Having Plural Predetermined Openings In Master Mask Patents (Class 438/552)
  • Patent number: 10680002
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a pad stack over a semiconductor substrate, where the pad stack includes a lower pad layer and an upper pad layer. An isolation structure having a pair of isolation segments separated in a first direction by the pad stack is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The upper pad is removed to form an opening, where the isolation segments respectively have opposing sidewalls in the opening that slant at a first angle. A first etch is performed that partially removes the lower pad layer and isolation segments in the opening so the opposing sidewalls slant at a second angle greater than the first angle. A second etch is performed to round the opposing sidewalls and remove the lower pad layer from the opening. A floating gate is formed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Ling Shih, Chieh-Fei Chiu, Po-Wei Liu, Wen-Tuo Huang, Yu-Ling Hsu, Yong-Shiuan Tsair, Shih Kuang Yang
  • Patent number: 9263541
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a high-K dielectric film for use with silicon germanium (SiGe) or germanium channel materials, and methods of fabrication. As a first step of this process, an interfacial layer (IL) is formed on the semiconductor substrate providing reduced interface trap density. However, an ultra-thin layer is used as a barrier film to avoid germanium diffusion in high-k film and oxygen diffusion from the high-k film to the interfacial layer (IL), therefore, dielectric films such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium oxide, or lanthanum oxide (La2O3) may be used. In addition, these films can provide high thermal budget. A second dielectric layer is then deposited on the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is a high-k dielectric layer, providing a reduced effective oxide thickness (EOT), resulting in improved device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Shariq Siddiqui, Bhagawan Sahu, Rohit Galatage, Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9171937
    Abstract: An integrated device including a vertical III-nitride FET and a Schottky diode includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, and a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region. The integrated device also includes a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, a source coupled to the channel region, and a Schottky contact coupled to the drift region. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride FET and the Schottky diode is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 9044926
    Abstract: A compliant bipolar micro device transfer head array and method of forming a compliant bipolar micro device transfer array from an SOI substrate are described. In an embodiment, a compliant bipolar micro device transfer head array includes a base substrate and a patterned silicon layer over the base substrate. The patterned silicon layer may include first and second silicon interconnects, and first and second arrays of silicon electrodes electrically connected with the first and second silicon interconnects and deflectable into one or more cavities between the base substrate and the silicon electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Luxvue Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dariusz Golda, Andreas Bibl
  • Patent number: 9018048
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, wherein a semiconductor layer is formed on a body of semiconductor material; a first mask is formed on the semiconductor layer; a first conductive region is implanted in the body using the first mask; a second mask is formed laterally and complementarily to the first mask, at least in a projection in a plane parallel to the surface of the body; a second conductive region is implanted in the body using the second mask, in an adjacent and complementary position to the first conductive region; spacers are formed on the sides of the second mask region, to form a third mask aligned to the second mask; and, using the third mask, portions of the semiconductor layer are removed to form a gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Lizio
  • Patent number: 9012314
    Abstract: A method for forming doping regions is disclosed, including providing a substrate, forming a first-type doping material on the substrate and forming a second-type doping material on the substrate, wherein the first-type doping material is separated from the second-type doping material by a gap; forming a covering layer to cover the substrate, the first-type doping material and the second-type doping material; and performing a thermal diffusion process to diffuse the first-type doping material and the second-type doping material into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Ching Sun, Sheng-Min Yu, Tai-Jui Wang, Tzer-Shen Lin
  • Patent number: 8975156
    Abstract: A method of sealing a first wafer and a second wafer each made of semiconducting materials, including: implanting a metallic species in at least the first wafer, assembling the first wafer and the second wafer by molecular bonding, and after the molecular bonding, forming a metallic ohmic contact including alloys formed between the implanted metallic species and the semiconducting materials of the first wafer and the second wafer, the metallic ohmic contact being formed at an assembly interface between the first wafer and the second wafer, wherein the forming includes causing the implanted metallic species to diffuse towards the interface between the first wafer with the second wafer and beyond the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Stephane Pocas, Hubert Moriceau, Jean-Francois Michaud
  • Patent number: 8900982
    Abstract: Herein, an improved technique for processing a substrate is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be achieved using a mask for processing the substrate. The mask may be incorporated into a substrate processing system such as, for example, an ion implantation system. The mask may comprise one or more first apertures disposed in a first row; and one or more second apertures disposed in a second row, each row extending along a width direction of the mask, wherein the one or more first apertures and the one or more second apertures are non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Daniels, Russell L. Low, Nicholas P. T. Bateman, Benjamin B. Riordon
  • Patent number: 8822316
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive type layer; a first diffusion region which has the first conductive type and is formed in the first conductive type layer; a second diffusion region which has a second conductive type and an area larger than an area of the first diffusion region and overlaps the first diffusion region; and a PN junction formed at an interface between the first and the second diffusion regions. The second diffusion region includes a ring shaped structure or a guard ring includes an inverted region which has the second conductive type. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device having the required Zener characteristics with good controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuya Masada, Mitsuo Horie
  • Patent number: 8748313
    Abstract: A method for making a mask for semiconductor manufacturing. The method includes providing a base layer, forming a conductive layer on the base layer, and forming a photoresist layer on the conductive layer. Additionally, the method includes exposing selectively the photoresist layer to an energy illumination, developing the photoresist layer by removing a first portion of the photoresist layer, and depositing a metal layer by an electroforming process. The electroforming process includes submerging the conductive layer into a chemical bath, and applying a deposition voltage across a negative electrode and a positive electrode. Moreover, the method includes removing a second portion of the photoresist layer, and removing a first portion of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufaturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Hsin Chin Chen
  • Publication number: 20140015104
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method comprising diffusing carbon through a surface of a substrate, implanting carbon through the surface of the substrate, and annealing the substrate after the diffusing the carbon and implanting the carbon through the surface of the substrate. The substrate comprises a first gate, a gate spacer, an etch stop layer, and an inter-layer dielectric. The first gate is over a semiconductor substrate. The gate spacer is along a sidewall of the first gate. The etch stop layer is on a surface of the gate spacer and over a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The inter-layer dielectric is over the etch stop layer. The surface of the substrate comprises a surface of the inter-layer dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Su, Huang-Ming Chen, Chun-Feng Nieh, Pei-Chao Su
  • Patent number: 8629026
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a high-voltage semiconductor device. The method includes designating first, second, and third regions in a substrate. The first and second regions are regions where a source and a drain of the semiconductor device will be formed, respectively. The third region separates the first and second regions. The method further includes forming a slotted implant mask layer at least partially over the third region. The method also includes implanting dopants into the first, second, and third regions. The slotted implant mask layer protects portions of the third region therebelow during the implanting. The method further includes annealing the substrate in a manner to cause diffusion of the dopants in the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ru-Yi Su, Fu-Chih Yang, Chun Lin Tsai, Chih-Chang Cheng, Ruey-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 8461005
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing doping patterns includes providing a substrate having a plurality of STIs defining and electrically isolating a plurality of active regions in the substrate, forming a patterned photoresist having a plurality of exposing regions for exposing the active regions and the STIs in between the active regions on the substrate, and performing an ion implantation to form a plurality of doping patterns in the active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Huan-Ting Tseng, Chun-Hsien Huang, Hung-Chin Huang, Chen-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 8193018
    Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate that includes locating a single mask film over the substrate and forming first opening portions in first locations in the mask film. First electrical materials are deposited over the substrate and mask film to form patterned areas in the first locations. Second opening portions are formed in second locations different from the first locations in the mask film. Subsequently, second electrical materials are deposited over the substrate and mask film to form patterned areas in the first and second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Global OLED Technology LLC
    Inventor: Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 8133755
    Abstract: Avalanche photodiodes and methods for forming them are disclosed. The breakdown voltage of an avalanche photodiode is controlled through the inclusion of a diffusion sink that is formed at the same time as the device region of the photodiode. The device region and diffusion sink are formed by diffusing a dopant into a semiconductor to form a p-n junction in the device region. The dopant is diffused through a first diffusion window to form the device region and a second diffusion window to form the diffusion sink. The depth of the p-n junction is based on an attribute of the second diffusion window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Allen Itzler
  • Patent number: 8110488
    Abstract: A method of increasing etch rate during deep silicon dry etch by altering the geometric shape of the etch mask is presented. By slightly altering the shape of the etch mask, the etch rate is increased in one area where an oval etch mask is used as compared to another areas where different geometrically-shaped etch masks are used even though nearly the same amount of silicon is exposed. Additionally, the depth of the via can be controlled by using different geometrically-shaped etch masks while maintaining virtually the same size in diameter for all the vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Kirby, Swarnal Borthakur
  • Patent number: 8097517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which is capable of simultaneously improving a short channel effect of a PMOS and the current of an NMOS and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes first and second gates formed over first and second areas of a semiconductor substrate, respectively; and first and second junction areas formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the first gate and a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the second gate, and including a projection, respectively, wherein the projection of the first junction area has a height higher than the height of the projection of the second junction area, and the second junction area is formed such that it has a depth from the surface of the semiconductor substrate deeper than the depth of the first junction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Min Jung Shin
  • Patent number: 8080485
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a substrate and forming an insulator layer on the substrate. A first film is formed on the insulator layer. Thus, the first film can correspond to a device region of the semiconductor structure. A second film, comprising a second material that is different from the first material, is also formed on the insulator layer adjacent to the first film. The second material can comprise an isolation material (e.g., an oxide and/or nitride material) and can, for example comprise the same dielectric material as the insulator layer (e.g., silicon dioxide). The second film can correspond to an isolation region (e.g., a shallow trench isolation region) of the semiconductor structure. The second film is specifically formed with a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness that is different from the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8003543
    Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cha-won Koh, Han-ku Cho, Jeong-lim Nam, Gi-sung Yeo, Joon-soo Park, Ji-young Lee
  • Patent number: 7964485
    Abstract: A method for forming a doped region of a semiconductor device includes masking a portion of a substrate with a mask. The mask is configured to create a graded doping profile within the doped region. The method also includes performing an implant using the mask to create doped areas and undoped areas in the substrate. The method further includes diffusing the doped areas to create the graded doping profile in the doped region. The mask could include a first region having openings distributed throughout a photo-resist material, where the openings vary in size and spacing. The mask could also include a second region having blocks of photo-resist material distributed throughout an open region, where the photo-resist blocks vary in size and spacing. Diffusing the doped areas could include applying a high temperature anneal to smooth the doped and undoped areas to produce a linearly graded doping profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: William French, Erika Mazotti, Yuri Mirgorodski
  • Patent number: 7883973
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided having a dielectric layer formed thereover. The dielectric layer covers a protected region of the substrate, and has a first opening exposing a first unprotected region of the substrate. A first dopant is implanted into the first unprotected region through the first opening in the dielectric layer, and into the protected region through the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Seetharaman Sridar, Marie Denison, Sameer Pendharkar
  • Patent number: 7846760
    Abstract: A method and structure of providing a doped plug to improve the performance of CCD gaps is discussed. A highly-doped region is implemented in a semiconductor, aligned beneath a gap. The plug provides a highly-conductive region at the semiconductor surface, therefore preventing the development of a region where potential is significantly influenced by surface charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kenet, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Washkurak, Michael P. Anthony, Gerhard Sollner
  • Patent number: 7846823
    Abstract: A masking paste used as a mask for controlling diffusion when diffusing a p-type dopant and an n-type dopant into a semiconductor substrate and forming a high-concentration p-doped region and a high concentration n-doped region is provided that contains at least a solvent, a thickening agent, and SiO2 precursor and/or a TiO2 precursor. Further, a manufacturing method of a solar cell is provided in which the masking paste is pattern-formed on the semiconductor substrate and then the p-type dopant and the n-type dopant are diffused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7790589
    Abstract: A method of fabricating high-voltage semiconductor devices, the semiconductor devices and a mask for implanting dopants in a semiconductor are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Paulus J. T. Eggenkamp, Priscilla W. M. Boos, Maarten Jacobus Swanenberg, Rob Van Dalen, Anco Heringa, Adrianus Willem Ludikhuize
  • Patent number: 7732341
    Abstract: A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cha-won Koh, Han-ku Cho, Jeong-lim Nam, Gi-sung Yeo, Joon-soo Park, Ji-young Lee
  • Patent number: 7700469
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Oxide is formed over a substrate, and first material is formed over the oxide. Second material is formed over the first material. The second material may be one or both of polycrystalline and amorphous silicon. A third material is formed over the second material. A pattern is transferred through the first material, second material, third material, and oxide to form openings. Capacitors may be formed within the openings. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions in which an oxide is over a substrate, a first material is over the oxide, and a second material containing one or both of polycrystalline and amorphous silicon is over the first material. Third, fourth and fifth materials are over the second material. An opening may extend through the oxide; and through the first, second, third, fourth and fifth materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell A. Benson
  • Patent number: 7687385
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device exhibiting a stable and high breakdown voltage, which is manufactured at a low manufacturing cost. The semiconductor device of the invention includes an n-type silicon substrate; a p-type base region in the surface portion of substrate; an n-type drain region in the surface portion of n-type substrate; a p-type offset region in the surface portion of n-type substrate; an n-type source region in the surface portion of p-type base region; a p-type contact region in the surface portion of p-type base region; a gate electrode above the extended portion of p-type base region extending between n-type source region and n-type substrate (or p-type offset region), with a gate insulation film interposed therebetween; an insulation film on gate electrode and p-type offset region; a source electrode on n-type source region; and a drain electrode on n-type drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsuzaki, Naoto Fujishima, Akio Kitamura, Gen Tada, Masaru Saito
  • Patent number: 7615420
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing the indium gallium aluminium nitride (InGaAlN) thin film on silicon substrate, which comprises the following steps: introducing magnesium metal for processing online region mask film, that is, or forming one magnesium mask film layer or metal transition layer; then forming one metal transition layer or magnesium mask layer, finally forming one layer of indium gallium aluminium nitride semiconductor layer; or firstly forming one layer of metal transition layer on silicon substrate and then forming the first indium gallium aluminium nitride semiconductor layer, magnesium mask layer and second indium gallium aluminium nitride semiconductor layer in this order. This invention can reduce the dislocation density of indium gallium aluminium nitride materials and improve crystal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Lattice Power (Jiangxi) Corporation
    Inventors: Fengyi Jiang, Li Wang, Wenqing Fang
  • Patent number: 7563712
    Abstract: A method of forming a fine pattern in a semiconductor device includes forming an target layer, a hard mask layer and first sacrificial patterns on a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating layer and a second sacrificial layer on the hard mask layer and the first sacrificial patterns; performing the first etch process so as to allow the second sacrificial layer remain on the insulating layer between the first sacrificial patterns for forming second sacrificial patterns; removing the insulating layer placed on the first sacrificial patterns and between the first and second sacrificial patterns; etch the hard mask layer through the second etch process utilizing the first and second sacrificial patterns as the etch mask to form a mask pattern; and etch the target layer through the third etch process utilizing the hard mask pattern as the etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Woo Yung Jung
  • Patent number: 7544592
    Abstract: A method of increasing etch rate during deep silicon dry etch by altering the geometric shape of the etch mask is presented. By slightly altering the shape of the etch mask, the etch rate is increased in one area where an oval etch mask is used as compared to another areas where different geometrically-shaped etch masks are used even though nearly the same amount of silicon is exposed. Additionally, the depth of the via can be controlled by using different geometrically-shaped etch masks while maintaining virtually the same size in diameter for all the vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Kirby, Swarnal Borthakur
  • Patent number: 7495347
    Abstract: A method that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a mask on a surface thereof. The mask includes a first region having no masking elements and a second region having a plurality of masking elements. Each of the plurality of masking elements has a dimension that is equal to a first length, the first length less than twice a diffusion length of a dopant. The method further includes bombarding the semiconductor substrate and masking element with ions of the dopant. The ions form a first impurity concentration in the first region and a second impurity concentration in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Raisanen, Shelby F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7459334
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a quartz crystal vibrating piece is provided. Etching masks of different sizes are each arranged on respective front and rear surfaces of a quartz crystal wafer such that the etching mask on one of the surfaces (e.g., the rear surface) is larger than the other etching mask. The quartz crystal wafer is etched using the etching masks so that a projection is formed on a side of the quartz crystal wafer due to the difference in size of the etching masks, and is overetched to remove the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Aratake
  • Patent number: 7396757
    Abstract: An interconnect structure with improved performance and capacitance by providing air gaps inside the dielectric layer by use of a multi-phase photoresist material. The interconnect features are embedded in a dielectric layer having a columnar air gap structure in a portion of the dielectric layer surrounding the interconnect features. The interconnect features may also be embedded in a dielectric layer having two or more phases with a different dielectric constant created. The interconnect structure is compatible with current back end of line processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 7393794
    Abstract: After forming a resist film including a hygroscopic compound, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light while supplying water onto the resist film. After the pattern exposure, the resist film is developed so as to form a resist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Endo, Masaru Sasago
  • Patent number: 7303949
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes channels for a pFET and an nFET. A SiGe layer is selectively grown in the source and drain regions of the pFET channel and a Si:C layer is selectively grown in source and drain regions of the nFET channel. The SiGe and Si:C layer match a lattice network of the underlying Si layer to create a stress component. In one implementation, this causes a compressive component in the pFET channel and a tensile component in the nFET channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huajie Chen, Dureseti Chidambarrao, Omer H Dokumaci
  • Patent number: 7262127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a void-free copper damascene structure comprising a substrate having a conductive structure, a first dielectric layer on the substrate, a diffusion barrier layer on the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the barrier layer. The method comprises forming via and trench openings developing a photoresist through a first and second hard mask. The first hard mask is laterally etched such that it is eroded to a greater extent from the trench opening with respect to the underlying second dielectric layer. Remaining gap fill layer is removed and the diffusion barrier layer within the via opening is etched to expose the conductive structure. The via and trench openings are plated with a barrier metal and a copper seed layer to obtain copper features that fill the openings and form a void-free copper damascene structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6955726
    Abstract: A mask frame assembly includes a frame having an opening and a mask having at least two unit mask elements. Both ends of each unit mask element are fixed to the frame in a state of tension. The unit mask elements include a unit masking pattern, and overlap each other on a predetermined width to form a single mask pattern block. Each unit mask element has a recessed wall in an overlapping portion thereof so as to maintain the thickness of the mask constant at an overlap between the unit mask elements. Accordingly, the mask frame assembly reduces distortion in an evaporation pattern due to an increase in the size of a mask pattern, facilitates the adjustment of a total pitch of evaporation patterns, and prevents evaporation from occurring at undesired positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Kang, Tae Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 6893987
    Abstract: An alignment pattern is required for photo masks to be exactly aligned with one another; an amorphous silicon is deposited over the entire surface of an insulating layer except for an area where the alignment pattern is to be formed, and a pattern for an ion-implantation and the alignment pattern are concurrently transferred to a photo resist layer; dopant impurity is ion implanted into the amorphous silicon layer by using the photo resist mask, and the insulating layer is selectively etched also by using the photo resist mask; this results in simplification of the process sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiro Shiota, Fujio Okumura
  • Patent number: 6878577
    Abstract: A method of forming an LDD of a semiconductor device. A substrate having a polysilicon layer thereon is provided, wherein the polysilicon layer comprises a first region and a second region. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the polysilicon layer for exposing the first region and covering the second region. The photoresist layer covering the second region comprises a middle portion and an edge portion, wherein the middle portion is thicker than the edge portion. Then, an ion implantation process is performed using the photoresist layer as a mask for forming a source/drain in the first region of the polysilicon layer and an LDD in the second region underneath the edge portion of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Sung Shih
  • Patent number: 6797578
    Abstract: A disclosed embodiment is a method for fabricating an emitter structure, comprising a step of conformally depositing an undoped polysilicon layer in an emitter window opening and over a base. Next, a doped polysilicon layer is non-conformally deposited over the undoped layer. Thereafter, the steps of conformally depositing an undoped polysilicon layer and non-conformally depositing a doped polysilicon layer are repeated until the emitter window opening is filled. The method can further comprise a step of activating dopants. In another embodiment, an emitter structure is fabricated according to the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory D. U'Ren
  • Patent number: 6780781
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device is provided. In one example of the method, the method prevents deformation of a resist mask caused by the irradiation of exposure light. The resist mask has a resist as an opaque element, and can afford mask patterns undergoing little change even with an increase in the number of wafers subjected to exposure processing. The resist mask maintains a high dimensional accuracy. A photomask pattern is formed using as an opaque element a resist comprising a base resin and Si incorporated therein or a resist with a metal such as Si incorporated thereby by a silylation process, to improve the resistance to active oxygen. The deformation of a resist opaque pattern in a photomask is prevented. The dimensional accuracy of patterns transferred onto a Si wafer is improved in repeated use of the photomask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Odaka, Toshihiko Tanaka, Takashi Hattori, Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6716730
    Abstract: After pre-baking a resist film, a solvent included in the resist film is vaporized. After vaporizing the solvent included in the resist film, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light in vacuum. The resist film is developed after the pattern exposure, so as to form a resist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Endo, Masaru Sasago
  • Publication number: 20040058515
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof that uses a far ultraviolet ray photolithography, which may be used to prevent the lift phenomenon of a photoresist pattern, is disclosed. The semiconductor device may be fabricated by the process of: forming a film which is an object of forming a pattern on a structure of a semiconductor substrate; forming a anti-reflection layer on the film to form a stacking structure including the film and the anti-reflection layer; performing a plasma treatment to form grooves on a upper surface of the stacking structure; forming a photoresist pattern on the stacking structure on which the grooves are formed; and etching the stacking structure using the photoresist pattern as a mask to form a stacking structure pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Young-Min Kwon
  • Patent number: 6703266
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a thin film transistor array and driving circuit comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; patterning a polysilicon layer and an N+ thin film over the substrate to form a plurality of islands; patterning the islands to form P+ doped regions; patterning out source/drain terminals and the lower electrode of a storage capacitor; etching back the N+ thin film; patterning out a gate and the upper electrode of the storage capacitor and patterning a passivation layer and a conductive layer to form pixel electrodes and a wiring layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Ming Chen, Yaw-Ming Tsai, Chu-Jung Shih
  • Publication number: 20030224589
    Abstract: After flattening a surface of an underlying film that has pores or includes an organic material by treating the underlying film in a supercritical fluid, a resist film made of a chemically amplified resist material is formed on the underlying film whose surface has been flattened. Next, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light, and then, the resist film is developed after the pattern exposure, so as to form a resist pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Endo, Masaru Sasago
  • Patent number: 6613655
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a system on a chip device. On a substrate having a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region a gate oxide layer and a polysilicon layer are formed. The peripheral circuit region can further be divided into a logic device region and a hybrid circuit region. A dielectric layer is formed on the peripheral circuit region. A cap layer and a conductive layer are further formed on the polysilicon layer in the memory cell region and on the dielectric layer in the peripheral circuit region. Using the dielectric layer in the peripheral circuit region and the gate oxide layer in the memory cell region as etch stop, the cap layer and the conductive layer in the peripheral circuit region, and the cap layer, the conductive layer and the polysilicon layer are patterned. As a result, at least a gate and a top electrode are formed in the memory cell region and the hybrid circuit region, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Sun-Chieh Chien, Chien-Li Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030143824
    Abstract: After pre-baking a resist film, a solvent included in the resist film is vaporized. After vaporizing the solvent included in the resist film, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light in vacuum. The resist film is developed after the pattern exposure, so as to form a resist pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Endo, Masaru Sasago
  • Patent number: 6573167
    Abstract: A carbon hardmask (122) for etching hard-to-etch materials (110/112/114) such as Pt, Ir, Ru, IrO2, RuO2, BST, PZT, SBT, FeNi, and FeNiCo and other used in DRAMs, FeRAMs, and magnetic storage devices. Chemically assisted physical sputter etching using argon and limited or no oxygen may be used to etch the hard-to-etch materials (110/112/114) with high selectivity to the carbon hardmask (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Guoqiang Xing, Wei-Yung Hsu, Changming Jin
  • Patent number: 6548385
    Abstract: A method is described which may be used to reduce a pitch between conductive features. One embodiment of the method involves forming a structure including a substrate, a conductive layer on the substrate, multiple photoresist features arranged on the conductive layer, a polymer layer on top surfaces and sidewalls of each of the photoresist features, and a material layer on and around the photoresist features and the polymer layers. An upper portion of the material layer is removed such that upper surfaces of the photoresist features and the polymer layer are exposed, and a remaining portion of the material layer remains. The polymer layer is removed, and the photoresist features and the remaining portion of the material layer are used as etch masks to pattern the conductive layer, thereby producing a number of conductive features. The photoresist features and the remaining portion of the material layer are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jiun-Ren Lai
  • Patent number: RE40275
    Abstract: A method for producing a memory cell includes masking a desired polysilicon structure with an oxidation-inhibiting layer, preferably a nitride layer. The polysilicon above source/drain regions and field regions is then converted into silicon dioxide. At the same time, filling with silicon dioxide is effected between adjacent polysilicon paths. The field oxide thickness is increased by the conversion of polysilicon in the field regions as well. A second polysilicon layer is applied over a field region, with inclusion of the oxidation-inhibiting layer present there. One electrode of a capacitor is produced therefrom through the use of marking and etching, with the first polysilicon situated under the oxidation-inhibiting layer forming another electrode and the oxidation-inhibiting layer forming a dielectric. The structure provides a less complex masking and etching technique as well as improved reliability of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Gunther Plasa