Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090039452 | EMBEDDED BONDING PAD FOR IMAGE SENSORS - A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface, elements formed on the substrate, interconnect metal layers formed over the front surface of the substrate, including a topmost interconnect metal layer, an inter-metal dielectric for insulating each of the plurality of interconnect metal layers, and a bonding pad disposed within the inter-metal dielectric, the bonding pad in contact with one of the interconnect metal layers other than the topmost interconnect metal layer. | 02-12-2009 |
20090189233 | CMOS IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - An optical image sensor is fabricated by forming a pixel array and a peripheral region surrounding the pixel array on a semiconductor substrate, the peripheral region containing peripheral circuitry. An inter-level-dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and a plurality of interconnect wiring layers are formed over the inter-level-dielectric layer. Each interconnect wiring layer includes interconnecting metal features and a layer of inter-level-dielectric material covering the interconnecting metal features. The plurality of interconnect wiring layers are provided in a manner that there are N levels of wiring layers in the peripheral region and 1 to (N−1) levels of wiring layers over the pixel array. An etch-stop layer is formed over the top-most level interconnecting metal features in the peripheral region. | 07-30-2009 |
20090294886 | METHOD OF MAKING WAFER STRUCTURE FOR BACKSIDE ILLUMINATED COLOR IMAGE SENSOR - An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device can include a substrate; a first radiation-sensing element disposed over a first portion of the substrate; and a second radiation-sensing element disposed over a second portion of the substrate. The first portion comprises a first radiation absorption characteristic, and the second portion comprises a second radiation absorption characteristic different from the first radiation absorption characteristic. | 12-03-2009 |
20100213431 | Treated Chalcogenide Layer for Semiconductor Devices - A phase change memory and a method of manufacture are provided. The phase change memory includes a layer of phase change material treated to increase the hydrophobic nature of the phase change material. The hydrophobic nature of the phase change material improves adhesion between the phase change material and an overlying mask layer. The phase change material may be treated, for example, with a plasma comprising N | 08-26-2010 |
20100248414 | METHOD OF WAFER BONDING - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a device substrate having a front side, a back side, and a first edge portion, forming a material layer over a portion of the front side of the device substrate, trimming the first edge portion, removing the material layer, bonding the front side of the device substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the device substrate from the back side, and trimming a second edge portion of the thinned device substrate. | 09-30-2010 |
20100248446 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF HOLDING A DEVICE - Provided is an apparatus and a method of holding a device. The apparatus includes a wafer chuck having first and second holes that extend therethrough, and a pressure control structure that can independently and selectively vary a fluid pressure in each of the first and second holes between pressures above and below an ambient pressure. The method includes providing a wafer chuck having first and second holes that extend therethrough, and independently and selectively varying a fluid pressure in each of the first and second holes between pressures above and below an ambient pressure. | 09-30-2010 |
20110177668 | METHOD OF MAKING A THIN FILM RESISTOR - A method of making a thin film resistor includes: forming a doped region in a semiconductor substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate; forming a thin film resistor over the dielectric layer; forming a contact hole in the dielectric layer before annealing the thin film resistor, wherein the contact hole exposes a portion of the doped region; and performing rapid thermal annealing on the thin film resistor after forming the contact hole. | 07-21-2011 |
20110183460 | Light Shield for CMOS Imager - System and method for providing a light shield for a CMOS imager is provided. The light shield comprises a structure formed above a point between a photo-sensitive element and adjacent circuitry. The structure is formed of a light-blocking material, such as a metal, metal alloy, metal compound, or the like, formed in dielectric layers over the photo-sensitive elements. | 07-28-2011 |
20110318898 | HARD MASK FOR THIN FILM RESISTOR MANUFACTURE - Methods of fabricating an integrated circuit device, such as a thin film resistor, are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a resistive layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming a hard mask layer over the resistive layer, wherein the hard mask layer includes a barrier layer over the resistive layer and a dielectric layer over the barrier layer; and forming an opening in the hard mask layer that exposes a portion of the resistive layer. | 12-29-2011 |
20120132921 | REDUCING WAFER DISTORTION THROUGH A HIGH CTE LAYER - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having opposite first and second sides. At least one of the first and second sides includes a silicon ( | 05-31-2012 |
20120138945 | REDUCING WAFER DISTORTION THROUGH A LOW CTE LAYER - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first layer on a first side of a first silicon wafer. The first silicon wafer has a second side opposite the first side. The first layer has a coefficient-of-thermal-expansion (CTE) that is lower than that of silicon. The method includes bonding the first wafer to a second silicon wafer in a manner so that the first layer is disposed in between the first and second silicon wafers. The method includes removing a portion of the first silicon wafer from the second side. The method includes forming a second layer over the second side of the first silicon wafer. The second layer has a CTE higher than that of silicon. | 06-07-2012 |
20120149176 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A III-V FAMILY LAYER - Provided is an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a first deposition component that is operable to form a compound over a semiconductor wafer, the compound including at least one of: a III-family element and a V-family element; a second deposition component that is operable to form a passivation layer over the compound; and a transfer component that is operable to move the semiconductor wafer between the first and second deposition components, the transfer component enclosing a space that contains substantially no oxygen and substantially no silicon; wherein the loading component, the first and second deposition components, and the transfer component are all integrated into a single fabrication tool. | 06-14-2012 |
20120168911 | SILICON WAFER STRENGTH ENHANCEMENT - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes: receiving a silicon wafer that contains oxygen; forming a zone in the silicon wafer, the zone being substantially depleted of oxygen; causing a nucleation process to take place in the silicon wafer to form oxygen nuclei in a region of the silicon wafer outside the zone; and growing the oxygen nuclei into defects. Also provided is an apparatus that includes a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer includes: a first portion that is substantially free of oxygen, the first portion being disposed near a surface of the silicon wafer; and a second portion that contains oxygen; wherein the second portion is at least partially surrounded by the first portion. | 07-05-2012 |
20120211759 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO REDUCE WAFER WARP FOR GALLIUM NITRIDE ON SILICON WAFER - The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric material layer on a silicon substrate, the dielectric material layer being patterned to define a plurality of regions separated by the dielectric material layer; a first buffer layer disposed on the silicon substrate; a heterogeneous buffer layer disposed on the first buffer layer; and a gallium nitride layer grown on the heterogeneous buffer layer only within the plurality of regions. | 08-23-2012 |
20120238076 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a III-V Family Layer - Provided is an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a first deposition component that is operable to form a compound over a semiconductor wafer, the compound including at least one of: a III-family element and a V-family element; a second deposition component that is operable to form a passivation layer over the compound; and a transfer component that is operable to move the semiconductor wafer between the first and second deposition components, the transfer component enclosing a space that contains substantially no oxygen and substantially no silicon; wherein the loading component, the first and second deposition components, and the transfer component are all integrated into a single fabrication tool. | 09-20-2012 |
20130075837 | TECHNIQUE FOR SMOOTHING AN INTERFACE BETWEEN LAYERS OF A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - The present disclosure provides a semiconductor memory device. The device includes a pinning layer having an anti-ferromagnetic material and disposed over a first electrode; a pinned layer disposed over the pinning layer; a composite layer disposed over the pinned layer, the composite layer having a magnetic material randomly distributed in a non-magnetic material; a barrier layer disposed on the composite layer; a free layer disposed over the barrier layer; and a second electrode disposed over the free layer. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075838 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR A MRAM DEVICE WITH A BILAYER PASSIVATION - The present disclosure provides a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device. The MRAM device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack on a substrate; and a dual-layer passivation layer disposed around the MTJ stack. The dual-layer passivation layer includes an oxygen-free film formed adjacent sidewalls of the MTJ stack; and a moisture-blocking film formed around the oxygen-free film. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075839 | STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR A MRAM DEVICE WITH AN OXYGEN ABSORBING CAP LAYER - The present disclosure provides a MTJ stack for an MRAM device. The MTJ stack includes a pinned ferromagnetic layer over a pinning layer; a tunneling barrier layer over the pinned ferromagnetic layer; a free ferromagnetic layer over the tunneling barrier layer; a conductive oxide layer over the free ferromagnetic layer; and a oxygen-based cap layer over the conductive oxide layer. | 03-28-2013 |
20130078783 | FORMING A PROTECTIVE FILM ON A BACK SIDE OF A SILICON WAFER IN A III-V FAMILY FABRICATION PROCESS - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first surface and a second surface of a silicon substrate. the first and second surfaces being opposite surfaces. A first portion of the first dielectric layer covers the first surface of the substrate, and a second portion of the first dielectric layer covers the second surface of the substrate. The method includes forming openings that extend into the substrate from the first surface. The method includes filling the openings with a second dielectric layer. The method includes removing the first portion of the first dielectric layer without removing the second portion of the first dielectric layer. | 03-28-2013 |
20130095642 | JUNCTION LEAKAGE REDUCTION THROUGH IMPLANTATION - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first III-V family layer over a substrate. The first III-V family layer includes a surface having a first surface morphology. The method includes performing an ion implantation process to the first III-V family layer through the surface. The ion implantation process changes the first surface morphology into a second surface morphology. After the ion implantation process is performed, the method includes forming a second III-V family layer over the first III-V family layer. The second III-V family layer has a material composition different from that of the first III-V family layer. | 04-18-2013 |
20130099283 | III-V Multi-Channel FinFETs - A device includes insulation regions over portions of a semiconductor substrate, and a III-V compound semiconductor region over top surfaces of the insulation regions, wherein the III-V compound semiconductor region overlaps a region between opposite sidewalls of the insulation regions. The III-V compound semiconductor region includes a first and a second III-V compound semiconductor layer formed of a first III-V compound semiconductor material having a first band gap, and a third III-V compound semiconductor layer formed of a second III-V compound semiconductor material between the first and the second III-V compound semiconductor layers. The second III-V compound semiconductor material has a second band gap lower than the first band gap. A gate dielectric is formed on a sidewall and a top surface of the III-V compound semiconductor region. A gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric. | 04-25-2013 |
20130344640 | Method of Making Wafer Structure for Backside Illuminated Color Image Sensor - An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device can include a substrate; a first radiation-sensing element disposed over a first portion of the substrate; and a second radiation-sensing element disposed over a second portion of the substrate. The first portion comprises a first radiation absorption characteristic, and the second portion comprises a second radiation absorption characteristic different from the first radiation absorption characteristic. | 12-26-2013 |
20140014967 | Diffusion Barrier Layer for Group III Nitride on Silicon Substrate - The present disclosure is directed to an integrated circuit and its formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a diffusion barrier layer. The diffusion barrier layer can be arranged to prevent diffusion of the Si and O | 01-16-2014 |
20140042446 | HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A source feature and a drain feature are in contact with the second III-V compound layer. A n-type doped region underlies each source feature and drain feature in the second III-V compound layer. A p-type doped region underlies each n-type doped region in the first III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. | 02-13-2014 |
20140183598 | HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A dielectric passivation layer is disposed on the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed on the second III-V compound layer, and extend through the dielectric passivation layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. The gate electrode has an exterior surface. An oxygen containing region is embedded at least in the second III-V compound layer under the gate electrode. A gate dielectric layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is under the gate electrode and on the oxygen containing region. The second portion is on a portion of the exterior surface of the gate electrode. | 07-03-2014 |
20140191240 | High Electron Mobility Transistor and Method of Forming the Same - A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer having a first band gap, and a second III-V compound layer having a second band gap over the first III-V compound layer. The second band gap is smaller than the first band gap. The HEMT further includes a third III-V compound layer having a third band gap over the second III-V compound layer, wherein the third band gap is greater than the first band gap. A gate electrode is formed over the third III-V compound layer. A source region and a drain region are over the third III-V compound layer and on opposite sides of the gate electrode. | 07-10-2014 |
20140203289 | High Electron Mobility Transistors - The present disclosure relates to a donor layer of bi-layer AlGaN and associated method of fabrication within a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) configured to provide low-resistance ohmic source and drain contacts to reduce power consumption, while maintaining a high-mobility of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) within a channel of the HEMT. The donor layer of bi-layer AlGaN comprises a mobility-enhancing layer of Al | 07-24-2014 |
20140209918 | Thick ALN Inter-Layer for III-Nitride Layer on Silicon Substrate - The present disclosure relates to a gallium-nitride (GaN) transistor device having a composite gallium nitride layer with alternating layers of GaN and aluminum nitride (AlN). In some embodiments, the GaN transistor device has a first GaN layer disposed above a semiconductor substrate. An AlN inter-layer is disposed on the first GaN layer. A second GaN layer is disposed on the AlN inter-layer. The AlN inter-layer allows for the thickness of the GaN layer to be increased over continuous GaN layers, mitigating bowing and cracking of the GaN substrate, while improving the breakdown voltage of the disclosed GaN device. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209920 | High Electron Mobility Transistor Structure - The present disclosure relates to a channel layer of bi-layer of gallium nitride (GaN) within a HEMT. A first breakdown voltage layer of GaN is disposed beneath an active layer of the HEMT. A second breakdown voltage layer of GaN is disposed beneath the first breakdown voltage layer, wherein the first resistivity value is less than the second resistivity value. An increased resistivity of the second breakdown voltage layer results from an increased concentration of carbon dopants which increases the breakdown voltage in the second breakdown voltage layer, but can degrade the crystal structure. To alleviate this degradation, a crystal adaptation layer is disposed beneath the second breakdown voltage layer and configured to lattice-match to the second breakdown voltage layer of GaN. As a result, the HEMT achieves a high breakdown voltage without any associated degradation to the first breakdown voltage layer, wherein a channel of the HEMT resides. | 07-31-2014 |
20140231816 | HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer having a first band gap, and a second III-V compound layer having a second band gap over the first III-V compound layer. The second band gap is greater than the first band gap. A crystalline interfacial layer is overlying and in contact with the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric is over the crystalline interfacial layer. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. A source region and a drain region are over the second III-V compound layer, and are on opposite sides of the gate electrode. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239306 | HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed on the second III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A fluorine region is embedded in the second III-V compound layer under the gate electrode. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed on top of the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric layer is disposed over the second III-V compound layer. The gate dielectric layer has a fluorine segment on the fluorine region and under at least a portion of the gate electrode. | 08-28-2014 |
20140242759 | REDUCING WAFER DISTORTION THROUGH A HIGH CTE LAYER - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having opposite first and second sides. At least one of the first and second sides includes a silicon ( | 08-28-2014 |
20140242768 | REDUCING WAFER DISTORTION THROUGH A HIGH CTE LAYER - Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having opposite first and second sides. At least one of the first and second sides includes a silicon (111) surface. The method includes forming a high coefficient-of-thermal-expansion (CTE) layer on the first side of the silicon substrate. The high CTE layer has a CTE greater than the CTE of silicon. The method includes forming a buffer layer over the second side of the silicon substrate. The buffer layer has a CTE greater than the CTE of silicon. The method includes forming a III-V family layer over the buffer layer. The III-V family layer has a CTE greater than the CTE of the buffer layer. | 08-28-2014 |
20140319583 | High Electron Mobility Transistor and Method of Forming the Same - A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer having a first band gap, and a second III-V compound layer having a second band gap over the first III-V compound layer. The second band gap is greater than the first band gap. A crystalline interfacial layer is overlying and in contact with the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric is over the crystalline interfacial layer. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. A source region and a drain region are over the second III-V compound layer, and are on opposite sides of the gate electrode. | 10-30-2014 |
20140374879 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH BACKSIDE STRUCTURES TO REDUCE SUBSTRATE WRAP - Wafer bowing induced by deep trench capacitors is ameliorated by structures formed on the reverse side of the wafer. The structures on the reverse side include tensile films. The films can be formed within trenches on the back side of the wafer, which enhances their effect. In some embodiments, the wafers are used to form 3D-IC devices. In some embodiments, the 3D-IC device includes a high voltage or high power circuit. | 12-25-2014 |
20140374880 | DEEP TRENCH CAPACITOR - The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a capacitor structure, including depositing a plurality of first polysilicon (POLY) layers of uniform thickness separated by a plurality of oxide/nitride/oxide (ONO) layers over a bottom and sidewalls of a recess and substrate surface. A second POLY layer is deposited over the plurality of first POLY layers, is separated by an ONO layer, and fills a remainder of the recess. Portions of the second POLY layer and the second ONO layer are removed with a first chemical-mechanical polish (CMP). A portion of each of the plurality of first POLY layers and the first ONO layers on the surface which are not within a doped region of the capacitor structure are removed with a first pattern and etch process such that a top surface of each of the plurality of first POLY layers is exposed for contact formation. | 12-25-2014 |
20150021667 | High Electron Mobility Transistor and Method of Forming the Same - A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed on the second III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A fluorine region is embedded in the second III-V compound layer under the gate electrode. A diffusion barrier layer is disposed on top of the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric layer is disposed over the second III-V compound layer. The gate dielectric layer has a fluorine segment on the fluorine region and under at least a portion of the gate electrode. | 01-22-2015 |
20150054055 | Silicon Dot Formation by Self-Assembly Method and Selective Silicon Growth for Flash Memory - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of holes within the polymer matrix. An etch is then performed through the holes utilizing the polymer matrix as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of holes in a dielectric layer disposed over a seed layer disposed over the substrate surface. Epitaxial deposition onto the seed layer then utilized to grow a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within the dielectric layer. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054059 | Silicon Dot Formation by Direct Self-Assembly Method for Flash Memory - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements comprising a substantially equal size within a memory cell. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first or second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of micro-domains or the polymer matrix with a pattern of holes, which may be utilized as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of discrete storage elements through an etch, ion implant technique, or a combination thereof. | 02-26-2015 |
20150069541 | Perpendicular Magnetic Random-Access Memory (MRAM) Formation by Direct Self-Assembly Method - Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells with a minimum dimension below the lower resolution limit of some optical lithography techniques. A copolymer solution comprising first and second polymer species is spin-coated over a heterostructure which resides over a surface of a substrate. The heterostructure comprises first and second ferromagnetic layers which are separated by an insulating layer. The copolymer solution is subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material comprising a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix comprising the first polymer species. The first polymer species is then removed, leaving a pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species. A pattern of magnetic memory cells within the heterostructure is formed by etching through the heterostructure while utilizing the pattern of micro-domains as a hardmask. | 03-12-2015 |
20150072505 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF HOLDING A DEVICE - Provided is an apparatus and a method of holding a device. The apparatus includes a wafer chuck having first and second holes that extend therethrough, and a pressure control structure that can independently and selectively vary a fluid pressure in each of the first and second holes between pressures above and below an ambient pressure. The method includes providing a wafer chuck having first and second holes that extend therethrough, and independently and selectively varying a fluid pressure in each of the first and second holes between pressures above and below an ambient pressure. | 03-12-2015 |
20150087118 | METHOD OF FORMING A HIGH ELECTRON MOBILITY TRANSISTOR - A method of forming a high electron mobility transistor may include: forming a second III-V compound layer on a first III-V compound layer, the second III-V compound layer and the first III-V compound layer differing in composition; forming a p-type doped region in the first III-V compound layer; forming an n-type doped region in the second III-V compound layer, the n-type doped region overlying the p-type doped region; forming a source feature over the second III-V compound layer, the source feature overlying the n-type doped region; and forming a gate electrode over the second III-V compound layer, the gate electrode disposed laterally adjacent to the source feature. | 03-26-2015 |