Plural Gate Levels Patents (Class 438/588)
  • Patent number: 8258587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for making a semiconductor device having metal gate stacks. The method includes forming a high k dielectric material layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a metal gate layer on the high k dielectric material layer; forming a top gate layer on the metal gate layer; patterning the top gate layer, the metal gate layer and the high k dielectric material layer to form a gate stack; performing an etching process to selectively recess the metal gate layer; and forming a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Masuoka, Shyh-Horng Yang, Peng-Soon Lim
  • Publication number: 20120211820
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of gate electrode films arranged parallel to each other along a direction, a semiconductor member extending in the direction, and passing through the plurality of gate electrode films, and a charge storage film provided between the gate electrode films and the semiconductor member. Protrusions are provided projecting along the direction at the ends of the gate electrode films in opposition to the semiconductor member. A gaseous layer is formed in a part of a gap between the gate electrode films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yosuke KOMORI, Daigo ICHINOSE
  • Patent number: 8247863
    Abstract: A memory string comprises: a pair of columnar portions; a first insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the columnar portions; a charge storage layer surrounding a side surface of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the charge storage layer; and a first conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the second insulating layer. A select transistor comprises: a second semiconductor layer extending from an upper surface of the columnar portions; a third insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the second semiconductor layer; a fourth insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the third insulating layer; and a second conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the fourth insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the second semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the third insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8227306
    Abstract: In multiple-layered memory devices, memory systems employing the same, and methods of forming such devices, a second memory device layer on a first memory device layer comprises a second substrate including a second memory cell region. The second substrate includes only a single well in the second memory cell region, the single well of the second memory cell region comprising a semiconducting material doped with impurity of one of a first type and second type. The single well defines an active region in the second memory cell region of the second substrate. Multiple second cell strings are arranged on the second substrate in the second active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonghyuk Kim, Han-Soo Kim, YoungSeop Rah, Min-sung Song, Jang Young Chul, Soon-Moon Jung, Wonseok Cho
  • Publication number: 20120161221
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory having a tunneling dielectric layer, a floating gate, a control gate, an inter-gate dielectric layer and a first doping region and a second doping region is provided. The tunneling dielectric layer is disposed on a substrate. The floating gate is disposed on the tunneling dielectric layer, and has a protruding portion. The control gate is disposed over the floating gate to cover and surround the protruding portion. The protruding portion of the floating gate is fully covered and surrounded by the control gate in any direction, including extending directions of bit lines, word lines and an included angle formed between the word line and the bit line. The inter-gate dielectric layer is disposed between the floating gate and the control gate. The first doping region and the second doping region are respectively disposed in the substrate at two sides of the control gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: POWERCHIP TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ya-Jui Lee, Ying-Chia Lin
  • Publication number: 20120164821
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include: alternatively stacking dielectric layers and conductive layers on a substrate to form a stack structure, forming a first photoresist pattern on the stack structure, forming a second photoresist pattern whose thickness is reduced as the second photoresist pattern extends from the center of the stack structure towards a periphery of the stacked structure by performing a heat treatment on the first photoresist pattern, etching the stack structure through the second photoresist pattern to form a slope profile on the stack structure whose thickness is reduced as the slope profile extends from the center of the stack structure towards a periphery of the stacked structure, and forming a step-type profile on the end part of the stack structure by selectively etching the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Sung KIM, Hye-Soo SHIN, Mi-Youn KIM, Young-Soo KIM
  • Patent number: 8203177
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a substrate; a cell stack having a semiconductor layer for providing junction areas and channel areas and an interlayer isolation layer for insulating the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the interlayer isolation layer are repeatedly stacked; an array of gate columns, the gate columns penetrating through the cell stack, perpendicular to the substrate; and a trap layered stack introduced into an interface between the gate columns and the cell stack to store charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Hack Seob Shin, Kyoung Hwan Park, Young Ok Hong, Yu Jin Park
  • Patent number: 8174055
    Abstract: Gate spacers are formed in FinFETS having a bottom portion of a first material extending to the height of the fins, and a top portion of a second material extending above the fins. An embodiment includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, the fin structure having a height and having a top surface and side surfaces, forming a gate substantially perpendicular to the fin structure over a portion of the top and side surfaces, for example over a center portion, forming a planarizing layer over the gate, the fin structure, and the substrate, removing the planarizing layer from the substrate, gate, and fin structure down to the height of the fin structure, and forming spacers on the fin structure and on the planarizing layer, adjacent the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Bonser, Catherine B. Labelle
  • Patent number: 8164122
    Abstract: A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Ana Claudia Arias, Gregory Lewis Whiting
  • Patent number: 8148768
    Abstract: A memory device, and method of making the same, in which a trench is formed into a substrate of semiconductor material. The source region is formed under the trench, and the channel region between the source and drain regions includes a first portion that extends substantially along a sidewall of the trench and a second portion that extends substantially along the surface of the substrate. The floating gate is disposed in the trench, and is insulated from the channel region first portion for controlling its conductivity. The control gate is disposed over and insulated from the channel region second portion, for controlling its conductivity. The erase gate is disposed at least partially over and insulated from the floating gate. The erase gate includes a notch, and the floating gate includes an edge that directly faces and is insulated from the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhan Do, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 8138543
    Abstract: A circuit structure is disclosed which contains least one each of three different kinds of devices in a silicon layer on insulator (SOI): a planar NFET device, a planar PFET device, and a FinFET device. A trench isolation surrounds the planar NFET device and the planar PFET device penetrating through the SOI and abutting the insulator. Each of the three different kinds of devices contain a high-k gate dielectric layer and a mid-gap gate metal layer, each containing an identical high-k material and an identical mid-gap metal. Each of the three different kinds of devices have an individually optimized threshold value. A method for fabricating a circuit structure is also disclosed, which method involves defining portions in SOI respectively for three different kinds of devices: for a planar NFET device, for a planar PFET device, and for a FinFET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Publication number: 20120064707
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes gate structures including a tunnel insulating layer pattern, a floating gate, a dielectric layer pattern and a control gate sequentially disposed on a substrate. The control gate includes an impurity doped polysilicon layer pattern and a metal layer pattern. The gate structures are spaced apart from each other on the substrate. A capping layer pattern is disposed on a sidewall portion of the metal layer pattern and includes a metal oxide. An insulating layer covers the gate structures and the capping layer pattern. The insulating layer is formed on the substrate and includes an air-gap therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jun-Kyu YANG, Hong-Suk Kim, Ju-Yul Lee, Ki-Hyun Hwang, Jae-Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 8133777
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory is provided. A substrate including a memory region and a periphery region is provided. A plurality of gates each having spacers is formed on the substrate. A plurality of openings is formed between the gates in the memory region. A first material layer is formed in the memory region to cover the gates and fill the openings. A barrier layer is formed on the substrate to cover the gates in the periphery region and the first material layer in the memory region. A second material layer is formed on the substrate in the periphery region to cover the barrier layer in the periphery region. The barrier layer covering the first material layer is removed. The first material layer is partially removed to form a plurality of second openings. Each second opening is disposed on a top of the gate in the memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Lu-Ping Chiang, Hsiu-Han Liao
  • Patent number: 8089128
    Abstract: A transistor gate forming method includes forming a first and a second transistor gate. Each of the two gates includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer. The lower metal layer of the first gate originates from an as-deposited material exhibiting a work function the same as exhibited in an as-deposited material from which the lower metal layer of the second gate originates. However, the first gate's lower metal layer exhibits a modified work function different from a work function exhibited by the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate's lower metal layer may contain less oxygen and/or carbon in comparison to the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate's lower metal layer may contain more nitrogen in comparison to the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate may be a n-channel gate and the second gate may be a p-channel gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ravi Iyer
  • Patent number: 8088663
    Abstract: A planar pass gate NFET is designed with the same width as a planar pull-down NFET. To optimize a beta ratio between the planar pull-down NFET and an adjoined planar pass gate NFET, the threshold voltage of the planar pass gate NFET is increased by providing a different high-k metal gate stack to the planar pass gate NFET than to the planar pull-down NFET. Particularly, a threshold voltage adjustment dielectric layer, which is formed over a high-k dielectric layer, is preserved in the planar pass gate NFET and removed in the planar pull-down NFET. The combined NFET active area for the planar pass gate NFET and the planar pull-down NFET is substantially rectangular, which enables a high fidelity printing of the image of the combined NFET active area by lithographic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Shang-Bin Ko, Dae-Gyu Park
  • Patent number: 8053818
    Abstract: A thin film field effect transistor is disclosed which provides improved time-based channel stability. The field effect transistor includes first and second disordered semiconductor layers separated by an insulator. In an embodiment a carrier injection terminal is provided in a thin semiconductor layer closest to the gate terminal. An electric field is established in the thin semiconductor layer. At sufficient field strength, the electric field extends into the second semiconductor layer, which is in contact with the source and drain terminals. At sufficient field strength a channel is established in the second semiconductor layer, permitting current to flow between source and drain terminals. Above a certain gate voltage, there is sufficient free charge is induced in the first semiconductor layer so that the field does not extend into the second semiconductor, effectively shutting off current between source and drain. Single-device transition detection (as well as other applications) may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Ana Claudia Arias, Gregory Lewis Whiting
  • Publication number: 20110266611
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and conductive layers for gate electrodes alternately stacked over a substrate, a channel trench passing through the interlayer dielectric layers and the conductive layers and exposing the substrate, a charge blocking layer and a charge trap or charge storage layer formed on sidewalls of the trench, a coupling prevention layer formed at the surface of the charge trap or charge storage layer, and a tunnel insulation layer formed over the coupling prevention layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Beom-Yong KIM, Ki-Hong LEE
  • Patent number: 8048744
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof are disclosed. The method includes forming a polysilicon layer on a semiconductor substrate including a high-voltage area and a low-voltage area, partially etching the polysilicon layer in the low-voltage area, forming an anti-reflective layer on the polysilicon layer to reduce a step difference between the high-voltage and low-voltage areas, forming a photoresist pattern in the high-voltage and low-voltage areas, and forming a high-voltage gate and a low-voltage gate by etching the polysilicon layer using the photoresist pattern as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 8035163
    Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the invention provides substrates that include a support, a first insulating layer arranged on the support, a non-mono-crystalline semi-conducting layer arranged on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer arranged on the non-mono-crystalline semi-conducting layer; and top layer disposed on the second insulating layer. Additionally, a first gate electrode can be formed on the top layer and a second gate electrode can be formed in the non-mono-crystalline semi-conducting layer. The invention also provides methods for manufacture of such substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: S.O.I.Tec Silicon on Insulator Technologies
    Inventors: Bich-Yen Nguyen, Carlos Mazure
  • Patent number: 7998810
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate electrode of a semiconductor device is provided, the method including: forming a plurality of stacked structures each comprising a tunnel dielectric layer, a first silicon layer for floating gates, an intergate dielectric layer, a second silicon layer for control gates, and a mask pattern, on a semiconductor substrate in the stated order; forming a first interlayer dielectric layer between the plurality of stacked structures so that a top surface of the mask pattern is exposed; selectively removing the mask pattern of which the top surface is exposed; forming a third silicon layer in an area from which the hard disk layer was removed, and forming a silicon layer comprising the third silicon layer and the second silicon layer; recessing the first interlayer dielectric layer so that an upper portion of the silicon layer protrudes over the he first interlayer dielectric layer; and forming a metal silicide layer on the upper portion of the silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-hee Kim, Gil-heyun Choi, Sang-woo Lee, Chang-won Lee, Jin-ho Park, Eun-ji Jung, Jeong-gil Lee
  • Patent number: 7989910
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an n+ type semiconductor substrate 1 and a super junction region that has, on the top of the substrate 1, an n and p type pillar regions 2 and 3 provided alternately. The device also includes, in the top surface of the super junction region, a p type base region 4 and an n type source layer 5. The device also includes a gate electrode 7 on the region 4 and layer 5 via a gate-insulating film 6, a drain electrode 9 on the bottom of the substrate 1, and a source electrode 8 on the top of the substrate 1. In the top surface of the super junction region in the terminal region, a RESURF region 10 is formed. The RESURF region has a comb-like planar shape with repeatedly-formed teeth having tips facing the end portion of the terminal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wataru Saito, Syotaro Ono, Masaru Izumisawa, Yasuto Sumi, Hiroshi Ohta, Wataru Sekine, Nana Hatano
  • Patent number: 7985670
    Abstract: A method of realizing a flash floating poly gate using an MPS process can include forming a tunnel oxide layer on an active region of a semiconductor substrate; and then forming a first floating gate on and contacting the tunnel oxide layer; and then forming second and third floating gates on and contacting the first floating gate, wherein the second and third floating gates extend perpendicular to the first floating gate; and then forming a poly meta-stable polysilicon layer on the first, second and third floating gates; and then forming a control gate on the semiconductor substrate including the poly meta-stable polysilicon layer. Therefore, it is possible to increase the surface area of the capacitor by a limited area in comparison with a flat floating gate. As a result, it is possible to improve the coupling ratio essential to the flash memory device and to improve the yield and reliability of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Woong Jeong
  • Patent number: 7981785
    Abstract: A polysilicon electrode layer (103) (a first electrode layer) is formed by forming a polysilicon film on a gate oxide film (102) on a silicon wafer (101). A tungsten layer (105) (a second electrode layer) is formed on this polysilicon electrode layer (103). In addition, a barrier layer (104) is formed on the polysilicon electrode layer (103) before the formation of the tungsten layer (105). Etching is then conducted using a silicon nitride layer (106) as the etching mask. Next, an oxide insulating film (107) is formed on an exposed surface of the polysilicon layer (103) by plasma oxidation wherein a process gas containing oxygen gas and hydrogen gas is used at a process temperature not less than 300° C. With this method, a selective oxidation of the polysilicon electrode layer (103) can be carried out without oxidizing the tungsten layer (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masaru Sasaki, Yoshiro Kabe
  • Patent number: 7982280
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes N plane-like metal layers. A first plane-like metal layer includes M contact portions that communicate with the N plane-like metal layers, respectively. The first source region is arranged between first sides of the first and second drain regions and the second and third source regions are arranged adjacent to second sides of the first and second drain regions. A fourth source region is arranged adjacent to third sides of the first and second drain regions and a fifth source region is arranged adjacent to fourth sides of the first and second drain regions. First and second drain contacts are arranged in the first and second drain regions, respectively. At least two of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth source regions and the first and second drain regions communicate with at least two of the N plane-like metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja
  • Patent number: 7977226
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The flash memory device includes an ONO layer on a substrate, polysilicon gates on the ONO layer, a gate oxide layer on the substrate, the ONO layer and the polysilicon gates, and a low temperature oxide layer and polysilicon sidewall spacers on outer side surfaces of the polysilicon gates, except in a region between nearest adjacent polysilicon gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Jun Yun
  • Patent number: 7960243
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (10) is formed in a semiconductor layer (12). A gate stack (16,18) is formed over the semiconductor layer and comprises a first conductive layer (22) and a second layer (24) over the first layer. The first layer is more conductive and provides more stopping power to an implant than the second layer. A species (46) is implanted into the second layer. Source/drain regions (52) are formed in the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate stack. The gate stack is heated after the step of implanting to cause the gate stack to exert stress in the semiconductor layer in a region under the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Winstead, Konstantin V. Loiko, Voon-Yew Thean
  • Patent number: 7944005
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an NMOS region and a PMOS region, active regions of the semiconductor substrate defined by a device isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate, the active regions including an NMOS active region defined in the NMOS region and a PMOS active region defined in the PMOS region, a gate insulating film disposed over the active regions, and a dual poly gate including an amorphous titanium layer formed over the gate insulating film in the NMOS region and the PMOS region. The dual poly gate includes a stacked structure having a lower gate electrode formed of an impurity doped polysilicon layer, a barrier layer including the amorphous titanium layer, and an upper gate electrode formed of a tungsten layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Seok Chun
  • Patent number: 7923315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a planar independent-double-gate FET or a planar gate-all-around FET on a bulk semiconductor substrate. The method comprises refilling a surface recess in an active semiconductor region with a buried sacrificial layer, and, after preparing a pre-processing a gate stack by respective deposition and patterning, the formation of a recess in the isolation regions so as to cause the recess to extend, in a depth direction that points towards the inner substrate, to a depth level that allows removing the buried sacrificial layer and so as to cause the recess to undercut portions of gate stack in the channel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Arnaud Pouydebasque, Philippe Coronel, Stephanne Denorme
  • Patent number: 7919405
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can prevent mutual diffusion of impurity in a silicide layer and can decrease sheet resistance of an N-type polymetal gate electrode and a P-type polymetal gate electrode, respectively in the semiconductor device having gate electrodes of a polymetal gate structure and a dual gate structure are provided. The P-type polymetal gate electrode includes a P-type silicon layer containing P-type impurity, a silicide layer formed on the P-type silicon layer and having a plurality of silicide grains which are discontinuously disposed in a direction substantially parallel with the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a silicon film continuously formed on the surface of the P-type silicon layer exposed on the discontinuous part of the silicide layer and on the surface of the silicide layer, a second metal nitride layer formed on the silicon film, and a metal layer formed on the metal nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Taguwa
  • Patent number: 7892958
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has two transistors of different structure from each other. One of transistors is P-type and the other is N-type. One of the transistors includes a gate structure in which a polysilicon layer contacts a gate insulation film while the other transistor includes a gate structure in which a metal layer contacts a gate insulation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-Lan Lee, Yu-Gyun Shin, Sang-Bom Kang, Hag-Ju Cho, Seong-Geon Park, Taek-Soo Jeon
  • Patent number: 7883970
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a decoupling capacitor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region, a first peripheral circuit region, and a second peripheral circuit region. At least one channel trench is disposed in the cell region of the semiconductor substrate. At least one first capacitor trench is disposed in the first peripheral circuit region of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one second capacitor trench is disposed in the second peripheral circuit region of the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode is disposed in the cell region of the semiconductor substrate and fills the channel trench. A first upper electrode is disposed in the first peripheral circuit region of the semiconductor substrate and fills at least the first capacitor trench. A second upper electrode is disposed in the second peripheral circuit region of the semiconductor substrate and fills at least the second capacitor trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Ki Kim, Jung-Hwa Lee, Ji-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7867844
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming charge storage transistor gates and standard FET gates in which common processing is utilized for fabrication of at least some portions of the different types of gates. FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks may be formed. The gate stacks may each include a gate material, an insulative material, and a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed from the FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks. The insulative material of the FET gate stacks is etched through. A conductive material is formed over the FET gate stacks and over the charge storage transistor gate stacks. The conductive material physically contacts the gate material of the FET gate stacks, and is separated from the gate material of the charge storage transistor gate stacks by the insulative material remaining in the charge storage transistor gate stacks. Some embodiments include gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Patent number: 7867831
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a substrate, a cell stack having a semiconductor layer, in which junction areas for setting areas therebetween to channel areas are formed in a shape of a stripe, and an interlayer isolation layer for insulating the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the interlayer isolation layer are repeatedly stacked. The flash memory device further includes an array of gate columns penetrating through the cell stack, perpendicular to the substrate and cutting through the junction areas to dispose the junction areas at both sides thereof, and a trap layered stack introduced into an interface between the gate column and the cell stack to store charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Hack Seob Shin, Kyoung Hwan Park, Young Ok Hong, Yu Jin Park
  • Patent number: 7851790
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of and an apparatus for providing a wafer, the wafer including Silicon; etching trenches in the wafer to form Silicon fins; filling Silicon Oxide in the trenches; planarizing the Silicon Oxide; recessing the Silicon Oxide to a first thickness to form exposed Silicon pedestals from the Silicon fins; depositing SiGe over the exposed Silicon pedestal; recessing the Silicon Oxide to a second thickness; undercutting the exposed Silicon pedestals to form necked-in Silicon pedestals; oxidizing thermally and annealing the SiGe; and forming Germanium nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Willy Rachmady, Been-Yih Jin, Ravi Pillarisetty, Robert Chau
  • Patent number: 7847337
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, and a memory cell and a peripheral circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate, the memory cell having a first insulating film, a first electrode layer, a second insulating film, and a second electrode layer provided on the semiconductor substrate in order, and the peripheral circuit having the first insulating film, the first electrode layer, the second insulating film having an opening for the peripheral circuit, and the second electrode layer electrically connected to the first electrode layer through the opening for the peripheral circuit, wherein a thickness of the first electrode layer under the second insulating film of the peripheral circuit is thicker than a thickness of the first electrode layer of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Iwase, Tadashi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 7833855
    Abstract: In a method for forming a field effect transistor, a metal nitride layer is formed on a gate electrode insulating layer. Tantalum amine derivatives represented by the chemical formula Ta(NR1)(NR2R3)3, in which R1, R2 and R3 represent H or a C1-C6 alkyl group, may be used to form the metal nitride layer. Nitrogen may then be implanted into the metal nitride layer to increase the nitrogen content of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Bom Kang, Kyung-In Choi, You-Kyoung Lee, Seong-Geon Park, Gil-Heyun Choi, Jong-Myeong Lee, Sang-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7820537
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a polysilicon layer, a barrier metal layer, and a conductive layer over a substrate, forming gate hard masks over the conductive layer, etching the conductive layer and the barrier metal layer using the gate hard masks to form barrier metal electrodes and metal gate electrodes having a line width smaller than that of the gate hard masks, etching the polysilicon layer to form gate patterns, each gate pattern including a stack structure of a polysilicon electrode, the barrier metal electrode, the metal gate electrode, and the gate hard mask, forming a gate spacer over the surface profile of the substrate structure, forming an insulation layer over the gate spacer, etching the insulation layer to form a contact hole between the gate patterns and burying a conductive material over the contact hole to form a landing plug contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Tae-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 7808019
    Abstract: A gate structure includes a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a cap layer and a first insulating spacer. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The first conductive layer is disposed on the gate dielectric layer and has an opening. A part of the second conductive layer is disposed in the opening. The second conductive layer has an extrusion that protrudes above the opening of the first conductive layer. The extrusion has a cross-sectional width less than the width of the second conductive layer inside the opening. The cap layer is disposed on the extrusion. The first insulating spacer is disposed on a part of the first conductive layer and covers the sidewalls of the extrusion. The inclusion of the extrusion in the second conductive layer decreases the resistance of the gate structure and promotes the efficiency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ProMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Su-Chen Lai
  • Publication number: 20100240205
    Abstract: Provided are three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. The memory devices include semiconductor pillars penetrating interlayer insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate and floating gates selectively interposed between the semiconductor pillars and the conductive layers. The floating gates are formed in recesses in the conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Byoungkeun Son, Hansoo Kim, Jinho Kim, Kihyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7799616
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a substrate, a cell stack having a semiconductor layer, in which junction areas for setting areas therebetween to channel areas are formed in a shape of a stripe, and an interlayer isolation layer for insulating the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the interlayer isolation layer are repeatedly stacked. The flash memory device further includes an array of gate columns penetrating through the cell stack, perpendicular to the substrate and cutting through the junction areas to dispose the junction areas at both sides thereof, and a trap layered stack introduced into an interface between the gate column and the cell stack to store charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Hack Seob Shin, Kyoung Hwan Park, Young Ok Hong, Yu Jin Park
  • Patent number: 7785952
    Abstract: Metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a metal-oxide semiconductor device is provided comprising a substrate; and at least one n-channel field effect transistor (NFET) having a gate stack over the substrate. The NFET gate stack comprises an NFET gate stack metal gate layer; a first NFET gate stack silicon layer over the NFET gate stack metal gate layer; a second NFET gate stack silicon layer over a side of the first NFET gate stack silicon layer opposite the NFET gate stack metal gate layer, wherein an interface is defined between the first NFET gate stack silicon layer and the second NFET gate stack silicon layer; and an NFET gate stack silicide region that extends through the interface between the first NFET gate stack silicon layer and the second NFET gate stack silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Leland Chang, Renee Tong Mo, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 7785997
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least two gate insulating layers having different thickness on a substrate having low, medium and high voltage regions; and then depositing a gate layer material on the gate insulating layers; and then forming a first etch mask on the gate layer material; and then forming gate electrodes in the low, medium and high voltage regions by etching the gate layer material using the first etch mask; and then forming a second etch mask to expose a thickest one of the gate insulating layers, the gate electrode and the first etch mask each formed in the high voltage region while covering the remaining gate insulating layers, the gate electrodes and the first etch masks formed in the low and medium voltage regions; and then etching the thickest gate insulating layer using the second etch mask; and then removing the first and second etch masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100213537
    Abstract: A memory string comprises: a pair of columnar portions; a first insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the columnar portions; a charge storage layer surrounding a side surface of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the charge storage layer; and a first conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the second insulating layer. A select transistor comprises: a second semiconductor layer extending from an upper surface of the columnar portions; a third insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the second semiconductor layer; a fourth insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the third insulating layer; and a second conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the fourth insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the second semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the third insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20100207194
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a stacked body provided on the semiconductor substrate, the stacked body having electrode films and insulating films being alternately stacked; a first and second semiconductor pillars; and a first and second charge storage layers. The first and second semiconductor pillars are provided inside a through hole penetrating through the stacked body in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The through hole has a cross section of an oblate circle, when cutting in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. The first and second semiconductor pillars face each other in a major axis direction of the first oblate circle. The first and second semiconductor pillars extend in the stacking direction. The first and second charge storage layers are provided between the electrode film and the first and second semiconductor pillars, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu TANAKA, Hideaki AOCHI, Ryota KATSUMATA, Masaru KIDOH, Masaru KITO, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Yosuke KOMORI, Megumi ISHIDUKI, Tomoko FUJIWARA, Junya MATSUNAMI, Ryouhei KIRISAWA
  • Patent number: 7767568
    Abstract: A phase change memory device and method of manufacturing the same is provided. A first electrode having a first surface is provided on a substrate. A second electrode having a second surface at a different level from the first surface is on the substrate. The second electrode may be spaced apart from the first electrode. A third electrode may be formed corresponding to the first electrode. A fourth electrode may be formed corresponding to the second electrode. A first phase change pattern may be interposed between the first surface and the third electrode. A second phase change pattern may be interposed between the second surface and the fourth electrode. Upper surfaces of the first and second phase change patterns may be on the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeong-Geun An, Hideki Horii, Jong-Chan Shin, Dong-Ho Ahn, Jun-Soo Bae, Jeong-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 7727830
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method includes using the Germanium nanowire as building block for high performance logic, memory and low dimensional quantum effect devices. The Germanium nanowire channel and the SiGe anchoring regions are formed simultaneously through preferential Si oxidation of epitaxial Silicon Germanium epi layer. The placement of the germanium nanowires is accomplished using a Si fin as a template and the germanium nanowire is held on Si substrate through SiGe anchors created by masking the two ends of the fins. High dielectric constant gate oxide and work function metals wrap around the Germanium nanowire for gate-all-around electrostatic channel on/off control, while the Germanium nanowire provides high carrier mobility in the transistor channel region. The germanium nanowire transistors enable high performance, low voltage (low power consumption) operation of logic and memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Been-Yih Jin, Jack T. Kavalieros, Matthew V. Metz, Marko Radosavlievic, Robert S. Chau
  • Publication number: 20100127308
    Abstract: A memory device, and method of making the same, in which a trench is formed into a substrate of semiconductor material. The source region is formed under the trench, and the channel region between the source and drain regions includes a first portion that extends substantially along a sidewall of the trench and a second portion that extends substantially along the surface of the substrate. The floating gate is disposed in the trench, and is insulated from the channel region first portion for controlling its conductivity. The control gate is disposed over and insulated from the channel region second portion, for controlling its conductivity. The erase gate is disposed at least partially over and insulated from the floating gate. The erase gate includes a notch, and the floating gate includes an edge that directly faces and is insulated from the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Nhan Do, Amitay Levi
  • Patent number: 7718521
    Abstract: There is disclosed a semiconductor device comprising a P-channel MIS transistor which includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating layer formed on the N-type semiconductor layer and containing a carbon compound of a metal, and an N-channel MIS transistor which includes a P-type semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the P-type semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masato Koyama, Akira Nishiyama, Yoshinori Tsuchiya, Reika Ichihara
  • Patent number: 7713819
    Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first conductor film on the first insulating film, forming a second insulating film on the first conductor film, forming a first line-and-space pattern by etching the second insulating film and the first conductor film, forming a etched region etched into a second line-and-space pattern perpendicular to the first line-and-space pattern by etching the second insulating film, the first conductor film, the first insulating film, and the semiconductor substrate, burying a third insulating film in the etched region, removing the second insulating film, forming a fourth insulating film on the first conductor film and the third insulating film, forming a second conductor film on the fourth insulating film, and forming a third line-and-space pattern parallel to the first line-and-space pattern by etching the second conductor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mutsumi Okajima
  • Patent number: 7659154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a CMOS device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate (101) having therein a layer of insulating material (102), the method comprising providing a layer (106) of a first material over the insulating layer (102), the thickness of the layer (106) of the first material being less in a first region (103) for supporting a first active device than in a second region (104) for supporting a second active device. A layer (107) of a second material is then deposited over the layer (106) of a first material, and the structure is then subjected to a thermal treatment to alloy the first and second materials. The portion of the layers over the first region is entirely alloyed, whereas the portion of the layers over the second region is not, so that a portion (109) of the layer (106) of the first material remains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Markus Muller, Peter Stolk