Abstract:
Provided are embodiments of a semiconductor device having bit lines and bit bar lines. The bit lines and the bit bar lines are arranged in alternate succession across a substrate. At least two of proximate bit lines, bit line bars, power lines, and ground lines of the semiconductor device are formed on different layers, in order to reduce defects due to particles between lines, and increase yield.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0136553, filed Dec. 24, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Generally, it is very difficult to remove 100% of the sources of electrical shorts in wiring caused by particles generated in in-line processing, which directly effects yield from a wafer. When a unit cell of a memory device does not function properly due to the occurrence of a defect within a memory cell during processing, a semiconductor device repair structure is often utilized. Semiconductor device repair involves performing the functions of an inoperative unit cell by operating a pre-prepared circuit. 
         [0003]    It is common practice to add a repair cell structure to a semiconductor device to ensure a certain yield. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of bit lines and bit bar lines of a semiconductor device according to the related art, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 1  taken along line I-I′. 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to drive transistors (not shown), a semiconductor device is provided with at least one bit line  10  and at least one bit bar line  20 . 
         [0006]    The bit lines  10  and the bit bar lines  20  are formed in repeating alternation. 
         [0007]    The bit lines  10  and the bit bar lines  20  are connected to a substrate  1  through first contacts  11  and second contacts  21 , respectively. 
         [0008]    With continual decreases in pitch between bit lines formed on the same layer in accordance with advances in semiconductor device manufacturing technology, small particles that were not previously problematic are now a major cause for reducing yield. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Embodiments of semiconductor devices having bit lines and bit bar lines are provided. According to embodiments, the bit bar line can be the inverse signal of the bit line. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises: a first dielectric on a substrate; a first grouping of lines comprising bit lines on the first dielectric; a second dielectric on the first grouping of lines; and a second grouping of lines comprising bit bar lines on the second dielectric, where the bit lines are arranged in alternation with the bit bar lines. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the first grouping of lines can include a bit line and bit bar line pair and the second grouping of lines can include a bit line and bit bar line pair. The first grouping and the second grouping can be arranged in alternation across the substrate. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises: a first dielectric on a substrate; a first grouping of lines arranged on the first dielectric in a sequence of a first bit line, a first power line, a first bit bar line, and a second power line; a second dielectric on the first dielectric; and a second grouping of lines arranged on the second dielectric in alternation with the first groups and in a sequence of a second bit line, a third power line, a second bit bar line, and a fourth power line. 
         [0013]    In a still further embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises: a first dielectric on a substrate, a second dielectric on the first dielectric; bit lines formed as electrically connected bit patterns alternatingly provided in the first dielectric and the second dielectric; and bit bar lines formed as electrically connected bit bar patterns alternatingly provided in the first and second dielectrics and in reverse to the bit patterns. 
         [0014]    Thus, at least two of proximate bit lines, bit line bars, power lines, and ground lines of a semiconductor device can be formed on different layers, in order to reduce the occurrence of defects due to particles between lines, and to increase yield. 
         [0015]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to the related art. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 1  taken along line I-I′. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 3  taken along line II-II′. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a second embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 5  taken along line III-III′. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a third embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 7  taken along line IV-IV′. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a fourth embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 9  taken along line V-V′. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]    It should be noted that the size (dimensions) of each element in the attached drawings are enlarged to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and the depicted dimensional ratios of the respective elements may be different from the actual dimensional ratios. Also, the present disclosure does not necessarily have to include all of the elements depicted in the drawings, and is not limited to those elements. In addition, elements other than those consistent with the central characteristics of the present disclosure may be added or deleted. 
         [0029]    In descriptions of embodiments according to the present disclosure, when a layer (film), region, pattern, or structure is described as being formed “on/above/over/upper” or “down/below/under/lower” another substrate, layer (film), region, pad, or pattern, this denotes that the layer (film), region, pattern, or structure can be formed directly in contact on the other substrate, layer (film), region, pad, or pattern, or may denote that another layer (film), another region, another pad, another pattern, or another structure may be additionally formed therebetween. Thus, such denotations should be determined based on a technical understanding of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to semiconductor devices having bit lines and bit bar lines. Certain embodiments can be applied to a variety of logic and memory devices. According to embodiments of the present invention, bit lines and bit bar lines are provided in mutual alternation using two line layers, where a first grouping of lines are provided in the first line layer and a second grouping of lines are provided using the second line layer above the first line layer. The first grouping can include bit lines only, bit bar lines only, or a combination of bit lines and bit bar lines; and the second grouping can include bit bar lines only, bit lines only, or a combination of bit lines and bit bar lines. In further embodiments, power lines (including ground lines) can be included in the first and second groupings. The groupings being on respectively different layers can provide sufficient gaps between selected lines while maintaining a high degree of integration. According to embodiments, the bit bar line can be the inverse signal of the bit line. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment, and  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 3  taken along line II-II′. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a semiconductor device includes at least one bit line  110  and at least one bit bar line  120 , in order to drive transistors (not shown). 
         [0033]    The bit lines  110  and the bit bar lines  120  can be disposed in mutual alternation. 
         [0034]    According to one embodiment, the bit lines  110  are formed on a first dielectric  131 , and the bit bar lines  120  are formed on a second dielectric  132  above the first dielectric  131 . 
         [0035]    The bit lines  110  can be connected to the substrate  100  through a first contact pattern  111  formed in the first dielectric  131 . 
         [0036]    The bit bar lines  120  can be connected to the substrate  100  through a second contact pattern  121   a  formed in the first dielectric, a connecting pattern  110   a  stacked thereon, and a first bar pattern  121   b  stacked thereon. 
         [0037]    The bit lines  110  and the bit bar lines  120  are formed on respectively different layers so that sufficient gaps are provided between the bit bar lines  120  formed on the second dielectric  132 . By providing sufficient gaps between the bit bar lines  120 , defect occurrence can be reduced even when there are particles in between. 
         [0038]    Also, by forming the bit lines  110  and the bit bar lines  120  on different layers, there is no reduction in pitch from the degree of integration, thus allowing a less restrictive defect size. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a second embodiment, and  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 5  taken along line III-III′. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a semiconductor device includes at least one bit line  210  and at least one bit bar line  220  disposed at a predetermined gap, in order to drive transistors (not shown). 
         [0041]    The bit lines  210  and the bit bar lines  220  can be disposed in mutual alternation. 
         [0042]    For example, a first bit line  210   a , a first bit bar line  220   a , a second bit line  210   b , a second bit bar line  220   b , a third bit line  210   c , and a third bit bar line  220   c  can be arranged in sequence. 
         [0043]    The first bit line  210   a  and the first bit bar line  220   a  can be formed on a first dielectric  231 , the second bit line  210   b  and the second bit bar line  220   b  can be formed on a second dielectric  232 , and the third bit line  210   c  and the third bit bar line  220   c  can be formed on the first dielectric  231 . The bit lines  210  and bit bar lines  220  can alternatingly be provided on the first dielectric  231  and the second dielectric  232  following this pattern. 
         [0044]    The first and third bit lines  210   a  and  210   c  can be connected to the substrate  200  through first contact electrodes  211  formed in the first dielectric  231 . 
         [0045]    The first and third bit bar lines  220   a  and  220   c  can be connected to the substrate  200  through second contact electrodes  221  also formed in the first dielectric  231 . 
         [0046]    The second bit line  210   b  can be connected to the substrate  200  through the first contact electrode  211  formed in the first dielectric  231 , the first connecting pattern  251  formed on the first contact electrode  211 , and a first via pattern  261  formed in the second dielectric  232  and connected to the first connecting pattern  251 . 
         [0047]    The second bit bar line  220   b  can be connected to the substrate  200  through second contact electrode  221  formed in the first dielectric  231 , a second connecting pattern  252  formed on the second contact electrode  221 , and a second via contact  262  formed in the second dielectric  232  and connected to the second connecting pattern  252 . 
         [0048]    When the bit lines are paired with adjacent bit bar lines, the respective pairs are formed on different layers, so that there is a sufficient gap between two pairs formed on the second dielectric  232 . Accordingly, defect occurrence can be reduced even when there are particles between the pairs. 
         [0049]    Also, the bit lines and the bit bar lines are formed on respectively different layers, so that there is no reduction in pitch from the degree of integration, thus allowing a less restrictive defect size. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a third embodiment, and  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 7  taken along line IV-IV′. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a semiconductor device can be provided with at least one bit line  310 , at least one power line (including ground lines)  330  and at least one bit bar line  320  disposed at predetermined intervals, in order to drive transistors. 
         [0052]    The bit lines  310  and the bit bar lines  320  can be disposed in mutual alternation, and the power lines  330  can be respectively disposed therebetween. 
         [0053]    For example, a first bit line  310   a , a first power line  330   a , a first bit bar line  320   a , a second power line  330   b , a second bit line  310   b , a third power line  330   c , and a second bit bar line  320   b  can be sequentially arranged at predetermined intervals. 
         [0054]    The first bit line  310   a , the first power line  330   a , the first bit bar line  320   a , and the second bit bar line  320   b  can be formed on a first dielectric  331 , and the second power line  330   b , the second bit line  310   b , and the third power line  330   c  can be formed on a second dielectric  332 . 
         [0055]    The first bit line  310   a  can be connected to the substrate  300  through first contact electrodes  311  formed in the first dielectric  331 . 
         [0056]    The first and second bit bar lines  320   a  and  320   b  can be connected to the substrate  300  through second contact electrodes  321  formed in the first dielectric  331 . 
         [0057]    The second bit line  310   b  can be connected to the substrate  300  through the first contact electrode  311  formed in the first dielectric  331 , a first connecting pattern  351  formed on the first contact electrode  311 , and a first via pattern  361  formed on the second dielectric  332  and connected to the first connecting pattern  351 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to a fourth embodiment, and  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of  FIG. 9  taken along line V-V′. Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a semiconductor device can be provided with at least one bit line  410 , at least one power line (including ground lines)  430 , and at least one bit bar line  420  arranged at predetermined intervals, in order to drive transistors (not shown). 
         [0059]    The bit lines  410  and the bit bar lines  420  can be disposed in mutual alternation. 
         [0060]    The power lines  430  can be disposed between each of the bit lines  410  and the bit bar lines  420 . 
         [0061]    For example, a first bit line  410   a , a first power line  430   a , a first bit bar line  420   a , a second power line  430   b , a second bit line  410   b , a third power line  430   c , a second bit bar line  420   b , and a fourth power line  430   c  can be sequentially arranged. 
         [0062]    The first bit line  410   a , the first power line  430   a , the first bit bar line  420   a , and the second power line  430   b  can be formed on a first dielectric  431 , and the second bit line  410   b , the third power line  430   c , the second bit bar line  420   b , and the fourth power line  430   d  can be formed on a second dielectric  432 . 
         [0063]    The first bit line  410   a  can be connected to the substrate  400  through a first contact electrode  411  formed in the first dielectric  431 . 
         [0064]    The first bit bar line  420   a  can be connected to the substrate  400  through a second contact electrode  421  formed in the first dielectric  431 . 
         [0065]    The second bit line  410   b  can be connected to the substrate  400  through the first contact electrode  411  formed in the first dielectric  431 , a connecting pattern  451  formed on the first contact electrode  411 , and a first via pattern  461  formed on the second dielectric  432  and connected to the first connecting pattern  451 . 
         [0066]    The second bit line  420   b  can be connected to the substrate  400  through a second contact electrode  421  formed in the first dielectric  431 , a second connecting pattern  452  formed on the second contact electrode  421 , and a second via pattern  462  formed in the second dielectric  432  and connected to the second connecting pattern  452 . 
         [0067]    When the bit lines are grouped with adjacent bit bar lines and the power lines (including ground lines) therebetween, the respective groups are formed on different layers, so that there is a sufficient gap between two groups formed on the second dielectric, thus reducing defect occurrence even when there are particles between the groups. 
         [0068]    Also, the respective groups can be formed on respectively different layers, so that there is no reduction in pitch from the degree of integration, thus allowing a less restrictive defect size and lower defect sensitivity. 
         [0069]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a semiconductor device can be provided with at least one bit line  510  and at least one bit bar line  520 , in order to drive transistors. 
         [0071]    The bit lines  510  and the bit bar lines  520  can be arranged in mutual alternation. 
         [0072]    The bit lines  510  can be formed of a first bit pattern  510   a  formed on a first dielectric, a second bit pattern  510   b  formed on a second dielectric and electrically connected to the first bit pattern  510   a  through a first via pattern  511 , and a third bit pattern  510   c  formed on the first dielectric and electrically connected to the second bit pattern  510   b  through another first via pattern  511 . Here, the bit lines  510  are each provided as connected bit patterns formed on respectively different layers. 
         [0073]    The bit bar lines  520  are formed of a first bit bar pattern  520   a  formed on the second dielectric, a second bit bar pattern  520   b  formed on the first dielectric and electrically connected to the first bit bar pattern  520   a  through a second via pattern  521 , and a third bit bar pattern  520   c  formed on the second dielectric and electrically connected to the second bit bar pattern  520   b  through another second via pattern  521 . The first bit bar pattern  520   a  and the first bit pattern  510   a  are provided in mutually corresponding proximity, the second bit bar pattern  520   b  and the second bit pattern  510   b  are provided in mutually corresponding proximity, and the third bit bar pattern  520   c  and the third bit pattern  510   c  are provided in mutually corresponding proximity. Here, the bit bar lines  520  are formed staggered with the bit lines  510  on different layers. 
         [0074]    That is, the first bit pattern  510   a  and the first bit bar pattern  520   a  are formed on respectively different dielectrics and the second bit pattern  510   b  and the second bit bar pattern  520   b  are formed on respectively different dielectrics. In addition, the first bit pattern  510   a  and the second bit pattern  510   b  are formed on respectively different dielectrics and the first bit bar pattern  520   a  and the second bit bar pattern  520   b  are formed on respectively different dielectrics. 
         [0075]    When the bit lines  510  and the bit bar lines  520  are formed on respectively different layers, there is a sufficient gap between the bit bar lines  520  formed on the second dielectric, thus reducing defect occurrence even when there are particles between the bit bar lines. 
         [0076]    When bit lines and bit bar lines are arranged, and power lines (including ground lines) are added within reduced chip areas in accordance with developments in semiconductor technology, the pitch between lines is reduced, raising defect sensitivity and compromising yield reliability. Thus, according to embodiments of the present invention, lines are arranged on mutually different layers, to lower defect sensitivity and increase yield. Also, in present embodiments, there is no need to provide a separate repair cell structure, which reduces costs and device size, producing the effect of being able to manufacture highly integrated chips. 
         [0077]    While above descriptions have been given based on specific embodiments, they are only exemplary and are not limited thereto. It will thus be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that various other embodiments and applications not specifically described above and having the basic characteristics of the present disclosure will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each element specifically described in embodiments of the present invention may be alternately embodied. Also, the differences in such modifications and their uses shall be interpreted as falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as disclosed in the claims below. 
         [0078]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “first embodiment,” “second embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with others of the embodiments. 
         [0079]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.