Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080237721 | STRUCTURE AND CIRCUIT TECHNIQUE FOR UNIFORM TRIGGERING OF MULTIFINGER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH TUNABLE TRIGGER VOLTAGE - An external current injection source is provided to individual fingers of a multi-finger semiconductor device to provide the same trigger voltage across the multiple fingers. For example, the external injection current is supplied to the body of a MOSFET or the gate of a thyristor. The magnitude of the supplied current from each external current injection source is adjusted so that each finger has the same trigger voltage. The external current supply circuit may comprise diodes or an RC triggered MOSFET. The components of the external current supply circuit may be tuned to achieve a desired predetermined trigger voltage across all fingers of the multi-finger semiconductor device. | 10-02-2008 |
20080308837 | VERTICAL CURRENT CONTROLLED SILICON ON INSULATOR (SOI) DEVICE SUCH AS A SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIER AND METHOD OF FORMING VERTICAL SOI CURRENT CONTROLLED DEVICES - A Silicon on Insulator (SOI) Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with devices such as a vertical Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), vertical bipolar transistors, a vertical capacitor, a resistor and/or a vertical pinch resistor and method of making the device(s). The devices are formed in a seed hole through the SOI surface layer and insulator layer to the substrate. A buried diffusion, e.g., N-type, is formed through the seed hole in the substrate. A doped epitaxial layer is formed on the buried diffusion and may include multiple doped layers, e.g., a P-type layer and an N-type layer. Polysilicon, e.g., P-type, may be formed on the doped epitaxial layer. Contacts to the buried diffusion are formed in a contact liner. | 12-18-2008 |
20090007051 | SELECTABLE DEVICE OPTIONS FOR CHARACTERIZING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A system, method and program product that allows multiple devices to be placed between pads such that a Back End Of Line (BEOL) mask change can be used to select different device options. A system is disclosed for implementing a testsite for characterizing devices in an integrated circuit technology, and includes: a system for designing a plurality of device options for a set of chip pads; a system for designing a pseudo wiring layout for each of the plurality of device options; a system for selecting one of the device options; a system for mapping the pseudo wiring layout for a selected device option to a predetermined design level; and a system for outputting a configured mask design at the predetermined design level having a wiring layout mapped for the selected device option. | 01-01-2009 |
20090108289 | DESIGN STRUCTURE FOR UNIFORM TRIGGERING OF MULTIFINGER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES WITH TUNABLE TRIGGER VOLTAGE - A design structure for a circuit providing the same trigger voltage across the multiple fingers is provided, which comprises a data representing an external current injection source connected to individual fingers of a multi-finger semiconductor device. For example, the external injection current is supplied to the body of a MOSFET or the gate of a thyristor. The magnitude of the supplied current from each external current injection source is adjusted so that each finger has the same trigger voltage. The external current supply circuit may comprise diodes or an RC triggered MOSFET. The components of the external current supply circuit may be tuned to achieve a desired predetermined trigger voltage across all fingers of the multi-finger semiconductor device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090160013 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HEAT DISSIPATION STRUCTURE - A heat generating component of a semiconductor device is located between two heavily doped semiconductor regions in a semiconductor substrate. The heat generating component may be a middle portion of a diode having a light doping, a lightly doped p-n junction between a cathode and anode of a silicon controlled rectifier, or a resistive portion of a doped semiconductor resistor. At least one thermally conductive via comprising a metal or a non-metallic conductive material is place directly on the heat generating component. Alternatively, a thin dielectric layer may be formed between the heat generating component and the at least one thermally conductive via. The at least one thermally conductive via may, or may not, be connected to a back-end-of-line metal wire, which may be connected to higher level of metal wiring or to a handle substrate through a buried insulator layer. | 06-25-2009 |
20090256202 | SEMICONDUCTOR-ON-INSULATOR DEVICE STRUCTURES WITH A BODY-TO-SUBSTRATE CONNECTION FOR ENHANCED ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION, AND DESIGN STRUCTURES FOR SUCH SEMICONDUCTOR-ON-INSULATOR DEVICE STRUCTURES - Semiconductor-on-insulator device structures with enhanced electrostatic discharge protection, and design structures for an integrated circuit with device structures exhibiting enhanced electrostatic discharge protection. A device is formed in a body region of a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, which is bounded by an inner peripheral sidewall of an annular dielectric-filled isolation structure that extends from a top surface of the device layer to the insulating layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An annular conductive interconnect extends through the body region and the insulating layer to connect the body region with the bulk wafer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The annular conductive interconnect is disposed inside the inner peripheral sidewall of the isolation structure, which annularly encircles the body region. | 10-15-2009 |
20090302416 | Programmable Electrical Fuse - The present invention relates to e-fuse devices, and more particularly to a device and method of forming an e-fuse device, the method comprising providing a first conductive layer connected to a second conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers separated by a barrier layer having a first diffusivity different than a second diffusivity of the first conductive layer. A void is created in the first conductive layer by driving an electrical current through the e-fuse device. | 12-10-2009 |
20110001551 | CIRCUIT STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING AND RE-PROGRAMMING A LOW POWER, MULTIPLE STATES, ELECTRONIC FUSE (E-FUSE) - Disclosed are embodiments of an e-fuse programming/re-programming circuit. In one embodiment, the e-fuse has two short high atomic diffusion resistance conductor layers positioned on opposite sides and at a same end of a long low atomic diffusion resistance conductor layer. A voltage source is used to vary the polarity and, optionally, the magnitude of voltage applied to the terminals in order to control bi-directional flow of electrons within the long conductor layer and, thereby formation of opens and/or shorts at the long conductor layer-short conductor layer interfaces. The formation of such opens and/or shorts can be used to achieve different programming states. Other circuit structure embodiments incorporate e-fuses with additional conductor layers and additional terminals so as to allow for even more programming states. Also disclosed are embodiments of associated e-fuse programming and re-programming methods. | 01-06-2011 |
20110049683 | STRUCTURES, METHODS AND APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL PULSE ANNEAL PROCESSES - Structures and methods are provided for nanosecond electrical pulse anneal processes. The method of forming an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure includes forming an N+ diffusion on a substrate and a P+ diffusion on the substrate. The P+ diffusion is in electrical contact with the N+ diffusion. The method further includes forming a device between the N+ diffusion and the P+ diffusion. A method of annealing a structure or material includes applying an electrical pulse across an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure for a plurality of nanoseconds. | 03-03-2011 |
20120080717 | BI-DIRECTIONAL BACK-TO-BACK STACKED SCR FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE PIN ESD PROTECTION, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURES - Bi-directional back-to-back stacked SCRs for high-voltage pin ESD protection, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The device includes a symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back stacked silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An anode of a first of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to an input. An anode of a second of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to ground. Cathodes of the first and second of the back-to-back stacked SCR are connected together. Each of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs include a pair of diodes directing current towards the cathodes which, upon application of a voltage, become reverse biased effectively and deactivating elements from one of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs while the diodes of another of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs direct current in the same direction as the reverse biased diodes. | 04-05-2012 |
20120126792 | STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR RF DE-EMBEDDING - Electrical structures, methods, and computer program products for radio frequency (RF) de-embedding are provided. A structure includes a first test device, a first through structure corresponding to the first test device, and a first open structure corresponding to the first test device. The structure also includes a second test device having at least one different physical dimension than the first test device but otherwise identical to the first test device, a second through structure corresponding to the second test device, and a second open structure corresponding to the second test device. A method includes determining a first electrical parameter of the first test device in a first DUT structure and a second electrical parameter of the second test device in a second DUT structure based on measured electrical parameters of the first and the second DUT structures, through structures, and open structures. | 05-24-2012 |
20120153434 | METAL-INSULATOR-METAL CAPACITORS WITH HIGH CAPACITANCE DENSITY - Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and methods for fabricating MIM capacitors. The MIM capacitor includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer with apertures each bounded by a plurality of sidewalls and each extending from the top surface of the ILD layer into the first interlayer dielectric layer. A layer stack, which is disposed on the sidewalls of the apertures and the top surface of the ILD layer, includes a bottom conductive electrode, a top conductive electrode, and a capacitor dielectric between the bottom and top conductive electrodes. | 06-21-2012 |
20120181608 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES WITH THINNED JUNCTIONS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - A method of forming a semiconductor structure, including forming a channel in a first portion of a semiconductor layer and forming a doped extension region in a second portion of the semiconductor layer abutting the channel on a first side and abutting an insulator material on a bottom side. The first portion of the semiconductor layer is thicker than the second portion of the semiconductor layer. | 07-19-2012 |
20120187525 | SEMICONDUCTOR-ON-INSULATOR DEVICE WITH ASYMMETRIC STRUCTURE - Device structures with a reduced junction area in an SOI process, methods of making the device structures, and design structures for a lateral diode. The device structure includes one or more dielectric regions, such as STI regions, positioned in the device region and intersecting the p-n junction between an anode and cathode. The dielectric regions, which may be formed using shallow trench isolation techniques, function to reduce the width of a p-n junction with respect to the width area of the cathode at a location spaced laterally from the p-n junction and the anode. The width difference and presence of the dielectric regions creates an asymmetrical diode structure. The volume of the device region occupied by the dielectric regions is minimized to preserve the volume of the cathode and anode. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190133 | THROUGH SILICON VIA REPAIR - Methods and systems for altering the electrical resistance of a wiring path. The electrical resistance of the wiring path is compared with a target electrical resistance value. If the electrical resistance of the wiring path exceeds the target electrical resistance value, an electrical current is selectively applied to the wiring path to physically alter a portion of the wiring path. The current may be selected to alter the wiring path such that the electrical resistance drops to a value less than or equal to the target electrical resistance value. | 07-26-2012 |
20120257317 | RC-triggered Semiconductor Controlled Rectifier for ESD Protection of Signal Pads - RC-trigger circuits for a semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR), methods of providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and design structures for a RC-trigger circuit. The RC-trigger circuit is coupled to an input/output (I/O) signal pad by an isolation diode and is coupled to a power supply voltage by a power supply diode. Under normal operating conditions, the isolation diode is reverse biased, isolating the RC-trigger circuit from the input/output (I/O) pad, and the power supply diode is forward biased so that the RC-trigger circuit is supplied with power. The isolation diode may become forward biased during ESD events while the chip is unpowered, causing the RC-trigger circuit to trigger an SCR configured protect the signal pad from ESD into a conductive state. The power supply diode may become reverse biased during the ESD event, which isolates the power supply rail from the ESD voltage pulse. | 10-11-2012 |
20120326270 | INTERDIGITATED VERTICAL NATIVE CAPACITOR - A metal capacitor structure includes a plurality of line level structures vertically interconnected with via level structures. Each first line level structure and each second line level structure includes a set of parallel metal lines that is physically joined at an end to a rectangular tab structure having a rectangular horizontal cross-sectional area. A first set of parallel metal lines within a first line level structure and a second set of parallel metal lines within a second line level structure are interdigitated and parallel to each other, and can collectively form an interdigitated uniform pitch structure. Because the rectangular tab structures do not protrude toward each other within a region between two facing sidewalls of the rectangular tab structures, sub-resolution assist features (SRAFs) can be employed to provide a uniform width and a uniform pitch throughout the entirety of the interdigitated uniform pitch structure. | 12-27-2012 |
20130127063 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE HEAT DISSIPATION STRUCTURE - A heat generating component of a semiconductor device is located between two heavily doped semiconductor regions in a semiconductor substrate. The heat generating component may be a middle portion of a diode having a light doping, a lightly doped p-n junction between a cathode and anode of a silicon controlled rectifier, or a resistive portion of a doped semiconductor resistor. At least one thermally conductive via comprising a metal or a non-metallic conductive material is place directly on the heat generating component. Alternatively, a thin dielectric layer may be formed between the heat generating component and the at least one thermally conductive via. The at least one thermally conductive via may, or may not, be connected to a back-end-of-line metal wire, which may be connected to higher level of metal wiring or to a handle substrate through a buried insulator layer. | 05-23-2013 |
20130134557 | METAL-INSULATOR-METAL CAPACITORS WITH HIGH CAPACITANCE DENSITY - Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and methods for fabricating MIM capacitors. The MIM capacitor includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer with apertures each bounded by a plurality of sidewalls and each extending from the top surface of the ILD layer into the first interlayer dielectric layer. A layer stack, which is disposed on the sidewalls of the apertures and the top surface of the ILD layer, includes a bottom conductive electrode, a top conductive electrode, and a capacitor dielectric between the bottom and top conductive electrodes. | 05-30-2013 |
20130161687 | BI-DIRECTIONAL BACK-TO-BACK STACKED SCR FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE PIN ESD PROTECTION, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND DESIGN STRUCTURES - Bi-directional back-to-back stacked SCRs for high-voltage pin ESD protection, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The device includes a symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back stacked silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An anode of a first of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to an input. An anode of a second of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to ground. Cathodes of the first and second of the back-to-back stacked SCR are connected together. Each of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs include a pair of diodes directing current towards the cathodes which, upon application of a voltage, become reverse biased effectively and deactivating elements from one of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs while the diodes of another of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs direct current in the same direction as the reverse biased diodes. | 06-27-2013 |
20130256835 | NON-PLANAR CAPACITOR AND METHOD OF FORMING THE NON-PLANAR CAPACITOR - Disclosed herein are embodiments of non-planar capacitor. The non-planar capacitor can comprise a plurality of fins above a semiconductor substrate. Each fin can comprise at least an insulator section on the semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor section, which has essentially uniform conductivity, stacked above the insulator section. A gate structure can traverse the center portions of the fins. This gate structure can comprise a conformal dielectric layer and a conductor layer (e.g., a blanket or conformal conductor layer) on the dielectric layer. Such a non-planar capacitor can exhibit a first capacitance, which is optionally tunable, between the conductor layer and the fins and a second capacitance between the conductor layer and the semiconductor substrate. Also disclosed herein are method embodiments, which can be used to form such a non-planar capacitor and which are compatible with current state of the art multi-gate non-planar field effect transistor (MUGFET) processing. | 10-03-2013 |
20140033519 | THROUGH SILICON VIA REPAIR - Methods and systems for altering the electrical resistance of a wiring path. The electrical resistance of the wiring path is compared with a target electrical resistance value. If the electrical resistance of the wiring path exceeds the target electrical resistance value, an electrical current is selectively applied to the wiring path to physically alter a portion of the wiring path. The current may be selected to alter the wiring path such that the electrical resistance drops to a value less than or equal to the target electrical resistance value. | 02-06-2014 |
20140042587 | SEMICONDUCTOR-ON-INSULATOR DEVICE WITH ASYMMETRIC STRUCTURE - Device structures with a reduced junction area in an SOI process, methods of making the device structures, and design structures for a lateral diode. The device structure includes one or more dielectric regions, such as STI regions, positioned in the device region and intersecting the p-n junction between an anode and cathode. The dielectric regions, which may be formed using shallow trench isolation techniques, function to reduce the width of a p-n junction with respect to the width area of the cathode at a location spaced laterally from the p-n junction and the anode. The width difference and presence of the dielectric regions creates an asymmetrical diode structure. The volume of the device region occupied by the dielectric regions is minimized to preserve the volume of the cathode and anode. | 02-13-2014 |
20140117452 | SEMICONDUCTOR STRUCTURES WITH THINNED JUNCTIONS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - A method of forming a semiconductor structure, including forming a channel in a first portion of a semiconductor layer and forming a doped extension region in a second portion of the semiconductor layer abutting the channel on a first side and abutting an insulator material on a bottom side. The first portion of the semiconductor layer is thicker than the second portion of the semiconductor layer. | 05-01-2014 |
20140124903 | STRUCTURES, METHODS AND APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL PULSE ANNEAL PROCESSES - Structures and methods are provided for nanosecond electrical pulse anneal processes. The method of forming an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure includes forming an N+ diffusion on a substrate and a P+ diffusion on the substrate. The P+ diffusion is in electrical contact with the N+ diffusion. The method further includes forming a device between the N+ diffusion and the P+ diffusion. A method of annealing a structure or material includes applying an electrical pulse across an electrostatic discharge (ESD) N+/P+ structure for a plurality of nanoseconds. | 05-08-2014 |
20140151808 | BULK FINFET ESD DEVICE - Aspects of the disclosure provide a dual electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device in fin field effect transistor (FinFET) process technology and methods of forming the same. In one embodiment, the dual ESD protection device includes: a bulk silicon substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region formed over the bulk silicon substrate; a first ESD device positioned above the STI region; and a second ESD device positioned below the STI region, wherein the first ESD device conducts current above the STI region and the second ESD device conducts current below the STI region. | 06-05-2014 |
20150057980 | STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR RF DE-EMBEDDING - Electrical structures, methods, and computer program products for radio frequency (RF) de-embedding are provided. A structure includes a first test device, a first through structure corresponding to the first test device, and a first open structure corresponding to the first test device. The structure also includes a second test device having at least one different physical dimension than the first test device but otherwise identical to the first test device, a second through structure corresponding to the second test device, and a second open structure corresponding to the second test device. A method includes determining a first electrical parameter of the first test device in a first DUT structure and a second electrical parameter of the second test device in a second DUT structure based on measured electrical parameters of the first and the second DUT structures, through structures, and open structures. | 02-26-2015 |
20150060939 | SCR WITH FIN BODY REGIONS FOR ESD PROTECTION - An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a semiconductor controlled rectifier including a first plurality of fingers between an n-well body contact and an anode in an n-well, and a second plurality of fingers between a p-well body contact and a cathode in a p-well. | 03-05-2015 |