Patents Examined by Younes Boulghassoul
  • Patent number: 11651976
    Abstract: Optical packages and methods of fabrication are described. In an embodiment, a controller chip is embedded along with optical components, including a photodetector (PD) and one or more emitters, in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore N. Renjan, Bilal Mohamed Ibrahim Kani, Kyusang Kim, Manoj Vadeentavida, Pierpaolo Lupo, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Praveesh Chandran, Vinodh Babu, Yuta Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 11646268
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device structure with conductive plugs of different aspect ratios and manganese-containing lining layer and a method for preparing the same. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a pattern-dense region and a pattern-loose region; a first conductive layer disposed over the substrate; a first dielectric layer disposed over the first conductive layer; a first conductive plug and a second conductive plug disposed in the first dielectric layer; wherein the first conductive plug and the second conductive plug comprises copper (Cu) and are separated from the first dielectric layer by the a first lining layer comprising manganese (Mn); wherein the first conductive plug and the second conductive plug have different aspect ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chin-Te Kuo
  • Patent number: 11646143
    Abstract: Various devices are described (along with methods for making them), where the device has a tunnel barrier sandwiched between two magnetic layers (one of the magnetic layers functioning as a free layer and the other of the magnetic layers functioning as a reference layer). One magnetic layer underlies the tunnel barrier and the other magnetic layer overlies the tunnel barrier, thereby permitting spin-polarized current to pass across the magnetic layers and through the tunnel barrier. At least one of the magnetic layers includes a metal oxide sublayer (e.g., an MgO sublayer) sandwiched between magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Aakash Pushp
  • Patent number: 11646369
    Abstract: In an SiC-MOSFET with a built-in Schottky diode, a bipolar current may be passed in a second well region formed at a terminal part to reduce a breakdown voltage. In the SiC-MOSFET with the built-in Schottky diode, a conductive layer in Schottky connection with the second well region is provided on the second well region in the terminal part, and the conductive layer is electrically connected with a source electrode of the MOSFET. A conductive layer contact hole is provided for connecting only the conductive layer and the source electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Nagahisa, Shiro Hino, Koji Sadamatsu, Hideyuki Hatta, Kotaro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 11637195
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin extending from a substrate, the fin having a plurality of semiconductor layers and a first distance between each adjacent semiconductor layers. The method further includes providing a dielectric fin extending from the substrate where the dielectric fin is adjacent to the plurality of semiconductor layers and there is a second distance between an end of each of the semiconductor layers and a first sidewall of the dielectric fin. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor layers and over the first sidewall of the dielectric fin. Forming a first metal layer over the dielectric layer on the semiconductor layers and on the first sidewall of the dielectric fin, wherein portions of the first metal layer disposed on and interposing adjacent semiconductor layers are merged together. Finally removing the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11631638
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes first and second source/drain (S/D) features, one or more channel layers connecting the first and the second S/D features, a high-k metal gate engaging the one or more channel layers, an isolation structure, a power rail under the isolation structure, and a via structure extending through the isolation structure and electrically connecting the first S/D feature and the power rail. At least a portion of the isolation structure is under the first and the second S/D features. In a cross-section that extends through the first S/D feature and perpendicular to a direction from the first S/D feature to the second S/D feature along the one or more channel layers, the via structure extends into a gap vertically between the first S/D feature and the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yuan Chen, Huan-Chieh Su, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11632887
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, plural bit lines, at least one bit line contact, a spacer structure and a spacer layer. The substrate has an isolation area to define plural active areas. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate, and the dielectric layer includes a bottom layer having a sidewall being retracted from sidewalls of other layers of the dielectric layer. The plural bit lines are disposed on the dielectric stacked structure, along a direction, and the at least one bit line contact is disposed below one of the bit lines, within the substrate. The spacer structure is disposed at sidewalls of each of the bit lines, and the spacer layer is disposed on the spacer structure to directly in contact with the spacer structure and the other layers of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Ming Lu, Fu-Che Lee, Feng-Yi Chang
  • Patent number: 11610977
    Abstract: A device includes a first channel layer over a semiconductor substrate, a second channel layer over the first channel layer, and a third channel layer over the second channel layer. The channel layers each connects a first and a second source/drain along a first direction. The device also includes a first gate portion between the first and second channel layers; a second gate portion between the second and third channel layers; a first inner spacer between the first and second channel layers and between the first gate portion and the first source/drain; and a second inner spacer between the second and third channel layers and between the second gate portion and the first source/drain. The first and second gate portions have substantially the same gate lengths along the first direction. The first inner spacer has a width along the first direction that is greater than the second inner spacer has.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Chien Huang, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11600728
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to source/drain (S/D) epitaxial structures with enlarged top surfaces. In some embodiments, the S/D epitaxial structures include a first crystalline epitaxial layer comprising facets; a non-crystalline epitaxial layer on the first crystalline layer; and a second crystalline epitaxial layer on the non-crystalline epitaxial layer, where the second crystalline epitaxial layer is substantially facet-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Wei-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 11594547
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the array chip includes a three-dimensionally disposed plurality of memory cells and a memory-side interconnection layer connected to the memory cells. The circuit chip includes a substrate, a control circuit provided on the substrate, and a circuit-side interconnection layer provided on the control circuit and connected to the control circuit. The circuit chip is stuck to the array chip with the circuit-side interconnection layer facing to the memory-side interconnection layer. The bonding metal is provided between the memory-side interconnection layer and the circuit-side interconnection layer. The bonding metal is bonded to the memory-side interconnection layer and the circuit-side interconnection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 11587836
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and its fabrication method are provided in the present disclosure. The method includes providing a layer to-be-etched, including first regions and second regions. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete first sacrificial layers on the layer to-be-etched, where a plurality of openings is between the plurality of first sacrificial layers and includes first openings on the first regions. The method further includes forming initial sidewall spacer structures on sidewalls of the plurality of first sacrificial layers, where the initial sidewall spacer structures include first sidewall spacers, and the first sidewall spacers fill the first openings. The method further includes, using the first sidewall spacers as an alignment mark, forming a first mask layer on the layer to-be-etched and the initial sidewall spacer structures, where the first mask layer exposes a portion of the layer to-be-etched and a portion of the initial sidewall spacer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Song Bai, Qi Liang Ma, Tao Song, Xuan Li
  • Patent number: 11581406
    Abstract: Techniques and methods related to strained NMOS and PMOS devices without relaxed substrates, systems incorporating such semiconductor devices, and methods therefor may include a semiconductor device that may have both n-type and p-type semiconductor bodies. Both types of semiconductor bodies may be formed from an initially strained semiconductor material such as silicon germanium. A silicon cladding layer may then be provided at least over or on the n-type semiconductor body. In one example, a lower portion of the semiconductor bodies is formed by a Si extension of the wafer or substrate. By one approach, an upper portion of the semiconductor bodies, formed of the strained SiGe, may be formed by blanket depositing the strained SiGe layer on the Si wafer, and then etching through the SiGe layer and into the Si wafer to form the semiconductor bodies or fins with the lower and upper portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Daedalus Prime LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Roza Kotlyar, Harold W. Kennel, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 11581190
    Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor fins, including, patterning a film stack to produce one or more sacrificial mandrels having sidewalls, exposing the sidewall on one side of the one or more sacrificial mandrels to an ion beam to make the exposed sidewall more susceptible to oxidation, oxidizing the opposite sidewalls of the one or more sacrificial mandrels to form a plurality of oxide pillars, removing the one or more sacrificial mandrels, forming spacers on opposite sides of each of the plurality of oxide pillars to produce a spacer pattern, removing the plurality of oxide pillars, and transferring the spacer pattern to the substrate to produce a plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TESSERA LLC
    Inventor: Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 11574762
    Abstract: A coil component includes a body and a coil portion embedded in the body and having a plurality of turns wound about an axis. Each of the plurality of turns includes a plurality of corner portions adjacent to corners of the body, and at least one connection portion connecting adjacent corner portions among the plurality of corner portions, and a difference in heights, measured in the direction of the axis, between an innermost turn and a turn adjacent to the innermost turn, among the plurality of turns, is greater in the corner portion than in the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hui Li, Byeong Cheol Moon
  • Patent number: 11569242
    Abstract: Disclosed are DRAM devices and methods of forming DRAM devices. One method may include forming a plurality of trenches and angled structures, each angled structure including a first sidewall opposite a second sidewall, wherein the second sidewall extends over an adjacent trench. The method may include forming a spacer along a bottom surface of the trench, along the second sidewall, and along the first sidewall, wherein the spacer has an opening at a bottom portion of the first sidewall. The method may include forming a drain in each of the angled structures by performing an ion implant, which impacts the first sidewall through the opening at the bottom portion of the first sidewall. The method may include removing the spacer from the first sidewall, forming a bitline over the spacer along the bottom surface of each of the trenches, and forming a series of wordlines along the angled structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sony Varghese, Min Gyu Sung
  • Patent number: 11557508
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive line over a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first protection cap over the first conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes a first photosensitive dielectric layer over the substrate, the first conductive line, and the first protection cap. The semiconductor device structure includes a conductive via structure passing through the first photosensitive dielectric layer and connected to the first protection cap. The semiconductor device structure includes a second conductive line over the conductive via structure and the first photosensitive dielectric layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second protection cap over the second conductive line. The semiconductor device structure includes a second photosensitive dielectric layer over the first photosensitive dielectric layer, the second conductive line, and the second protection cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Li Yang, Wei-Li Huang, Sheng-Pin Yang, Chi-Cheng Chen, Hon-Lin Huang, Chin-Yu Ku, Chen-Shien Chen
  • Patent number: 11557656
    Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises a gate electrode on a substrate, an upper capping pattern on the gate electrode, and a lower capping pattern between the gate electrode and the upper capping pattern. The lower capping pattern comprises a first portion between the gate electrode and the upper capping pattern, and a plurality of second portions extending from the first portion onto corresponding side surfaces of the upper capping pattern. The upper capping pattern covers a topmost surface of each of the second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jonghan Lee, Wandon Kim, Jaeyeol Song, Jeonghyuk Yim, HyungSuk Jung
  • Patent number: 11545432
    Abstract: An exemplary semiconductor device includes a source feature and a drain feature disposed over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a source via electrically coupled to the source feature, and a drain via electrically coupled to the drain feature. The source via has a first size; the drain via has a second size; and the first size is greater than the second size. The semiconductor device may further include a first metal line electrically coupled to the source via and a second metal line electrically coupled to the drain via. The source via has a first dimension matching a dimension of the first metal line, and the drain via has a second dimension matching a dimension of the second metal line. The first metal line may be wider than the second metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Tsai, Yi-Ju Chen, Jyh-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11538937
    Abstract: Fin trim plug structures for imparting channel stress are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin including silicon, the fin having a top and sidewalls. The fin has a trench separating a first fin portion and a second fin portion. A first gate structure including a gate electrode is over the top of and laterally adjacent to the sidewalls of the first fin portion. A second gate structure including a gate electrode is over the top of and laterally adjacent to the sidewalls of the second fin portion. An isolation structure is in the trench of the fin, the isolation structure between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. The isolation structure includes a first dielectric material laterally surrounding a recessed second dielectric material distinct from the first dielectric material, the recessed second dielectric material laterally surrounding an oxidation catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard Guler, Nick Lindert, Biswajeet Guha, Swaminathan Sivakumar, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 11538815
    Abstract: Structures for an array of non-volatile memory cells and methods of forming a structure for an array of non-volatile memory cells. An active region of a substrate includes a first section having a side edge and a second section extending laterally from the side edge. The first section of the active region has a first length dimension in a direction parallel to the first side edge. The second section has a second length dimension in the direction parallel to the first side edge. The second length dimension is less than the first length dimension. A fin is positioned on the substrate in the second section of the active region. A gate structure extends over the fin and the second section of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar D. Restrepo, Edmund K. Banghart, William Taylor