Patents Examined by Adam S Bowen
  • Patent number: 11869974
    Abstract: An operation method and an electronic device are provided. A phone call is established while a display of the electronic device is activated. A proximity sensor of the electronic device is turned on. A supply of power to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor are deactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximity sensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during the phone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Seunggoo Kang, Jung-Hoon Park, Bokyung Sim, Jeong Gyu Jo, Dong-Il Son
  • Patent number: 11869892
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The semiconductor device structure includes a first P-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (p-MOSFET) having a first fin extending along a first direction and comprising a first semiconductor layer, wherein the first fin comprises a first recess formed in a top of the first fin, the first recess having a bottom surface and a sidewall surface extending upwardly from the bottom surface. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first gate structure disposed in the first recess and in contact with the bottom surface and the sidewall surface, the first gate structure extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first spacer disposed on opposite sidewalls of the first gate structure and in contact with the first fin and the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11856744
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor fin also extending along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins, wherein the dielectric fin also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the gate structure comprising a first portion and a second portion. A top surface of the dielectric fin is vertically above respective top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The first portion and the second portion are electrically isolated by the dielectric fin. The first portion of the gate structure overlays an edge portion of the first semiconductor fin, and the second portion of the gate structure overlays a non-edge portion of the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11854907
    Abstract: A method of forming a device includes providing a transistor having a gate structure and a source/drain structure adjacent to the gate structure. A cavity is formed along a sidewall surface of a contact opening over the source/drain structure. After forming the cavity, a sacrificial layer is deposited over a bottom surface and along the sidewall surface of the contact opening including within the cavity. A first portion of the sacrificial layer along the bottom surface of the contact opening is removed to expose a portion of the source/drain structure. A metal plug is then formed over the portion of the exposed source/drain structure. A remaining portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to form an air gap disposed between the metal plug and the gate structure. Thereafter, a seal layer is deposited over the air gap to form an air gap spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kai-Hsuan Lee
  • Patent number: 11855191
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fin, a gate, and a gate contact. A portion of the fin is disposed in a first layer. The gate is disposed in the first layer and adjacent to the fin. The gate contact is disposed on the gate and in a second layer, wherein the second layer is disposed on the first layer such that the gate contact is above the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Junli Wang, Indira Seshadri, Chen Zhang, Ruilong Xie, Joshua M. Rubin, Hemanth Jagannathan
  • Patent number: 11854970
    Abstract: Circuit devices, such as integrated circuit devices, are constructed with combination circuits that include two or more cascading transistors, and one or more metal layers disposed over the cascading transistors. The cascading transistors include multiple internal nodes (e.g., common source/drain regions). The multiple internal nodes are not connected to a common metal stripe (the same metal stripe) in the one or more metal layers. The absence of the connections between the internal nodes and a common metal stripe reduce or eliminate the load on the internal nodes. The transistors in the cascading transistors are independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei-Min Chan
  • Patent number: 11851343
    Abstract: A preparation method for a metal oxide nanoparticle film and an electrical component, comprising: preparing a halogen ligand-containing metal oxide nanoparticle by performing heated alcoholysis of a metal halide in an organic alcohol; and employing a solution method on the halogen ligand-containing metal oxide nanoparticle to prepare a halogen ligand-containing metal oxide nanoparticle film. The halogen ligand-containing metal oxide nanoparticle is produced by means of performing the alcoholysis of the metal halide, then the halogen ligand-containing metal oxide nanoparticle is prepared into the film, and then a halogen is utilized once again in a passivation processing of the film, this not only further reduces defects on the surface of the metal oxide nanoparticle, but also further improves charge transfer between the metal oxide nanoparticle and an active functional layer and increases transfer efficiency, thus increasing component efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TCL TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luling Cheng, Yixing Yang
  • Patent number: 11848383
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are to provide a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device including isolation layers including an air gap, thereby minimizing stress to a substrate caused by oxide and improving performance of a device, and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of isolation layers each including a trench formed in a substrate and an air gap in a lower portion of the trench; an active region including a fin body disposed between the isolation layers, which are consecutively disposed, and a fin formed on the fin body, the fin having a narrower width than the fin body and extending in a first direction; a gate structure partially covering the active region and the isolation layers, and extending in a second direction; and a source/drain region covering the fin on both sides of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Gwang Yoon
  • Patent number: 11848329
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure that includes a substrate having a frontside and a backside; an active region extruded from the substrate and surrounded by an isolation feature; a gate stack formed on the front side of the substrate and disposed on the active region; a first and a second source/drain (S/D) feature formed on the active region and interposed by the gate stack; a frontside contact feature disposed on a top surface of the first S/D feature; a backside contact feature disposed on and electrically connected to a bottom surface of the second S/D feature; and a semiconductor layer disposed on a bottom surface of the first S/D feature with a first thickness and a bottom surface of the gate stack with a second thickness being greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11837603
    Abstract: A method includes forming a source/drain region for a transistor, forming a first inter-layer dielectric over the source/drain region, and forming a lower source/drain contact plug over and electrically coupling to the source/drain region. The lower source/drain contact plug extends into the first inter-layer dielectric. The method further includes depositing an etch stop layer over the first inter-layer dielectric and the lower source/drain contact plug, depositing a second inter-layer dielectric over the etch stop layer, and performing an etching process to etch the second inter-layer dielectric, the etch stop layer, and an upper portion of the first inter-layer dielectric to form an opening, with a top surface and a sidewall of the lower source/drain contact plug being exposed to the opening, and forming an upper source/drain contact plug in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Yu Lai, Chih-Hsuan Lin, Hsi Chung Chen, Chih-Teng Liao
  • Patent number: 11830721
    Abstract: An embodiment device includes: an isolation region on a substrate; a first fin extending above a top surface of the isolation region; a gate structure on the first fin; and an epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the gate structure, the epitaxial source/drain region having a first main portion and a first projecting portion, the first main portion disposed in the first fin, the first projecting portion disposed on a first sidewall of the first fin and beneath the top surface of the isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shahaji B. More
  • Patent number: 11830949
    Abstract: An operation method and an electronic device are provided. A phone call is established while a display of the electronic device is activated. A proximity sensor of the electronic device is turned on. A supply of power to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor are deactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximity sensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during the phone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Seunggoo Kang, Jung-Hoon Park, Bokyung Sim, Jeong Gyu Jo, Dong-Il Son
  • Patent number: 11824059
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second active patterns respectively on the first and second active regions of a substrate, a gate electrode on the first and second channel patterns, active contacts electrically connected to at least one of the first and second source/drain patterns, a gate contact electrically connected to the gate electrode, a first metal layer on the active and gate contacts and including a first and second power line, and first and second gate cutting patterns below the first and second power lines. The first active pattern may include first channel pattern between a pair of first source/drain patterns. The second active pattern may include a second channel pattern between a pair of second source/drain patterns. The first and second gate cutting patterns may cover the outermost side surfaces of the first and second channel patterns, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keun Hwi Cho, Sangdeok Kwon, Dae Sin Kim, Dongwon Kim, Yonghee Park, Hagju Cho
  • Patent number: 11824146
    Abstract: Quantum dots and methods of making quantum dots are described. A method begins with forming quantum dots having a core-shell structure with a plurality of ligands on the shell structure. The method includes exchanging the plurality of ligands with a plurality of second ligands. The plurality of second ligands have a weaker binding affinity to the shell structure than the plurality of first ligands. The plurality of second ligands are then exchanged with hydrolyzed alkoxysilane to form a monolayer of hydrolyzed alkoxysilane on a surface of the shell structure. The method includes forming a barrier layer around the shell structure by using the hydrolyzed alkoxysilane as a nucleation center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHOEI CHEMICAL INC.
    Inventors: Shihai Kan, Jay Yamanaga, Charles Hotz, Jason Hartlove, Veeral Hardev, Jian Chen, Christian Ippen, Wenzhou Guo, Robert Wilson
  • Patent number: 11817500
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, first and second fin structures are formed over a substrate, an isolation insulating layer is formed over the substrate, a gate structure is formed over channel regions of the first and second fin structures, source/drain regions of the first and second fin structure are recessed, and an epitaxial source/drain structure is formed over the recessed first and second fin structures. The epitaxial source/drain structure is a merged structure having a merger point, and a height of a bottom of the merger point from an upper surface of the isolation insulating layer is 50% or more of a height of the channel regions of the first and second fin structures from the upper surface of the isolation insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Chandrashekhar Prakash Savant
  • Patent number: 11810957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a substrate including first and second active regions, a device isolation layer on the substrate and defining first and second active patterns, first and second gate electrodes running across the first and second active regions and aligned with each other, first and second source/drain patterns on the first and second active patterns, a first active contact connecting the first and second source/drain patterns to each other, and a gate cutting pattern between the first and second gate electrodes. An upper portion of the first active contact includes first and second upper dielectric patterns. The first active contact has a minimum width at a portion between the first and second upper dielectric patterns. A minimum width of the gate cutting pattern is a second width. A ratio of the first width to the second width is in a range of 0.8 to 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juhun Park, Deokhan Bae, Jin-Wook Kim, Yuri Lee, Inyeal Lee, Yoonyoung Jung
  • Patent number: 11804408
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure over fins protruding from a semiconductor substrate; forming an isolation region surrounding the fins; depositing a spacer layer over the gate structure and over the fins, wherein the spacer layer fills the regions extending between pairs of adjacent fins; performing a first etch on the spacer layer, wherein after performing the first etch, first remaining portions of the spacer layer that are within inner regions extending between pairs of adjacent fins have a first thickness and second remaining portions of the spacer layer that are not within the inner regions have a second thickness less than the first thickness; and forming an epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the gate structure and extending over the fins, wherein portions of the epitaxial source/drain region within the inner regions are separated from the first remaining portions of the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Min Liu, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 11791436
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device comprises a substrate; a first adhesive layer on the substrate; multiple epitaxial units on the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer on the multiple epitaxial units; multiple first electrodes between the first adhesive layer and the multiple epitaxial units, and contacting the first adhesive layer and the multiple epitaxial units; and multiple second electrodes between the second adhesive layer and the multiple epitaxial units, and contacting the second adhesive layer and the multiple epitaxial units; wherein the multiple epitaxial units are totally separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chiu, Chih-Chiang Lu, Chun-Yu Lin, Ching-Huai Ni, Yi-Ming Chen, Tzu-Chieh Hsu, Ching-Pei Lin
  • Patent number: 11791319
    Abstract: Edge-connected semiconductor systems are described along with methods of making and using the same. First and second integrated circuit packages are obtained, each including a substrate assembly having top and bottom sides and an edge that extends between the top and the bottom sides. Edge contacts are disposed on the edges of the substrate assemblies. A ganged assembly is formed by establishing conductive paths between the edge contacts of the substrate assemblies. The ganged assembly is coupled to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) by coupling host contacts on one or more of the substrate assemblies to corresponding contacts on the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Joey Cai, Tiger Yan, Jacky Zhu, Oliver Yi, Zach Wang
  • Patent number: 11791380
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a substrate, and a first transistor of a first conductivity type over the substrate. In an embodiment, the first transistor comprises a first semiconductor channel, and a first gate electrode around the first semiconductor channel. In an embodiment, the semiconductor device further comprises a second transistor of a second conductivity type above the first transistor. The second transistor comprises a second semiconductor channel, and a second gate electrode around the second semiconductor channel. In an embodiment, the second gate electrode and the first gate electrode comprise different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rahul Ramaswamy, Walid M. Hafez, Tanuj Trivedi, Jeong Dong Kim, Ting Chang, Babak Fallahazad, Hsu-Yu Chang, Nidhi Nidhi