A capacitor structure is described. A metal insulator metal capacitor in an integrated circuit device includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate. The first dielectric layer has a linear trench feature in which the capacitor is disposed. A bottom capacitor plate is in a lower portion of the trench. The bottom capacitor plate has an extended top face so that the extended top face extends upwards in a central region of the bottom capacitor plate metal relative to side regions. A high-k dielectric layer is disposed over the extended top face of the bottom capacitor plate. A top capacitor plate is disposed in a top, remainder portion of the trench on top of the high-k dielectric layer.

A method of operating a mechanical switching device is disclosed. The switching device includes a housing, an assembly disposed in the housing, and a body. The assembly is thermally deformable and comprises a beam held in two different places by two arms secured to edges of the housing. The beam is remote from the body in a first configuration and in contact with and immobilized by the body in a second configuration. The assembly has the first configuration at a first temperature and the second configuration when one of the arms has a second temperature different from the first temperature. The method includes exposing an arm of the assembly to the second temperature, and releasing the beam using a release mechanism. The release mechanism includes a pointed element comprising a pointed region directed towards the body. The pointed element limits an open crater in a concave part of a projection.

A semiconductor device structure is disclosed including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, the SOI substrate comprising a semiconductor layer, a substrate material and a buried insulating material layer positioned between the semiconductor layer and the substrate material, a trench isolation structure positioned in at least a portion of the SOI substrate, the trench isolation structure defining a first region in the SOI substrate, and a capacitor device formed in the first region, the capacitor device comprising a first electrode formed by a conductive layer portion formed in the first region on the buried insulating material layer, the conductive layer portion at least partially replacing the semiconductor layer in the first region, a second electrode formed over the first electrode, and an insulating material formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Semiconductor structures including a plurality of conductive structures having a dielectric material therebetween are disclosed. The thickness of the dielectric material spacing apart the conductive structures may be adjusted to provide optimization of capacitance and voltage threshold. The semiconductor structures may be used as capacitors, for example, in memory devices. Various methods may be used to form such semiconductor structures and capacitors including such semiconductor structures. Memory devices including such capacitors are also disclosed.

A semiconductor device includes a first electrode which includes a first main portion, and a first extension that extends from the first main portion, and a dielectric layer which surrounds a sidewall and a bottom surface of the first main portion, wherein the first main portion includes a first portion having a first depth, and a second portion having a second depth deeper than the first depth.

A method for producing an integrated circuit pointed element is disclosed. An element has a projection with a concave part directing its concavity towards the element. The element includes a first etchable material. A zone is formed around the concave part of the element. The zone includes a second material that is less rapidly etchable than the first material for a particular etchant. The first material and the second material are etched with the particular etchant to form an open crater in the concave part and thus to form a pointed region of the element.

A capacitor structure and a method for constructing the structure are described. A metal insulator metal capacitor in an integrated circuit device includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate. The first dielectric layer has a linear trench feature in which the capacitor is disposed. A bottom capacitor plate is in a lower portion of the trench. The bottom capacitor plate has an extended top face so that the extended top face extends upwards in a central region of the bottom capacitor plate metal relative to side regions. A high-k dielectric layer is disposed over the extended top face of the bottom capacitor plate. A top capacitor plate is disposed in a top, remainder portion of the trench on top of the high-k dielectric layer.

Back end of the line (BEOL) capacitors and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming wiring lines on a substrate, with spacing between adjacent wiring lines. The method further includes forming an air gap within spacing between the adjacent wiring lines by deposition of a capping material. The method further includes opening the air gap between selected adjacent wiring lines. The method further includes depositing conductive material within the opened air gap.

A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first support layer, a first electrode, a capacitor dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The first support layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The first electrode is disposed on the semiconductor substrate and penetrates the first support layer. The capacitor dielectric layer is disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and at least a part of the capacitor dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first support layer includes a carbon doped nitride layer, and a carbon concentration of a bottom portion of the first support layer is higher than a carbon concentration of a top portion of the first support layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, deep trenches, a dielectric film, a conductive material, an interlayer insulating film, and a metal interconnection. The semiconductor region has a first conductivity type in a silicon substrate. The deep trenches are disposed in the semiconductor region. The dielectric film is disposed on sidewalls of the deep trenches. The conductive material is disposed on the dielectric film. The interlayer insulating film is disposed on upper surface portions of the deep trenches to create a void inside each of the deep trenches. The metal interconnection is disposed on the interlayer insulating film.