Patents Examined by Dana Farahani
  • Patent number: 7005702
    Abstract: The collector or anode of a non-punch through IGBT formed in a float zone silicon wafer is formed by a P doped amorphous silicon layer deposited on the back surface of an ultra thin wafer. A DMOS structure is formed on the top surface of the wafer before the bottom structure is formed. A back contact is formed over the amorphous silicon layer. No alloy step is needed to activate the anode defined by the P type amorphous silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Francis, Chiu Ng, Hamilton Lu, Ranadeep Dutta
  • Patent number: 6998651
    Abstract: In a LVTSCR-like structure, an additional p+ region is formed adjacent a n+ floating drain to define a p-n junction with the floating drain underneath a polygate of the structure. The polygate is used as a mask during doping of the p+ region and the n+ floating drain, and the length of the polygate is adjusted to provide the desired triggering voltage for the structure. The triggering voltage is also adjusted by biasing the polygate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Vladislav Vashohenko, Ann Concannon, Peter J. Hopper, Marcel Eer Beek
  • Patent number: 6999134
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: an insulating substrate; a gate line formed on the substrate and including a gate electrode; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate line; a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer opposite the gate electrode; a data line formed on the gate insulating layer and including a first source electrode located on the semiconductor layer; first and second drain electrodes formed on the semiconductor layer, separated from each other and overlapping the gate electrode; a passivation layer formed on the data line and the first and the second drain electrodes; and first and second pixel electrodes electrically connected to the first and the second drain electrodes, respectively, wherein an overlapping area between the gate electrode and the first drain electrode is different from an overlapping area between the gate electrode and the second drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hee Lee, Yoon-Sung Um, Jong-Ho Son, Jae-Jin Lyu
  • Patent number: 6995393
    Abstract: An improved voltage contrast test structure is disclosed. In general terms, the test structure can be fabricated in a single photolithography step or with a single reticle or mask. The test structure includes substructures which are designed to have a particular voltage potential pattern during a voltage contrast inspection. For example, when an electron beam is scanned across the test structure, an expected pattern of intensities are produced and imaged as a result of the expected voltage potentials of the test structure. However, when there is an unexpected pattern of voltage potentials present during the voltage contrast inspection, this indicates that a defect is present within the test structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt H. Weiner, Gaurav Verma
  • Patent number: 6987314
    Abstract: A stackable semiconductor package includes a substrate with a first side surface that includes circuit patterns. Each circuit pattern includes a pad. A semiconductor die is electrically coupled to the circuit patterns. An encapsulant covers the semiconductor die and the first side surface of the substrate inward of the pads. A layer of a solder is fused to each of the pads. A lateral distance between immediately adjacent pads is selected to be greater than a lateral distance between sidewalls of the encapsulant and immediately adjacent pads, and a height of the solder layers relative to the first side surface is selected to be less than a height of the sidewalls of the encapsulant, so that misalignment of a semiconductor package stacked on the solder layers/pads is self-correcting when juxtaposed ones of the solder layers and respective solder balls of the second semiconductor package are reflowed and fused together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akito Yoshida, Young Wook Heo
  • Patent number: 6987309
    Abstract: A first conductivity type well area is formed in a semiconductor substrate. A second conductivity type semiconductor layer is formed at a first area of a well area which is separated by element isolation areas. In a base portion of the well area, a first conductivity type low resistance area is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ohguro
  • Patent number: 6987301
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device may provide better protection of an integrated circuit by more uniform breakdown of a plurality of finger regions. The plurality of finger regions may extend through a first region of a substrate having a first conductivity type and into a second region of the substrate more lightly doped with impurities of the first conductivity type. An electrostatic discharge device may include a collector region having a middle region that may be highly doped with impurities of the first conductivity type. The middle region may be proximate to a layer that is lightly doped with impurities of the first conductivity type and a layer that is doped with impurities of the second conductivity type. The collector region may decrease the breakdown voltage of the electrostatic discharge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin Yi Zhang, Choy Hing Li
  • Patent number: 6984544
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first semiconductor die with bond pads arranged in an array on an active surface thereof and at least one second semiconductor die with bond pads on an active surface thereof flip-chip connected to bond pads of the first semiconductor device. The at least one second semiconductor die is oriented with the active surface thereof facing the active surface of the first semiconductor die. Corresponding bond pads of the first and at least one second semiconductor dice are connected by placing or forming conductive structures therebetween. A package includes the assembly and a carrier. The first semiconductor die of the assembly is oriented over the carrier with the active surface of the first semiconductor die facing the carrier. Bond pads of the first semiconductor die located laterally beyond an outer periphery of each second semiconductor die are electrically connected to corresponding contacts by way of conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Cloud, Paul A. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6979527
    Abstract: A master base for fabrication includes a substrate, a first photoresist layer disposed on the substrate, and a second photoresist layer disposed on the first photoresist layer, wherein the first photoresist layer attenuates or absorbs rays reflected at the interface between the first photoresist layer and the substrate to prevent the reflected rays from interfering with applied rays in a exposing step. A method for manufacturing a master base for fabrication includes the steps of forming a first photoresist layer on a substrate, baking the first photoresist layer at the setting temperature of the first photoresist layer, and forming a second photoresist layer on the first photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jumi Kimura, Moriaki Abe, Kazuhiro Shinoda
  • Patent number: 6979883
    Abstract: An integrated device in emitter-switching configuration is described. The device is integrated in a chip of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The device comprises a first transistor having a base region, an emitter region and a collector region, a second transistor having a not drivable terminal for collecting charges which is connected with the emitter terminal of the first transistor, a quenching element of the first transistor which discharges current therefrom when the second transistor is turned off. The quenching element comprises at least one Zener diode made in polysilicon which is coupled with the base terminal of the first transistor and with the other not drivable terminal of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Sergio Tommaso Spampinato
  • Patent number: 6980412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable capacitor and method of making it. The variable capacitor comprises a fixed charge plate disposed in a substrate, a movable charge plate disposed above the fixed charge plate, and a stiffener affixed to the movable charge plate. The movable charge plate may be patterned to form a movable actuator plate where the fixed charge plate is elevated above a fixed actuator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Peng Cheng, Qing Ma
  • Patent number: 6967357
    Abstract: A voltage-driven power semiconductor device includes a voltage-driven IEGT chip, a collector electrode plate, an emitter electrode plate, and an inductance material. The collector electrode plate is connected to the collector of the IEGT chip, and press-contacts the IEGT chip from its collector side. The emitter electrode plate press-contacts the IEGT chip from its emitter side. The inductance material has an inductance component and connects the emitter of the IEGT chip and the emitter electrode plate. In the voltage-driven power semiconductor device having this arrangement, an induced electromotive force is generated in the inductance material arranged between the emitter of the IEGT chip and the emitter electrode plate. This induced electromotive force can suppress a steep current change (di/dt) upon an OFF operation, and can further suppress a steep voltage change (dv/dt) caused by the current change (di/dt).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hironobu Kon, Yoshinori Iwano, Mitsuhiko Kitagawa, Shigeru Hasegawa, Michiaki Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 6958261
    Abstract: An image sensor device includes a QFN type leadframe having a central die attach flag and an outer bonding pad area having a plurality of bonding pads. A sensor IC is attached to the flag. The IC has a first surface with an active area and a peripheral bonding pad area that includes bonding pads. Wires are wirebonded to respective ones of the IC bonding pads and corresponding ones of the leadframe bonding pads, thereby electrically connecting the IC and the leadframe. Stud bumps are formed on the first surface of the IC and a transparent cover is disposed over the IC active area and resting on the stud bumps. The cover allows light to pass therethrough onto the IC active area. A mold compound is formed over the leadframe, wirebonds and a peripheral portion of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Wong Chow, Man Hon Cheng, Wai Keung Ho
  • Patent number: 6949776
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is disclosed that includes successive emitter, base and collector and sub-collector epitaxial layers and emitter, base and collector contact metals contacting the emitter, base and sub-collector layers respectively. A passivation material is included that covers the uncovered portions of the layers and covers substantially all of the contact metals. The passivation material has a planar surface and a portion of each of the contact metals protrudes from the surface. Planar metals are included on the planar surface, each being isolated from the others and in electrical contact with a respective contact metal. A method for fabricating an HBT is also disclosed, wherein successive emitter, base, collector and sub-collector epitaxial layers are deposited on a substrate, with the substrate being adjacent to the sub-collector layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Pierson, Jr., James Chingwei Li, Berinder P. S. Brar, John A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6943428
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the device using a semiconductor substrate of a high resistance with improved Q value of a passive circuit element. Leakage current due to an impurity fluctuation, in the high resistance semiconductor substrate and noise resistance of an active element in the high resistance semiconductor substrate are improved. The semiconductor device includes a bipolar transistor at a main surface of and in the semiconductor substrate. The bipolar transistor includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type at a bottom portion of the bipolar transistor and the semiconductor device includes a buried layer of a second conductivity type, located in the semiconductor substrate and facing the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taisuke Furukawa, Yoshikazu Yoneda, Tatsuhiko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6943407
    Abstract: A method for forming and the structure of a vertical channel of a field effect transistor, a field effect transistor and CMOS circuitry are described incorporating a drain, body and source region on a sidewall of a vertical single crystal semiconductor structure wherein a hetero-junction is formed between the source and body of the transistor, wherein the source region and channel are independently lattice strained with respect the body region and wherein the drain region contains a carbon doped region to prevent the diffusion of dopants (i.e., B and P) into the body. The invention reduces the problem of short channel effects such as drain induced barrier lowering and the leakage current from the source to drain regions via the hetero-junction and while independently permitting lattice strain in the channel region for increased mobility via choice of the semiconductor materials. The problem of scalability of the gate length below 100 nm is overcome by the heterojunction between the source and body regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Qiqing Christine Ouyang, Jack Oon Chu
  • Patent number: 6940313
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a dynamic bus includes a dynamic bus repeater with a noise margin of about Vcc/2. The bus repeater splits the bus into front and rear segments. The front segment pre-charges while the rear segment evaluates, and vice versa. The dynamic bus repeater hides the pre-charge signal propagated from the front segment from the rear segment while the rear segment is evaluating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Anders, Ram Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 6933532
    Abstract: An OLED display including: a transparent electrode; a reflective electrode having a transparent window; a light emissive layer disposed between the transparent electrode and the reflective electrode; and a photosensor located under the transparent window of the reflective electrode to sense light produced by the light emissive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew D. Arnold, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 6927476
    Abstract: A raised extrinsic base, silicon germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), and a method of making the same is disclosed herein. The heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a substrate, a silicon germanium layer formed on the substrate, a collector layer formed on the substrate, a raised extrinsic base layer formed on the silicon germanium layer, and an emitter layer formed on the silicon germanium layer. The silicon germanium layer forms a heterojunction between the emitter layer and the raised extrinsic base layer. The bipolar transistor further includes a base electrode formed on a portion of the raised extrinsic base layer, a collector electrode formed on a portion of the collector layer, and an emitter electrode formed on a portion of the emitter layer. Thus, the heterojunction bipolar transistor includes a self-aligned raised extrinsic base, a minimal junction depth, and minimal interstitial defects influencing the base width, all being formed with minimal thermal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Internal Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory G. Freeman, Seshadri Subbanna, Basanth Jagannathan, Kathryn T. Schonenberg, Shwu-Jen Jeng, Kenneth J. Stein, Jeffrey B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6921965
    Abstract: A semiconductor topography is provided which includes a magnetic field shield layer formed upon a semiconductor device. In particular, the semiconductor topography may include a ferromagnetic layer adapted to shield underlying layers from external magnetic fields. Such a ferromagnetic layer may include either ferrite and/or non-ferrite materials. In some embodiments, the semiconductor topography may include a magnetic field shield layer with a different pattern configuration than an adjacent passivation layer. Consequently, a method for processing a semiconductor topography which includes patterning a magnetic field shield layer to form openings other than bond pad openings within the semiconductor topography is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Magnetic Systems
    Inventors: Oindrila Ray, Frederick B. Jenne