Contacting Multiple Semiconductive Regions (i.e., Interconnects) Patents (Class 438/618)
  • Patent number: 8802529
    Abstract: This invention discloses a semiconductor power device disposed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a lightly doped layer formed on a heavily doped layer and having an active cell area and an edge termination area. The edge termination area comprises a plurality P-channel MOSFETs. By connecting the gate to the drain electrode, the P-channel MOSFET transistors formed on the edge termination are sequentially turned on when the applied voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold voltage Vt of the P-channel MOSFET transistors, thereby optimizing the voltage blocked by each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Hamza Yilmaz, Madhur Bobde
  • Patent number: 8802558
    Abstract: A structure and method of making the structure. The structure includes a dielectric layer on a substrate; a first wire formed in a first trench in the dielectric layer, a first liner on sidewalls and a bottom of the first trench and a first copper layer filling all remaining space in the first trench; a second wire formed in a second trench in the dielectric layer, a second liner on sidewalls and a bottom of the second trench and a second copper layer filling all remaining space in the second trench; and an electromigration stop formed in a third trench in the dielectric layer, a third liner on sidewalls and a bottom of the third trench and a third copper layer filling all remaining space in the third trench, the electromigration stop between and abutting respective ends of the first and second wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Marc A. Bergendahl, David V. Horak, Baozhen Li, Shom Ponoth
  • Patent number: 8802559
    Abstract: An electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is provided for use in an interconnect structure. The liner includes a metal that has a thickness at a bottom of the at least one via opening and on an exposed portion of an underlying conductive feature that is greater than a remaining thickness that is located on exposed sidewalls of the interconnect dielectric material. The thinner portion of the electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is located between the interconnect dielectric material and an overlying diffusion barrier. The thicker portion of the electromigration and stress migration enhancement liner is located between the underlying conductive feature and the diffusion barrier as well as between an adjacent dielectric capping layer and the diffusion barrier. The remainder of the at least one via opening is filled with an adhesion layer and a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Baozhen Li
  • Publication number: 20140217518
    Abstract: A method of forming an interlayer conductor structure. The method includes forming a stack of semiconductor pads coupled to respective active layers for a circuit. The semiconductor pads include outside perimeters each having one side coupled to a respective active layer. Impurities are implanted along the outside perimeters to form outside lower resistance regions on the pads. Openings are then formed in the stack of the semiconductor pads to expose a landing area for interlayer conductors on a corresponding semiconductor pad and to define an inside perimeter on at least one of the semiconductor pads. Inside lower resistance regions are formed along the inside perimeters by implanting impurities for interlayer conductor contacts and configured to overlap and be continuous with the corresponding outside lower resistance region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Yen-Hao SHIH, Yi-Hsuan HSIAO, Chih-Ping CHEN
  • Patent number: 8796134
    Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming first and second electrically conductive lines at side-by-side locations on an integrated circuit substrate. Steps are performed to selectively etch each of the first and second electrically conductive lines into a respective pair of interconnects having facing ends that are separated from each other. This selective etching step is performed using a photolithography mask having a modified-rectangular mask pattern thereon, which is configured to define a shape of the facing ends of each of the pair of interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Hwa Kim, Ryan L. Burns
  • Patent number: 8796786
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming electrical contacts. A row of semiconductor material projections may be formed, with the semiconductor material projections containing repeating components of an array, and with a terminal semiconductor projection of the row comprising a contact location. An electrically conductive line may be along said row, with the line wrapping around an end of said terminal semiconductor projection and bifurcating into two branches that are along opposing sides of the semiconductor material projections. Some of the semiconductor material of the terminal semiconductor projection may be replaced with dielectric material, and then an opening may be extended into the dielectric material. An electrical contact may be formed within the opening and directly against at least one of the branches. Some embodiments include memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Housley
  • Patent number: 8796859
    Abstract: A multilayer interconnect structure is formed by, providing a substrate (40) having thereon a first dielectric (50, 27) for supporting a multi-layer interconnection (39) having lower conductor MN (22, 23), upper conductor MN+1 (34, 35), dielectric interlayer (DIL) (68) and interconnecting via conductor VN+1/N (36, 36?). The lower conductor MN (22, 23) has a first upper surface (61) located in a recess below a second upper surface (56) of the first dielectric (50, 27). The DIL (68) is formed above the first (61) and second (56) surfaces. A cavity (1263) is etched through the DIL (68) from a desired location (122) of the upper conductor MN+1 (34), exposing the first surface (61). The cavity (1263) is filled with a further electrical conductor (80) to form the upper conductor MN+1 (34) and the connecting via conductor VN+1/N (36, 36?) making electrical contact with the first upper surface (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Globalfoundries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Ryoung-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 8796133
    Abstract: A method of reducing white bump formation and dielectric cracking under controlled collapse chip connections (C4s). The method comprises fabricating a substrate having a plurality of metallization layers, one or more of the layers is of low k dielectric material. The substrate includes a plurality of attachment pads for the C4s. The fabricating comprises selectively forming at least a portion of the substrate with metal fill having a higher Young's modulus of elasticity than any of the one or more layers of low k dielectric material in portions of the substrate located beneath at least some of the attachment pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Griselda Bonilla, Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Mark C. H. Lamorey, Howard S. Landis, Xiao Hu Liu, David L. Questad, Thomas M. Shaw, David B. Stone
  • Publication number: 20140210105
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising: forming a plurality of parallel lines (502, 504, 506) of a sacrificial material over a layer of conductive material (510) of an integrated circuit, said parallel lines being separated by trenches, at least one of said lines being interrupted along its length by an opening (516) dividing it into first and second line portions (504A, 504B) separated by a space (S); forming spacers (522, 524, 526, 528, 530) in said trenches on lateral sides of said line portions and filling at least a bottom part of said opening between the line portions; removing the sacrificial material by etching; and forming interconnection lines (302, 304A, 304B, 306A, 306B, 308, 310) of said conductive material based on a pattern defined by said spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent FARYS
  • Patent number: 8791009
    Abstract: A method for fabricating through-silicon vias (TSVs) for semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, the method involves utilizing copper contact pads in a back-end-of-line wiring level, wherein the copper contact pads act as cathodes for performing an electroplating technique to fill TSVs with plated-conductive material (e.g., copper) from an electroplating solution. Moreover, the method provides a way to fill high aspect ratio TSVs with minimal additional semiconductor fabrication process steps, which can increase the silicon area that is available for forming additional electronic components on integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Troy Lawrence Graves-Abe
  • Patent number: 8791010
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory device. A first thickness of dielectric material overlies a surface region of a substrate. A first wiring material including a first lining material and a silver material are formed overlying the dielectric material. A first adhesion material and an amorphous silicon switching material including a contact material are deposited overlying the first wiring material. The method forms one or more first structures configured to spatially extend in a first direction from the amorphous silicon switching material, the contact material, and the first wiring material. A thickness of second dielectric material is deposited overlying the one or more first structures. The method forms a second wiring structure comprising at least a second silver material and a second lining material spatially extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction overlying the second dielectric material and in electrical contact with the switching material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Crossbar, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 8785319
    Abstract: Methods of forming fine patterns are provided. The methods may include forming first hard mask patterns extending in a first direction on a lower layer, forming second hard mask patterns filling gap regions between the first hard mask patterns, forming first mask patterns extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on the first and second hard mask patterns, etching the first hard mask patterns using the first mask patterns as etch masks to form first openings, forming second mask patterns filling the first openings and extending in the second direction, and etching the second hard mask patterns using the second mask patterns as etch masks to form second openings spaced apart from the first openings in a diagonal direction with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Soo Park, Kukhan Yoon, Joon Kim, Cheolhong Kim, Seokwoo Nam
  • Patent number: 8786094
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece and a plurality of first conductive lines disposed over the workpiece in a metallization layer. A plurality of second conductive lines is disposed over the workpiece in the metallization layer. The plurality of second conductive lines comprises a greater vertical height in a cross-sectional view of the workpiece than a vertical height of the plurality of first conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Min Fu, Wen-Hao Chen, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 8786093
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a substrate; a device region disposed in or on the substrate; a signal pad disposed in or on the substrate and electrically connected to the device region; a ground pad disposed in or on the substrate; a signal bump disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the signal bump is electrically connected to the signal pad through a signal conducting layer; a ground conducting layer disposed on the surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the ground pad; and a protection layer disposed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the protection layer completely covers the entire side terminals of the signal conducting layer and partially covers the ground conducting layer such that a side terminal of the ground conducting layer is exposed on a side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hung
  • Patent number: 8785327
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes forming first layer on first and second regions in substrate, first layer having first width in first region and having larger dimension than first width in second region, forming first sidewall on first layer, forming second layer covering first sidewall in the second region and forming third layer having second width smaller than first width on the side face of first sidewall having second width after removing first layer, forming second and third sidewalls having second width so that second and third sidewalls is adjacent to first sidewall across third layer by second width in first region and across second and third layers by second interval larger than second width in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keisuke Kikutani
  • Patent number: 8785314
    Abstract: Methods and memory devices formed using etch bias homogenization are provided. One example method of forming a memory device using etch bias homogenization includes forming conductive material at respective levels over a substrate. Each respective level of conductive material is electrically coupled to corresponding circuitry on the substrate during patterning of the respective level of conductive material so that each respective level of conductive material has a homogenized etch bias during patterning thereof. Each respective level of conductive material electrically coupled to corresponding circuitry on the substrate is patterned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Hernan A. Castro, Eddie T. Flores
  • Patent number: 8778790
    Abstract: A rewiring is formed by forming a Cu seed layer of copper over an opening and insulating films, forming a photoresist film over the Cu seed layer, a step of forming copper film by plating-growth over the Cu seed layer, and forming a Ni film. After forming an Au film in an opening (pad region) over the rewiring, the photoresist film is removed and passivation processing is performed on the Ni film. Then, the Cu seed layer other than the formation region of the rewiring is etched. According to these steps, a passivation film is formed on the surface of the Ni film and the reduction in film thickness of the Ni film by the etching can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce trouble due to distortion of a substrate resulting from an increase in thickness of the Ni film in view of reduction in film thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tota Maitani, Yutaro Ebata
  • Publication number: 20140193972
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor devices, and such semiconductor devices, are described. According to various aspects of the disclosure, a semiconductor device can be manufactured by forming a core region of the semiconductor device and forming a periphery region of the semiconductor device. A first polysilicon region can then be formed over the core and periphery regions of the semiconductor device. A first mask is formed on the first poly silicon layer and a second polysilicon layer is disposed such that the second polysilicon layer covers the first mask. A second mask can then be formed on the second polysilicon layer. After forming the second mask, portions of the first and second polysilicon layers that are uncovered by either the first or second masks are removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. BELL, Angela Tai HUI, Simon S. CHAN
  • Patent number: 8772951
    Abstract: Some novel features pertain to a substrate that includes a first dielectric layer, a first interconnect embedded in a first surface of the first dielectric layer, and a second interconnect on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect is offset from the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect being offset towards an inner portion of the first dielectric layer. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a third interconnect embedded in the first surface of the first dielectric layer, and a fourth interconnect on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first interconnect and the second interconnect are adjacent interconnects. In some implementations, the substrate further includes a first pad on the first surface of the first dielectric layer. The first pad is coupled to the first interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chin-Kwan Kim, Rajneesh Kumar, Omar James Bchir
  • Patent number: 8772127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device comprises: providing a silicon substrate having a gate stack structure formed thereon and having {100} crystal indices; forming an interlayer dielectric layer coving a top surface of the silicon substrate; forming a first trench in the interlayer dielectric layer and/or in the gate stack structure, the first trench having an extension direction being along <110> crystal direction and perpendicular to that of the gate stack structure; and filling the first trench with a first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer is a tensile stress dielectric layer. The present invention introduces a tensile stress in the transverse direction of a channel region by using a simple process, which improves the response speed and performance of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Haizhou Yin, Huicai Zhong, Huilong Zhu, Zhijiong Luo
  • Patent number: 8772156
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating interconnect structures containing various capping materials for electrical fuses and other related applications. The method includes forming a first interconnect structure having a first interfacial structure and forming a second interconnect structure adjacent to the first structure. The second interconnect structure is formed with a second interfacial structure different from the first interfacial structure of the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis L. Hsu, William R. Tonti, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8772164
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for forming an interconnection pattern includes forming an insulating pattern, forming a self-assembled film, and forming a conductive layer. The insulating pattern has a side surface on a major surface of a matrix. The self-assembled film has an affinity with a material of the insulating pattern on the side surface of the insulating pattern. The forming the conductive layer includes depositing a conductive material on a side surface of the self-assembled film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Satoshi Wakatsuki, Hisashi Okuchi, Atsuko Sakata, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8772941
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Louis C. Hsu, Wai-Kin Li
  • Publication number: 20140187029
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising: forming a plurality of memory cell strings; coupling an interconnection to at least two of the memory cell strings; and coupling a bitline to the interconnection. The interconnection includes a body extending along a first direction and a protrusion protruding from the body along a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: KWANG SOO SEOL, SEONG SOON CHO, BYUNGJOO GO, HONGSOO KIM
  • Publication number: 20140187035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of etching a layer of porous dielectric material, characterized in that the etching is performed in a plasma formed from at least one silicon-based gas mixed with oxygen (O2) and/or nitrogen (N2) so as to grow a passivation layer all along said etching, at least on flanks of the layer of porous dielectric material and wherein the silicon-based gas is taken from all the compounds of the type SixHy for which the ratio x/y is equal or greater than 0.3 or is taken from all the compounds of the following types: SixFy and SixCly, where x is the proportion of silicon (Si) in the gas and y is the proportion of fluorine (F) or chlorine (Cl) or hydrogen (H) in the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENE ALT, APPLIED MATERIALS, Inc., CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Nicolas POSSEME, Sebastien BARNOLA, Olivier JOUBERT, Srinivas NEMANI, Laurent VALLIER
  • Publication number: 20140179099
    Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic assembly and the resulting structures and devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a microelectronic assembly includes removing material exposed at portions of a surface of a substrate to form a processed substrate having a plurality of thinned portions separated by integral supporting portions of the processed substrate having a thickness greater than a thickness of the thinned portions, at least some of the thinned portions including a plurality of electrically conductive interconnects extending in a direction of the thicknesses of the thinned portions and exposed at the surface; and removing the supporting portions of the substrate to sever the substrate into a plurality of individual thinned portions, at least some individual thinned portions including the interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: INVENSAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyprian Emeka Uzoh, Pezhman Monadgemi, Michael Newman, Charles G. Woychik, Terrence Caskey
  • Patent number: 8759207
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a barrier layer over the workpiece; forming a seed layer over the barrier layer; forming an inhibitor layer over the seed layer; removing a portion of said inhibitor layer to expose a portion of the seed layer; and selectively depositing a fill layer on the exposed seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Barth, Mathias Vaupel, Rainer Steiner, Werner Robl, Jens Pohl, Joem Plagmann, Gottfried Beer
  • Publication number: 20140167285
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and fabrication method are provided. A substrate can include a semiconductor device disposed in the substrate. At least two porous films can be formed over the substrate and can include a first porous film having a first pore size, and a second porous film having a second pore size formed on the first porous film. The first porous size and the second porous size are different. The interconnect can be formed through the plurality of porous films to provide electrical connection to the semiconductor device in the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: MING ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20140167271
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and a forming method thereof are provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate which has semiconductor devices formed therein; forming a conductive layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a mask layer on the conductive layer; forming a groove in the mask layer and the conductive layer, the groove having a depth-to-width ratio greater than 0.8; and depositing an intermetallic dielectric layer to cover the mask layer and fill the groove, wherein an air gap is formed in a portion of the intermetallic dielectric layer in the groove. The mask layer is formed on the conductive layer, so that the depth-to-width ratio of the groove between adjacent interconnects is increased. Besides, the air gap with a relatively large size is formed between two adjacent interconnects. Therefore, a dielectric constant and parasitic capacitance between adjacent interconnects are reduced evidently, and the performance of the semiconductor devices is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest Li
  • Patent number: 8754444
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first device and a second device, which are implemented laterally next to each other in a substrate. A recombination zone is implemented in the substrate between the first device and the second device, so that diffusing charge carriers recombine between the first device and the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Buchberger, Hans-Joachim Schulze
  • Patent number: 8753900
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for routing signal paths in an integrated circuit. One or more signal routing paths for transferring signals of the integrated circuit may be determined. A dummy fill pattern for the integrated circuit may be determined based on the one or more metal density specifications and at least one design rule for reducing cross coupling capacitance between the dummy fill pattern and the routing paths. The signal routing paths and/or the dummy fill pattern may be incrementally optimized to meet one or more timing requirements of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karan B. Koti, Veena Prabhu
  • Patent number: 8749067
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises contact plugs that comprise a first contact plug formed by a first barrier layer arranged on the source and drain regions and a tungsten layer arranged on the first barrier layer; and second contact plugs comprising a second barrier layer arranged on both of the metal gate and the first contact plug and a conductive layer arranged on the second barrier layer. The conductivity of the conductive layer is higher than that of the tungsten layer. A method for forming the semiconductor device is also provided. The present invention provides the advantage of enhancing the reliability of the device when using the copper contact technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Chao Zhao, Wenwu Wang, Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8749063
    Abstract: An object of the prevent invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a conductive film, which sufficiently serves as an antenna, and a method for manufacturing thereof. The semiconductor device has an element formation layer including a transistor, which is provided over a substrate, an insulating film provided on the element formation layer, and a conductive film serving as an antenna, which is provided on the insulating film. The insulating film has a groove. The conductive film is provided along the surface of the insulating film and the groove. The groove of the insulating film may be provided to pass through the insulating film. Alternatively, a concave portion may be provided in the insulating film so as not to pass through the insulating film. A structure of the groove is not particularly limited, and for example, the groove can be provided to have a tapered shape, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Tsurume
  • Patent number: 8749058
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating film, a wiring provided in the interlayer insulating film, and a SiN film provided over the interlayer insulating film and over the wiring. The peak positions of Si—N bonds of the SiN film, which are measured by FTIR, are within the range of 845 cm?1 to 860 cm?1. This makes it possible to inhibit current leakage in a silicon nitride film, which is a barrier insulating film for preventing the diffusion of wiring metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Usami, Hideaki Tsuchiya, Yukio Miura, Tomoyuki Nakamura, Koichi Ohto, Chikako Ohto, Shinji Yokogawa
  • Patent number: 8741767
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a core region adjacent to the cell region, active regions in the cell region and the core region, an interlayer insulating layer covering the active regions, upper cell contacts penetrating the interlayer insulating layer in the cell region, the upper cell contacts being adjacent to each other along a first direction and being electrically connected to the active regions, and core contacts penetrating the interlayer insulating layer in the active regions of the core region, the core contacts being adjacent to each other along the first direction and including upper connection core contacts electrically connected to the active regions, and dummy contacts adjacent to the upper connection core contacts, the dummy contacts being insulated from the active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoonmoon Park, Jae-Hwang Sim, Se-Young Park, Keonsoo Kim, Jaehan Lee, Seungwon Seong
  • Patent number: 8735278
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure in which a low-k dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate followed by formation of a copper or copper alloy layer over the low-k dielectric layer. The copper or copper alloy layer is patterned and etched to form a copper body having recesses, which are then filled with a low-k dielectric material. The method allows for formation of a damascene structures without encountering the various problems presented by non-planar features and by porus low-K dielectric damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufactring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Han Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsiang-Huan Lee, Tien-I Bao, Chi-Lin Teng
  • Patent number: 8735281
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including an interconnection structure including a copper pad, a pad barrier layer and a metal redistribution layer, an interconnection structure thereof and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a copper pad disposed on a first layer, a pad barrier layer including titanium disposed on the copper pad, an inorganic insulating layer disposed on the pad barrier layer, a buffer layer disposed on the inorganic insulating layer, wherein the inorganic insulating layer and the buffer layer expose a portion of the pad barrier layer, a seed metal layer disposed on the exposed buffer layer, a metal redistribution layer disposed on the seed metal layer, and a first protective layer disposed on the metal redistribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Woo Shin, Hyun-Soo Chung, Eun-Chul Ahn, Jum-Gon Kim, Jin-Ho Chun
  • Patent number: 8735283
    Abstract: A method for forming small dimension openings in the organic masking layer of tri-layer lithography. The method includes forming an organic polymer layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a silicon containing antireflective coating on the organic polymer layer; forming a patterned photoresist layer on the antireflective coating, the patterned photoresist layer having an opening therein; performing a first reactive ion etch to transfer the pattern of the opening into the antireflective coating to form a trench in the antireflective coating, the organic polymer layer exposed in a bottom of the trench; and performing a second reactive ion etch to extend the trench into the organic polymer layer, the second reactive ion etch forming a polymer layer on sidewalls of the trench, the second reactive ion etch containing a species derived from a gaseous hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Arnold, Jennifer Schuler, Yunpeng Yin
  • Patent number: 8729636
    Abstract: Integrated circuit comprising a substrate carrying at least one transistor comprising an alternating grid (1) of source and drain regions (D, S) separated by a grid (14) of gate regions, e.g. a checkerboard pattern of source and drain regions. The source regions (S) are vertically connected to a first metal layer and the drain regions (D) are vertically connected to a second metal layer. At least one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer comprises a metal grid (30, 40) of a plurality of interconnected metal portions (32, 42) arranged such that said grid comprises a plurality of gaps (34, 44) for connecting respective substrate portions to a further metal layer. Method for manufacturing such an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Jeroen Van Den Boom
  • Patent number: 8729705
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a seal ring adjacent to edges of the semiconductor chip; an opening extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the seal ring, wherein the opening has a first end on an outer side of the seal ring and a second end on an inner side of the seal ring; and a moisture barrier having a sidewall parallel to a nearest side of the seal ring, wherein the moisture barrier is adjacent the seal ring and has a portion facing the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Jung Wang, Jian-Hong Lin
  • Patent number: 8722536
    Abstract: A circuit substrate uses post-fed top side power supply connections to provide improved routing flexibility and lower power supply voltage drop/power loss. Plated-through holes are used near the outside edges of the substrate to provide power supply connections to the top metal layers of the substrate adjacent to the die, which act as power supply planes. Pins are inserted through the plated-through holes to further lower the resistance of the power supply path(s). The bottom ends of the pins may extend past the bottom of the substrate to provide solderable interconnects for the power supply connections, or the bottom ends of the pins may be soldered to “jog” circuit patterns on a bottom metal layer of the substrate which connect the pins to one or more power supply terminals of an integrated circuit package including the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Douriet, Francesco Preda, Brian L. Singletary, Lloyd A. Walls
  • Patent number: 8722533
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes forming a structure comprising an interlayer dielectric layer on a substrate, an ultra-low-k material layer on the interlayer dielectric layer and a plug. The plug passes through the interlayer dielectric layer and the ultra-low-k material layer, and is formed of a first metal material. The method further includes removing an upper portion of the plug by etching to form a recessed portion, and filling the recessed portion with a second metal material. According to the method, contact-hole photolithography is performed only once, and thus avoids alignment issues that may occur when contact-hole photolithography needs to be performed twice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Zhongshan Hong
  • Patent number: 8716125
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of in-situ vapor phase deposition of self-assembled monolayers as copper adhesion promoters and diffusion barriers. A copper region is formed in a dielectric layer. A diffusion barrier comprising a self-assembled monolayer is deposited over the copper region. A capping layer is deposited over the self-assembled monolayer. In some embodiments, the capping layer and self-assembled monolayer are deposited in the same process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventor: Jinhong Tong
  • Patent number: 8716135
    Abstract: Methods of semiconductor device fabrication techniques using double patterning are disclosed. According to various embodiments of the invention, methods of semiconductor device fabrication using self-aligned double patterning are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention allow creation of logic circuit patterns using two lithographic operations. One embodiment of the invention employs self-aligned double patterning to define two or more sets of parallel line features with a connection feature between the sets. In such embodiments, the sets of parallel line features along with the connection features are formed using two lithographic masks, without the need for an additional mask layer to form the connection. In other embodiments, other features in addition to the connection can be added in the same mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Judy Huckabay, Milind Weling, Abdurrahman Sezginer
  • Patent number: 8716133
    Abstract: A three photomask image transfer method. The method includes using a first photomask, defining a set of mandrels on a hardmask layer on a substrate; forming sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the mandrels, the sidewall spacers spaced apart; removing the set of mandrels; using a second photomask, removing regions of the sidewall spacers forming trimmed sidewall spacers and defining a pattern of first features; forming a pattern transfer layer on the trimmed sidewall spacers and the hardmask layer not covered by the trimmed sidewall spacers; using a third photomask, defining a pattern of second features in the transfer layer, at least one of the second features abutting at least one feature of the pattern of first features; and simultaneously transferring the pattern of first features and the pattern of second features into the hardmask layer thereby forming a patterned hardmask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Ryan O. Jung, Neal V. Lafferty, Yunpeng Yin
  • Patent number: 8716151
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating semiconductor devices. In the method provided by the present invention, by filling with diblock copolymer a recess of an interlayer dielectric layer naturally formed between two gate lines and then performing a self-assembly process of the diblock copolymer, a small-sized contact hole precisely aligned with an doped area can be formed, and thus misalignment between the contact hole and the doped area can be eliminated or alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Haiyang Zhang, Dongjiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20140117558
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. The techniques provided are particularly useful, for instance, when lithography registration errors cause neighboring conductive features to be physically closer than expected, but can also he used when such proximity is intentional. In some embodiments, the techniques can be implemented using a layer of electromigration management material (EMM) and one or more insulator layers, wherein the various layers are provisioned to enable a differential etch rate. In particular, the overall etch rate of materials above the target landing pad is faster than the overall etch rate of materials above the off-target landing pad, which results in a self-enclosed conductive interconnect feature having an asymmetric taper or profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Boyan Boyanov
  • Patent number: 8710667
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first interconnect layer and a second interconnect layer provided above or under the first interconnect layer. The first interconnect layer includes a plurality of first interconnect blocks, and in each of the first interconnect blocks, a first interconnect has a first potential, and extends in at least two or more directions, and a second interconnect has a second potential, and extends in at least two or more directions. The second interconnect layer includes a third interconnect which electrically connects the first interconnect of one of a pair of adjacent first interconnect blocks and the first interconnect of the other of the pair of adjacent first interconnect blocks, and a fourth interconnect which electrically connects the second interconnect of one of the pair of adjacent first interconnect blocks and the second interconnect of the other of the pair of adjacent first interconnect blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshige Hirano, Yukitoshi Ota
  • Patent number: 8709938
    Abstract: A method of three-dimensionally integrating elements such as singulated die or wafers and an integrated structure having connected elements such as singulated dies or wafers. Either or both of the die and wafer may have semiconductor devices formed therein. A first element having a first contact structure is bonded to a second element having a second contact structure. First and second contact structures can be exposed at bonding and electrically interconnected as a result of the bonding. A via may be etched and filled after bonding to expose and form an electrical interconnect to interconnected first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to this interconnect from a surface. Alternatively, first and/or second contact structures are not exposed at bonding, and a via is etched and filled after bonding to electrically interconnect first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to interconnected first and second contact structure to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ziptronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Enquist, Gaius Gillman Fountain, Jr., Qin-Yi Tong
  • Patent number: 8710671
    Abstract: A multi-level integrated circuit, having a superposition of a first stack and a second stack of layers, and including a first row of electronic devices produced in the first stack, extending parallel to a first direction and fitting into a first volume with a substantially parallelepiped rectangle shape and having edges perpendicular to the first direction and with dimension H1; a second row of electronic devices produced in the second stack, extending parallel to the first direction and fitting into a second volume with a substantially parallelepiped rectangle shape and having edges perpendicular to the first direction and with dimension H2<H1; and a plurality of electrical connection elements passing through the second stack of layers, each connection element fitting into a third volume arranged on the first volume and next to the second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Shashikanth Bobba, Olivier Thomas