Abstract: In sophisticated metallization systems, vertical contacts and metal lines may be formed on the basis of a dual inlaid strategy, wherein an edge rounding or corner rounding may be applied to the trench hard mask prior to forming the via openings on the basis of a self-aligned via trench concept. Consequently, self-aligned interconnect structures may be obtained, while at the same time providing superior fill conditions during the deposition of barrier materials and conductive fill materials.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device including a high-k metal gate structure. A substrate is provided including a dummy gate structure (e.g., a sacrificial polysilicon gate), a first and second hard mask layer overlie the dummy gate structure. In one embodiment, a strained region is formed on the substrate. After forming the strained region, the second hard mask layer may be removed. A source/drain region may be formed. An ILD layer is then formed on the substrate. A CMP process may planarize the ILD layer using the first hard mask layer as a stop layer. The CMP process may be continued to remove the first hard mask layer. The dummy gate structure is then removed and a metal gate provided.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for improving the reliability of a semiconductor device having a back electrode. After formation of semiconductor elements on the surface of a silicon substrate, the backside surface thereof, which is opposite to the element formation surface, is subjected to the following steps in a processing apparatus. After deposition of a first metal film over the backside surface of the silicon substrate in a first chamber, it is heat treated to form a metal silicide film. Then, a nickel film is deposited in a third chamber, followed by deposition of an antioxidant conductor film in a second chamber. Heat treatment for alloying the first metal film and the silicon substrate is performed at least prior to the deposition of the nickel film. The first chamber has therefore a mechanism for depositing the first metal film and a lamp heating mechanism.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an image sensor. A method of fabricating an image sensor may include preparing a substrate including a pixel region and/or a logic region having transistors and/or gates. A method of fabricating an image sensor may include forming a first interlayer dielectric film on and/or over a substrate to cover gates. A method of fabricating an image sensor may include forming a first dielectric film to expose an upper surface of at least one gate over a pixel region. A method of fabricating an image sensor may include forming a second interlayer dielectric film over a first interlayer dielectric film and/or dielectric film. A method of fabricating an image sensor may include forming a plurality of contact holes, which may be simultaneously formed over a second interlayer dielectric film. An image sensor may include contacts formed over a second interlayer dielectric film. An image sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. A hard mask layer is formed over a semiconductor region. The hard mask layer has inner portions that are thinner than its outer portions, and the inner portions define an exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. A portion of the semiconductor region is removed through the exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. The thinner portions of the hard mask layer are removed to expose surface areas of the semiconductor region underlying the thinner portions. An additional portion of the semiconductor region is removed through all exposed surface areas of the semiconductor region thereby forming a trench having an upper portion that is wider than its lower portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a terminal on the substrate's first surface; a first electrode on the first surface connected to the terminal; an electronic element on the substrate's second surface; a second electrode connected to the electronic element; a groove on the second surface leading to the second electrode; a conductive portion inside the grove connected to the second electrode's rear face; a first wiring on the first surface connected to the first electrode; a second wiring connecting the first wiring and the terminal; a stress-absorbing layer between the substrate and terminal; a land connecting the first wiring and the second wiring, the land opening a part of the stress-absorbing layer and exposing the first wiring, the land being in a region surrounded by terminals, and the land being along a straight line connecting the centers of diagonal terminals, with the region between the terminals.

Abstract: Memory cell formation using ion implant isolated conductive metal oxide is disclosed, including forming a bottom electrode below unetched conductive metal oxide layer(s), forming the unetched conductive metal oxide layer(s) including depositing at least one layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) material (e.g., PrCaMnOX, LaSrCoOX, LaNiOX, etc.) over the bottom electrode. At least one portion of the layer of CMO is configured to act as a memory element without etching, and performing ion implantation on portions of the layer(s) of CMO to create insulating metal oxide (IMO) regions in the layer(s) of CMO. The IMO regions are positioned adjacent to electrically conductive CMO regions in the unetched layer(s) of CMO and the electrically conductive CMO regions are disposed above and in contact with the bottom electrode and form memory elements operative to store non-volatile data as a plurality of conductivity profiles (e.g., resistive states indicative of stored data).

Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication method including the steps of: forming an interlayer insulating film on a substrate; forming an opening in the interlayer insulating film; forming an alloy layer containing manganese and copper to cover the inner surface of the opening; forming a first copper layer of a material containing primarily copper on the alloy layer to fill the opening; forming, on the first copper layer, a second copper layer of a material containing primarily copper and a higher concentration of oxygen, carbon or nitrogen than the first copper layer; heating the substrate on which the second copper layer has been formed; and removing the second copper layer.

Abstract: A method of forming metal films includes preparing a substrate, on which an insulating layer and a metal layer formed of a first metal are exposed; and forming a metal capping layer by supplying an organic precursor of a second metal onto the substrate to deposit the second metal simultaneously on the insulating layer and the metal layer, wherein the second metal capping layer has different thicknesses on the insulating layer and the metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method which achieves a contact of a low resistivity is provided. In a state where a first metal layer in contact with a semiconductor is covered with a second metal layer for preventing oxidation, only the first metal layer is silicided to form a silicide layer with no oxygen mixed therein. As a material of the first metal layer, a metal having a work function difference of a predetermined value from the semiconductor is used. As a material of the second metal layer, a metal which does not react with the first metal layer at an annealing temperature is used.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode having a transparent electrode layer, an opaque electrode layer formed on the transparent electrode layer and catalyst formed on an open surface on the transparent electrode layer, which open surface is not covered by the opaque electrode layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication process includes forming a gate electrode (112) overlying a gate dielectric (114) overlying a semiconductor substrate (104) of a wafer (101) and a liner dielectric layer (116) including vertical portions (118) adjacent sidewalls of the gate electrode and horizontal portions (117) overlying an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate (104). A spacer (108) is formed adjacent a vertical portion (118) and overlying a horizontal portion (117) of the liner dielectric layer (116). After forming the spacer (108), exposed portions of the liner dielectric layer (116) are removed to form a liner dielectric structure (126) covered by the extension spacer (108). The extension spacer (108) is then etched back to expose or uncover extremities of the liner dielectric structure (126). Prior to etching back the spacer (108), a metal (130) may be sputtered deposited over the wafer (101) preparatory to forming a silicide (134).

Abstract: The described embodiments of methods of bottom-up metal deposition to fill interconnect and replacement gate structures enable gap-filling of fine features with high aspect ratios without voids and provide metal films with good film quality. In-situ pretreatment of metal film(s) deposited by gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) allows removal of surface impurities and surface oxide to improve adhesion between an underlying layer with the deposited metal film(s). Metal films deposited by photo-induced chemical vapor deposition (PI-CVD) using high energy of low-frequency light source(s) at relatively low temperature exhibit liquid-like nature, which allows the metal films to fill fine feature from bottom up. The post deposition annealing of metal film(s) deposited by PI-CVD densifies the metal film(s) and removes residual gaseous species from the metal film(s). For advanced manufacturing, such bottom-up metal deposition methods address the challenges of gap-filling of fine features with high aspect ratios.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a high-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, forming a metal layer over the capping layer, forming a semiconductor layer over the metal layer, performing an implantation process on the semiconductor layer, the implantation process using a species including F, and forming a gate structure from the plurality of layers including the high-k dielectric layer, capping layer, metal layer, and semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A method for making a probe card includes: mounting a plurality of probe needles on a probe-mounting seat; forming a conductive protective coating on tips of the probe needles; and bonding the probe needles to a printed circuit board through welding techniques after formation of the conductive protective coating on the tips of the probe needles.

Abstract: After etching a polysilicon film, when a protective film made of a carbon polymer is formed on a sidewall of the polysilicon film using plasma containing carbons, a metallic material as a lower film is etched using plasma containing a halogen gas under an etching condition in which volatility is improved due to the rise in a wafer temperature or the low pressure of a processing pressure, thereby preventing a side etching and unevenness of a sidewall of the polysilicon film. Further, by using the protective film made of a carbon polymer, metallic substances scattered at the time of etching the metallic material are not directly attached to the polysilicon film, but can be simply removed along with the protective film made of a carbon polymer in an asking step.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thin film transistors (TFTs) and methods of making TFTs. The active channel of the TFT may comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, gallium, tin, indium, and cadmium. The active channel may also comprise nitrogen and oxygen. To protect the active channel during source-drain electrode patterning, an etch stop layer may be deposited over the active layer. The etch stop layer prevents the active channel from being exposed to the plasma used to define the source and drain electrodes. The etch stop layer and the source and drain electrodes may be used as a mask when wet etching the active material layer that is used for the active channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plating facilitates the plating of a small contact feature of a wafer die while providing a relatively stable plating bath. The method utilizes a supplemental plating structure that is larger than a die contact that is to be plated. The supplemental plating structure may be located on the wafer, and is conductively connected to the die contact. Conductive connection between the die contact and the supplemental plating structure facilitates the plating of the die contact. The supplemental plating structure also can be used to probe test the die prior to singulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor die is formed to have sloped sidewalls. A conductor is formed on the sloped sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and resulting device for maintaining non-porous nickel layer at a nickel/passivation interface of a semiconductor device in a nickel/gold electroless plating process. The method can include determining a thickness of a gold layer of the semiconductor device; determining an electroless plating rate and plating time of the gold layer to reach the determined thickness; determining a thickness of nickel under the gold layer to maintain the non-porous nickel layer at the nickel/passivation interface at a termination of an electroless gold plating process; and following the determinations, sequentially electroless plating of each of the nickel layer and gold layer on the device layer to the determined thicknesses.

Abstract: Since a power source voltage is generated from a communication signal in a wireless chip, there is a risk that a large amount of voltage be generated in the wireless chip to electrically destroy a circuit in the case of supplying a strong communication signal. Therefore, the present invention is made with an aim to provide a wireless chip having resistance to a strong communication signal. A wireless chip of the present invention has an element in which a power source wire and a grounding wire are electrically short-circuited if a power source voltage exceeds a voltage at which an electric circuit is destroyed, i.e., exceeds the specified voltage range. Accordingly, a wireless chip of the present invention has resistance to a strong communication signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device capable of minimally preventing the property deterioration caused by the oxidation of a metal film, and a substrate processing apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are described for an integrated circuit within which an electroless Cu plated layer having an oxygen content is formed on the top of a seed layer comprising Cu and Mn. The integrated circuit is then exposed to a sufficient high temperature to cause the self-formation of a MnSiOx barrier layer.

Abstract: Solar cells include a substrate having a light collecting surface thereon and a P-N rectifying junction within the substrate. The P-N rectifying junction includes a base region of first conductivity type (e.g., p-type) and a semiconductor layer of second conductivity type extending between the base region and the light collecting surface. A trench is also provided, which extends through the semiconductor layer and into the base region. First and second electrodes are provided adjacent the light collecting surface. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the semiconductor layer and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the base region, at a location adjacent a bottom of the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor package of this invention includes external electrode pad 5 which is formed by a conductive member that is made either of conductive resin or conductive ink, which is connected to an internal circuit of a semiconductor device, and which is to be electrically connected to an external portion, plating layer 6 which is provided on an entire surface of external electrode pad 5, and insulating resin layer 7 which covers plating layer 6 on a peripheral edge of external electrode pad 5, and which exposes a portion of plating layer 6 on external electrode pad 5.

Abstract: Phase change memory devices and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a phase change memory device includes a first electrode disposed in a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and the first electrode. A phase change material layer disposed in the second dielectric layer to electrically contact the first electrode. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer. A second electrode is disposed in the third dielectric layer to electrically connect the phase change material layer and at least one gap disposed in the first dielectric layer or the second dielectric layer to thereby isolate portions of the phase change material layer and portions of the first or second dielectric layer adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Recessed features on a Damascene substrate are filled with metal using plasma PVD. Recessed features having widths of less than about 300 nm, e.g., between about 30-300 nm can be filled with metals (e.g., copper and aluminum), without forming voids. In one approach, the deposition is performed by exposing the substrate to a high-density plasma characterized by high fractional ionization of metal. Under these conditions, the metal is deposited within the recess, without forming large overhang at the opening of the recess. In some embodiments, the metal is deposited within the recess, while diffusion barrier material is simultaneously etched from the field region. In a second approach, recessed features are filled by performing a plurality of profiling cycles, wherein each cycle includes a net etching and a net depositing operation. Etching and depositing parameters are adjusted such that the recessed features are filled without forming overhangs and voids.

Abstract: A phase-change memory device and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein the phase-change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a switching device, a phase-change layer formed on the semiconductor substrate having the switching device to change a phase thereof as the switching device is driven, and a bottom electrode contact in contact with the switching device through a first contact area and in contact with the phase-change layer through a second contact area, which is smaller than the first contact area.

Abstract: In a semiconductor having a multilayer wiring structure device on a semiconductor substrate, the multilayer wiring structure includes an interlayer insulating film having at least an organic siloxane insulating film. The organic siloxane insulating film has a relative dielectric constant of 3.1 or less, a hardness of 2.7 GPa or more, and a ratio of carbon atoms to silicon atoms between 0.5 and 1.0, inclusive. Further, the multilayer wiring structure may include an insulating layer having a ratio of carbon atoms to silicon atoms not greater than 0.1, the insulating layer being formed on the top surface of the organic siloxane insulating film as a result of carbon leaving the organic siloxane insulating film.

Abstract: A reliable and mechanical strong interconnect structure is provided that does not include gouging features in the bottom of the an opening, particularly at a via bottom. Instead, the interconnect structures of the present invention utilize a Co-containing buffer layer that is selectively deposited on exposed surfaces of the conductive features that are located in a lower interconnect level. The selective deposition is performed through at least one opening that is present in a dielectric material of an upper interconnect level. The selective deposition is performed by electroplating or electroless plating. The Co-containing buffer layer comprises Co and at least one of P and B. W may optionally be also present in the Co-containing buffer layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a semiconductor device, comprising the wiring region forming step of forming a wiring region on a semiconductor substrate; the copper wiring layer forming step of forming a copper wiring layer on the formed wiring region by electrolytic plating technique, wherein the copper wiring layer is formed by passing a current of application pattern determined from the relationship between application pattern of current passed at electrolytic plating and impurity content characteristic in the formed copper wiring layer so that the impurity content in the formed copper wiring layer becomes desired one; and the wiring forming step of polishing the formed copper wiring layer into a wiring.

Abstract: A substrate for a semiconductor device includes: a base plate, a plurality of external terminal portions respectively arranged in a plane on the base plate and having external terminal faces respectively facing the base plate; a plurality of internal terminal portions, respectively arranged in the plane on the base plate and having internal terminal faces respectively facing an opposite side to the base plate. The internal terminal portions are connected with the external terminal portions via wiring portions, respectively. A part of the external terminal portions are located on the base plate in a predetermined arrangement area in which a semiconductor element is arranged.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method for forming a semiconductor assembly comprising cleaning a connector comprising copper formed on a substrate, applying cold tin to the connector, applying hot tin to the connector, and spin rinsing and drying the connector.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is to provide a cathode active material used to form a lithium secondary battery having the improved cycle characteristics and output. The invention attains the object by providing a semiconductor-covered cathode active material comprising: a cathode active material; and a pn junction semiconductor covering layer which comprises an n-type semiconductor covering layer that covers a surface of the cathode active material and a p-type semiconductor covering layer that covers the surface of the n-type semiconductor covering layer.

Abstract: A pad structure includes a copper circuit pattern on a substrate, at least a gold layer stacked on the copper circuit pattern, and a nano-structured coating film stacked on the gold layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses technique of etching selectively a layer containing siloxane. The present invention provides a semiconductor device with reduced operation deterioration due to etching failure. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises steps of forming a conductive layer electrically connecting to a transistor, an insulating layer covering the conductive layer, and a mask formed over the insulating layer; and etching the insulating layer with a processing gas including a hydrogen bromide gas.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a silicon substrate, with a surface for soldering the silicon substrate to a ceramic substrate, and an electrode making contact with the surface of the silicon substrate. The electrode comprises a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer, and a third conductor layer. The first conductor layer makes contact with the surface of the silicon substrate and includes aluminum and silicon. The second conductor layer makes contact with the first conductor layer and includes titanium. The third conductor layer is separated from the first conductor layer by the second conductor layer and includes nickel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase change memory includes forming a lower electrode on a semiconductor substrate, forming a phase change pattern, an upper electrode, and a hard mask pattern sequentially on the lower electrode, a width of a bottom surface of the hard mask pattern being greater than a width of a top surface of the hard mask pattern, the bottom surface of the hard mask pattern facing the upper electrode and being opposite the top surface of the hard mask pattern, and forming a capping layer to cover the top surface of the hard mask pattern and sidewalls of the hard mask pattern, phase change pattern, and upper electrode.

Abstract: A method of a fabricating a bitline in a semiconductor device, comprising: forming an interlayer insulation layer that defines a bitline contact hole on a semiconductor substrate; forming a contact layer to fill the bitline contact hole; forming a bitline contact by planarizing the contact layer; forming a bitline stack aligned with the bitline contact; forming a high aspect ratio process (HARP) layer that extends along the bitline stack and the interlayer insulation layer while covering a seam exposed in a side portion of the bitline stack by excessive planarization during formation of the bitline contact; and forming an interlayer gap-filling insulation layer on the HARP layer that gap-fills the entire bitline stack.

Abstract: At least one film composite is laminated on a surface of at least one electrical component. The film composite includes at least one electrically-conducting plastic film with at least one electrically conducting conductor. The electrically-conducting plastic film has a high-ohmic resistance. This method may be used in planar large-surface electrical contacting technology for the production of modules with power semiconductors, where an electrical contacting of the components is achieved by the plastic films. A low lateral electrical conductivity is achieved, such that an electrical charging of the plastic films required for the contacting technology is prevented on operation of the component or the module.

Abstract: A method for making semiconductor electrodes includes provided a wafer. The wafer includes at least one conductive unit, a plurality of first connective units connected to the conductive unit, a plurality of first metal layers connected to the first connective units and a plurality of second connective units connected to the first metal layers. Photo-resist is provided on the first and second connective units. A second metal layer is provided on each of the first metal layers via using an electroplating device. The wafer is cut through the photo-resist, thus forming semiconductor electrodes.

Abstract: A process for forming a circuit structure includes providing a first composite-layer structure at first. A second composite-layer structure is then provided. The first composite-layer structure, a second dielectric layer and the second composite-layer structure are pressed so that a second circuit pattern and an independent via pad are embedded in the second dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer is connected to the first dielectric layer. A first carrier substrate and a second carrier substrate are removed to expose a first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern. At least one first opening that passes through the second dielectric layer and exposes the independent via pad is formed, and the first opening is filled with a conductive material to form a second conductive via that connects the independent via pad and a second via pad.

Abstract: A method for producing the LED substrate has steps of: p providing a conductive metallic board, forming multiple grooves in a top of the conductive metallic board; protecting the conductive metallic board from corrosion, forming an etched substrate with circuits and wires for plating on the conductive metallic board, electroless plating the etched substrate to form an electroless plated substrate, plating metal on the electroless plated substrate, and coating solder mask to obtain the LED substrate. Because LED chips are mounted on the surfaces of the metal layer without insulating adhesive below, heat from LED chips can be dissipated efficiently. The LED substrate of the present invention can be soldered directly onto a dissipation module to further enhance dissipation efficiency.

Abstract: Metal-insulator-metal capacitors with a bottom electrode including at least two portions of a metal nitride material. At least one of the portions of the metal nitride material includes a different material than another portion. Interconnects including at least two portions of a metal nitride material are also disclosed, at least one of the portions of the metal nitride material are formed from a different material than another portion of the metal nitride material. Methods for fabricating such MIM capacitors and interconnects are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices including such MIM capacitors and interconnects.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor include forming an insulation layer over a semiconductor substrate in which a first region and a second region are defined. A storage node contact (SNC) that passes through the insulation layer is formed and is electrically connected to the first region. A conductive layer that passes through the insulation layer is deposited and is electrically connected to the second region on the insulation layer and the SNC. A bit line is formed by removing an upper portion of the conductive layer, an upper portion of the insulation layer and an upper portion of the SNC until the SNC and the conductive layer are electrically separated from each other, wherein the bit line is a remaining part of the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a functional device in which it is possible to improve durability by inhibiting corrosion due to an electrolyte solution, and it is possible to reduce series resistance, and also relates to a method for producing the same. A functional device includes a transparent photoelectrode including a photoelectric substrate 11 and a photoelectrode layer 12a, a counter electrode substrate 18a composed of a metal, an electrolyte solution 15 filled in a space between the two substrates, a corrosion-resistant conductive layer 17a which is disposed on the counter electrode substrate and has corrosion resistance to the electrolyte solution, and a conductive catalyst layer 16. The counter electrode substrate is composed of any of Al, Cu, Ag, Au, and SUS; the corrosion-resistant conductive layer is composed of any of Ti, Cr, Ni, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Ta, W, In, Pt, and Hastelloy; and the conductive catalyst layer is composed of any of carbon, Tu, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, and conductive polymers.

Abstract: An LCD device and a method of fabricating the device, in which the method includes preparing an insulating substrate including a gate wiring area and sequentially forming a gate wiring layer including a silver layer and a self-assembled monolayer on the insulating substrate. A mold mask is positioned above the insulating substrate, where the mold mask has a predetermined pattern to expose the gate wiring area. A self-assembled monolayer pattern is formed by printing the predetermined pattern of the mold mask into the self-assembled monolayer and a gate wiring pattern is formed by selectively etching the silver layer using the self-assembled monolayer pattern as an etching mask, where the gate wiring pattern includes a gate pad, a gate electrode and a gate line. The LCD device includes a gate wiring layer including a self-assembled monolayer and a metal layer of silver overlying an insulating substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a material layer and a first barrier layer disposed over the material layer. The first barrier layer includes a nitrogen-rich region formed at a top surface of the first barrier layer. A conductor is disposed over the first barrier layer such that the first barrier layer and the nitrogen-rich region form a barrier layer between the material layer and the conductor.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes an aluminum electrode film formed on a semiconductor chip; and a nickel plated layer formed on the aluminum electrode film, wherein a concentration of sodium and potassium present in the nickel plated layer and at an interface between the nickel plated layer and the aluminum electrode film is 3.20×1014 atoms/cm2 or less.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a substrate processing apparatus, and a semiconductor device. The method allows rapid formation of a conductive film, which has a low concentration of impurities permeated from a source owing to its dense structure, and a low resistivity. The method is performed by simultaneously supplying two or more kinds of sources into a processing chamber to form a film on a substrate placed in the processing chamber. The method comprises: performing a first source supply process by supplying at least one kind of source into the processing chamber at a first supply flow rate; and performing a second source supply process by supplying the at least one kind of source into the processing chamber at a second supply flow rate different from the first supply flow rate.