Patents by Inventor Thomas HERMANS

Thomas HERMANS 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).

  • Publication number: 20030089945
    Abstract: A vertical conduction MOSFET having a reduced on resistance RDSON as well as reduced threshold voltage Vth, and an improved resistance to punchthrough and walkout has an extremely shallow source diffusion, of less than 0.3 microns in depth and an extremely shallow channel diffusion, of less than about 3 microns in depth. In a P channel version, phosphorus is implanted into the bottom of a contact trench and into the channel region with an implant energy of 400 keV for a singly charged phosphorus ion or 200 keV for a doubly charged ion, thereby to prevent walkout of the threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: International Rectifier Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Herman, Harold Davis, Kyle Spring, Jianjun Cao
  • Publication number: 20020117687
    Abstract: A vertical MOSFET has a substrate of a first conductivity type. A channel region of a second conductivity type is diffused into the substrate. A gate is disposed at least partially over the channel region. A source region of a second conductivity type is disposed proximate to the gate and adjacent to the channel region. The channel region includes a depletion implant area proximate to the gate. The depletion implant species is of the second conductivity type to reduce the concentration of the first conductivity type in the channel region without increasing the conductivity in the drain/drift region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: International Rectifier Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle Spring, Jianjun Cao, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 6346726
    Abstract: A power MOSFET die with a minimized figure of merit has of a planar stripe MOSFET geometry in which parallel diffused bases (or channels) are formed by implantation and diffusion of impurities through parallel elongated and spaced polysilicon stripes wherein the polysilicon line width is from about 3.2 to 3.4 microns, preferably 3.4 microns; the polyline spacing is from about 1 to 4 microns, preferably 1.5 microns and the diffused bases are spaced by greater than about 0.8 microns. The polysilicon stripes act as masks to the sequential formation of first base stripes, the source stripes and second higher concentration base stripes which are deeper than the first base stripes. Insulation side wall spacers are used to define a contact etch for the source contact. The above design geometry is used for both the forward control MOSFET and the synchronous rectifier MOSFET of a buck converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 6320091
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a ceramic composition for the immobilization of actinides, particularly uranium and plutonium. The ceramic is a titanate material comprising pyrochlore, brannerite and rutile. The process comprises oxidizing the actinides, milling the oxides to a powder, blending them with ceramic precursors, cold pressing the blend and sintering the pressed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Bartley B. Ebbinghaus, Richard A. Van Konynenburg, Eric R. Vance, Martin W. Stewart, Philip A. Walls, William Allen Brummond, Guy A. Armantrout, Connie Cicero Herman, Beverly F. Hobson, David Thomas Herman, Paul G. Curtis, Joseph Farmer
  • Patent number: 6160191
    Abstract: A process for converting hydrocarbons by contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream under hydrocarbon conversion conditions with a large crystal zeolite catalyst. The large crystal zeolite of the catalyst used in the hydrocarbon conversion process is made by heating an aqueous zeolite synthesis mixture under agitation to a temperature equal to or less than the effective nucleation temperature of the synthesis mixture. After this step, the aqueous synthesis mixture is heated in the absence of agitation to a temperature equal to or greater than the effective nucleation temperature of the aqueous zeolite synthesis mixture. The process finds particular application in hydrocarbon conversion processes where reduced non-selective acidity is important for reaction selectivity and/or the maintenance of catalyst activity, e.g., toluene disproportionation, dealkylation, alkylation, and transalkylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Smith, Johannes Petrus Verduijn, deceased, by Jannetje Maatje van den Berge, executrix, Gary David Mohr, Thomas Herman Colle
  • Patent number: 5742087
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device. The breakdown voltage of the device is substantially increased by forming a relatively deep p-type diffusion with a large radius in the n-type epitaxial layer beneath each of the sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 5598018
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region. The epitaxially formed region then receives a drain region which is on the same surface as the channels. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device. The breakdown voltage of the device is substantially increased by forming a relatively deep p-type diffusion with a large radius in the n-type epitaxial layer beneath each of the sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 5338961
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity region and from there to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The drain electrode may be either on the opposite surface of the chip or laterally displaced from and on the same side as the source regions. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 5191396
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity region and from there to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The drain electrode may be either on the opposite surface of the chip or laterally displaced from and on the same side as the source regions. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corp.
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 5130767
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET has a plurality of closely packed polygonal sources spaced from one another on one surface of a semiconductor body. An elongated gate electrode is exposed in the spacing between the polygonal sources and cooperates with two channels, one for each adjacent source electrode, to control conduction from the source electrode through the channel and then to a drain electrode on the opposite surface of the semiconductor body. The conductive region adjacent the channel and between adjacent sources is relatively highly conductive in the section of the channel adjacent to the surface containing the sources. The polygonal shaped source members are preferably hexagonal so that the distance between adjacent sources is relatively constant throughout the device. Each polygonal region has a relatively deep central portion and a shallow outer shelf portion. The shelf generally underlies an annular source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman, Vladimir Rumennik
  • Patent number: 5008725
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET has a plurality of closely packed polygonal sources spaced from one another on one surface of a semiconductor body. An elongated gate electrode is exposed in the spacing between the polygonal sources and cooperates with two channels, one for each adjacent source electrode, to control conduction from the source electrode through the channel and them to a drain electrode on the opposite surface of the semiconductor body. The conductive region adjacent the channel and between adjacent sources is relatively highly conductive in the section of the channel adjacent to the surface containing the sources. The polygonal shaped source members are preferably hexagonal so that the distances between adjacent sources is relatively constant throughout the device. Each polygonal region has a relatively deep central portion and a shallow outer shelf portion. The shelf portion generally underlies an annular source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman, Vladimir Rumennik
  • Patent number: 4959699
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity region and from there to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The drain electrode may be either on the opposite surface of the chip or laterally displaced from and on the same side as the source regions. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4779126
    Abstract: An optically triggered lateral thyristor consists of a plurality of individual lateral thyristor elements connected in parallel. Each element has an active base region which contains a respective cathode region. Each of the base regions is carried in a common conductivity type body. Extending fingers of a continuous anode electrode partly enclose each individual base region to enable the parallel connection of the individual devices. The thyristor base and emitter zones are surrounded by an auxiliary P region which is resistively connected to a field plate and the cathode electrode to improve emitter collection efficiency. The cathode electrode and anode electrode are interdigitated. The cathode electrode is connected to spaced, parallel, generally rectangular emitter regions which are disposed in respective bases between loops of the cathode electrode. Radiation applied to the surface of the device by a noncritical photo source produces the effect of a gate current in order to turn on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4705759
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity region and from there to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The drain electrode may be either on the opposite surface of the chip or laterally displaced from and on the same side as the source regions. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4680853
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET structure consists of a plurality of source cells distributed over the upper surface of a semiconductor chip, with a drain electrode on the bottom of the chip. Each of the source cells is hexagonal in configuration and is surrounded by a narrow, hexagonal conduction region disposed beneath a gate oxide. The semiconductor material beneath the gate oxide has a relatively high conductivity, with the carriers being laterally equally distributed in density beneath the gate oxide. The high conductivity hexagonal channel is formed in a low conductivity epitaxially formed region and consists of carriers deposited on the epitaxial region prior to the formation of the source region. Symmetrically arranged gate fingers extend over the upper surface of the device and extend through and along slits in the upper source metallizing and are connected to a polysilicon gate grid which overlies the gate oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4642666
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET is disclosed in which two laterally spaced sources each supply current through respective channels in one surface of a semiconductor chip which are controlled by the same gate. The channels lead from the source electrodes to a relatively low resistivity region and from there to a relatively high resistivity epitaxially formed region which is deposited on a high conductivity substrate. The drain electrode may be either on the opposite surface of the chip or laterally displaced from and on the same side as the source regions. The epitaxially deposited semiconductor material immediately adjacent and beneath the gate and in the path from the sources to the drain has a relatively high conductivity, thereby to substantially reduce the on-resistance of the device without effecting the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4593302
    Abstract: A high power MOSFET structure consists of a plurality of source cells distributed over the upper surface of a semiconductor chip, with a drain electrode on the bottom of the chip. Each of the source cells is hexagonal in configuration and is surrounded by a narrow, hexagonal conduction region disposed beneath a gate oxide. The semiconductor material beneath the gate oxide has a relatively high conductivity, with the carriers being laterally equally distributed in density beneath the gate oxide. The high conductivity hexagonal channel is formed in a low conductivity epitaxially formed region and consists of carriers deposited on the epitaxial region prior to the formation of the source region. Symmetrically arranged gate fingers extend over the upper surface of the device and extend through and along slits in the upper source metallizing and are connected to a polysilicon gate grid which overlies the gate oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Thomas Herman
  • Patent number: 4535251
    Abstract: A solid state a.c. relay has two separate and indentical power thyristors connected in anti-parallel arrangement. The power thyristors are optically switched, lateral conduction devices with anode and cathode electrodes on the same surface. Both are switched by illuminating their surface by reflected illumination from an LED. Each thyristor is provided with a respective control circuit which includes a MOSFET transistor for clamping its respective thyristor gate wherever the voltage across the thryistor exceeds a given absolute value or whenever there is a high dV/dt transient across the thyristor. The control circuit for the control transistor includes a capacitance divider, one element of which is the distributed capacitance of the control transistor. The control circuit components can be integrated into the same semiconductor chip which contains the respective power thyristor. Each of the two identical power chips and the LED chip are spaced from one another and mounted on an alumina substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Herman, Oliver Williams
  • Patent number: 4412242
    Abstract: Two gaps are placed in the reflowed phosphorus-doped silicon dioxide material overcoating of a planar high voltage semiconductor device to prevent polarization of the reflowed silox. The invention is applicable to any device using a polarizable glassy coating which will be exposed to a high electric field extending along its surface and is shown applied to a high voltage diode, a high voltage MOSFET and a high voltage TRIMOS-type device which is a semiconductor switching device using spaced MOS transistors having a common drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Herman, Alexander Lidow
  • Patent number: 4399449
    Abstract: A field plate structure is provided to terminate the electrode of a semiconductor device in a manner to reduce curvature of electric field within the body of the semiconductor device underlying the electrode and surrounding the electrode. A stepped electrode outer rim is provided in effect through the use of an underlying polysilicon which drapes over an underlying oxide. The main contact metal, typically aluminum, overlies the polysilicon but is upwardly displaced above the relatively thin polysilicon by a relatively thick oxide layer over the polysilicon. The composite effect of the thin polysilicon layer at one level and the heavier metallizing at a higher level but overlapping the polysilicon is that of a metal electrode deposited atop an insulation layer having two steps therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Herman, Alexander Lidow