Utilizing Epitaxial Semiconductor Layer Grown Through An Opening In An Insulating Layer Patents (Class 438/269)
  • Patent number: 11972954
    Abstract: An alternating stack of first material layers and second material layers can be formed over a semiconductor material layer. A patterning film is formed over the alternating stack, and openings are formed through the patterning film. Via openings are formed through the alternating stack at least to a top surface of the semiconductor material layer by performing a first anisotropic etch process that transfers a pattern of the openings in the patterning film. A cladding liner can be formed on a top surface of the patterning film and sidewalls of the openings in the pattering film. The via openings can be vertically extended through the semiconductor material layer at least to a bottom surface of the semiconductor material layer by performing a second anisotropic etch process employing the cladding liner as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Roshan Jayakhar Tirukkonda, Senaka Kanakamedala, Rahul Sharangpani, Raghuveer S. Makala, Monica Titus
  • Patent number: 11942422
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure comprises a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers comprises one of the conductive structures and one of the insulative structures. The stadium structure comprises a forward staircase structure having steps comprising edges of the tiers, and a reverse staircase structure opposing the forward staircase structure and having additional steps comprising additional edges of the tiers. The conductive contact structures vertically extend to upper vertical boundaries of at least some of the conductive structures of the stack structure at the steps of the forward staircase structure and the additional steps of the reverse staircase structure, and are each integral and continuous with one of the conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Jeffrey D. Runia, Matthew Holland, Chamunda N. Chamunda
  • Patent number: 11937421
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device. A semiconductor memory device includes a gate stack and a plurality of channel structures. The gate stack includes a plurality of stacked conductive patterns spaced apart from each other. The plurality of the channel structures is formed through the gate stack. Each of the channel structures includes a first channel pillar, a second channel pillar and a gate insulation layer. The first channel pillar is formed through the conductive patterns except for an uppermost conductive pattern. The second channel pillar is formed through the uppermost conductive pattern. The second channel pillar is configured to make contact with the first channel pillar. The gate insulation layer is interposed between the uppermost conductive pattern and the first and second channel pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Chang Jeong, Nam Kuk Kim
  • Patent number: 11915974
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry comprises vertical conductive vias individually having a lower portion thereof that is directly against conductor material of islands. The islands comprise multiple different composition materials directly above the conductor material. Apart from the conductive vias, the islands individually comprise at least one of (a), (b), or (c), where: (a): a top material that is of different composition from all material that is vertically between the top material and the conductor material; (b): the top material having its top surface in a vertical cross-section extending laterally-outward beyond two opposing laterally-outermost edges of a top surface of the material that is immediately directly below the top material; and (c): is of different composition from that of an upper portion of the conductor material and including a portion thereof that is elevationally coincident with the conductor material or that is directly against the conductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Shuangqiang Luo, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 11917821
    Abstract: In the highly efficient fabrication processes for HNOR arrays provided herein, the channel regions of the storage transistors in the HNOR arrays are protected by a protective layer after deposition until the subsequent deposition of a charge-trapping material before forming local word lines. Both the silicon for the channel regions and the protective material may be deposited in amorphous form and are subsequently crystallized in an anneal step. The protective material may be silicon boron, silicon carbon or silicon germanium. The protective material induces greater grain boundaries in the crystallized silicon in the channel regions, thereby providing greater charge carrier mobility, greater conductivity and greater current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinod Purayath, Wu-Yi Henry Chien
  • Patent number: 11908908
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The device includes a stacked film that includes a plurality of first electrode layers provided over the substrate and separated from each other in a first direction perpendicular to a front surface of the substrate and a plurality of second electrode layers provided over the first electrode layer and separated from each other in the first direction. The device further includes a first insulating film and a second insulating film that penetrate the plurality of first electrode layers and the plurality of second electrode layers in the first direction. The stacked film further includes a first gap portion including a first portion provided between the substrate and a lowermost layer of the plurality of first electrode layers and a second portion connected to the first portion, penetrating the plurality of first electrode layers in the first direction, between the first insulating film and the second insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11908686
    Abstract: The present application provides methods for manufacturing a vertical device. To begin with, a GaN-based semiconductor substrate is etched from a front surface to form a trench. Then, a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer are sequentially formed on a bottom wall and side walls of the trench and the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is partially filled with the P-type semiconductor layer. Thereafter, the N-type semiconductor layer and the P-type semiconductor layer are planarized, and the P-type semiconductor layer and the N-type semiconductor layer in the trench are retained. Next, a gate structure is formed at a gate area of the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, a source electrode is formed on two sides of the gate structure, and a drain electrode is formed on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ENKRIS SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 11910604
    Abstract: Provided herein are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an etch stop pattern having a top surface and a sidewall disposed over a gate stack having interlayer insulating layers alternately stacked with conductive patterns. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of channel structures passing through the etch stop pattern and the gate stack. The semiconductor device further includes an insulating layer extending to cover the top surface and the sidewall of the etch stop pattern, wherein a depression is included in a sidewall of the insulating layer. The semiconductor device additionally includes a contact plug passing through the insulating layer so that the contact plug is coupled to a channel structure of the plurality of channel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Won Lee
  • Patent number: 11894230
    Abstract: Methods to manufacture integrated circuits are described. Nanocrystalline diamond is used as a hard mask in place of amorphous carbon. Provided is a method of processing a substrate in which nanocrystalline diamond is used as a hard mask, wherein processing methods result in a smooth surface. The method involves two processing parts. Two separate nanocrystalline diamond recipes are combined—the first and second recipes are cycled to achieve a nanocrystalline diamond hard mask having high hardness, high modulus, and a smooth surface. In other embodiments, the first recipe is followed by an inert gas plasma smoothening process and then the first recipe is cycled to achieve a high hardness, a high modulus, and a smooth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vicknesh Sahmuganathan, Jiteng Gu, Eswaranand Venkatasubramanian, Kian Ping Loh, Abhijit Basu Mallick, John Sudijono, Zhongxin Chen
  • Patent number: 11882703
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may include a stacked body including a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of gate electrodes that are alternately stacked on a substrate, and a plurality of channel structures configured to vertically pass through the stacked body. Each of the plurality of channel structures may include a core insulating layer, a first channel layer, a second channel layer, a tunnel insulating layer, and a charge storage layer that extend vertically towards the substrate. Electron mobility of the first channel layer may be higher than electron mobility of the second channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmook Lim, Dae Hwan Yun, Gil Bok Choi, Jae Hyeon Shin, In Gon Yang, Hyung Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11871570
    Abstract: Provided herein are a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an etch stop pattern having a top surface and a sidewall disposed over a gate stack having interlayer insulating layers alternately stacked with conductive patterns. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of channel structures passing through the etch stop pattern and the gate stack. The semiconductor device further includes an insulating layer extending to cover the top surface and the sidewall of the etch stop pattern, wherein a depression is included in a sidewall of the insulating layer. The semiconductor device additionally includes a contact plug passing through the insulating layer so that the contact plug is coupled to a channel structure of the plurality of channel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Won Lee
  • Patent number: 11862566
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, in which a cell array region and an extension region are arranged along a first direction, and in which contact regions and through regions are alternately arranged along the first direction in the extension region, including: a mold structure including a plurality of first insulating patterns and a plurality of gate electrodes, which are alternately stacked on a first substrate; a channel structure penetrating the mold structure in the cell array region to intersect the plurality of gate electrodes; respective gate contacts that are on the mold structure in the contact regions and are connected to each of the gate electrodes; and a plurality of second insulating patterns, the second insulating patterns being stacked alternately with the first insulating patterns in the mold structure in the through regions, the plurality of second insulating patterns including a different material from the plurality of first insulating patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jun Hyoung Kim, Young-Jin Kwon, Geun Won Lim
  • Patent number: 11817502
    Abstract: A method of forming stacked fin field effect devices is provided. The method includes forming a layer stack on a substrate, wherein the layer stack includes a first semiconductor layer on a surface of the substrate, a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer on the second semiconductor layer, a separation layer on the third semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor layer on the separation layer, a fifth semiconductor layer on the fourth semiconductor layer, and a sixth semiconductor layer on the fifth semiconductor layer. The method further includes forming a plurality of channels through the layer stack to the surface of the substrate, and removing portions of the second semiconductor layer and fifth semiconductor layer to form lateral grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Huimei Zhou, Su Chen Fan, Shogo Mochizuki, Peng Xu, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Patent number: 11792988
    Abstract: A memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers through which memory opening fill structures vertically extend. The memory die includes at least three memory array regions interlaced with at least two contact regions, or at least three contact regions interlaced with at least two memory array regions in the same memory plane. A logic die including at least two word line driver regions can be bonded to the memory die. The interlacing of the contact regions and the memory array regions can reduce lateral offset of boundaries of the word line driver regions from boundaries of the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 11770931
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a stack structure including insulating layers and conductive layers, which are alternately stacked; a channel structure penetrating the stack structure; data storage patterns respectively interposed between the conductive layers and the channel structure; blocking patterns respectively interposed between the conductive layers and the data storage patterns; insulating patterns respectively interposed between the insulating layers and the channel structure; and insulative liners interposed between the insulating layers and the insulating patterns, the insulative liners respectively surrounding the insulating patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Hong Lee, Hwal Pyo Kim, Seung Woo Han
  • Patent number: 11751385
    Abstract: A method for forming a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming an alternating dielectric stack on the sacrificial layer, forming a plurality of channel holes vertically penetrating the alternating dielectric stack and the sacrificial layer, and forming a first channel layer in each channel hole. The method further comprises forming a second channel layer on the first channel layer in each channel hole, such that a merging point of the second channel layer is higher than a bottom surface of the alternating dielectric stack. The method further comprises removing the sacrificial layer to form a horizontal trench, and forming a selective epitaxial growth layer in the horizontal trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiaqian Xue, Tingting Gao, Lei Xue, Wanbo Geng, Xiaoxin Liu, Bo Huang
  • Patent number: 11728246
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and an electronic system, the device including a substrate including a cell array region and a connection region; a stack including electrodes vertically stacked on the substrate; a source conductive pattern on the cell array region and between the substrate and the stack; a dummy insulating pattern on the connection region and between the substrate and the stack; a conductive support pattern between the stack and the source conductive pattern and between the stack and the dummy insulating pattern; a plurality of first vertical structures on the cell array region and penetrating the electrode structure, the conductive support pattern, and the source structure; and a plurality of second vertical structures on the connection region and penetrating the electrode structure, the conductive support pattern, and the dummy insulating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunggil Kim, Jinhyuk Kim, Jung-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11729982
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include conductive structures. Channel material extends vertically through the stack. The conductive structures have proximal regions near the channel material, and have distal regions further from the channel material than the proximal regions. The insulative levels have first regions vertically between the proximal regions of neighboring conductive structures, and have second regions vertically between the distal regions of the neighboring conductive structures. Voids are within the insulative levels and extend across portions of the first and second regions. Some embodiments include methods for forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11695074
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device including the device. According to an embodiment, the semiconductor device may include a substrate, and a first device and a second device formed on the substrate. Each of the first device and the second device includes a first source/drain layer, a channel layer and a second source/drain layer stacked on the substrate in sequence, and also a gate stack surrounding a periphery of the channel layer. The channel layer of the first device and the channel layer of the second device are substantially co-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11688649
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an inverter circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming at least one dielectric trench isolation structure in the semiconductor substrate to divide the semiconductor substrate into first and second regions. A P+ doped portion and an N+ doped portion is formed in each of the first and second regions. Gate structure layers are then deposited over the semiconductor substrate. A first opening is formed in the gate structure layers over the P+ doped portion of a first region and a second opening is formed in the gate structure layers over the N+ doped portion of a second region. A gate dielectric layer is then formed on an inner side of the first and second openings. The surface of the semiconductor substrate in the first and second openings is etched. A semiconductor material is formed in the first and second openings by selective epitaxial growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Integrated Silicon Solution, (Cayman) Inc.
    Inventors: Amitay Levi, Dafna Beery, Andrew J. Walker
  • Patent number: 11683929
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe techniques for a semiconductor device including a capacitor and a transistor above the capacitor. A contact electrode may be shared between the capacitor and the transistor. The capacitor includes a first plate above a substrate, and the shared contact electrode above the first plate and separated from the first plate by a capacitor dielectric layer, where the shared contact electrode acts as a second plate for the capacitor. The transistor includes a gate electrode above the substrate and above the capacitor; a channel layer separated from the gate electrode by a gate dielectric layer, and in contact with the shared contact electrode; and a source electrode above the channel layer, separated from the gate electrode by the gate dielectric layer, and in contact with the channel layer. The shared contact electrode acts as a drain electrode of the transistor. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Travis W. Lajoie, Abhishek Sharma, Van H. Le, Chieh-Jen Ku, Pei-Hua Wang, Jack T. Kavalieros, Bernhard Sell, Tahir Ghani, Juan Alzate Vinasco
  • Patent number: 11640987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming vertical field-effect-transistor (vFET). In some embodiments, a method includes providing a device structure including a plurality of pillars extending from a base layer, forming a capping layer over the device structure, and forming a drain in an upper section of each of the plurality of pillars by performing an angled implant to each of the plurality of pillars. The angled implant may be delivered at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a perpendicular extending from a top surface of the base layer. The method may further include etching the device structure to remove the capping layer from along a lower section of each of the plurality of pillars, wherein the capping layer remains along the upper section of each of the plurality of pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Michael Waite
  • Patent number: 11631691
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of insulating strips and electrically conductive strips located over a substrate and laterally spaced apart among one another by line trenches which laterally extend along a first horizontal direction and are spaced apart along a second horizontal direction, and memory stack structures arranged in rows extending along the first horizontal direction. Each row of memory stack structures is located on a respective sidewall of the line trenches. Each of the memory stack structures includes a vertical semiconductor channel, a tunneling dielectric contacting the vertical semiconductor channel, a charge storage layer contacting the tunneling dielectric, and a composite blocking dielectric. The composite blocking dielectric includes a first dipole-containing blocking dielectric layer stack, a homogeneous blocking dielectric layer, and a second dipole-containing blocking dielectric layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nishikawa, Kiyohiko Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11626422
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a large storage capacity per unit area is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first insulator including a first opening, a first conductor that is over the first insulator and includes a second opening, a second insulator that is over the first insulator and includes a third opening, and an oxide penetrating the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening. The oxide includes a first region at least in the first opening, a second region at least in the second opening, and a third region at least in the third opening. The resistances of the first region and the third region are lower than the resistance of the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hajime Kimura, Takanori Matsuzaki, Kiyoshi Kato, Satoru Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11610904
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method for forming the semiconductor are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first electrode comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a sheet portion connecting the first portion to the second portion. A ferroelectric material is over the sheet portion. A second electrode is over the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11600636
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory device architectures and fabrication methods therefore are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate having a first layer stack on it. The first layer stack includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. A second layer stack is disposed over the first layer stack where the second layer stack also includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. One or more vertical structures extend through the first layers stack. A conductive material is disposed on a top surface of the one or more vertical structures. One or more second vertical structures extend through the second layer stack and through a portion of the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11600637
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory device architectures and fabrication methods therefore are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate having a first layer stack on it. The first layer stack includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. A second layer stack is disposed over the first layer stack where the second layer stack also includes alternating conductor and insulator layers. One or more vertical structures extend through the first layers stack. A conductive material is disposed on a top surface of the one or more vertical structures. One or more second vertical structures extend through the second layer stack and through a portion of the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11594534
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of semiconductor fins, a gate stack and an epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fins are present on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor fins respectively include recesses therein. The gate stack is present on portions of the semiconductor fins that are adjacent to the recesses. The epitaxy structure is present across the recesses of the semiconductor fins. The epitaxy structure includes a plurality of corners and at least one groove present between the corners, and the groove has a curvature radius greater than that of at least one of the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tung-Wen Cheng, Chih-Shan Chen, Mu-Tsang Lin
  • Patent number: 11574924
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and methods for forming stair-like structures with accurate profiles and dimension control for manufacturing three dimensional (3D) stacked memory cell semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a memory cell device includes a film stack comprising alternating pairs of dielectric layers and conductive structures horizontally formed on a substrate, and an opening formed in the film stack, wherein the opening is filled with a metal dielectric layer, a multi-layer structure and a center filling layer, wherein the metal dielectric layer in the opening is interfaced with the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Changseok Kang, Tomohiko Kitajima
  • Patent number: 11508751
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active fin on a substrate, a gate electrode and intersecting the active fin, gate spacer layers on both side walls of the gate electrode, and a source/drain region in a recess region of the active fin at at least one side of the gate electrode. The source/drain region may include a base layer in contact with the active fin, and having an inner end and an outer end opposing each other in the first direction on an inner sidewall of the recess region. The source/drain region may include a first layer on the base layer. The first layer may include germanium (Ge) having a concentration higher than a concentration of germanium (Ge) included in the base layer. The outer end of the base layer may contact the first layer, and may have a shape convex toward outside of the gate electrode on a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Namkyu Edward Cho, Seok Hoon Kim, Myung Il Kang, Geo Myung Shin, Seung Hun Lee, Jeong Yun Lee, Min Hee Choi, Jeong Min Choi
  • Patent number: 11476349
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin over a substrate, depositing an isolation material surrounding the first and second fins, forming a gate structure along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of the first and second fins, recessing the first and second fins outside of the gate structure to form a first recess in the first fin and a second recess in the second fin, epitaxially growing a first source/drain material protruding from the first and second recesses, and epitaxially growing a second source/drain material on the first source/drain material, wherein the second source/drain material grows at a slower rate on outermost surfaces of opposite ends of the first source/drain material than on surfaces of the first source/drain material between the opposite ends of the first source/drain material, and wherein the second source/drain material has a higher doping concentration than the first source/drain material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Chang, Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 11476271
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a first dielectric structure, a second dielectric structure, a channel structure, a source structure, and a drain structure. The first dielectric structure and the second dielectric structure are disposed on the substrate, and are spaced apart from each other in a first direction. The channel structure interconnects the first dielectric structure and the second dielectric structure. The source structure and the drain structure are on opposite ends of the channel structure, and are respectively embedded in the first dielectric structure and the second dielectric structure, wherein a ratio in length along the first direction of the source structure to the first dielectric structure is between 0.3 and 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Be-Shan Tseng
  • Patent number: 11456356
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first stacked structure including word lines and dielectric layers alternately stacked over a substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of first vertical channel structures formed through the first stacked structure and a second stacked structure including gate electrodes and dielectric layers alternately stacked over the first stacked structure. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of second vertical channel structures formed through the second stacked structure, wherein the plurality of second vertical channel structures are respectively connected to the plurality of first vertical channel structures. The semiconductor device additionally includes an isolating layer for isolating the plurality of second vertical channel structures into first and second regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: In-Su Park
  • Patent number: 11437397
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory device includes a source conductive pattern on a substrate and extending in parallel to a top surface of the substrate, and an electrode structure including an erase control gate electrode, a ground selection gate electrode, cell gate electrodes, and a string selection gate electrode, which are sequentially stacked on the source conductive pattern in a first direction perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Euntaek Jung, JoongShik Shin, SangJun Hong
  • Patent number: 11282705
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode, spacers and a hard mask structure. The spacers are disposed on opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode. The hard mask structure includes a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. A lower portion of the first hard mask layer is disposed between the spacers and on the gate electrode, and a top portion of the first hard mask layer is surrounded by the second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Che Chiang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11271002
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a construction comprising a stack that have vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. An array of openings is formed in an uppermost portion of upper material that is above the stack, and the openings comprise channel openings and dummy openings. At least the uppermost portion of the upper material is used as a mask while etching the channel openings and the dummy openings into a lower portion of the upper material. The channel openings are etched into the insulative and wordline tiers. The channel openings are etched deeper into the construction than the dummy openings, and channel material is formed in the channel openings after the etching. Structures independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Jared Barclay, Merri L. Carlson, Saurabh Keshav, George Matamis, Young Joon Moon, Kunal R. Parekh, Paolo Tessariol, Vinayak Shamanna
  • Patent number: 11227870
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a third insulating pattern and a first insulating pattern on a substrate, the third insulating pattern and the first insulating pattern being spaced apart from each other in a first direction that is perpendicular to the substrate such that a bottom surface of the third insulating pattern and a top surface of the first insulating pattern face each other, a gate electrode between the bottom surface of the third insulating pattern and the top surface of the first insulating pattern, and including a first side extending between the bottom surface of the third insulating pattern and the top surface of the first insulating pattern, and a second insulating pattern that protrudes from the first side of the gate electrode by a second width in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Heon Kang, Tae Hun Kim, Jae Ryong Sim, Kwang Young Jung, Gi Yong Chung, Jee Hoon Han, Doo Hee Hwang
  • Patent number: 11227928
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a trench-gate field-effect transistor can include an active region and a termination region. The termination region can include a structure where a portion in which formation of a PN junction is prevented (e.g., a termination extension and one or more semiconductor mesas) is overlapped with a portion of the trench-FET that includes a boundary (edge, etc.) between trenches (or portions of trenches) lined with only shield (thick oxide) and trenches lined with a stepped-shield dielectric (SSO) structure (e.g., shield dielectric and gate dielectric). That boundary can be referred to an SSO edge. Prevention of PN junction formation (e.g., during a channel and/or body implant for the trench-FET), in the disclosed approaches, can be accomplished using a polysilicon layer to block formation of, e.g., a p-type layer, in a semiconductor substrate (e.g., an n-type semiconductor region, epitaxial layer, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Takashi Ogura, Takashi Hiroshima, Toshimitsu Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11189632
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices may include a plurality of word line structures and a plurality of insulating films that are stacked alternately. Sides of the plurality of word line structures and the plurality of insulating films define a side of a channel hole extending through the plurality of word line structures and the plurality of insulating films. The devices may also include a blocking dielectric film on the side of the channel hole, and a plurality of charge storage films on the blocking dielectric film and on the sides of the plurality of word line structures, respectively. Each of the plurality of charge storage films may include a first charge storage film and a second charge storage film sequentially stacked on a respective one of the sides of the plurality of word line structures. A surface of the second charge storage film may include a recess in a middle portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jang-Gn Yun, Jae-Duk Lee, Jai-Hyuk Song
  • Patent number: 11145745
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor component includes: providing a semiconductor body having a first dopant of a first conductivity type; forming a first trench in the semiconductor body starting from a first side; filling the first trench with a semiconductor filler material; forming a superjunction structure by introducing a second dopant of a second conductivity type into the semiconductor body, the semiconductor filler material being doped with the second dopant; forming a second trench in the semiconductor body starting from the first side; and forming a trench structure in the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Till Schloesser, Christian Kampen, Andreas Meiser
  • Patent number: 11101282
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes: a substrate; a plurality of first gate electrodes arranged in a first direction intersecting with a substrate surface; a first semiconductor film extending in the first direction and facing the plurality of first gate electrodes; a first gate insulating film provided between the plurality of first gate electrodes and the first semiconductor film; a second gate electrode disposed farther away from the substrate than the plurality of first gate electrodes; a second semiconductor film that extends in the first direction, faces the second gate electrode, and has, in the first direction, one end connected to the first semiconductor film; and a second gate insulating film provided between the second gate electrode and the second semiconductor film. The second gate electrode includes: a first portion; and a second portion provided between the first portion and the second semiconductor film, and facing the second semiconductor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 11056505
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an integrated assembly. A stack of alternating first and second materials is formed over a conductive structure. The conductive structure includes a semiconductor-containing material over a metal-containing material. An opening is formed to extend through the stack and through the semiconductor-containing material, to expose the metal-containing material. The semiconductor-containing material is doped with carbon and/or with one or more metals. After the doping of the semiconductor-containing material, the second material of the stack is removed to form voids. Conductive material is formed within the voids. Insulative material is formed within the opening. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies having carbon distributed within at least a portion of a semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Purnima Narayanan, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 10991718
    Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. A memory opening is formed through the alternating stack. A memory film is formed in the memory opening. The memory film includes an opening at a bottom portion. A connection strap is formed by performing a selective semiconductor deposition process that grows a strap semiconductor material from a physically exposed surface of an underlying semiconductor material portion through the opening. A vertical semiconductor channel is formed on an inner sidewall of the memory film by non-selectively depositing a semiconductor channel material. The connection strap provides an electrical connection between the underlying semiconductor material portion and the vertical semiconductor channel through the opening in the memory film. The sacrificial material layers are then replaced with electrically conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jayavel Pachamuthu, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Marika Gunji-Yoneoka, Tadashi Nakamura, Tomohiro Oginoe
  • Patent number: 10964717
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method, for example, includes forming, on a substrate, a stack of alternating layers including a first layer of material and a second layer of material different from the first layer of material; forming a memory hole in the stack of alternating layers of the first layer of material and the second layer of material; depositing a layer of blocking oxide on sides defining the memory hole; depositing a layer of silicon atop the layer of blocking oxide to form a silicon channel; deposit core oxide to fill the silicon channel; removing the first layer of material to form spaces between the alternating layers of the second material; and one of depositing a third layer of material to partially fill the spaces to leave air gaps therein or depositing a fourth layer of material to fill the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sung-Kwan Kang, Gill Lee, Chang Seok Kang, Tomohiko Kitajima
  • Patent number: 10804296
    Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor device has a substrate with a power region and control region. The substrate can be a silicon-on-insulator substrate. An opening is formed in the power region and extends partially through the substrate. A semiconductor material is formed within the opening. A power semiconductor device, such as a vertical power transistor, is formed within the semiconductor material. A control logic circuit is formed in the control region. A first isolation trench is formed in the power region to isolate the power semiconductor device and control logic circuit. A second isolation trench is formed in the control region to isolate a first control logic circuit from a second control logic circuit. An interconnect structure is formed over the power region and control region to provide electrical interconnect between the control logic circuit and power semiconductor device. A termination trench is formed in the power region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferson W. Hall, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 10770474
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: forming pillars in a first region of a stack structure in which interlayer insulating layers and sacrificial insulating layers are alternately stacked; forming a slit in a second region of the stack structure; and removing the sacrificial insulating layers in the first region. In the removing of the sacrificial insulating layers in the first region, a portion of each of the sacrificial insulating layers, which is adjacent to the slit, and a portion of each of the sacrificial insulating layers, which is disposed between the pillars, may be removed using different etching materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyon Kwak, Duk Eui Lee, Nam Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 10714342
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and method of forming the same are disclosed. One of the semiconductor devices includes a substrate, a gate structure, a plug and a hard mask structure. The gate structure is disposed over the substrate. The plug is disposed over and electrically connected to the gate structure. The hard mask structure is disposed over the gate structure and includes a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer. The first hard mask layer surrounds and is in contact with the plug. The second hard mask layer surrounds the first hard mask layer and has a bottom surface at a height between a top surface and a bottom surface of the first hard mask layer. A material of the first hard mask layer is different from a material of the second hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Che Chiang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 10516048
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes following steps. A trench is formed in a substrate. A barrier layer and an epitaxy layer are formed in sequence in the trench. The barrier layer has a first dopant. A source/drain recess cavity is formed by etching at least the epitaxial layer. A source/drain region is formed in the source/drain recess cavity. The source/drain region has a second dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: I-Chih Chen, Ying-Lang Wang, Chih-Mu Huang, Ying-Hao Chen, Wen-Chang Kuo, Jung-Chi Jeng
  • Patent number: 10475807
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing three-dimensional memory, comprising the steps of: forming a stack structure composed of a plurality of first material layers and a plurality of second material layers on a substrate; etching the stack structure to expose the substrate, forming a plurality of first vertical openings; forming a filling layer in each of the first openings; etching the stack structure around each of the first openings to expose the substrate, forming a plurality of second vertical openings; forming a vertical channel layer and a drain in each of the second openings; removing the filling layer by selective etching, re-exposing the first openings; partially or completely removing the second material layers by lateral etching, leaving a plurality of recesses; forming a plurality of gate stack structure in the recesses; forming a plurality of common sources on and/or in the substrate at the bottom of each of the first openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Zongliang Huo, Ming Liu, Lei Jin
  • Patent number: 10410932
    Abstract: A method for producing a pillar-shaped semiconductor device includes forming, above a NiSi layer serving as a lower wiring conductor layer and connecting to an N+ layer of an SGT formed within a Si pillar, a first conductor W layer that extends through a NiSi layer serving as an upper wiring conductor layer and connecting to a gate TiN layer and that extends through a NiSi layer serving as an intermediate wiring conductor layer and connecting to an N+ layer; forming an insulating SiO2 layer between the NiSi layer and the W layer; and forming a second conductor W layer so as to surround the W layer and have its bottom at the upper surface layer of the NiSi layer, to achieve connection between the NiSi layer and the NiSi layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: UNISANTIS ELECTRONICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Nozomu Harada