IP Library Granted Patent US 7,968,394
Granted Patent B2
US 7,968,394 · App. 11/311,587 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Transistor with immersed contacts and methods of forming thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,968,394
App. No.
11/311,587
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method includes forming a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure includes a first current electrode region, a second current electrode region, and a channel region, the channel region is located between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, wherein the channel region is located in a fin structure of the semiconductor structure, wherein a carrier transport in the channel region is generally in a horizontal direction between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region. The method further includes forming a first contact, wherein forming the first contact includes removing a first portion of the semiconductor structure to form an opening, wherein the opening is in the first current electrode region and forming contact material in the opening.

Claims (59)

1. A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising:

forming a semiconductor structure on a substrate, wherein the semiconductor structure comprises a first current electrode region, a second current electrode region, and a fin structure between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, wherein a channel region is located in the fin structure, and a carrier transport in the channel region is generally in a horizontal direction between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region;

forming a gate structure over the fin structure and the substrate;

forming a first contact within the gate structure, wherein forming the first contact includes:

removing a first portion of the gate structure to form a first opening in the gate structure that extends from a top of the gate structure to the substrate, and

forming contact material in the first opening to form the first contact within the gate structure, wherein sidewalls of the first contact are completely surrounded by the gate structure, and

wherein the first contact is electrically coupled to the gate structure.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

forming a second contact within the first current electrode region, wherein forming a second contact includes:

removing a second portion of the first current electrode region to form a second opening in the first current electrode region that extends from a top of the first current electrode region to the substrate; and

forming contact material in the second opening to form the second contact within the first current electrode region, wherein sidewalls of the second contact are completely surrounded by the first current electrode region and the second contact is electrically coupled to the first current electrode region.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming contact material in the first opening further includes:

forming a barrier layer material in the first opening; and

forming a second material in the first opening subsequent to forming the barrier layer material.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing a first portion of the gate structure further includes:

forming a layer of dielectric material over the gate structure;

etching a second opening in the layer of dielectric material; and

etching the first portion of the gate structure through the second opening to remove the first portion of the gate structure.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first opening is defined by a sidewall of the gate structure, the method further comprising:

forming a silicide on the sidewall prior to forming contact material in the first opening.

6. A method comprising:

forming a semiconductor structure on a substrate, the semiconductor structure includes a first current electrode region, a second current electrode region, a gate, and a channel region, the channel region is located between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, wherein the channel region is located in a fin structure of the semiconductor structure, wherein a carrier transport in the channel region is generally in a horizontal direction between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region; and

forming a first contact, wherein forming the first contact includes:

removing a first portion of the gate to form a first opening, wherein the first opening extends from a top of the gate to the substrate; and

forming contact material in the opening to form the first contact within the gate, wherein sidewalls of the first contact are completely surrounded by the gate.

7. A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising:

forming a gate structure on a substrate; and

forming a first contact, wherein forming the first contact includes:

removing a first portion of the gate structure to form a first opening in the gate structure that extends from a top of the gate structure to the substrate; and

forming contact material in the first opening to form the first contact within the gate structure, wherein sidewalls of the first contact are completely surrounded by the gate structure;

wherein the first contact is electrically coupled to the gate structure.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the substrate is an insulator, and wherein removing the first portion includes removing material of the gate structure to expose the insulator.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first contact has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein removing a first portion further includes:

forming a layer of dielectric material over the gate structure;

etching a second opening in the layer of dielectric material; and

etching the first portion of the gate structure through the second opening to remove the first portion.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor device further comprises:

a first current electrode region;

a second current electrode region; and

a channel region between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, the channel region located in a fin structure, wherein a carrier transport in the channel region is generally in a horizontal direction between the first current electrode region and the second current electrode region, and the gate structure overlies the fin structure.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

forming a second contact, wherein forming a second contact includes:

removing a second portion of the first current electrode region to form a second opening in the first current electrode region; and

forming contact material in the second opening;

wherein the second contact is electrically coupled to the first current electrode region.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first contact has a tapered cross-sectional shape having a first width at a top of the first contact and a second width at a bottom of the first contact.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the first portion of the gate structure further includes:

forming a layer of dielectric material over the gate structure;

etching a third opening in the layer of dielectric material; and

etching the first portion of the gate structure through the third opening to remove the first portion of the gate structure.

15. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

forming a third contact within the second current electrode region, wherein forming a third contact includes:

removing a third portion of the second current electrode region to form a third opening in the second current electrode region that extends from a top of the second current electrode region to the substrate; and

forming contact material in the third opening to form the third contact within the second current electrode region, wherein sidewalls of the third contact are completely surrounded by the second current electrode region and the third contact is electrically coupled to the second current electrode region.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

forming a third contact, wherein forming a third contact includes:

removing a third portion of the second current electrode region to form a third opening in the second current electrode region that extends from a top of the second current electrode region to the substrate; and

forming contact material in the third opening, wherein sidewalls of the third contact are completely surrounded by the second current electrode region and the third contact is electrically coupled to the second current electrode region.

Assignments (21)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE LISTED CHANGE OF NAME SHOULD BE MERGER AND CHANGE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040652 FRAME: 0180. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041354/0148 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040652/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037354/0225 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0553 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024397/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024085/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 2, 2007
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.; FREESCALE ACQUISITION CORPORATION; FREESCALE ACQUISITION HOLDINGS CORP.; FREESCALE HOLDINGS (BERMUDA) III, LTD.
To: CITIBANK, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
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