Patent · US Active

Methods of forming semiconductor devices and structures with improved planarization, uniformity

US9082966B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 2013
Grant dateJul 14, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10N70/8828
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Semiconductor devices and structures, such as phase change memory devices, include peripheral conductive pads coupled to peripheral conductive contacts in a peripheral region. An array region may include memory cells coupled to conductive lines. Methods of forming such semiconductor devices and structures include removing memory cell material from a peripheral region and, thereafter, selectively removing portions of the memory cell material from the array region to define individual memory cells in the array region. Additional methods include planarizing the structure using peripheral conductive pads and/or spacer material over the peripheral conductive pads as a planarization stop material. Yet further methods include partially defining memory cells in the array region, thereafter forming peripheral conductive contacts, and thereafter fully defining the memory cells.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.