Abstract: A method for making an integrated passive device (IPD) die includes grinding a backside of a semiconductor substrate to reduce a thickness of a central portion of the semiconductor substrate while leaving a mechanical support ring on an outer portion of the substrate, and forming a through-substrate via (TSV) from the backside of the substrate. The TSV defines interconnect access to at least one passive component embedded in an insulator material disposed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The substrate has a thickness less than three-quarters of an original thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device according to the present disclosure includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, a redistribution layer disposed over the first surface and including a conductive feature, a passivation structure disposed over the redistribution layer, a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor embedded in the passivation structure, a dummy MIM feature embedded in the passivation structure and including an opening, a top contact pad over the passivation structure, a contact via extending between the conductive feature and the top contact pad, and a through via extending through the passivation structure and the substrate. The dummy MIM feature is spaced away from the MIM capacitor and the through via extends through the opening of the dummy MIM feature without contacting the dummy MIM feature.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a memory cell is provided that includes a metal-insulator-metal stack and a steering element coupled to the metal-insulator-metal stack. The metal-insulator-metal stack includes a first conductive layer, a reversible resistivity switching layer above the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer above the reversible resistivity switching layer. The first conductive layer and/or the second conductive layer includes a first semiconductor material layer. The steering element includes the first semiconductor material layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a steering element, a metal-insulator-metal stack coupled in series with the steering element, and a conductor above the metal-insulator-metal stack. The steering element includes a diode having an n-region and a p-region. The metal-insulator-metal stack includes a reversible resistivity-switching material between a top electrode and a bottom electrode, and the top electrode includes a highly doped semiconductor material. The memory cell does not include a metal layer disposed between the metal-insulator-metal stack and the conductor. The bottom electrode includes the n-region or the p-region of the diode, and the reversible resistivity-switching material is directly adjacent the n-region or the p-region of the diode. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a capacitor includes forming a first ceramic film on a first base made of a metal, forming a second ceramic film on a second base made of a metal, forming a first copper electrode pattern and a first copper via-plug on a surface of one of the first and second ceramic films, the electrode pattern and the via-plug being separate from each other, bonding the first and second ceramic films together with the first electrode pattern and the via-plug therebetween, by applying a pulsed voltage between the first base and the second base while the first base and the second base are pressed so that the first ceramic film and the second ceramic film are pressed on each other, and removing the second base.

Abstract: Select devices including an open volume that functions as a high bandgap material having a low dielectric constant are disclosed. The open volume may provide a more nonlinear, asymmetric I-V curve and enhanced rectifying behavior in the select devices. The select devices may comprise, for example, a metal-insulator-insulator-metal (MIIM) diode. Various methods may be used to form select devices and memory systems including such select devices. Memory devices and electronic systems include such select devices.

Abstract: A method for forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with first and second contact regions and a dielectric layer over the contact region. First and second vias are formed in the dielectric layer. The first via is in communication with the first contact region and the second via is in communication with the second contact region. A buried void provides a communication path between the first and second vias. The vias and buried void are at least partially filled with a dielectric filler. The partially filled buried void blocks the communication path between the first and second vias created by the buried void. The dielectric filler in the vias is removed, leaving remaining dielectric filler in the buried void to block the communication path between the first and second vias and contact plugs are formed in the vias.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure for testing MIM capacitors. The semiconductor structure comprises: a first metal layer comprising at least a first circuit area and a second circuit area; a second metal layer located below the first metal layer with a first dielectric layer lying therebetween and connected with the second circuit area; a top plate located within the first dielectric layer closer to the first metal layer and connected with the first circuit area; a bottom plate located within the first dielectric layer closer to the second metal layer and separated from the top plate with an insulation layer therebetween and connected with the second circuit area. The second metal layer is connected with the substrate through a first electric pathway so as to form a second electric pathway from the top plate to the substrate when an electric leakage region exists in the insulation layer.

Abstract: Metal-on-Metal (MoM) capacitors having laterally displaced layers and related systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a MoM capacitor includes a plurality of vertically stacked layers that are laterally displaced relative to one another. Lateral displacement of the layers minimizes cumulative surface process variations making a more reliable and uniform capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a capacitor and a resistor wherein the capacitor includes a doped polysilicon layer to function as a bottom conductive layer with a salicide block (SAB) layer as a dielectric layer covered by a Ti/TiN layer as a top conductive layer thus constituting a single polysilicon layer metal-insulator-polysilicon (MIP) structure. While the high sheet rho resistor is also formed on the same single polysilicon layer with differential doping of the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A wafer of passive components is diced to leave a flat passive chip. The flat passive chip has bond pads for passive components on a same side of the flat passive chip. The flat passive chip is stacked onto an active chip. The passive components are wirebonded together to connect the passive components in series or parallel, resulting in the flat passive chip having an overall passive characteristic equal to a target characteristic.

Abstract: A capacitor device includes a substrate including a first well having a first conductivity type and a first voltage applied thereto and a second well having a second conductivity type and a second voltage applied thereto; and a gate electrode disposed on an upper portion of the first well or an upper portion of the second well in such a way that the gate electrode is insulated from the first well or the second well, wherein capacitances of the capacitor device include a first capacitance between the first well and the second well and a second capacitance between the first well or the second well and the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for forming a DRAM MIM capacitor stack having low leakage current involves the use of a first electrode that serves as a template for promoting the high-k phase of a subsequently deposited dielectric layer. The high-k dielectric layer includes a doped material that can be crystallized after a subsequent annealing treatment. An amorphous blocking is formed on the dielectric layer. The thickness of the blocking layer is chosen such that the blocking layer remains amorphous after a subsequent annealing treatment. A second electrode layer compatible with the blocking layer is formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a component-incorporated wiring substrate capable of solving a problem caused by an increase in length of wiring lines that connect a component and a capacitor. A component-incorporated wiring substrate 10 includes a core substrate 11, a first capacitor 301, a wiring laminate portion 31, and a second capacitor 101. An accommodation hole portion 90 of the core substrate 11 accommodates the first capacitor 101 therein, and a component-mounting region 20 is set on a surface 39 of the wiring laminate portion 31. The second capacitor 101 has electrode layers 102, 103 and a dielectric layer 104. The second capacitor 101 is embedded in the wiring laminate portion 31 in such a state that first main surfaces 105, 107 and second main surfaces 106, 108 are in parallel with the surface 39 of the wiring laminate portion 31, and is disposed between the first capacitor 301 and the component-mounting region 20.

Abstract: An improved semiconductor capacitor and method of fabrication is disclosed. Embodiments utilize a deep trench which is then processed by performing a pre-amorphous implant on the trench interior to transform the interior surface of the trench to amorphous silicon which eliminates the depletion region that can degrade capacitor performance.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench structure is provided for a semiconductor and/or memory device, such as an DRAM device. In one embodiment, the method for forming a trench structure includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and exposing the sidewalls of the trench to an arsenic-containing gas to adsorb an arsenic containing layer on the sidewalls of the trench. A material layer is then deposited on the sidewalls of the trench to encapsulate the arsenic-containing layer between the material layer and sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: A method for forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with first and second contact regions and a dielectric layer over the contact region. First and second vias are formed in the dielectric layer. The first via is in communication with the first contact region and the second via is in communication with the second contact region. A buried void provides a communication path between the first and second vias. The vias and buried void are at least partially filled with a dielectric filler. The partially filled buried void blocks the communication path between the first and second vias created by the buried void. The dielectric filler in the vias is removed, leaving remaining dielectric filler in the buried void to block the communication path between the first and second vias and contact plugs are formed in the vias.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a circuit module having a plurality of active components coupled between a pair of supply nodes, and a capacitive decoupling module coupled to the circuit module. The capacitive decoupling module includes a plurality of metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitors coupled in series between the pair of supply nodes, wherein a voltage between the supply nodes is divided across the plurality of MiM capacitors, thereby reducing voltage stress on the capacitors.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is formed in the metal interconnect structure of an integrated circuit in a method that provides either two individual resistors that are vertically isolated from each other, or a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. As a result, both semiconductor resistors and MIM capacitors can be formed in the same process flow.

Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.

Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.

Abstract: A method of forming an MIM capacitor having interdigitated capacitor plates. Metal and dielectric layers are alternately deposited in an opening in a layer of insulator material. After each deposition of the metal layer, the metal layer is removed at an angle from the side to form the capacitor plate. The side from which the metal layer is removed is alternated with every metal layer that is deposited. When all the capacitor plates have been formed, the remaining opening in the layer of insulator material is filled with dielectric material then planarized, followed by the formation of contacts with the capacitor plates. There is also an MIM capacitor structure having interdigitated capacitor plates.

Abstract: A method for forming a trench structure is provided for a semiconductor and/or memory device, such as an DRAM device. In one embodiment, the method for forming a trench structure includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and exposing the sidewalls of the trench to an arsenic-containing gas to adsorb an arsenic containing layer on the sidewalls of the trench. A material layer is then deposited on the sidewalls of the trench to encapsulate the arsenic-containing layer between the material layer and sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: Two-terminal switching devices of MIM type having at least one electrode formed by a liquid phase processing method are provided for use in active matrix backplane applications; more specifically, MIM devices with symmetric current-voltage characteristics are applied for LCD active matrix backplane applications, and MIM devices with asymmetric current-voltage characteristics are applied for active matrix backplane implementation for electrophoretic displays (EPD) and rotating element displays. In particular, the combination of the bottom metal, metal-oxide insulator and solution-processible top conducting layer enables high throughput, roll-to-roll process for flexible displays.

Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) integrated with a PIP capacitor includes a substrate including a bipolar junction transistor region and a PIP capacitor region, a bipolar junction transistor disposed in the bipolar junction transistor region and extending an isolation layer to the PIP capacitor region and a base poly layer disposed on the isolation layer, and a PIP capacitor disposed in the PIP capacitor region and including a lower poly layer, the isolation layer and the base poly layer to selectively form a PIP capacitor.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices may be fabricated to include a switching device on a substrate and/or a storage node electrically connected to the switching device. A storage node may include a lower metal layer electrically connected to the switching device, a first insulating layer, a middle metal layer, a second insulating layer, an upper metal layer, a carbon nanotube layer, and/or a passivation layer stacked on the lower metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first capacitor including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, an intermediate electrode arranged between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and a shield line arranged in the same layer as the intermediate electrode; and a second capacitor, including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and an intermediate electrode arranged between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and arranged adjoining to the first capacitor. In the first capacitor and the second capacitor, the upper electrode, the lower electrode and the shield line are electrically connected to a ground electrode. The shield line lies between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. Accordingly, a MIM capacitor with excellent layout efficiency is provided while noise effects are reduced.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes providing a substrate comprising a bottom electrode, forming a dielectric layer positioned on the bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode positioned on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a silicon nitride film, the silicon nitride film has a plurality of Si—H bonds and a plurality of N—H bonds, and a ratio of Si—H bonds to N—H bonds being equal to or smaller than 0.5.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming an insulating layer and a metal layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a photoresist pattern over the metal layer and etching the metal layer using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask to form a metal line pattern, subjecting the photoresist pattern to a reflow process to form a photoresist pattern over the metal layer and etching the metal layer using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask to form a metal line pattern, subjecting the photoresist pattern to a reflow process to form a reflowed photoresist pattern surrounding the metal line pattern, forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) layer over the semiconductor substrate provided with the reflowed photoresist pattern, and removing the MIM layer arranged over the photoresist pattern and the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal/insulator/metal (MIM) structure capacitor includes forming a nitride film that is an insulating layer on a bottom electrode metal layer; forming titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) that is a top electrode metal layer on the nitride film; coating photo-resist on the top electrode metal layer and patterning a photo-resist layer; selectively etching the top metal electrode layer so that the nitride film remains using the patterned photo-resist layer as an etching mask and using the nitride film as an end point; and removing the remaining nitride film.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure formation method and operation method. The structure includes (i) a dielectric layer, (ii) a bottom capacitor plate and an electrically conductive line on the dielectric layer, (iii) a top capacitor plate on top of the bottom capacitor plate, (iv) a gap region, and (v) a solder ball on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top surface that defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top surface. The top capacitor plate overlaps the bottom capacitor plate in the reference direction. The gap region is sandwiched between the bottom capacitor plate and the top capacitor plate. The gap region does not include any liquid or solid material. The solder ball is electrically connected to the electrically conductive line. The top capacitor plate is disposed between the dielectric layer and the solder ball.

Abstract: A designing method of a semiconductor device having a first wire and a second wire with a plurality of vias includes determining a first life time change rate of the semiconductor device in response to a change in a number of via column, a second life time change rate of the semiconductor device in response to a change in a number of via row, reducing the number of via column according to a ratio based on the first life time change and the second life time change; and increasing the number of via row at least one.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a capacitor and a method of fabricating an integrated circuit. The capacitor has a first electrode. A plurality of conductive lines is separated from each other and is configured to be held at a potential being the same for all conductive lines. A second electrode encloses individual ones of the conductive lines at a top side and at least one lateral side and is separated from the first electrode by a dielectric layer. The second electrode includes a polycrystalline semiconductor material, a metal or a metal-semiconductor compound.

Abstract: A capacitor unit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor includes a first lower electrode, a first dielectric layer pattern and a first upper electrode sequentially stacked. The first capacitor includes a first control layer pattern for controlling a voltage coefficient of capacitance (VCC) of the first capacitor between the first lower electrode and the first dielectric layer pattern. The second capacitor includes a second lower electrode, a second dielectric layer pattern and a second upper electrode sequentially stacked. The second lower electrode is electrically connected to the first upper electrode, and the second upper electrode is electrically connected to the second lower electrode. The second capacitor includes a second control layer pattern for controlling a VCC of the second capacitor between the second lower electrode and the second dielectric layer pattern.

Abstract: As for electrode pads for a semiconductor integrated circuit element, some of electrode pads for signal transmission are coupled to Ti films. Others of the electrode pads for signal transmission are coupled to electrode pads through wiring routed in multilayer wiring. Electrode pads for power supply are coupled to electrode pads to which power lines at potentials different from each other are coupled through wiring. The electrode pads are also coupled to Al foils (anodes). Electrode pads for grounding are coupled to electrode pads to which ground lines are coupled through wiring. The electrode pads are also coupled to conductive polymer films (cathodes).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has forming a capacitor having electrodes and a ferroelectric film provided therebetween above a substrate, forming a pad electrode electrically connected to one of the electrodes of the capacitor above the substrate, forming a protective film covering the pad electrode over the substrate, forming an opening in the protective film exposing at least a part of the pad electrode, bringing a measurement terminal into contact with the exposed surface of the pad electrode, etching the surface of the pad electrode after the measurement terminal is brought into contact therewith, and forming a hydrogen absorbing film on the protective film and the pad electrode exposed through the opening.

Abstract: A deep trench metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor in an SOI-type substrate. In the deep trench, a layer of TiN, followed by a layer of high-k dielectric, followed by a second layer of TiN. The resulting capacitor is completely buried below the SOI layer, thereby allowing for subsequent structures to be placed over the deep trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device 1 includes an interconnect 12, a conductive layer 14 (first conductive layer), an insulating layer 20 (first insulating layer), another conductive layer 30 (second conductive layer), another insulating layer 40 (second insulating layer), a via plug 52 (first via plug), and another via plug 54 (second via plug). In the semiconductor device 1, the conductive layer 14, the insulating layer 20 and the conductive layer 30 constitute a MIM capacitor (capacitor element). To be more detailed, the conductive layer 14, the insulating layer 20 and the conductive layer 30 serve as a lower electrode, an insulating capacitor film and an upper electrode, respectively. The insulating layer 40 covers both the conductive layer 30 and the interconnect 12. The insulating layer 40 works as the etching stopper for the via plugs 52, 54.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a first conductive film, a first insulation film, a second insulation film, a second conductive film, and a third conductive film. The first conductive film is formed on the substrate. The first insulation film is formed on the first conductive film and has a first opening. The first opening is formed as having multiple crossing trenches each having a predetermined width. The second insulation film is formed on the sides and bottom of the first opening. The second conductive film is formed on the second insulation film in the interior of the first opening. The third conductive film is formed on the second insulation film and the second conductive film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is manufactured such that a via for connecting upper and lower conductive layers is formed through an insulating interlayer after a silicon nitride layer is deposited as a thick layer on the insulating interlayer. This protects an edge of a MIM structure during an etching process that forms the via. In addition, a fluorine gas can be used in a gas stripping process to remove a polymer residue when stripping the photoresist used to form the via. The MIM capacitor has an insulator layer. The method of manufacturing the device includes forming an insulator layer of the MIM capacitor to a predetermined thickness on the insulating interlayer. The predetermined thickness is equal to the desired thickness plus an augmentation thickness, and the augmentation thickness is determined according to the stripping process for removing the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having embedded capacitors includes a double-sided copper-clad laminate including first circuit layers formed in the outer layers thereof, the first circuit layers including bottom electrodes and circuit patterns; dielectric layers formed by depositing alumina films on the first circuit layers by atomic layer deposition; second circuit layers formed on the dielectric layers and including top electrodes and circuit patterns; one-sided copper-clad laminates formed on the second circuit layers; blind via-holes and through-holes formed in predetermined portions of the one-sided copper-clad laminates; and plating layers formed in the blind via-holes and the through-holes. The manufacturing method of the printed circuit board is also disclosed.

Abstract: Integrated circuit devices including metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors are provided. The MIM capacitors may include an upper electrode having first and second layers. The first layer of the upper electrode includes a physical vapor deposition (PVD) upper electrode and the second layer of the upper electrode includes an ionized PVD (IPVD) upper electrode on the PVD upper electrode. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A microelectronic device, a method of fabricating the device, and a system including the device. The method includes: providing a substrate including an underlying conductive layer and a polymer build-up layer overlying the underlying conductive layer; providing a passive microelectronic structure; embedding the passive structure in the polymer build-up layer of the substrate; and patterning the passive structure after embedding, patterning including over-etching the bottom electrode layer. The passive microelectronic structure being embedded includes an unpatterned bottom electrode layer; an unpatterned capacitor dielectric layer overlying the bottom electrode layer; and an unpatterned top electrode layer overlying the capacitor dielectric layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) chips having high-Q on-chip capacitors formed on the chip back-side and connected to integrated circuits on the chip front-side using through-wafer interconnects. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side, a back side, and a buried insulating layer interposed between the front and back sides of the substrate. An integrated circuit is formed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate, an integrated capacitor is formed on the back side of the semiconductor substrate, and an interconnection structure is formed through the buried insulating layer to connect the integrated capacitor to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having an analog capacitor and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a bottom plate electrode disposed at a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate, and an upper plate electrode having a region overlapped with the bottom plate electrode thereon. The upper plate electrode and the bottom plate electrode are formed of a metal compound. A capacitor dielectric layer is interposed between the bottom plate electrode and the upper plate electrode. A bottom electrode plug and an upper electrode plug are connected to the bottom plate electrode and the upper plate electrode through the interlayer dielectric layer.

Abstract: A repair fuse element and method of construction are disclosed that eliminate or substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior fuse elements. In one embodiment, the fuse element is constructed with a rectangular-shaped contact. The contact is made long enough so that it makes contact at each end with a metal layer, but design rule spacing is still maintained between the connections with the metal layer. The overlapping areas between the rectangular contact and the metal layers are asymmetrical. Alternatively, these overlapping areas are smaller than the design rule overlap requirements. In a second embodiment, a fuse element is constructed with a plurality of rectangular-shaped contacts. As a result, a current value that is significantly lower than conventional fuse current values, can be used to melt such a contact or blow the fuse.

Abstract: A capacitive element is characterized by including: a base (12); a lower barrier layer (13) formed on the base (12); capacitors (Q1 and Q2) made by forming a lower electrode (14a), capacitor dielectric layers (15a), and upper electrodes (16a) in this order on the lower barrier layer (13); and an upper barrier layer (20) covering at least the capacitor dielectric layers (15a) and the lower barrier layer (13).

Abstract: In a capacitor of an analog semiconductor device having a multi-layer dielectric film and a method of manufacturing the same, the multi-layer dielectric film can be readily manufactured, has weak reactivity with corresponding electrodes and offers excellent leakage current characteristics. In order to obtain these advantages, a lower dielectric film having a negative quadratic VCC, an intermediate dielectric film having a positive quadratic VCC, and an upper dielectric film having a negative quadratic VCC are sequentially formed between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. The lower dielectric film and the upper dielectric film may be composed of SiO2. The intermediate dielectric film may be composed of HFO2.

Abstract: Capacitor structures for use in integrated circuits and methods of their manufacture. The capacitor structures include a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a dielectric layer interposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor structures further include a metal oxide buffer layer interposed between the dielectric layer and at least one of the bottom and top electrodes. Each metal oxide buffer layer acts to improve capacitance and reduce capacitor leakage. The capacitors are suited for use as memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.

Abstract: A semiconductor component including an integrated capacitor structure having at least two groups of at least partly electrically conductive planes and which is patterned in such a way that in at least each group of planes at least one plane has a plurality of strip elements, first strip elements including a first polarity of the capacitor structure and second strip elements including a second polarity of the capacitor structure, the first strip elements together with second strip elements being at least partly interlinked in one another and strip elements of the same polarity at least partly overlapping in at least two planes, the first group of planes being electrically conductively connected by way of vertical connections (vias) to strip elements of the same polarity of the second group of planes, the strip elements of the same polarity of the second group of planes being interconnected with lateral connecting elements.