Patent US6049101A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6049101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Processing methods of forming a capacitor, and capacitor construction
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-06
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Granted: 2000-04-11
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Expires: 2018-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Capacitors and methods of forming capacitors are described. According to one implementation, a capacitor opening is formed over a substrate node location. Electrically conductive material is subsequently formed within the capacitor opening and makes an electrical connection with the node location. A protuberant insulative structure is formed within the capacitor opening and includes a lateral outer surface at least a portion of which is supported by and extends elevationally below adjacent conductive material. First and second capacitor plates and a dielectric layer therebetween are formed within the capacitor opening and supported by the protuberant structure. In one aspect, the conductive material is formed to occupy less than all of the capacitor opening and to leave a void therewithin, with the protuberant structure substantially, if not completely filling in the void. In another aspect, the conductive material is formed to occupy less than all of the capacitor opening and to leave a void therewithin, with the protuberant structure only partially filling in the void to provide a tubular structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Graettinger
- 👤 Paul J. Schuele
- 👤 Pierre C. Fazan
- 👤 Li Li
- 👤 Zhiqiang Wu
- 👤 Kunal R. Parekh
- 👤 Thomas Arthur Figura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D1/00; H10D1/01; H10D1/041; H10D1/042; H10B; H10B12/00; H10B12/01; H10B12/02; H10B12/03; H10B12/033; H10B12/30; H10B12/31; H10B12/318; H10D1/60; H10D1/68; H10D1/692; H10D1/711; H10D1/712; H10D1/716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A capacitor comprising: a substrate node location; a layer comprising insulative material disposed over the substrate node location; an opening through said layer over said substrate node location and defining a capacitor opening; conductive material disposed within said opening and in electrical connection with said node location, said conductive material filling less than an entirety of said capacitor opening and having a conductive material upper surface; a protuberant structure comprising insulative material at least a portion of which extends elevationally below and outwardly from said conductive material upper surface; a first capacitor plate structure disposed within said capacitor opening and over at least a portion of said protuberant structure; a capacitor dielectric layer disposed operably adjacent said first capacitor plate structure; and a second capacitor plate structure disposed operably adjacent said capacitor dielectric layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A capacitor comprising: a substrate node location; a layer comprising insulative material disposed over the substrate node location; an opening through said layer over said substrate node location and defining a capacitor opening; conductive material disposed within said opening and in electrical connection with said node location, said conductive material filling less than an entirety of said capacitor opening and having a conductive material upper surface; a protuberant structure comprising insulative material at least a portion of which extends elevationally below and outwardly from said conductive material upper surface; a first capacitor plate structure disposed within said capacitor opening and over at least a portion of said protuberant structure; a capacitor dielectric layer disposed operably adjacent said first capacitor plate structure; and a second capacitor plate structure disposed operably adjacent said capacitor dielectric layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein said protuberant structure constitutes a generally solid column of insulative material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said protuberant structure is tubular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of said protuberant structure is tubular, said protuberant structure having an interior surface at least a portion of which supports said first capacitor plate structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein said protuberant structure defines an elongate column of insulative material having a generally non-circular transverse cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein the conductive material upper surface is generally planar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein the protuberant structure is generally tubular and includes an inner surface, and the conductive material upper surface includes a portion which is generally planar laterally proximate the inner surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein the protuberant structure is generally tubular and includes an inner surface, and the conductive material upper surface includes a portion which is generally non-planar laterally inwardly of the inner surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The storage capacitor of claim 1, wherein the protuberant structure is generally tubular and includes an inner surface, and the conductive material upper surface includes portions which are generally planar laterally inwardly and laterally outwardly of the inner surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A capacitor comprising: a substrate node location; a layer comprising insulative material disposed over the substrate node location; an opening through said layer over said substrate node location and defining a capacitor opening; conductive material disposed within said opening and in electrical connection with said node location, said conductive material filling less than an entirety of said capacitor opening and having an upper substantially planar surface extending from one side of the capacitor opening to an opposing side of the capacitor opening; a protuberant structure comprising insulative material and having a lateral outer surface at least a portion of which is supported by and extends elevationally below adjacent electrically conductive material; a first capacitor plate structure disposed within said capacitor opening and over at least a portion of said protuberant structure, at least some of the first capacitor plate structure being supported by the protuberant structure; a capacitor dielectric layer disposed operably adjacent said first capacitor plate structure; and a second capacitor plate structure disposed operably adjacent said capacitor dielectric layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
A capacitor comprising: a substrate node location; a layer comprising insulative material disposed over the substrate node location; an opening through said layer over said substrate node location and defining a capacitor opening; conductive material disposed within said opening and in electrical connection with said node location, said conductive material filling less than an entirety of said capacitor opening and having an upper substantially planar surface extending from one side of the capacitor opening to an opposing side of the capacitor opening; a protuberant structure comprising insulative material and having a lateral outer surface at least a portion of which is supported by and extends elevationally below adjacent electrically conductive material; a first capacitor plate structure disposed within said capacitor opening and over at least a portion of said protuberant structure, at least some of the first capacitor plate structure being supported by the protuberant structure; a capacitor dielectric layer disposed operably adjacent said first capacitor plate structure; and a second capacitor plate structure disposed operably adjacent said capacitor dielectric layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-11 | 2003-10-11 | 2004-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-10-11 | 2008-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-11 | 2011-10-11 | 2012-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |