filling a recess is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.Inventors: Viljami Pore, Zecheng Liu
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Patent number: 11217621Abstract: A method includes performing an anisotropic etching on a semiconductor substrate to form a trench. The trench has vertical sidewalls and a rounded bottom connected to the vertical sidewalls. A damage removal step is performed to remove a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, with the surface layer exposed to the trench. The rounded bottom of the trench is etched to form a slant straight bottom surface. The trench is filled to form a trench isolation region in the trench.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chou, Chih-Yu Lai, Shih Pei Chou, Yen-Ting Chiang, Hsiao-Hui Tseng, Min-Ying Tsai
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Patent number: 11211293Abstract: FinFET device and method of forming the same are provided. The method of forming the FinFET device includes the following steps. A substrate having a plurality of fins is provided. An isolation structure is on the substrate surrounding lower portions of the fins. A hybrid fin is formed aside the fins and on the isolation structure. A plurality of gate lines and a dielectric layer are formed. The gate lines are across the fins and the hybrid fin, the dielectric layer is aside the gate lines. A portion of the gate lines is removed, so as to form first trenches in the dielectric layer and in the gate lines, exposing a portion of the hybrid fin and a portion of the fins underlying the portion of the gate lines. The portion of the fins exposed by the first trench and the substrate underlying thereof are removed, so as to form a second trench under the first trench. An insulating structure is formed in the first trench and the second trench.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Huan-Chieh Su, Chih-Hao Wang, Wei-Hao Wu, Zhi-Chang Lin, Jia-Ni Yu, Chung-Wei Hsu
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Patent number: 11208319Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS unit for a micromechanical pressure sensor. The method includes the steps: providing a MEMS wafer including a silicon substrate and a first cavity formed therein, under a sensor membrane; applying a layered protective element on the MEMS water; and exposing a sensor core from the back side, a second cavity being formed between the sensor core and the surface of the silicon substrate, and the second cavity being formed with the aid of an etching process which is carried out with the aid of etching parameters changed in a defined manner; and removing the layered protective element.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Arne Dannenberg, Joachim Fritz, Thomas Friedrich, Torsten Kramer
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Patent number: 11201082Abstract: A method includes forming an isolation region between a plurality of active regions of a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one deep trench extending from the isolation region toward a bottom of the semiconductor substrate, and forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate. The interlayer dielectric layer fills in the deep trench to form a deep trench isolation structure and an air void in the deep trench isolation structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu-Hua Yen, Ching-Hung Kao, Po-Jen Wang, Tsung-Han Tsai
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Patent number: 11201156Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate that includes a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, a cell insulating pattern disposed in the cell region of the substrate that defines a cell active region, and a peripheral insulating pattern disposed in the peripheral circuit region of the substrate that defines a peripheral active region. The peripheral insulating pattern includes a first peripheral insulating pattern having a first width and a second peripheral insulating pattern having a second width greater than the first width. A topmost surface of at least one of the first peripheral insulating pattern and the second peripheral insulating pattern is positioned higher than a topmost surface of the cell insulating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Chan-Sic Yoon, Dongoh Kim, Kiseok Lee, Sunghak Cho, Jemin Park