Patents Examined by Brad Smith
  • Patent number: 6803646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device including a first semiconductor element to be bonded to a wiring board in a flip-chip bonding manner, a resin peripheral wall provided on the wiring board in such a manner as to surround the first semiconductor element, a sealing resin poured so as to fill a space surrounded by the resin peripheral wall and then hardened, and a second semiconductor element provided in such a manner that a back surface thereof is fixed on an upper surface of the sealing resin and a electrode provided on a front surface thereof is connected to a segment of wiring on the wiring board by means of a bonding wire, and provides a method of fabricating the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Shibue
  • Patent number: 6798004
    Abstract: Fabricating a magnetoresistive random access memory cell and a structure for a magnetoresistive random access memory cell begins by providing a substrate having a transistor formed therein. A contact element is formed electrically coupled to the transistor and a dielectric material is deposited within an area partially bounded by the contact element. A digit line is formed within the dielectric material, the digit line overlying a portion of the contact element. A conductive layer is formed overlying the digit line and in electrical communication with the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Grynkewich, Brian R. Butcher, Mark A. Durlam, Clarence J. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6787464
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods of forming metal silicide regions on transistors based upon gate critical dimensions. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a layer of refractory metal above a plurality of transistors, reducing a thickness of at least a portion of the layer of refractory metal above at least some of the transistors and performing at least one anneal process to form metal silicide regions above the transistors. In another illustrative embodiment, the method comprises forming a layer of refractory metal above the plurality of transistors, reducing the thickness of the layer of refractory metal above a first of the transistors having a gate electrode with a critical dimension that is less than a critical dimension of a gate electrode structure of another of the plurality of transistors, and performing at least one anneal process to form metal silicide regions on the plurality of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Cheek, Scott D. Luning
  • Patent number: 6784052
    Abstract: The invention includes: forming a capacitor electrode over one region of a substrate; forming a capacitor dielectric layer proximate the electrode; forming a conductive diffusion barrier layer, the conductive diffusion barrier layer being between the electrode and the capacitor dielectric layer; forming a conductive plug over another region of the substrate, the conductive plug comprising a same material as the conductive diffusion barrier layer; and at least a portion of the conductive plug being formed simultaneously with the conductive diffusion barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Florian Schuegraf, Randhir P. S. Thakur
  • Patent number: 6777249
    Abstract: A method of repairing a light-emitting device capable of performing high quality image display even if pinholes are formed when forming an organic compound layer is provided. Device contamination can be prevented during repair. By applying a reverse bias voltage to an organic light emitting element during fixed periods of time, the electric current flowing in the EL element during application of the reverse bias voltage is reduced. Further, by forming a cathode so as to contain as little as possible of the high mobility ions Li and Na, contamination of the device when the reverse bias is applied can be prevented. It is preferable to use AlMg and MgAg for this type of cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6777327
    Abstract: A rapid thermal process (RTP) provides steps wherein silicon wafers that are pre-coated with barrier metal films by either in-situ or ex-situ CVD or physical vapor deposition (PVD) are pre-treated, prior to deposition of a Cu film thereon, in a temperature range of between 250 and 550 degrees Celsius in a non-reactive gas such as hydrogen gas (H2), argon (Ar), or helium (He), or in an ambient vacuum. The chamber pressure typically is between 0.1 mTorr and 20 Torr, and the RTP time typically is between 30 to 100 seconds. Performing this rapid thermal process before deposition of the Cu film results in a thin, shiny, densely nucleated, and adhesive Cu film deposited on a variety of barrier metal surfaces. The pre-treatment process eliminates variations in the deposited Cu film caused by Cu precursors and is insensitive to variation in precursor composition, volatility, and other precursor variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Pan, Jer-Shen Maa, David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 6774433
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a bitline area, a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory transistors, a ground selection transistor, and a source area which are serially disposed. The memory transistors are silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) transistors having a multi-layered charge storage layer. The memory transistors are also depletion mode transistors having a negative threshold voltage. In a method of fabricating the non-volatile memory device, a first conductive type diffusion layer is formed at a predetermined area of a first conductive type substrate. Impurities of a second conductive type are implanted into a predetermined area of a surface of the substrate where the first conductive type diffusion layer is formed, thereby forming an inversely doped area at a surface of the first conductive type diffusion layer. A string selection gate, a plurality of memory gates, and a ground selection gate are formed over a predetermined area of the first conductive type diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chany-Hyun Lee, Jung-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 6774033
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a local interconnect layer in an integrated circuit is formed by depositing a first film over an oxide layer and depositing a second film over the first film. The first film may comprise titanium nitride, while the second film may comprise tungsten, for example. The first film and the second film may be deposited in-situ by sputtering. The second film may be etched using the first film as an etch stop, and the first film may be etched using the oxide layer as an etch stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mira Ben-Tzur, Dafna Beery, Gorley L. Lau, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 6774432
    Abstract: A method of protecting a SONOS flash memory cell from UV-induced charging, including fabricating a SONOS flash memory cell in a semiconductor device; and depositing over the SONOS flash memory cell at least one UV-protective layer, the UV-protective layer including a substantially UV-opaque material. A SONOS flash memory device, including a SONOS flash memory cell; and at least one UV-protective layer, in which the UV-protective layer comprises a substantially UV-opaque material, is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a substantially UV-opaque contact cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Minh V. Ngo, Tazrien Kamal, Mark T. Ramsbey, Arvind Halliyal, Jaeyong Park, Ning Cheng, Jeff P. Erhardt, Clarence B. Ferguson, Jeffrey A. Shields, Angela T. Hui, Robert A. Huertas, Tyagamohan Gottipati
  • Patent number: 6764881
    Abstract: An array apparatus has a micromachined SOI structure, such as a MEMS array, mounted directly on a class of insulative substrate, such as low temperature co-fired ceramic or a thermal-coefficient of expansion matched glass, in which is embedded electrostatic electrodes disposed in alignment with the individual MEMS elements, where the electrostatic electrodes are configured for substantial fanout. In a specific embodiment in order to compensate for differences in thermal-expansion characteristics between SOI and ceramic, a flexible mounting is effected by means of posts, bridges and/or mechanical elements which allow uneven expansion in x and y while maintaining z-axis stability. Methods according to the invention include fabrication steps wherein electrodes are fabricated to a post-fired ceramic substrate and coupled via traces through the ceramic substrate to driver modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Glimmerglass Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan P. Staker, Douglas L. Teeter, Jr., Eric L. Bogatin
  • Patent number: 6764905
    Abstract: A scalable flash EEPROM cell having a semiconductor substrate with a drain and a source and a channel therebetween. A select gate is positioned over a portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. A floating gate is a spacer having a bottom surface positioned over a second portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. The floating gate has two side surfaces extending from the bottom surface. A control gate is over the floating gate and includes a first portion that is adjacent the floating gate first side surface, and a second portion adjacent the floating gate second side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Integrated Memory Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Shi Jeng, Ching Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 6759752
    Abstract: A package is provided for the mounting of IC devices. The IC die is bonded to metal traces contained in a flexible tape, the IC die with the flexible tape is attached to a stiffener (heat spreader), the various heat conducting interfaces are cured and solder balls are attached to another surface of the flexible tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: St Assembly Test Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Raymundo M. Camenforte, John Briar
  • Patent number: 6759341
    Abstract: To reduce the edge roll off in a semiconductor wafering process, the wafer (110) is subject to a plasma etch with an edge underetch. The edge underetch is achieved by means of a wafer holder (410) that emits gas towards the wafer (e.g. a gas vortex) to draw the wafer towards the holder's body (460). The plasma impinges on the wafer surface (110.1) opposite to the body. Some of the gas emitted by the holder wraps around the wafer edge and dilutes the etchant near the wafer edge. Consequently, the etch proceeds slower near the edge (the edge is underetched). In some embodiments, the wafer is rotated around an axis (440) passing through the wafer to increase the underetch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Tru-Si Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Yang Li
  • Patent number: 6750143
    Abstract: A desired plating film is formed on a surface of a substrate to be treated by performing a film-depositing step based on electroless plating and an etching step alternately and repeatedly. In the film-depositing step, an electroless plating solution is supplied from a nozzle to the surface of the substrate. In the etching step, an etching solution is supplied from a nozzle to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadashi Iijima, Tetsuo Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6740565
    Abstract: There is provided a process for fabrication of a SIMOX substrate wherein oxygen ions are implanted into a single crystal silicon substrate and then subjected to a high-temperature heat treatment to form a buried oxide layer and a surface single crystal silicon layer, wherein the single crystal silicon substrate used has a mean resistivity of 100 &OHgr;cm or greater, and there is conducted a step of maintaining a temperature of from 800° C. to 1250° C. for a predetermined time in the final stage of the high-temperature heat treatment, as well as a SIMOX substrate wherein the mean resistivity of the substrate obtained by the process is 100 &OHgr;cm or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuki Matsumura, Tsutomu Sasaki, Koichi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 6737726
    Abstract: In one implementation, a non-volatile resistance variable device includes a body formed of a voltage or current controlled resistance setable material, and at least two spaced electrodes on the body. The body includes a surface extending from one of the electrodes to the other of the electrodes. The surface has at least one surface striation extending from proximate the one electrode to proximate the other electrode at least when the body of said material is in a highest of selected resistance setable states. In one implementation, a method includes structurally changing a non-volatile device having a body formed of a voltage or current controlled resistance setable material and at least two spaced electrodes on the body. The body has a surface extending from one of the electrodes to the other of the electrodes, and the surface is formed to comprise at least one surface striation extending from proximate the one electrode to proximate the other electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Gilton
  • Patent number: 6734044
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit package. The method includes providing a first leadframe and a second leadframe, laminating the second leadframe to a portion of the first leadframe in order to create a multi-layer laminated leadframe, and mounting a semiconductor die on another portion of the first leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: ASAT Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Ho Fan, Tsui Yee Lin, Kin Pui Kwan, Shui Ming Tse, Wing Him Lau, Shuk Man Wong
  • Patent number: 6734492
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor vertical channel semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method starts with forming an insulator for device isolating having a depth D in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is etched with an etch depth d so that elevated portions are formed. A first conductive film is formed covering the elevated portions. After selectively and isotropically etched, the first conductive film is anisotropically etched so as to form floating gates on the side surfaces of the elevated portions. Sequently, a device insulating may be performed by selective oxidation technology. Further, a second conductive film is formed and anisotropically etched so that control gates are fabricated on the side surfaces of the elevated portions. In this case, forming a mask on predetermined regions of the elevated portions, the second conductive film may be etched to form gates of planar transistors or wirings. Then, a nonvolatile memory device is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yasuhiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 6727173
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a semiconductor processing method comprising exposing silicon, nitrogen and oxygen in gaseous form to a high density plasma during deposition of a silicon, nitrogen and oxygen containing solid layer over a substrate. In another aspect, the invention includes a gate stack forming method, comprising: a) forming a polysilicon layer over a substrate; b) forming a metal silicide layer over the polysilicon layer; c) depositing an antireflective material layer over the metal silicide utilizing a high density plasma; d) forming a layer of photoresist over the antireflective material layer; e) photolithographically patterning the layer of photoresist to form a patterned masking layer from the layer of photoresist; and f) transferring a pattern from the patterned masking layer to the antireflective material layer, metal silicide layer and polysilicon layer to pattern the antireflective material layer, metal silicide layer and polysilicon layer into a gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 6723582
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming such devices are disclosed. The devices include a package allowing for increased thermal dissipation. In one embodiment, the device includes a power MOSFET die that is electrically connected to a portion of the substrate with a metal strap. The die and at least portions of the strap and substrate are encapsulated in an insulative encapsulant, such as molded plastic. A top surface of the strap is exposed to the environment through the encapsulant. The exposed surface may have grooves formed therein, or fins formed thereon, to facilitate heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Glenn, Blake A. Gillett