Patents by Inventor Stephen Daley Arthur

Stephen Daley Arthur has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11764257
    Abstract: A disclosed super-junction (SJ) device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer that forms a first SJ layer of the SJ device, and includes a second epi layer disposed on the first SJ layer that forms a device layer of the SJ device. An active area of the first and second epi layers includes a first set of SJ pillars comprising a particular doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a second set of SJ pillars comprising the particular doping concentration of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first and second epi layers has a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type that is less than the particular doping concentration, and the termination area of the second epi layer includes a plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the SJ device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Patent number: 11538769
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an electric field (E-field) suppression layer formed over a termination region. The E-field suppression layer is patterned with openings over metal contact areas. The E-field suppression layer has a thickness such that an electric field strength above the E-field suppression layer is below a dielectric strength of an adjacent material when the semiconductor device is operating at or below a maximum voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Liangchun Yu, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, David Richard Esler, Christopher James Kapusta
  • Patent number: 11417759
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device, having a semiconductor substrate comprising silicon carbide with a gate electrode disposed on a portion of the substrate on a first surface with, a drain electrode disposed on a second surface of the substrate. There is a dielectric layer disposed on the gate electrode and a remedial layer disposed about the dielectric layer, wherein the remedial layer is configured to mitigate negative bias temperature instability maintaining a change in threshold voltage of less than about 1 volt. A source electrode is disposed on the remedial layer, wherein the source electrode is electrically coupled to a contact region of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Joseph Darryl Michael, Tammy Lynn Johnson, David Alan Lilienfeld, Kevin Sean Matocha, Jody Alan Fronheiser, William Gregg Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220130953
    Abstract: A disclosed super-junction (SJ) device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer that forms a first SJ layer of the SJ device, and includes a second epi layer disposed on the first SJ layer that forms a device layer of the SJ device. An active area of the first and second epi layers includes a first set of SJ pillars comprising a particular doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a second set of SJ pillars comprising the particular doping concentration of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first and second epi layers has a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type that is less than the particular doping concentration, and the termination area of the second epi layer includes a plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the SJ device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Patent number: 11271076
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to semiconductor power devices and, more specifically, to junction termination designs for wide-bandgap (e.g., silicon carbide) semiconductor power devices. A disclosed semiconductor device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer disposed on a substrate layer, wherein a termination area of the first epi layer has a minimized epi doping concentration of a first conductivity type (e.g., n-type). The device also includes a second epi layer disposed on the first epi layer, wherein a termination area of the second epi layer has the minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type and includes a first plurality of floating regions of a second conductivity type (e.g., p-type) that form a first junction termination of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Patent number: 11245003
    Abstract: A disclosed super-junction (SJ) device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer that forms a first SJ layer of the SJ device, and includes a second epi layer disposed on the first SJ layer that forms a device layer of the SJ device. An active area of the first and second epi layers includes a first set of SJ pillars comprising a particular doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a second set of SJ pillars comprising the particular doping concentration of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first and second epi layers has a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type that is less than the particular doping concentration, and the termination area of the second epi layer includes a plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the SJ device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Patent number: 11233157
    Abstract: A charge balance (CB) field-effect transistor (FET) device may include a CB layer defined in a first epitaxial (epi) layer having a first conductivity type. The CB layer may include a set of CB regions having a second conductivity type. The CB FET device may further include a device layer defined in a device epi layer having the first conductivity type disposed on the CB layer. The device layer may include a highly-doped region having the second conductivity type. The CB FET device may also include a CB bus region having the second conductivity type that extends between and electrically couples a CB region of the set of CB regions of the CB layer to the highly-doped region of the device layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Publication number: 20210288180
    Abstract: A charge balanced (CB) trench-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) device may include a charge balanced (CB) layer defined within a first epitaxial (epi) layer that has a first conductivity type. The CB layer may include charge balanced (CB) regions that has a second conductivity type. The CB trench-MOSFET device may include a device layer defined in a second epi layer and having the first conductivity type, where the device layer is disposed on the CB layer. The device layer may include a source region, a base region, a trench feature, and a shield region having the second conductivity type disposed at a bottom surface of the trench feature. The device layer may also include a charge balanced (CB) bus region having the second conductivity type that extends between and electrically couples the CB regions of the CB layer to at least one region of the device layer having the second conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Patent number: 11069772
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward designs and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, such as semiconductor charge balanced (CB) devices or semiconductor super-junction (SJ) devices. The disclosed designs and methods are useful in the manufacture of CB devices, such as planar CB metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) devices, as well as other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Reza Ghandi, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Patent number: 11056586
    Abstract: A charge balanced (CB) trench-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) device may include a charge balanced (CB) layer defined within a first epitaxial (epi) layer that has a first conductivity type. The CB layer may include charge balanced (CB) regions that has a second conductivity type. The CB trench-MOSFET device may include a device layer defined in a second epi layer and having the first conductivity type, where the device layer is disposed on the CB layer. The device layer may include a source region, a base region, a trench feature, and a shield region having the second conductivity type disposed at a bottom surface of the trench feature. The device layer may also include a charge balanced (CB) bus region having the second conductivity type that extends between and electrically couples the CB regions of the CB layer to at least one region of the device layer having the second conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almem Losee
  • Patent number: 10957759
    Abstract: A silicon carbide (SiC) charge balance (CB) device includes a CB layer, which includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer. An active area of the first epi layer includes a first doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a first plurality of CB regions of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first epi layer includes a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type. The SiC—CB device also includes a device layer, which includes a second epi layer disposed on the CB layer. An active area of the second epi layer includes the first doping concentration of the first conductivity type. A termination area of the device layer includes the minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type and a first plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Reza Ghandi, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Patent number: 10903330
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) power devices (e.g., MOSFETs, IGBTs, etc.) In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate oxide layer disposed on top of a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device also includes a gate electrode having a tapered sidewall. Further, the gate electrode includes a polysilicon layer disposed on top of the gate oxide layer and a metal silicide layer disposed on top of the polysilicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Saia, Stephen Daley Arthur, Zachary Matthew Stum, Roger Raymond Kovalec, Gregory Keith Dudoff
  • Patent number: 10892237
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of semiconductor devices. The method further includes disposing a dielectric dry film on the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein the dielectric dry film is patterned such that openings in the patterned dielectric dry film are aligned with conductive pads of each of the plurality of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Liangchun Yu, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, David Richard Esler, Christopher James Kapusta
  • Publication number: 20200203477
    Abstract: A disclosed super-junction (SJ) device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer that forms a first SJ layer of the SJ device, and includes a second epi layer disposed on the first SJ layer that forms a device layer of the SJ device. An active area of the first and second epi layers includes a first set of SJ pillars comprising a particular doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a second set of SJ pillars comprising the particular doping concentration of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first and second epi layers has a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type that is less than the particular doping concentration, and the termination area of the second epi layer includes a plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the SJ device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Publication number: 20200203476
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to semiconductor power devices and, more specifically, to junction termination designs for wide-bandgap (e.g., silicon carbide) semiconductor power devices. A disclosed semiconductor device includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer disposed on a substrate layer, wherein a termination area of the first epi layer has a minimized epi doping concentration of a first conductivity type (e.g., n-type). The device also includes a second epi layer disposed on the first epi layer, wherein a termination area of the second epi layer has the minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type and includes a first plurality of floating regions of a second conductivity type (e.g., p-type) that form a first junction termination of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Victor Mario Torres, Michael J. Hartig, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov
  • Publication number: 20200203487
    Abstract: A silicon carbide (SiC) charge balance (CB) device includes a CB layer, which includes a first epitaxial (epi) layer. An active area of the first epi layer includes a first doping concentration of a first conductivity type and a first plurality of CB regions of a second conductivity type. A termination area of the first epi layer includes a minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type. The SiC—CB device also includes a device layer, which includes a second epi layer disposed on the CB layer. An active area of the second epi layer includes the first doping concentration of the first conductivity type. A termination area of the device layer includes the minimized epi doping concentration of the first conductivity type and a first plurality of floating regions of the second conductivity type that form a junction termination of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Reza Ghandi, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Publication number: 20200194387
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an electric field (E-field) suppression layer formed over a termination region. The E-field suppression layer is patterned with openings over metal contact areas. The E-field suppression layer has a thickness such that an electric field strength above the E-field suppression layer is below a dielectric strength of an adjacent material when the semiconductor device is operating at or below a maximum voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Liangchun Yu, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, David Richard Esler, Christopher James Kapusta
  • Publication number: 20200194388
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of semiconductor devices. The method further includes disposing a dielectric dry film on the plurality of semiconductor devices, wherein the dielectric dry film is patterned such that openings in the patterned dielectric dry film are aligned with conductive pads of each of the plurality of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Liangchun Yu, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, David Richard Esler, Christopher James Kapusta
  • Publication number: 20200194546
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward designs and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices, such as semiconductor charge balanced (CB) devices or semiconductor super-junction (SJ) devices. The disclosed designs and methods are useful in the manufacture of CB devices, such as planar CB metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) devices, as well as other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Reza Ghandi, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee
  • Publication number: 20200105925
    Abstract: A charge balanced (CB) trench-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) device may include a charge balanced (CB) layer defined within a first epitaxial (epi) layer that has a first conductivity type. The CB layer may include charge balanced (CB) regions that has a second conductivity type. The CB trench-MOSFET device may include a device layer defined in a second epi layer and having the first conductivity type, where the device layer is disposed on the CB layer. The device layer may include a source region, a base region, a trench feature, and a shield region having the second conductivity type disposed at a bottom surface of the trench feature. The device layer may also include a charge balanced (CB) bus region having the second conductivity type that extends between and electrically couples the CB regions of the CB layer to at least one region of the device layer having the second conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Alexander Viktorovich Bolotnikov, Reza Ghandi, David Alan Lilienfeld, Peter Almern Losee