Patents Examined by Donald Monin
  • Patent number: 5747857
    Abstract: Integrated circuits utilizing piezoelectric elements can be advantageously constructed by bonding elements together via direct bonds. Such integrated circuits include an electro-acoustic hybrid integrated circuit such as a voltage controlled oscillator wherein a semiconductor substrate having an active element is bonded through direct bonding to a surface acoustic wave resonator or a quartz oscillator as an electro-acoustic element. A quartz device can also be provided which includes a quartz plate, excitation electrodes on opposite surfaces, and a holding member made of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the quartz plate. The holding member is connected to the quartz plate by direct bonding without using any adhesives. Because the thermal expansion coefficients of the quartz plate and the holding member are equal, no thermal stress occurs in the bonding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Eda, Yutaka Taguchi, Akihiro Kanaboshi, Tetsuyoshi Ogura
  • Patent number: 5744834
    Abstract: A flash memory EEPROM transistor is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. In portions of the substrate, at the surface thereof, a doped source region and a doped drain region are formed with a channel region therebetween. A tunnel silicon oxide dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate aside from the source region. Above the source region is formed a gate oxide layer which is thicker than the tunnel oxide layer. Above a portion of the tunnel oxide dielectric layer, over the channel region and above a portion of the gate oxide layer is formed a stacked-gate structure for the transistor comprising a floating gate layer, an interelectrode dielectric layer, and a control gate layer. The source region is located on one side of the stacked gate structure with one edge of the source region overlapping the gate structure. The drain region which is located on the other side of the stacked gate structure with one edge thereof overlapping the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiao-Lun Lee
  • Patent number: 5742101
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided in connection with a semiconductor chip which has a plurality of bonding pads at a part corresponding to a centrally located area of the front or first main surface thereof, an organic insulator film which overlies the semiconductor chip and which has an opening in correspondence with the bonding pads, a plurality of leads which overly the organic insulator film, and a molding resin with which these constituents are sealed or packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sakuta, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Satoshi Oguchi, Aizo Kaneda, Masao Mitani, Shozo Nakamura, Kunihiko Nishi, Gen Murakami
  • Patent number: 5739564
    Abstract: A static-random-access memory cell comprising floating node capacitors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the storage nodes acts as the first plates for the floating node capacitors, and a conductive member acts as the second plates for the floating node capacitors. The conductive member also electrically connects the second plates together, but is not electrically connected to other parts of the memory cell. In another embodiment, a conductive member acts as the second plates of a plurality of memory cells. The conductive member also electrically connects the second plates together, but is not electrically connected to other parts of the memory cells. Processes for forming the memory cells is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Kosa, Howard C. Kirsch, Thomas F. McNelly, Frank Kelsey Baker
  • Patent number: 5739589
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor integrated circuit device fabricating process for forming MISFETs over the principal surface in those active regions of a substrate, which are surrounded by inactive regions formed of an element separating insulating film and channel stopper regions, comprising: the step of for forming a first mask by a non-oxidizable mask and an etching mask sequentially over the principal surface of the active regions of the substrate; the step of forming a second mask on and in self-alignment with the side walls of the first mask by a non-oxidizable mask thinner than the non-oxidizable mask of the first mask and an etching mask respectively; the step of etching the principal surface of the inactive regions of the substrate by using the first mask and the second mask; the step of forming the element separating insulating film over the principal surface of the inactive regions of the substrate by an oxidization using the first mask and the second mask; and the step of forming the channel s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi VLSI Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Jun Sugiura, Osamu Tsuchiya, Makoto Ogasawara, Fumio Ootsuka, Kazuyoshi Torii, Isamu Asano, Nobuo Owada, Mitsuaki Horiuchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru, Hideo Aoki, Nobuhiro Otsuka, Seiichirou Shirai, Masakazu Sagawa, Yoshihiro Ikeda, Masatoshi Tsuneoka, Toru Kaga, Tomotsugu Shimmyo, Hidetsugu Ogishi, Osamu Kasahara, Hiromichi Enami, Atsushi Wakahara, Hiroyuki Akimori, Sinichi Suzuki, Keisuke Funatsu, Yoshinao Kawasaki, Tunehiko Tubone, Takayoshi Kogano, Ken Tsugane
  • Patent number: 5736760
    Abstract: A MOS random access memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a trench formed therein, and an array of memory cells on the substrate. Each of the memory cells includes a 1-bit data-storage capacitor and a transfer-gate MOS transistor. The capacitor includes an insulated layer buried in the trench, which serves as a storage node. An island-shaped semiconductor layer covers the storage-node layer at least partially on the substrate, and is coupled thereto. The transistor has a source and a drain defining a channel region therebetween in the substrate, and an insulated gate overlying the channel region. One of the source and drain is directly coupled to the island-shaped layer, while the other of them is contacted with a corresponding data-transfer line (bit line) associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hieda, Masami Aoki, Takeshi Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 5736750
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with the fabrication of a MIS semiconductor device of high reliability by using a low-temperature process. Disclosed is a method of fabricating a MIS semiconductor device, wherein doped regions are selectively formed in a semiconductor substrate or a semiconductor thin film, provisions are then made so that laser or equivalent high-intensity light is radiated also onto the boundaries between the doped regions and their adjacent active region, and the laser or equivalent high-intensity light is radiated from above to accomplish activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yasuhiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 5736766
    Abstract: An LDMOS transistor (10) having a medium breakdown voltage and low Rsp includes a high voltage (n-) Nwell (38); a low voltage (n+) Nwell (42) formed in the high voltage Nwell (38); a drain region (64) formed in the low voltage Nwell (42); a Dwell (44) formed in the Nwell (70), the DWELL (46) including a p region (46) forming the backgate and a source region (48), a channel region (46a) defined between an edge of the source region (48) and an edge of the p region (46); and a gate (58) extending over the channel region (46a). Gate (58) extends onto a field oxide region (54) formed using a minimum photolithographic nitride opening to reduce the length of the drift region thus reducing Rsp. Rsp is also reduced by the addition of low voltage Nwell (42) to the drift region since low voltage Nwell (42) is more heavily doped than high voltage Nwell (38) thus reducing Rdson.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Taylor R. Efland, Stephen C. Kwan
  • Patent number: 5734180
    Abstract: An improved high-voltage device structure (10, 50, or 60) is a hybrid silicon-based/non-silicon-based power device that has a low R.sub.ds(on) relative to devices formed using only a silicon substrate and includes control circuit (14, 14', or 14") formed on silicon substrate region (12 or 62). High-voltage circuit (16, 16' or 16") is formed in non-silicon substrate region (18). Connecting circuitry (34 and 66) connects control circuit (14, 14', and 14") with high-voltage circuit (16, 16' or 16") to form high-voltage device structure (10, 50 or 60) that has improved control circuit performance and improved high-voltage circuits performance over devices formed solely from a silicon substrate or solely from a non-silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Satwinder Malhi
  • Patent number: 5731619
    Abstract: A CMOS integrated circuit with field isolation including an NFET(s) having an isolated P-well, wherein the isolated P-well is adjusted so that it does not extend below the field isolation (e.g., STI) and the width and doping of the P-well and an underlying buried N-well is adjusted so that the depletion regions of the source/drain (S-D) diode and also the well-diode just meet (merge) without overlap in the P-well. The semiconductor device obtains bipolar effect and reduced junction capacitance in a bulk single-crystal technology. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device if also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Seshadri Subbanna
  • Patent number: 5731607
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, particularly in a switch circuit, a first and a second FETs are connected in series with respect to the signal path, and a third FET is connected between the node of these first and second FETs and the ground region. Thereby, low insertion loss, high isolation, and miniaturization of the entire circuit can be realized simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kohama
  • Patent number: 5729053
    Abstract: A thin and flat integrated circuit assembly (10, 40) may be achieved by using a thin carrier (20) with shallow cavities (22, 24) for holding the integrated circuits (16) and/or discrete circuit components (14). The integrated circuits (16) and/or circuit components (14) may be friction fitted in the cavities (22, 24) or they may be secured therein by the use of adhesives and/or solder. Electrical connection between the integrated circuits (16) and circuit components (14) may be done with wire bonding, ribbon bonding, tape-automated bonding, lead frames, flip chip bonding, and/or conductive gluing of leads. The circuit assembly may then be accommodated into a credit card-sized packaging with standard dimensions set by the International Standards Organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kurt Orthmann
  • Patent number: 5726488
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a well region formed in the surface of a substrate, and has functional portions such as MOSFET and bipolar transistor formed in the well region. The carrier concentration profile of the well region assumes the shape of a valley in the direction of depth thereof, and a minimum point thereof has a concentration of smaller than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and is located at a position within 1.6 .mu.m from the surface of the substrate. Preferably, the minimum point should have a concentration of greater than 5.times.10.sup.14 cm.sup.-3 but smaller than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3, and more preferably a concentration of greater than 1.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 but smaller than 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Watanabe, Yoshiaki Yazawa, Atsushi Hiraishi, Masataka Minami, Takahiro Nagano, Takahide Ikeda, Naohiro Momma
  • Patent number: 5726471
    Abstract: A method of reducing undesired electron depletion through sidewalls of a floating gate of a floating gate transistor comprising providing a non-oxide or oxynitride layer over said sidewalls. Integrated circuitry including a non-volatile field effect transistor includes, a) a floating gate transistor having a gate construction and a pair of opposing source/drain regions, the gate construction having at least one sidewall; b) a shielding layer over the gate sidewall; and c) a dielectric layer on the shielding layer, the dielectric layer being of a different material than the shielding layer. The shielding layer might be provided over an oxide layer previously provided on sidewalls of the gate construction. The shielding layer might be provided over sidewall spacers previously provided relative to sidewalls of the gate construction. Example and preferred shielding layer materials include Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, oxynitride compounds, and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Dennis Keller, Roger R. Lee
  • Patent number: 5723897
    Abstract: The present invention implements a novel emitter scheme that maximizes the emitter perimeter to emitter area ratio of an integrated circuit transistor, thereby achieving improved low noise characteristics over the prior art. Emitter regions are disposed in the transistor in discrete "dotted" segments. The dotted emitter segments may be realized by etching into emitter regions defined by an appropriately formed photoresistive overlay, which can be modified without fabrication process changes. The effect is to reduce the total emitter area by half, while maintaining the total emitter perimeter unchanged. As a result, the noise-capacitance product of the transistor is reduced, improving the overall performance of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: VTC Inc.
    Inventors: John Leighton, John Shier
  • Patent number: 5714765
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a compositional semiconductor device comprising a antum well wire or quantum dot superlattice structure, in particular a device selected from the group comprising lasers, photodiodes, resonant tunneling transistors, resonant tunneling diodes, far infrared detectors, far infrared emitters, high electron mobility transistors, solar cells, optical modulators, optically bistable devices and bipolar transistors, by epitaxial growth of the superlattice structure on a semiconductor substrate, is characterised in that the epitaxial growth is effected on a {311}, {211}, {111} or {110} substrate, and that the devices preferably have length and width dimensions less than 500 .ANG. and especially less than 300 .ANG..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Richard Noetzel, Nikolai N. Ledentsov, Lutz Daeweritz, Klaus Ploog
  • Patent number: 5712491
    Abstract: A lateral THETA device formed of a sandwich of first and second layers of semiconductor material forming a heterojunction therebetween and a two dimensional carrier gas in the second layer. First and second spaced electrodes are disposed on the surface of the first layer for inducing first and second potential barriers to the flow of charge carriers in the carrier gas. Ohmic contacts are deposited in the base region defined between the electrodes and in the emitter and collector regions defined on opposing sides of the electrodes. The width of the first electrode is formed narrow enough so that the first potential barrier beneath the electrode permits tunnelling of charge carriers into the base region. The width of the second electrode is wide enough so that the second potential barrier prevents tunnelling. Electrons tunnelling through the first barrier are hot and ballistically move through the base region to the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: IBM Corporation
    Inventors: Mordehai Heiblum, Alexander Palevski, Corwin Paul Umbach
  • Patent number: 5698872
    Abstract: Memory cells, which serve as basic cells, are arranged in a matrix pattern. The memory cells are each provided with a word line which is integral with the gate electrode of a switch element and which is formed of polysilicon. A metallic interconnection layer is arranged above the word line and is applied with substantially the same potential as the word line. The metallic interconnection layer and the word line are connected together via through-holes. The through-holes are formed in through-hole cells, which also serve as basic cells. The through-hole cells and the memory cells are arranged such that the number of rows of the former and the number of rows of the latter are in the ratio of one to at least two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takase, Hisashi Hashimoto, Yutaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5696406
    Abstract: A first groove for an upper interconnection and a second groove for a bonding pad are formed on a silicon dioxide film including a lower interconnection, and a through-hole is formed to connect the first groove to the lower interconnection. At the same time with the formation of the through-hole, the second groove is deepened by the common etching process. Then, an Al film is formed on the silicon dioxide film, and the Al film is polished to be removed except for the Al film in the first and second grooves to provide the upper interconnection and the bonding pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corportion
    Inventor: Hisashi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5693970
    Abstract: A polycrystal silicon layer is used to a cell plate of a capacitor in a memory cell portion including a plurality of memory cells, and a Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film layer is used to form a capacitor above a first transistor in the memory cell. The polycrystal silicon layer and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film layer formed above a second transistor in a peripheral circuit are simultaneously removed by an etching method during the same process. Therefore an aspect ratio and a shape of a contact hole in the peripheral circuit are improved, and thus the step coverage of the wiring in the peripheral circuit can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinichirou Ikemasu