Method of making semiconductor device having an insulating film positioned between two similarly shaped conductive films

Abstract

A plurality of conductive films are formed on a semiconductor substrate with an insulating film sandwiched between the adjacent conductive films, and at least two of the plurality of conductive films are patterned simultaneously in the same shape. Selected ones of the plurality of conductive films are connected through viaholes formed in the insulating film to the semiconductor substrate. High-resistance elements, capacity elements or thin-film transistors are formed by using the selected ones of the plurality of conductive films. Thus, mask superposing allowances are made unnecessary in fabricating a semiconductor device, and the number of processes for fabricating the semiconductor device is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. More specifically, the invention relates to a semiconductor device including a plurality of transistors, and a plurality of load or capacitance elements, and a method of fabricating the same.

BACKGROUND ART

A static random-access memory (hereinafter abbreviated to “SRAM”) will be described as an example of conventional semiconductor devices. A conventional flip-flop SRAM cell comprises two load elements and four n-channel MOS transistors, as described in JP-B No. 7-112014, and T. Yamanaka, T. Hashimoto et al. “A 25 μm 2 , New poly-Si PMOS Load (PPL) SRAM Cell Having Excellent Soft Error Immunity”, IEDM '88.

FIG. 75 illustrates an equivalent circuit of a conventional flip-flop SRAM cell, wherein the drain D of each of a pair of drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 is connected to the gate electrode G of the other. Load elements, for example, load resistors R 1 and R 2 of high-resistance polysilicon, are connected to the drains D of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 . The sources S of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are maintained at a predetermined potential, for example a ground potential, and a supply voltage VCC is applied to the other ends of the load resistors R 1 and R 2 . Supply voltage Vcc supplies a small current to a flip-flop circuit including the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 , and the load resistors R 1 and R 2 . Access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected to storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . The four MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 , and the two load resistors R 1 and R 2 constitute a cell of one bit. In FIG. 75 , reference numeral 10 a represents a word line and reference numerals 50 a and 50 b represent bit lines.

FIG. 76 is an equivalent circuit of a flip-flop SRAM cell provided with thin-film transistors (“TFTs”) as load elements. Generally, load elements are high-resistance polysilicon resistors or thin-film transistors.

The prior art will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 77 to 86 . FIGS. 77 to 81 illustrate the structure of a conventional SRAM cell of a highresistance load type for one bit and a method of fabricating the same. FIGS. 77 to 80 show a planar layout of each layer forming a SRAM cell for one bit. FIG. 81 is a sectional view taken on line Y 1 -Y 2 of FIGS. 77 to 80 .

FIG. 77 is a planar layout of access MOS transistors and drive MOS transistors, including a first conductive film serving as a gate electrode. FIG. 78 is a pattern of a second conductive film of high-resistance polysilicon formed in part of a polysilicon film. FIG. 79 is a pattern of a third conductive film. FIG. 80 is a pattern of a fourth conductive film forming aluminum lines.

Referring to FIG. 77 , a word line 10 a formed by patterning a first conductive film serves as a common gate shared by access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 . The drains 6 a and 6 b , i.e., diffused layers, of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected through viaholes 21 a and 21 b to members 30 a and 30 b of a third conductive film, as shown in FIGS. 79 and 81 . The drains 6 a and 6 b are also connected through viaholes 42 a and 42 b to bit lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., portions of a fourth conductive film of aluminum or the like as shown in FIGS. 80 and 81 .

The gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of drive MOS transistors T 2 and T 1 are connected through viaholes 5 a and 5 c to the sources 6 c and 6 d of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , respectively. The sources of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are connected through viaholes 21 c and 21 d by a third conductive film 30 c as shown in FIG. 79. A ground potential VSS is applied through the third conductive film 30 c to the sources of all the drive MOS transistors of the SRAM.

The sources 6 c and 6 d, i.e., diffused layers, of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected through viaholes 12 a and 12 b to low-resistance polysilicon films 20 a and 20 b , and to resistors, i.e., high-resistance films, 20 R 1 and 20 R 2 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 78 . As shown in FIG. 78 , a second conductive film 20 c forms a power feed line for applying a supply voltage VCC to high-resistance elements R 1 and R 2 .

FIGS. 82 to 86 illustrate the structure of the one cell for one bit of the conventional SRAM of a TFT load type shown in FIG. 76 . FIGS. 82 to 85 show the planar layout of each cell in different phases of the fabricating process. FIG. 86 is a sectional view taken on line Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 82 to 85 .

FIG. 82 is a planar layout of access MOS transistors and drive MOS transistors including a first conductive film forming gate electrodes. FIG. 83 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as a lower gate electrode of a TFT. FIG. 84 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as a channel of the TFT. FIG. 85 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

Referring to FIG. 82 , a word line 10 a is a common gate shared by access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 . The drain 6 b , i.e., a diffused layer, of the access MOS transistor T 4 is connected through a viahole 32 b to a fourth conductive film 40 b . The drain 6 b is also connected through a viahole 41 b to bit lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film as shown in FIGS. 85 and 86 . Similarly, the drain 6 a , i.e., a diffused layer, of the access MOS transistor T 3 is connected through a viahole 32 a to a fourth conductive film 40 a . The drain 6 a is also connected through a viahole 41 a to the bit lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning the fifth conductive film.

The sources 6 c and 6 d of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected through viaholes 5 a and 5 c to the gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of drive MOS transistors T 2 and T 1 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 82 . The sources of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are interconnected by a diffused region, as shown in FIG. 82. A first conductive film 10 d is connected to the sources of all the drive MOS transistors of the SRAM to apply a ground potential VSS to the sources.

TFTs T 5 and T 6 , i.e., load elements, comprise lower gate electrodes 20 a and 20 b formed by patterning a second conductive film of polysilicon (as shown in FIGS. 83 and 86 ), a second insulating film 21 serving as a gate oxide film (as shown in FIG. 86 ), and polysilicon channels 30 a and 30 b formed by patterning a third conductive film (as shown in FIGS. 84 and 86 ).

As shown in FIGS. 82 to 86 , nodes N 1 and N 2 , i.e., the diffused sources of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , are connected through viaholes 12 a and 21 a and viaholes 12 b and 21 b to channel layers 30 a and 30 b formed by patterning a third conductive film, respectively. The opposite ends of the channel layers 30 a and 30 b are low-resistance polysilicon. The other end of the low-resistance polysilicon layer serves as a power feed line for feeding power of a supply voltage VCC.

The foregoing conventional SRAM cell has the following problems.

When forming the high-resistance polysilicon layer to be used as load elements and the TFTs in a layered structure on a memory cell, the high-resistance polysilicon layer and the TFTs are connected through the viaholes 5 a and 5 b to the gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 . Misalignment of masks (masks for forming the gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 and the viaholes 12 a and 12 b , and masks for forming the viaholes 12 a and 12 b and the load elements) for forming the viaholes 5 a and 5 b and the gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 , results in an increase in the dimensions of those components (hereinafter referred to as “CD gains”) and/or decrease in the dimensions of those components (hereinafter referred to as “CD losses”). Therefore, when laying out the cells, sufficiently large superposing allowances must be secured. Such large superposing allowances increases the total member of the memory chip.

Trace uranium (U) and trace thorium (Th) contained in a ceramic material or a resin for packaging a memory chip, and in the material forming the wiring lines, emit alpha rays when they decay. If alpha rays penetrate the memory chip, electron-hole pairs are produced along the paths of alpha particles, and the potentials of the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 are varied by the electron-hole pairs. Consequently, a “soft error” occurs, resulting in the loss of information stored in the memory cells.

Recently, soft error problems attributable to cosmic alpha rays have been reported. Neutrons are produced when cosmic alpha rays collide with the atmosphere. If the neutrons produced collide with Si nuclei in the memory chip, charged particles (including protons, alpha particles and heavy ions) are produced and the Si nuclei move. Consequently, a large quantity of charges are produced and cause the potentials of the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 to destroy information stored in the memory cells. In the conventional SRAM cell, charges necessary for compensating a charge loss caused by alpha rays and neutrons can be stored by using the pn junction capacitance. The capacitance is produced between the n+diffused layer forming the drains of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 and the p-type silicon substrate, and using the capacitance of insulating films, such as the gate oxide film and the layer insulating film. However, if the member for the memory cell is reduced in size, charges sufficient for compensating the charge loss caused by alpha rays and neutrons cannot be stored. Therefore, the soft error rate increases and the reliability is deteriorated greatly if the SRAM cell of the conventional structure is miniaturized.

When forming the load elements of high-resistance polysilicon and TFTs in a stacked structure on the memory cell, the layers for forming the load elements and the components of the TFTs are processed by photolithographic processes and etching processes. Therefore, the SRAM cell needs an increased number of processes and hence the yield of the SRAM cell is reduced.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device capable of being formed in a small member, highly resistant to soft errors and requiring a smaller number of fabricating processes than the conventional semiconductor device, and to provide a method of fabricating such a semiconductor device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate. An underlying insulating film is formed over a major surface of said semiconductor substrate. A plurality of conductive films are formed on said underlying insulating film. Insulating films are formed between said plurality of conductive films. Further, at least two adjacent conductive films among said plurality of conductive films are interconnected through a viahole formed in said insulating film, and have the same planar shape.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, said conductive film formed directly on said underlying insulating film among said plurality of conductive films is connected to said semiconductor substrate through a viahole formed in said underlying insulating film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, at least one of said plurality of conductive films has a high-resistance region.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a first additional conductive film is formed on at least one of said plurality of conductive films with an insulating film formed therebetween, and a thin-film transistor is formed by said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films and said first additional conductive film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a gate electrode of said thin-film transistor is formed from said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films, and a channel of said thin-film transistor is formed from said first additional conductive film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a channel of said thin-film transistor is formed from said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films, and a gate electrode of said thin-film transistor is formed from said first additional conductive film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, said first additional conductive film is formed with an insulating film sandwiched between said first additional conductive film and said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films, and a second additional conductive film is connected to said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a channel of said thin-film transistor is formed from said first additional conductive film, and double gate electrodes are formed from said conductive film among said plurality of conductive films and said second additional conductive film connected to said former.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, said first additional conductive film and said second additional conductive film are the same in planar shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate. An underlying insulating film is formed over a major surface of said semiconductor substrate. A surface conductive film is formed on said underlying insulating film. A plurality of conductive films are formed on said insulating base film. Insulating films are formed between said plurality of conductive films. Further, at least two adjacent conductive films among said plurality of conductive films are the same in planar shape, and one of said two adjacent conductive films is connected through a viahole formed in said insulating film to said surface conductive film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, said surface conductive film is connected through a viahole formed in said underlying insulating film.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, at least one of said plurality of conductive films has a high-resistance region.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a gate electrode of a thin-film transistor is formed from one of said two conductive films, and a channel of said thin-film transistor is formed from said other conductive film.

In another aspect of the present invention, the semiconductor device further comprises a first additional conductive film formed so that one of said two conductive films is sandwiched between said first additional conductive film and said other conductive film with an insulating film sandwiched between said first additional conductive film and said one of said two conductive films.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the semiconductor device, a channel of a thin-film transistor is formed from one of said two conductive films, and double gate electrodes of said thin-film transistor are formed from said other conductive film and said first additional conductive film connected to said other conductive film.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, a first conductive film is formed on an underlying insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating film is formed on said first conductive film. An opening is formed through at least said first insulating film and said first conductive film. A second conductive film is formed on said first insulating film and in said opening. Further, said second conductive film, said first insulating film and said first conductive film are patterned in the same planar shape so as to include said opening.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate an exemplary structure and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the gate electrodes of MOS transistors and high-resistance elements.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a third conductive film.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on line X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively.

FIGS. 5 to 9 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 11 to 22 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell in a second embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first conductive film a second conductive film.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third conductive film.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 to 13 .

FIGS. 16 to 21 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 to 13 .

FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the second embodiment.

FIGS. 23 to 28 are views for explaining the structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a third embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are views for explaining the planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film forming aluminum wiring lines.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 , 23 and 24 .

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 23 and 24 .

FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the third embodiment.

FIGS. 29 to 34 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 29 is a planar layout of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 30 is a planar layout of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are sectional views showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 to 12 and 29 to 30 .

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 12 , 29 and 30 .

FIG. 34 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 35 to 41 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a fifth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 35 is a planar layout of a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs, and a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 36 is a planar layout of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are sectional views showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 , 35 and 36 .

FIGS. 39 to 40 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion corresponding to a section taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 35 and 36 .

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 42 to 53 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a sixth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 42 to 45 illustrate an exemplary planar lay out of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 42 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors.

FIG. 43 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs, and a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs.

FIG. 44 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs;.

FIG. 45 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 42 to 45 .

FIGS. 48 to 52 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 42 to 45 .

FIG. 53 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the sixth embodiment.

FIGS. 54 to 65 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 54 to 57 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 54 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors.

FIG. 55 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 56 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs, and a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 57 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 58 and 59 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 54 to 57 .

FIGS. 60 to 64 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 54 to 57 .

FIG. 65 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the seventh embodiment.

FIGS. 66 to 74 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a eighth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 66 to 68 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell.

FIG. 66 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, a second conductive film serving as the lower electrodes of TFTs, and a third conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 67 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs.

FIG. 68 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 69 and 70 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 66 to 68 .

FIGS. 71 to 73 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 66 to 68 .

FIG. 74 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 75 shows an equivalent circuit of the conventional flip-flop SRAM cell.

FIG. 76 is an equivalent circuit of a flip-flop SRAM cell provided with thin-film transistors as load elements.

FIGS. 77 to 81 illustrate an exemplary structure of a conventional SRAM cell of a high-resistance load type for one bit and a method of fabricating the same SRAM.

FIGS. 77 to 80 show a planar layout of each of layers forming a SRAM cell for one bit.

FIG. 77 is a planar layout of access MOS transistors and drive MOS transistors, including a first conductive film serving as a gate electrode.

FIG. 78 is a pattern of a second conductive film of high-resistance polysilicon formed in part of a polysilicon film.

FIG. 79 is a pattern of a third conductive film.

FIG. 80 is a pattern of a fourth conductive film forming aluminum lines.

FIG. 81 is a sectional view taken on line Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 77 to 80 .

FIGS. 82 to 86 illustrate an exemplary structure of the one cell for one bit of the conventional SRAM of a TFT load type shown in FIG. 76 , and a method of fabricating the same cell.

FIGS. 82 to 85 shows the planar layout of each cell in each of different phases of a fabricating process.

FIG. 82 is a planar layout of access MOS transistors and drive MOS transistors including a first conductive film forming gate electrodes.

FIG. 83 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as a lower gate electrode of a TFT.

FIG. 84 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as a channel of the TFT.

FIG. 85 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIG. 86 is a sectional view taken on line Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 82 to 85 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

SRAM cells as semiconductor devices in preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by the same reference characters.

First Embodiment

A SRAM cell in a first embodiment according to the present invention is provided with high-resistance elements as load elements and is featured by the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, and resistors are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape.

FIGS. 1 to 10 illustrate an exemplary structure and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the gate electrodes of MOS transistors formed by patterning a first conductive film, and high-resistance elements formed by patterning a second conductive film. FIG. 2 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a third conductive film.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on line X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. FIGS. 5 to 9 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the first embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the first embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 .

First, referring to FIG. 5 , a p-type well 2 (a portion of a semiconductor substrate) is formed by doping an n-type silicon substrate 1 of (100) planes having a resistivity of 10 ohm·cm as a workpiece with boron in an impurity concentration in the range of 1.0×10 15 to 1.0×10 17 atoms/cm 2 by ion implantation and thermal diffusion.

Then, 100-1000 nm thick silicon dioxide films 3 a , 3 b and 3 c are formed by a LOCOS process or the like to isolate regions for MOS transistors.

A resist mask 3 ′ is formed on the workpiece, and a region between the silicon dioxide films 3 b and 3 c , which serves as a portion of the source region of the access MOS transistor T 4 which is formed later, and underlies the first conductive film 10 c , is doped with atoms of an n-type impurity, such as arsenic atoms, by ion implantation to form an n+-type region, and then the resist mask 3 ′ is removed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6 , a 10-100 nm thick gate oxide film 4 (underlying insulating film) is formed on portions of the surface of the workpiece to be used as the active regions of MOS transistors.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first conductive film 10 (surface conductive film) of polysilicon containing an n-type impurity, such as phosphor, a metal silicide or a metal polycide is deposited on the surface of the workpiece, and then, a 100-1000 nm thick first layer insulating film 11 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited over the first conductive film 10 .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed through the first layer insulating film 11 , the first conductive film 10 and the gate oxide film 4 by photolithography and etching. Then, a second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the second conductive film 20 is doped with an n-type impurity, such as phosphorus, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 , the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously so as to include layer connection through the viaholes 12 a and 12 b by photolithography and etching to form first conductive film members 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d , and second conductive film members 20 a , 20 b , 20 c and 20 d.

The first conductive film member 10 a serves as a common gate electrode shared by the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , and a word line. The first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c serve as the gate electrodes of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 , respectively. The first conductive film member 10 d serves as the gate electrode of a access MOS transistor included in an adjacent memory cell.

The second conductive film members 20 a and 20 d serve as power feed lines, and the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c serve as the resistors 20 R 1 and 20 R 2 , respectively.

After the completion of the foregoing patterning process, atoms of an n-type impurity, such as arsenic, are ion-implanted using a mask formed by photolithography to form the source and drain regions of the MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 . At the same time, the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c excluding portions for the resistors 20 R 1 and 20 R 2 are formed in a low resistance.

As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Subsequently, viaholes 42 a to 43 e are formed in the insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick aluminum film is formed, and then the aluminum film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a to 50 d . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a power feed line and the aluminum wiring line 50 d is a grounding line.

A circuit formed in the memory cell thus fabricated will be described with reference to FIG. 10 , in which parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are designated by the same reference characters.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the first conductive film member 10 a serves as a common gate electrode shared by the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , and a word line.

The diffused drains 6 a and 6 b of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected through the viaholes 42 a and 42 b to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2 .

The source 6 c of the access MOS transistor T 3 is connected to the node N 1 by a diffused layer as shown in FIG. 1 , the node N 1 is connected through the viahole 12 a formed by etching a portion of the gate oxide film 4 to the first conductive film member 10 c as shown in FIG. 3 . An extension of the first conductive film member 10 c serves as the gate of the drive MOS transistor T 2 .

The node N 1 is connected through the viahole 12 a and also to the resistor 20 R 1 . The resistor 20 R 1 is connected through a viahole 42 c to the power feed line 50 c formed by etching the third conductive film. The power feed line 50 c is connected through the viahole 42 c to the power feed line 20 a , extending over the word line 10 a . A low current supplied from the supply voltage VCC of the power feed line 20 a flows through the power feed line 20 a and the resistor 20 R 1 to the diffused source 6 c of the access MOS transistor T 3 .

The second conductive film member 20 c , the first conductive film member 10 c , and the layer insulating film 11 form a capacitor C 1 to store charges in the diffused layer 6 c of the storage node N 1 .

The node N 1 is connected to the drain of the drive MOS transistor T 1 by a diffused layer.

The source 6 d of the access MOS transistor T 4 is connected to the node N 2 by a diffused layer, the node N 2 is connected through the viahole 12 b formed by etching a portion of the gate oxide film 4 to the first conductive film member 10 b , and an extension of the first conductive film member 10 b forms the gate of the drive MOS transistor T 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the node N 2 is connected to the resistor 20 R 2 . The resistor 20 R 2 is connected through a viahole 42 e to the power feed line 50 c as shown in FIG. 2 .

The node N 2 is connected also to the drain of the drive MOS transistor T 2 by a diffused layer.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the respective sources S of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are connected by a diffused region, and the diffused region is connected through a viahole 42 d to the aluminum wiring line 50 d . The aluminum wiring line 50 d is kept at a ground potential VSS and is connected to the sources of all the drive MOS transistors of the SRAM. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 10 is formed.

In the first embodiment, the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 , and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape so as to include the necessary layer connection. Superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, length and width of the memory cell can be reduced.

Since the viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed simultaneously through the first layer insulating film 11 , the first conductive film 10 and the gate oxide film 4 , the second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the second conductive film 20 and the first conductive film 10 are connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 . The capacitors C 1 and C 2 formed of the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 can be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously, the resistance element forming processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process), which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM, are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Second Embodiment

In a semiconductor device in a second embodiment according to the present invention, the load elements of a SRAM cell are TFTs of a lower gate structure, wherein the gate electrodes of MOS transistors and the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape.

FIGS. 11 to 22 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a second embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, and a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as the channels of the TFTs. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film forming aluminum wiring lines.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 to 13 . FIGS. 16 to 21 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 to 13 . FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the second embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the second embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22 .

Referring to FIG. 16 , a p-type well 2 is formed by doping an n-type silicon substrate 1 of (100) planes having a resistivity of 10 a ohm·cm as a workpiece with boron in an impurity concentration in the range of 1.0×10 15 to 1.0×10 17 atoms/cm 2 by ion implantation and thermal diffusion. Then, 100-1000 nm thick silicon dioxide films 3 a , 3 b and 3 c are formed by a LOCOS process or the like to isolate regions for MOS transistors.

A resist mask 3 ′ is formed on the workpiece, and a region between the silicon dioxide films 3 b and 3 c is doped with atoms of an n-type impurity, such as arsenic atoms, by ion implantation to form an n+-type region, and then the resist mask 3 ′ is removed. The region between the silicon dioxide films 3 b and 3 c serves as a portion of the source region of an access MOS transistor T 4 which is formed later, and underlies a first conductive film member 10 c.

Then, as shown in FIG. 17 , a 10-100 nm thick gate oxide film 4 is formed on portions of the surface of the workpiece to be used as the active regions of MOS transistors.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18 , a first conductive film 10 of polysilicon containing an n-type impurity, such as phosphor, a metal silicide or a metal polycide is deposited on the surface of the workpiece, and then, a 100-1000 nm thick first layer insulating film 11 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited over the first conductive film 10 .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 19 , viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed through the first layer insulating film 11 , the first conductive film 10 and the gate oxide film 4 by photolithography and etching. Then, a second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the second conductive film 20 is doped with an n-type impurity, such as phosphorus, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 20 , the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously. The patterns include layer connection through the viaholes 12 a and 12 b by photolithography and etching to form first conductive film members 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d , and second conductive film members 20 a , 20 b , 20 c and 20 d in the same planar shape.

The first conductive film member 10 a serves as a common gate electrode shared by access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , and a word line. The first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c serve as the gate electrodes of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 , respectively. The first conductive film member 10 d serves as the gate electrode of an access MOS transistor included in an adjacent memory cell.

The second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c serve as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs and the second conductive film members 20 a and 20 d form capacitors together with an insulating film which will be formed later.

After the completion of the foregoing patterning process, atoms of an n-type impurity, such as arsenic, are ion-implanted in the patterned film using a mask formed by photolithography to form the source and drain regions of the MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 and, at the same time, the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d are formed in a low resistance.

As shown in FIG. 21 , a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. Then, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 21 , viaholes 22 a and 22 b are formed in the second layer insulating film 21 by photolithography and etching. The viaholes 12 a and 12 b can be substituted by the viaholes 22 a and 22 b , and the viaholes 12 a and 12 b may be omitted.

A third conductive film 30 (including members 30 a and 30 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the third conductive film 30 is processed by photolithography and etching to form third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b . The third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b serve as the channels of the TFTs and also as power feed lines for feeding power of supply voltage VCC. The surfaces of the third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b are doped with a p-type impurity, such as boron, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 to form the channel regions of the TFTs. Then, atoms of a p-type impurity, such as boron, are implanted by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0×10 14 to 1.0×10 15 atoms/cm 2 using a mask formed by photolithography to form the sources and drains of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and low-resistance regions in the power feed lines for feeding power of supply voltage VCC.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 13 , layer viaholes 42 a , 42 b and 42 c are formed in the insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick fourth conductive film of aluminum is deposited, and the fourth conductive film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b and 50 c . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, and the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line.

A circuit formed in the memory cell thus fabricated will be described with reference to FIG. 22 , in which parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 11 to 21 are designated by the same reference characters.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the first conductive film member 10 a serves as a common gate electrode shared by the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 , and a word line.

The diffused drains 6 a and 6 b of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected through the viaholes 42 a and 42 b to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, respectively, as shown in FIG. 13 .

The source 6 c of the access MOS transistor T 3 is connected to the node N 1 by a diffused layer as shown in FIG. 11 , the node N 1 is connected through the viahole 12 a formed by etching a portion of the gate oxide film 4 to the first conductive film member 10 c , and an extension of the first conductive film member 10 c serves as the gate of the drive MOS transistor T 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 , one end of the node N 1 is connected through the viahole 12 a and to the third conductive film member 30 b serving as the channel of the TFT. The other end of the third conductive film member 30 b serves as a power feed line. The node N 1 is connected to the drain of the drive MOS transistor T 1 by a diffused layer as shown in FIG. 11 .

The source 6 d of the access MOS transistor T 4 is connected to the node N 2 by a diffused layer as shown in FIG. 11 . The node N 2 is connected through the viahole 12 b formed by etching a portion of the gate oxide film 4 to the first conductive film member 10 b . The first conductive film member 10 b serves as the gate of the drive MOS transistor T 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 , one end of the node N 2 is connected through the viahole 22 b to the third conductive film member 30 a , serving as the channel region of the TFT T 6 . The other end of the third conductive film member 30 a serves as a power feed line. The node N 2 is connected to the drain of the drive MOS transistor T 2 by a diffused layer.

The second conductive film members 20 c and 20 b , the first conductive film members 10 c and 10 b , and the layer insulating film 11 form capacitors C 1 and C 2 , respectively, to supply charges to the diffused layers 6 c and 6 d of the nodes N 1 and N 2 .

The respective sources S of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are connected by a diffused region as shown in FIG. 11 . As is obvious from FIG. 13 , the diffused region is connected through the viaholes 42 c to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., a grounding line. The aluminum wiring line 50 c is kept at a ground potential VSS and is connected to the sources of all of the drive MOS transistors of the SRAM. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 22 is formed.

In the second embodiment, the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d , the first layer insulating film 11 , and the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d are patterned simultaneously. All of the patterns are in the same planar shape so as to include the necessary layer connection. Therefore, any superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and a reduced width.

Since the viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed simultaneously through the first layer insulating film 11 , the first conductive film 10 and the gate oxide film 4 , the second conductive film 20 (such as polysilicon or the like) is deposited. Hence, the second conductive film 20 and the first conductive film 10 are connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the capacitors C 1 and C 2 formed of the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 can also be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . As a result, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously, the resistance element forming processes including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM, are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Third Embodiment

In a semiconductor device in a third embodiment according to the present invention, the load elements of a SRAM cell are TFTs of an upper gate structure, and the gate electrodes of MOS transistors and the channels of the TFTs are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape.

FIGS. 11 , 16 to 20 and 23 to 28 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a third embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 11 , 23 and 24 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, and a second conductive film serving as the channel regions of TFTs. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs, and FIG. 24 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film forming aluminum wiring lines.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 , 23 and 24 . FIGS. 16 to 20 and 27 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 23 and 24 . FIG. 28 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the third embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the third embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 23 to 28 .

Processes similar to those for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 16 to 20 are carried out.

Then, referring to FIG. 27 , a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 23 , layer viaholes 22 a to 22 f are formed in the second layer insulating film 21 by photolithography and etching. Then, a third conductive film 30 ( 30 a , 30 b , 30 c , 30 d ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the third conductive film 30 is doped with a p-type impurity, such as boron, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0×10 14 to 1.0×10 15 atoms/cm 2 . Then, the upper gate electrodes 30 a and 30 b of TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and conductive layers 30 c and 30 d are formed by photolithography and etching.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 24 , layer viaholes 42 a , 42 b and 42 c are formed in the insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick fourth conductive film is formed, and the fourth conductive film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b and 50 c . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, and the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line.

A circuit formed in the memory cell thus fabricated will be described with reference to FIG. 28 , in which parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 11 , 16 to 20 and 23 to 27 are designated by the same reference characters.

The formation of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 by the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 c is the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d and the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d is the same as that in the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c are the channel regions of the TFTS, and the second conductive film members 20 a and 20 d are power feed lines.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 25 , the second conductive film member 20 c is connected through the viahole 22 c to the third conductive film member 30 a serving as the upper electrode of the TFT T 6 . The second conductive film member 20 c is connected through the viahole 22 f to one end of the third conductive film member 30 d , and the other end of the third conductive film member 30 d is connected through the viahole 22 e to the second conductive film member 20 a serving as a power feed line.

The second conductive film member 20 b is connected through the viahole 22 d to the third conductive film member 30 b , serving as the upper electrode of the TFT T 5 . The second conductive film member 20 b is connected through the viahole 22 a to one end of the third conductive film member 30 c , and the other end of the third conductive film member 30 c is connected through the viahole 22 b to the second conductive film member 20 d serving as a power feed line. Thus, the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed.

The aluminum wiring lines 50 a to 50 c formed by patterning the fourth conductive film are the same as those of the second embodiment. The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , similar to those of the second embodiment, are connected to the diffused drain layers 6 a and 6 b of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 . The aluminum wiring line 50 c serving as a grounding line, similar to that of the second embodiment, is connected to the sources S of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 . Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 28 is formed.

In the third embodiment, the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d , the first layer insulating film 11 , and the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape so as to include the necessary layer connection. Therefore, superposing allowances (which must be secured in the conventional SRAM) , are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed having a reduced length and width.

Since the capacitors C 1 and C 2 are formed of the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 can be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons is enhanced.

Since the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously, the resistance element forming processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM) are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Fourth Embodiment

In a semiconductor device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, the load elements of a SRAM cell are TFTs of a double gate structure, wherein the lower gates of TFTs, a first layer insulating film and the gate electrodes of MOS transistors are formed simultaneously.

FIGS. 11 , 12 , 16 to 21 and 29 to 34 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 11 , 12 , 29 and 30 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, and a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs. FIG. 12 is a planar layout of a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs. FIG. 29 is a planar layout of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs. FIG. 30 is a planar layout of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are sectional views showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 to 12 and 29 to 30 .

FIGS. 16 to 21 and 33 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 12 , 29 and 30 . FIG. 34 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the fourth embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the fourth embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 11 , 12 , 16 to 21 and 29 to 34 .

Processes similar to those for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 11 , 12 and 16 to 21 are carried out.

Referring to FIG. 33 , a 100-1000 nm thick third layer insulating film 31 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 29 , layer viaholes 32 a and 32 b are formed in the third layer insulating film 31 by photolithography and etching. Then, a fourth conductive film 40 ( 40 a , 40 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the fourth conductive film 40 is doped with a p-type impurity, such as boron, by ion implantation in an impurity concentration in the range of 1.0×10 14 to 1.0×10 15 atoms/cm 2 . Then, the upper gate electrodes 40 b and 40 a of TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed by photolithography and etching.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 30 , layer viaholes 42 a , 42 b and 42 c are formed in the insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick fifth conductive film is formed, and the fifth conductive film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b and 50 c . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, and the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line.

A circuit formed in the memory cell thus fabricated will be described with reference to FIG. 34 , in which parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 11 , 12 , 16 to 20 and 29 to 33 are designated by the same reference characters.

The formation of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 by the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 c is the same as that in the second embodiment and hence the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d , second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d , and third conductive film members 30 a to 30 d is the same as that in the second embodiment and hence the description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 31 , a node N 1 is connected through a viahole 32 a formed by etching a portion of a third oxide film 31 to a fourth conductive film member 40 a , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 6 . The second conductive film member 20 c , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 , and a fourth conductive film member 40 a , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 6 , are connected to each other through layer viaholes 22 a and 32 a , as shown in FIG. 31 .

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 32 , a node N 2 is connected through a viahole 32 b formed by etching a portion of the third oxide film 31 to a fourth conductive film member 40 b , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . The second conductive film member 20 b serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 5 , and the fourth conductive film member 40 b , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 5 , are connected to each other through layer viaholes 22 b and 32 b , as shown in FIG. 32 . Thus, the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed.

Aluminum wiring lines 50 a to 50 c , formed by patterning a fifth conductive film, are the same as those of the second embodiment. The diffused drains 6 a and 6 b of access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, in the same manner as that in the second embodiment. The sources S of drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are connected to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., a grounding line, in the same manner as that in the second embodiment. Thus, a circuit shown in FIG. 28 is formed.

As mentioned above, in the fourth embodiment, the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d , the first layer insulating film 11 , and the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape by patterning films so as to include necessary layer connection. Therefore, superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and width.

Since the capacitors C 1 and C 2 are formed of the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 can be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 are patterned simultaneously, the resistance element forming processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM) are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Fifth Embodiment

In a semiconductor device in a fifth embodiment according to the present invention, the load elements of a SRAM cell are TFTs of a double gate structure, wherein the gate electrodes of MOS transistors (surface conductive film), a first layer insulating film and the lower gate electrodes of TFTs are formed simultaneously by patterning, and channels of TFTs, a third layer insulating film and the upper electrodes of TFTs are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape by patterning.

FIGS. 11 , 16 to 21 and 35 to 41 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a fifth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 11 , 35 and 36 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, and a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs. FIG. 35 is a planar layout of a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs, and a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs. FIG. 36 is a planar layout of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are sectional views showing a portion of the SRAM cell corresponding to the sections taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 11 , 35 and 36 .

FIGS. 16 to 20 and 39 to 40 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, showing a portion corresponding to a section taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 11 , 35 and 36 .

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the fifth embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the fifth embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 11 , 16 to 20 and 35 to 41 .

In the beginning, processes similar to those for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 16 to 20 , are carried out.

Then, referring to FIG. 39 , a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 35 , layer viaholes 22 a and 22 b are formed in the second layer insulating film 21 by photolithography and etching. Then, a third conductive film 30 ( 30 a , 30 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the third conductive film 30 is doped with a p-type impurity, such as boron, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 to form the channel regions of TFTs T 5 and T 6 .

Then, the source and drain regions of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and low-resistance regions of power feed lines for feeding power of a supply voltage VCC are formed by ion-implanting atoms of a p-type impurity, such as boron, using a mask formed by photolithography.

Referring to FIG. 40 , a 100-1000 nm thick third layer insulating film 31 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited, and a fourth conductive film 40 ( 40 a , 40 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited. Referring to FIG. 35 , the third conductive film 30 , the third layer insulating film 31 , and the fourth conductive film 40 are patterned simultaneously. Thus, the films are patterned to include the viaholes 22 a and 22 b to form the channel layers 30 a and 30 b of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , having portions to which the supply voltage VCC is applied. The channel layers 30 a and 30 b and the upper gate electrodes 40 a and 40 b of the TFTs are formed simultaneously in the same planar shape.

Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Referring to FIG. 36 , viaholes 42 a , 42 b , 42 c , 42 d and 42 e are formed in the insulating film 41 , and aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b , 50 c , 50 d and 50 e are formed by patterning a 500-2000 nm thick fifth conductive film. The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line, and the aluminum wiring lines 50 d and 50 e connect the lower gate electrodes 20 c and 20 b of the TFTs and the upper gate electrodes 40 a and 40 b of the TFTs through the viaholes 42 d and 42 e , respectively.

The structure of the SRAM cell will be described with reference to FIG. 41 showing an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 41 , parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 11 , 16 to 20 and 35 to 40 are designated by the same reference characters.

The connection of nodes N 1 and N 2 , the first conductive film members 10 c and 10 b , the second conductive film members 20 c and 20 b , and the third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b are the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 36 and 37 , the node N 1 is connected to the second conductive film member 20 c , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 . The second conductive film member 20 c is connected through the viahole 42 d , and the fifth conductive film member 50 d is connected to the fourth conductive film member 40 a , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 6 . Thus, the lower and the upper electrodes of the TFT T 6 are connected to each other.

A node N 2 is connected to the second conductive film member 20 b serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . The second conductive film member 20 b is connected through the viahole 42 e , and the fifth conductive film member 50 e is connected to the fourth conductive film member 40 b , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . Thus, the lower and upper gate electrodes of the TFT T 5 are connected to each other.

The fifth conductive film members 50 a to 50 c , i.e., aluminum wiring lines, are similar to those of the second embodiment. The diffused drain layers 6 a and 6 b of access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 are connected to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, in the same manner as those of the second embodiment. The sources S of drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 are connected to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., a grounding line, by the same manner as those of the second embodiment. Thus, a circuit shown in FIG. 41 is formed.

As mentioned above, in the fifth embodiment, the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c (including the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , the first layer insulating film 11 , and the first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c ), serving as the gate electrodes of the MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 , are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape so as to include the necessary viaholes. The fourth conductive film members 40 a and 40 b , serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , the third layer insulating film 31 , and the third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b , serving as the channel regions of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape so as to include necessary viaholes. Therefore, superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and width.

Since the capacitors are formed of the second conductive film 20 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the first conductive film 10 can be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the capacitors are formed of the third conductive film 30 , the third layer insulating film 31 and the fourth conductive film 40 can be connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha rays and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the first conductive film 10 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the second conductive film 20 are patterned simultaneously, and the third conductive film 30 , the third layer insulating film 31 and the fourth conductive film 40 are patterned simultaneously, the resistance element forming processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM) are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Sixth Embodiment

In a sixth embodiment, the load elements of a SRAM cell are TFT of a double gate structure, wherein the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs, a gate oxide film under the TFTs and channels of the TFT are formed simultaneously by patterning in the same shape.

FIGS. 16 , 17 and 42 to 53 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a sixth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 42 to 45 illustrate an exemplary planar lay out of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 42 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors. FIG. 43 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of TFTs, and a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs. FIG. 44 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs. FIG. 45 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 42 to 45 . FIGS. 16 , 17 and 48 to 52 illustrate an exemplary method of fabricating the SRAM cell, taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 42 to 45 . FIG. 53 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the sixth embodiment.

The structure of the SRAM cell in the sixth embodiment will be described in connection with the description of a method of fabricating the SRAM cell with reference to FIGS. 16 , 17 and 42 to 52 .

First, processes similar to the processes for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 are carried out.

Then, referring to FIGS. 42 and 48 , viaholes 5 a and 5 b are formed in a gate oxide film 4 by photolithography and etching, a first conductive film 10 of polysilicon or the like is deposited over the gate oxide film 4 , and the first conductive film 10 is patterned by photolithography and etching to form the gate electrodes 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d of MOS transistors. The sources and drains of MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 are formed by ion-implanting an n-type impurity, such as arsenic, using a mask formed by photolithography. Then, a 100-1000 nm thick first layer insulating film 11 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 49 , viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed in the first layer insulating film 11 by photolithography and etching. A second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like is deposited over the first layer insulating film 11 , and the surface of the second conductive film 20 is doped with an n-type impurity, such as phosphorus, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 , and then a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited.

Referring to FIG. 50 , a third conductive film 30 of polysilicon or the like is deposited over the second layer insulating film 21 .

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 51 , the third conductive film 30 , the second layer insulating film 21 and the second conductive film 20 are patterned simultaneously, and in the same shape, so as to include the viaholes 12 a and 12 b extending between the first conductive film 10 and the second conductive film 20 by photolithography and etching to form third conductive film members 30 b and 30 a , serving as power feed line for feeding power of a supply voltage VCC and the channels of TFTs T 5 and T 6 . Second conductive film members 20 b and 20 a serving as the lower gate electrodes of the TFT T 5 and T 6 are also simultaneously patterned in the same shape. Subsequently, the surface of the third conductive film 30 is doped by ion implantation with a p-type impurity, such as boron, in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 to form the channel regions of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 . Then, a p-type impurity, such as boron, is ion-implanted using a mask formed by photolithography to form the source and drain regions of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 and low-resistance regions in power feed lines for feeding power of the supply voltage VCC.

Referring to FIG. 52 , a 100-1000 nm thick third layer insulating film 31 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. Referring to FIG. 44 , viaholes 32 a , 32 b and 32 c are formed in the third layer insulating film 31 by photolithography and etching. Then, a fourth conductive film 40 ( 40 a , 40 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the fourth conductive film 40 is patterned by photolithography and etching to form the upper gate electrodes 40 b and 40 a of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 .

Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47 , a 100-1000 nm thick insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 45 , viaholes 42 a , 42 b and 42 c are formed in the insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick fifth conductive film is formed and the fifth conductive film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b and 50 c . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, and the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line.

The structure of the memory cell formed will be described in connection with a circuit shown in FIG. 53 . In FIG. 53 , parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 16 , 17 and 42 to 52 are designated by the same reference characters.

The first conductive film members 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d of the sixth embodiment are the same in planar shape as the first conductive film members 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d of the second embodiment. Connecting holes 12 a and 12 b are connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 in the second embodiment, and viaholes 5 a and 5 b are connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 in the sixth embodiment, which are substantially similar. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of the second conductive film and the conductive films formed over the second conductive film in the sixth embodiment is different from that in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 44 and 46 , the first conductive film member 10 c connected to the node N 1 is connected through the viahole 32 b to the fourth conductive film member 40 a , and the fourth conductive film member 40 a is connected through the viahole 32 a to the third conductive film member 30 b , serving as the channel region of the TFT T 5 . Thus, the node N 1 is connected to the third conductive film member 30 b serving as the channel region of the TFT T 5 .

The node N 1 is connected through the first conductive film member 10 c and the viahole 12 a to the second conductive film member 20 a serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 . The first conductive film member 10 c is connected through the viahole 32 b to the fourth conductive film member 40 a , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 6 . Thus, the upper and the lower gate electrodes of the TFT T 6 are connected to each other.

The node N 2 is connected through the first conductive film member 10 b and the viahole 32 c to the fourth conductive film member 40 b . The fourth conductive film member 40 b is connected through the viahole 32 d to the third conductive film member 30 a , serving as the channel region of the TFT T 6 . Thus, the node N 2 is connected to the third conductive film member 30 a serving as the channel region of the TFT T 6 .

The node N 2 is connected through the first conductive film member 10 b and the viahole 12 b to the second conductive film member 20 b , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . The first conductive film member 10 b is connected through the viahole 32 c to the fourth conductive film member 40 b , serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . Thus, the upper and the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 are connected to each other. Thus, the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed.

The connection of the diffused drain layers 6 a and 6 b of access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, is the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of the sources S of drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., a grounding line, is the same as that in the second embodiment and hence the description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 53 is formed.

As mentioned above, the channels 30 b and 30 a of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , the second insulating film 21 , and the lower gate electrodes 20 b and 20 a of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape. Therefore, superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and width.

Since capacitors C 1 and C 2 are formed of the second conductive film 20 , the second layer insulating film 21 and the third conductive film 30 can be connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha particles and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the second conductive film 20 , the second layer insulating film 21 and the third conductive film 30 are patterned simultaneously, processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM) are unnecessary, and hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Seventh Embodiment

The load elements of a SRAM cell in a seventh embodiment according to the present invention are TFTs of a double gate structure, wherein the channels of the TFTs, a third layer insulating film, and the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs are formed by simultaneous patterning.

FIGS. 16 , 17 and 54 to 65 illustrate an exemplary structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell.

FIGS. 54 to 57 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 54 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors. FIG. 55 is a plan view of a second conductive film serving as the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs. FIG. 56 is a plan view of a third conductive film serving as the channel regions of the TFTs, and a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs, and FIG. 57 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 58 and 59 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 54 to 57 . FIGS. 16 , 17 and 60 to 64 are sectional views for explaining a method of fabricating the SRAM cell, taken on line X 1 -X 2 in FIGS. 54 to 57 . FIG. 65 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the seventh embodiment.

The structure of the memory cell in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16 , 17 and 54 to 65 in connection with a method of fabricating the memory cell.

First, processes similar to those for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 are carried out.

Then, referring to FIGS. 54 and 60 , a first conductive film 10 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the first conductive film 10 is patterned by photolithography and etching to form first conductive film members 10 a , 10 b , 10 c and 10 d for the gate electrodes of MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 . Subsequently, an n-type impurity, such as arsenic, is ion-implanted using a mask formed by photolithography to form the sources and drains of the MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 . Subsequently, a 100-1000 nm thick first layer insulating film 11 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited.

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 61 , viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed through the first layer insulating film 11 , the first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c , and a gate oxide film 4 by photolithography and etching. A second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the surface of the second conductive film 20 is doped by ion implantation with an n-type impurity, such as phosphorus, in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 62 , the second conductive film 20 is patterned by photolithography and etching to form second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c serving as the lower gates of TFTs T 5 and T 6 .

Referring to FIG. 63 , a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. Then, as shown in FIG. 56 , viaholes 22 a and 22 b are formed in the second layer insulating film 21 by photolithography and etching. Then, a third conductive film of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the surface of the third conductive film is doped by ion implantation with a p-type impurity, such as boron, in a dose in the range of 1.0˜10 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 to form the channel regions of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 . Then, a p-type impurity, such as boron, is ion-implanted using a mask formed by photolithography to form the sources and drains of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and low-resistance regions in power feed lines for feeding power of a supply voltage vcc.

Referring to FIG. 64 , a 100-1000 nm thick third layer insulating film 31 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited, and then a fourth conductive film 40 ( 40 a , 40 b ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 56 , the fourth conductive film 40 , the third layer insulating film 31 and the third conductive film 30 are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape by photolithography and etching to form third conductive film members 30 b and 30 a . The third conductive film members, 30 b and 30 a , serving as power feed lines and the channels of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and fourth conductive film members 40 b and 40 a serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are also simultaneously patterned in the same planar shape.

Referring to FIGS. 58 and 59 , a 100-1000 nm thick fourth insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 57 , viaholes 42 a , 42 b , 42 c , 42 d and 42 e are formed in the fourth insulating film 41 , a 500-2000 nm thick fifth conductive film of aluminum is deposited, and the fifth conductive film is patterned to form fifth conductive film members 50 a , 50 b , 50 c , 50 d and 50 e , i.e., aluminum wiring lines. The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line, the aluminum wiring line 50 d connects the lower electrode 20 c and the upper electrode 40 a of the TFT T 6 , and the aluminum wiring line 50 e connects the lower electrode 20 b and the upper electrode 40 a of the TFT T 5 .

The structure of the fabricated memory cell will be described with reference to FIG. 65 showing an equivalent circuit of the memory cell. In FIG. 65 parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 16 , 17 and 54 to 64 are designated by the same reference characters.

The first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c of the seventh embodiment are the same in planar shape as those of the second embodiment. The second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c of the seventh embodiment are different in planar shape from those of the second embodiment. The third conductive film members 30 a and 30 b of the seventh embodiment are somewhat different in planar shape from those of the second embodiment. However, the connection of the nodes N 1 and N 2 , the first conductive film members 10 b and 10 c , the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c and the third conducive film members 30 a and 30 b in the seventh embodiment is the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The third and fourth conductive film members 30 a and 30 b and 40 a and 40 b of the seventh embodiment are the same in planar shape as those of the fifth embodiment, respectively, and their connections are substantially the same as those of the fifth embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of the lower gate electrodes 20 b and 20 c and the upper gate electrodes 40 a and 40 b to the TFTs T 5 and T 6 by the fifth conductive film members 50 d and 50 e is the same as that in the fifth embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The fifth conductive film members 50 a to 50 c are similar to those of the second embodiment, and the connection of the diffused drain layers 6 a and 6 b of access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., the bit lines, is the same as that in the second embodiment. The connection of the sources S of drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., the grounding line, is the same as that in the second embodiment. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 65 is formed.

As mentioned above, the channels 30 a and 30 b of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , the third layer insulating film 31 , and the upper gate electrodes 40 b and 40 c , i.e., the fourth conductive film members, of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are patterned simultaneously. Thus, the patterns are in the same planar shape and include the necessary viaholes. Therefore, superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and width.

Since capacitors C 1 and C 2 are formed of the first conductive film 10 , the first layer insulating film 11 and the second conductive film 20 can be connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha particles and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the third conductive film 30 , the third layer insulating film 31 and the fourth conductive film 40 are patterned simultaneously, conventional processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process, which are necessary for fabricating the conventional SRAM) are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Eighth Embodiment

The load elements of a SRAM cell in a eighth embodiment according to the present invention are TFTs of a double gate structure, wherein the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, a first layer insulating film, the lower gate electrodes of the TFTs, a second layer insulating film, and the channels of the TFTs are formed by simultaneous patterning.

The structure of a SRAM cell as a semiconductor device in an eighth embodiment according to the present invention, and a method of fabricating the SRAM cell will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19 and 66 to 74 .

FIGS. 66 to 68 illustrate an exemplary planar layout of the components of the SRAM cell, in which FIG. 66 is a plan view of a first conductive film serving as the gate electrodes of MOS transistors, a second conductive film serving as the lower electrodes of TFTs, and a third conductive film serving as the channel region of the TFTs. FIG. 67 is a plan view of a fourth conductive film serving as the upper gate electrodes of the TFTs. FIG. 68 is a plan view of aluminum wiring lines formed by patterning a fifth conductive film.

FIGS. 69 and 70 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 66 to 68 . FIGS. 16 to 19 and 71 to 73 are sectional views taken on lines X 1 -X 2 and Y 1 -Y 2 in FIGS. 66 to 68 . FIG. 74 is a circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit of the SRAM cell in the seventh embodiment.

The structure of the memory cell in the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19 and 68 to 74 in connection with a method of fabricating the memory cell.

First, processes similar to those for fabricating the SRAM cell in the second embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19 are carried out.

Then, referring to FIG. 71 , a 100-1000 nm thick second layer insulating film 21 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. A third conductive film 30 of polysilicon or the like is deposited, and the surface of the third conductive film 30 is doped with a p-type impurity, such as boron, by ion implantation in a dose in the range of 1.0× 12 to 1.0×10 13 atoms/cm 2 to form the channel regions of the TFTs. Then, a p-type impurity, such as boron, is ion-implanted using a mask formed by lithography to form the source regions and drain regions of TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and low-resistance regions in power feed lines for feeding power of a supply voltage VCC.

Referring to FIGS. 66 and 72 , the first conductive film 10 , the first layer insulating film 11 , the second conductive film 20 , the second layer insulating film 21 and the third conductive film 30 are patterned simultaneously. The films are patterned in the same planar shape by photolithography and etching so as to include viaholes 12 a and 12 b for connecting the first conductive film 10 and the second conductive film 20 to nodes N 1 and N 2 . As a result, the gate electrodes 10 a , lob and 10 c of MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 , the lower gate electrodes 20 b and 20 c of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , the channels 30 b and 30 c of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and power feed lines 30 a and 30 d are formed for feeding power of a supply voltage VCC. Then, an n-type impurity, such as arsenic, is ion-implanted using a mask formed by photolithography to form the source regions and drain regions of the MOS transistors T 1 to T 4 .

Referring to FIG. 73 , a 100-1000 nm thick third layer insulating film 31 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited. As shown in FIG. 67 , viaholes 32 a to 32 h are formed in the third layer insulating film 31 by photolithography and etching. Portions of the third layer insulating film 31 corresponding to the viaholes 32 d and 32 f are further etched to expose corresponding portions of the second conductive film members 20 b and 20 c . A fourth conductive film 40 ( 40 a , 40 b , 40 c , 40 d ) of polysilicon or the like is deposited, the fourth conductive film 40 is patterned by photolithography and etching to form the upper gate electrodes 40 b and 40 c of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 , and fourth conductive film members 40 a and 40 d.

Referring now to FIGS. 69 and 70 , a 100-1000 nm thick fourth insulating film 41 of SiO 2 or the like is deposited by a CVD process or the like and, as shown in FIG. 68 , viaholes 42 a , 42 b and 42 c are formed in the fourth insulating film 41 . A 500-2000 nm thick fifth conductive film is formed and the fifth conductive film is patterned to form aluminum wiring lines 50 a , 50 b and 50 c . The aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b are bit lines, and the aluminum wiring line 50 c is a grounding line.

The structure of the memory cell thus formed will be described with reference to FIG. 74 showing an equivalent circuit of the memory cell. In FIG. 74 , parts like or corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 16 to 19 and 66 to 73 are designated by the same reference characters.

The first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d , and the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d of the eighth embodiment are the same in connection and shape as the first conductive film members 10 a to 10 d , and the second conductive film members 20 a to 20 d of the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted.

The connection of the third conductive film and the conductive films formed over the third conductive film is different from that in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 67 , a node N 1 is connected through the second conductive film member 20 c , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 and through the viahole 32 f to the fourth conductive film member 40 c . One end of the fourth conductive film member 40 c is connected through the viahole 32 e to one end of the third conductive film member 30 b , serving as the channel region of the TFT T 5 . The other end of the third conductive film member 30 b is connected through the viahole 32 g to one of the fourth conductive film member 40 d . The other end of the fourth conductive film member 40 d is connected through the viahole 32 h to the power feed line 30 d.

The other end of the fourth conductive film member 40 c is connected through the viahole 32 f to the second conductive film member 20 c , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 6 and serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 6 .

Referring to FIG. 67 , a node N 2 is connected through the second conductive film member 20 b and the viahole 32 d to the fourth conductive film member 40 b . One end of the fourth conductive film member 40 b is connected through the viahole 32 c to one end of the third conductive film member 30 c , serving as the channel region of the TFT T 6 . The other end of the third conductive film member 30 c is connected through the viahole 32 b to one end of the fourth conductive film member 40 a . The other end of the fourth conductive film member 40 a is connected through the viahole 32 a to the power feed line 30 a.

The other end of the fourth conductive film member 40 b is connected through the viahole 32 d to the second conductive film member 20 c , serving as the lower gate electrode of the TFT T 5 and serving as the upper gate electrode of the TFT T 5 . Thus, the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed.

The connection of the diffused drain layers 6 a and 6 b of the access MOS transistors T 3 and T 4 to the aluminum wiring lines 50 a and 50 b , i.e., bit lines, is the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted. The connection of the sources S of the drive MOS transistors T 1 and T 2 to the aluminum wiring line 50 c , i.e., a grounding line, is the same as that in the second embodiment. Hence, the description thereof will be omitted. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 74 is formed.

As mentioned above, in the eighth embodiment, the gate electrodes 10 b and 10 c of the drive MOS transistors, the first layer insulating film 11 , the lower gate electrodes 20 b and 20 c of the TFTs, the second layer insulating film 21 , and the channels 30 b and 30 c of the TFTs T 5 and T 6 are formed in the same planar shape by simultaneous patterning so as to include necessary interlayer connection. Therefore, superposing allowances, which must be secured in the conventional SRAM, are not necessary. Hence, the memory cell can be formed in a reduced length and width.

Since the viaholes 12 a and 12 b are formed through the gate oxide film 4 , the first conductive film 10 and the first layer insulating film 11 , and the second conductive film 20 of polysilicon or the like are deposited. The first conductive film 10 and the second conductive film 20 are connected to the storage nodes N 1 and N 2 . Capacitors C 1 and C 2 are formed of the first conductive film 10 , and the first layer insulating film 11 and the second conductive film 20 can be connected to the nodes N 1 and N 2 . Thus, the immunity of the memory cell to soft error attributable to alpha particles and neutrons can be enhanced.

Since the first conductive film 10 , the first layer insulating film 11 , the second conductive film 20 , the second layer insulating film 21 and the third conductive film 30 are patterned simultaneously, conventional processes (including an ion implantation process, a photolithographic process and an etching process) are unnecessary. Hence, the number of processes can be reduced by 15% or more.

Although the n-channel MOS transistors are formed in the p-type wells formed in the surface of the n-type silicon substrate in the foregoing embodiments, a SRAM cell provided with p-channel MOS transistors formed in n-type wells may be fabricated by the same method in the same structure for the same effects.

Although the invention has been described as applied to the SRAM cells, the present invention is not limited thereto in its practical application and may be applied to other memories and other semiconductor devices. The present invention is suitable for application particularly to semiconductor devices provided with a plurality of transistors, and a plurality of load elements or capacity elements formed on a semiconductor substrate.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, a semiconductor device according to the present invention has a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of conductive films formed on the semiconductor substrate with layer insulating film between the adjacent conductive films, and at least two of those conductive films are patterned simultaneously in the same planar shape so as to include necessary interlayer connection.

In this semiconductor device, selected ones of the plurality of conductive films are connected through viaholes formed in an insulating film to the semiconductor substrate.

In the semiconductor device, selected ones of the plurality of conductive films form high-resistance elements, capacity elements or thin-film transistors.

According to the present invention, since the plurality of conductive films formed in a layered sandwich structure are patterned simultaneously in the same shape, misalignment of masks, and increase or decrease in the dimensions of those components do not occur. Therefore, any sufficient superposing allowances need not be secured when laying out the cells, and hence the semiconductor device, such as a memory chip, can be formed in a reduced area.

Even if the semiconductor device, such as a SRAM cell, is formed in a small area, storage capacity elements of a large capacity can be formed by forming the conductive films in a layered sandwich structure, and the immunity to soft error can be enhanced.

Since the plurality of conductive films formed in the layered sandwich structure are patterned simultaneously, the semiconductor device can be fabricated by a reduced number of processes, the yield is improved accordingly, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Obviously, numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device having a static-type memory cell including a pair of driver transistors and a pair of load elements, the method comprising the steps of:forming a gate insulating film on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a first conductive film on said gate insulating film constituting a gate electrode of said driver transistors; forming a first insulating film on said first conductive film; forming an opening successively through said first insulating film, said first conductive film and said gate insulating film to expose said semiconductor substrate; forming a second conductive film on said first insulating film and in said opening constituting said load elements; and forming a same planar pattern that includes said opening in order of said second conductive film, said first insulating film and said first conductive film.

2. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising the step of implanting an impurity simultaneously into a source drain region of said driver transistor on said main surface and said second conductive film on the semiconductor substrate.

3. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said planar pattern is formed so as to arrange that said pair of transistors themselves and said pair of load elements themselves are parallel.