Layered (e.g., A Diffusion Barrier Material Layer Or A Silicide Layer Or A Precious Metal Layer) Patents (Class 257/486)
  • Patent number: 7939906
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an electron tomography specimen with embedded fiducial markers includes the following steps. A chip of wafer is provided. The chip includes at least one inspecting area. At least one trench is produced beside the inspecting area. A liquid with the markers is filled into the trenches. A first protection layer is coated on the chip, and then a second protection layer is deposited on the first protection layer. Therefore, the markers can be embedded into the electron tomography specimen. The embedded markers can improve the alignment process, due to those embedded markers are easily tracked during feature tracking procedure. In addition, our novel invention also successfully provides a modified version of the technique to deposit gold beads onto TEM pillar samples for much improved 3D reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian-Shing Luo, Chia-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 7939904
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor (e.g., a silicon substrate), an electrically conductive region (e.g., a source region and a drain region) which is in contact with the semiconductor to form a Schottky junction, and an insulator. The insulator is in contact with the semiconductor and the electrically conductive region, and has a fixed-charge containing region which contains a fixed charge and extends across a boundary between the semiconductor and the electrically conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Kimoto
  • Patent number: 7902054
    Abstract: A silicon carbide Schottky barrier semiconductor device provided with a Ta electrode as a Schottky electrode, in which the Schottky barrier height is controlled to a desired value in a range where power loss is minimized without increasing the n factor. The method for manufacturing the silicon carbide Schottky barrier semiconductor device includes the steps of depositing Ta on a crystal face of an n-type silicon carbide epitaxial film, the crystal face having an inclined angle in the range of 0° to 10° from a (000-1) C face, and carrying out a thermal treatment at a temperature range of 300 to 1200° C. to form the Schottky electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tsuchida, Tomonori Nakamura, Toshiyuki Miyanagi
  • Patent number: 7863610
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed. One embodiment includes a first diode, a second diode, and a semiconductor line coupled to the first diode and the second diode. The line includes a first silicide region between the first diode and the second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignees: Qimonda North America Corp., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bipin Rajendran, Shoaib Hasan.Zaidi
  • Publication number: 20100289109
    Abstract: Fabrication of a Schottky diodes may include providing a Schottky contact layer containing a low barrier metal layer with spaced apart high barrier metal islands therein on a first surface of a substrate. A diode contact is formed on a second surface of the substrate that is opposite to the first surface. Formation of the Schottky contact layer may include providing a liquid mixture of a high barrier metal and a low barrier metal on the first surface of the substrate. Temperature and/or relative concentrations of the high and low barrier metals in the liquid mixture may be controlled to cause regions of the high barrier metal to solidify within the liquid mixture and agglomerate to form the spaced apart high barrier metal islands while inhibiting solidification of the low barrier metal. The temperature and relative concentrations may then be controlled to cause the low barrier metal to solidify and form the low barrier metal layer containing the high barrier metal islands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jason Patrick Henning, Allan Ward
  • Patent number: 7829970
    Abstract: A junction barrier Schottky diode has an N-type well having surface and a first impurity concentration; a p-type anode region in the surface of the well, and having a second impurity concentration; and an N-type cathode region in the surface of the well and horizontally abutting the anode region, and having a third impurity concentration. A first N-type region vertically abuts the anode and cathode regions, and has a fourth impurity concentration. An ohmic contact is made to the anode and a Schottky contact is made to the cathode. The fourth impurity concentration is less than the first, second and third impurity concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Dev Alok Girdhar, Michael David Church
  • Patent number: 7777935
    Abstract: An actuator is disclosed that has a contacting part smaller than a processing limit of a lithography technique, and is able to reduce a contacting area or a contacting length of the contacting part during operation, reduce a sticking force induced by contact, and decrease a driving voltage of the actuator. The actuator includes an operating part and a contacting part in contact with the operating part. The contacting part is formed by overlapping a first pattern on an end of a second pattern. The first pattern has a solid structure and the size of an upper portion of the solid structure of the first pattern on the second pattern is less than a processing resolving power or resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nanjyo, Seiichi Katoh, Koichi Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 7755104
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that has a pMOS double-gate structure, has a substrate, the crystal orientation of the top surface of which is (100), a semiconductor layer that is made of silicon or germanium, formed on the substrate such that currents flow in a direction of a first <110> crystal orientation, and channels are located at sidewall of the semiconductor layer, a source layer that is formed on the substrate adjacent to one end of the semiconductor layer in the direction of first <110> crystal orientation and is made of a metal or metal silicide to form a Schottky junction with the semiconductor layer; a drain layer that is formed on the substrate adjacent to the other end of the semiconductor layer in the direction of first <110> crystal orientation and is made of a metal or metal silicide to form a Schottky junction with the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode that is formed on the semiconductor layer in a direction of a second <110> crystal orientation perpendicular to the curre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Yagishita
  • Publication number: 20100164050
    Abstract: A high-voltage Schottky diode including a deep P-well having a first width is fanned on the semiconductor substrate. A doped P-well is disposed over the deep P-well and has a second width that is less than the width of the deep P-well. An M-type guard ring is formed around the upper surface of the second doped well, A Schottky metal is disposed on an upper surface of the second doped well and the N-type guard ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dah-Chuen HO, Chien-Shao TANG, Yu-Chang JONG, Zhe-Yi WANG
  • Patent number: 7732325
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for depositing materials on a substrate is provided which includes forming a titanium nitride barrier layer on the substrate by sequentially exposing the substrate to a titanium precursor containing a titanium organic compound and a nitrogen plasma formed from a mixture of nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas. In another embodiment, the method includes exposing the substrate to the deposition gas containing the titanium organic compound to form a titanium-containing layer on the substrate, and exposing the titanium-containing layer disposed on the substrate to a nitrogen plasma formed from a mixture of nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas. The method further provides depositing a conductive material containing tungsten or copper over the substrate during a vapor deposition process. In some examples, the titanium organic compound may contain methylamido or ethylamido, such as tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium, tetrakis(diethylamido)titanium, or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Toshio Itoh, Ming Xi
  • Patent number: 7728403
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of unipolar type has Schottky-contacts (6) laterally separated by regions in the form of additional layers (7, 7?) of semiconductor material on top of a drift layer (3). Said additional layers being doped according to a conductivity type being opposite to the one of the drift layer. At least one (7?) of the additional layers has a substantially larger lateral extension and thereby larger area of the interface to the drift layer than adjacent such layers (7) for facilitating the building-up of a sufficient voltage between that layer and the drift layer for injecting minority charge carriers into the drift layer upon surge for surge protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cree Sweden AB
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Cem Basceri, Kent Bertilsson
  • Patent number: 7700944
    Abstract: Inspection wire is formed along at least a portion of the outer periphery of, and preferably along the entire perimeter of, a chip area enclosed by scribe areas, using an arbitrary wiring layer, conductive material, or diffusion layer of the semiconductor chip, and the opposite ends of the inspection wire are connected, via a wiring layer and contact plugs, to pads on the semiconductor chip, either directly or via prescribed switching means. By measuring the resistance of the inspection wire before and after dicing using the pads, chips and cracks occurring during dicing of the semiconductor chip, as well as chipping which progresses in subsequent packaging and assembly processes, or due to the application of stress, shocks, thermal cycles or similar after incorporation into products, can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 7687876
    Abstract: The present invention provides for nanostructures grown on a conducting substrate, and a method of making the same. The nanostructures grown according to the claimed method are suitable for manufacturing electronic devices such as an electron beam writer, and a field emission display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Smoltek AB
    Inventor: Mohammad Shafiqul Kabir
  • Patent number: 7667329
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromodule comprising an integrated circuit and an antenna coil electrically connected to the integrated circuit. The method includes manufacturing the integrated circuit and first contact pads of the integrated circuit on a first wafer of semiconductor material, making a conductive winding forming a coil and second contact pads of the coil on a second wafer of semiconductor material, and assembling the first and the second wafers face to face while putting the second contact pads of the coil in contact with the second contact pads of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Agnes Rogge
  • Patent number: 7646077
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved dielectric copper barrier layer and related interconnect structures. One structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a copper line. An insulating layer formed of at least one of silicon and carbon is formed on the underlying copper line. An opening is formed in the insulating layer to expose a portion of the copper line. The inner surface of the opening in the insulating layer has a dielectric barrier layer formed thereon to prevent the diffusion of copper into the insulating layer. A copper plug is formed to fill the opening and make electrical contact with the underlying copper interconnect structure. Aspects of the invention also include methods for forming the dielectric copper barrier layers and associate copper interconnects to the underlying copper lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Qiang Lu, Peter A. Burke, Wilbur G. Catabay
  • Patent number: 7612426
    Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer successively formed above a semiconductor substrate with a buffer layer formed between the first and second semiconductor layers and the semiconductor substrate. A Schottky electrode and an ohmic electrode spaced from each other are formed on the second semiconductor layer, and a back face electrode is formed on the back face of the semiconductor substrate. The Schottky electrode or the ohmic electrode is electrically connected to the back face electrode through a via penetrating through at least the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Yanagihara, Yasuhiro Uemoto, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Daisuke Ueda
  • Publication number: 20090250756
    Abstract: An n-type SBTT and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The SBTT includes a silicon layer, a gate, a double layer that has a rare-earth metal silicide layer and a transition metal silicide layer. The silicon layer has a channel region. The gate is formed in an overlapping manner on the channel region and has a gate dielectric layer on its interface with respect to the silicon layer. The double layer is formed as a source/drain that has the channel region interposed on the silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Yark Yeon Kim, Moon Gyu Jang, Jae Heon Shin, Seong Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 7573064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectric actuators or sensors of the kind wherein electrostatic attraction between two electrodes located on an elastomeric body leads to a compression of the body in a first direction and a corresponding extension of the body in a second direction. The dielectric actuator/sensor structure comprises a first sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface and a second sheet of elastomeric material having at least one smooth surface and a second surface. The sheets are laminated together with their second surfaces exposed, and there is provided a first electrode on the second surface of the first sheet and second electrode on the second surface of the second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Mohamed Yahia Benslimane, Peter Gravesen
  • Patent number: 7525171
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor (e.g., a silicon substrate), an electrically conductive region (e.g., a source region and a drain region) which is in contact with the semiconductor to form a Schottky junction, and an insulator. The insulator is in contact with the semiconductor and the electrically conductive region, and has a fixed-charge containing region which contains a fixed charge and extends across a boundary between the semiconductor and the electrically conductive region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Kimoto
  • Publication number: 20090096053
    Abstract: A silicon carbide Schottky barrier semiconductor device provided with a Ta electrode as a Schottky electrode, in which the Schottky barrier height is controlled to a desired value in a range where power loss is minimized without increasing the n factor. The method for manufacturing the silicon carbide Schottky barrier semiconductor device includes the steps of depositing Ta on a crystal face of an n-type silicon carbide epitaxial film, the crystal face having an inclined angle in the range of 0° to 10° from a (000-1) C face, and carrying out a thermal treatment at a temperature range of 300 to 1200° C. to form the Schottky electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: CENTRAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tsuchida, Tomonori Nakamura, Toshiyuki Miyanagi
  • Publication number: 20090085145
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductor substrate. A layer of an electrically insulating material is formed over the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive feature is formed in the layer of electrically insulating material. A first layer of a semiconductor material is formed between the electrically conductive feature and the layer of electrically insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Feustel, Tobias Letz, Carsten Peters
  • Patent number: 7511352
    Abstract: A monolithic three dimensional memory array comprising Schottky diodes components separated by antifuses is disclosed. The Schottky diodes are vertically oriented and disposed on alternating levels. Those on odd levels are “rightside-up” with antifuse over the metal, and those on even levels are “upside down” with metal over the antifuse. Both antifuses are preferably grown oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Vyvoda
  • Patent number: 7492029
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor channel region, (b) a semiconductor source block in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region; (c) a source contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor source block, wherein the source contact region comprises a first electrically conducting material, and wherein the semiconductor source block physically isolates the source contact region from the semiconductor channel region, and (d) a drain contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region, wherein the semiconductor channel region is disposed between the semiconductor source block and the drain contact region, and wherein the drain contact region comprises a second electrically conducting material; and (e) a gate stack in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7482668
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. A transistor is formed on a substrate, and a metal silicide layer is formed on the surface of a gate conductor layer and a source/drain region. Next, a surface treatment process is performed to selectively form a protection layer on the surface of the metal silicide layer. Then, a spacer of the transistor is partially removed using the protection layer as a mask, so as to reduce the width of the spacer. Then, a stress layer is formed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Ching Hsieh, Chun-Chieh Chang, Tzung-Yu Hung
  • Patent number: 7476956
    Abstract: New Group III based diodes are disclosed having a low on state voltage (Vf) and structures to keep reverse current (Irev) relatively low. One embodiment of the invention is Schottky barrier diode made from the GaN material system in which the Fermi level (or surface potential) of is not pinned. The barrier potential at the metal-to-semiconductor junction varies depending on the type of metal used and using particular metals lowers the diode's Schottky barrier potential and results in a Vf in the range of 0.1-0.3V. In another embodiment a trench structure is formed on the Schottky diodes semiconductor material to reduce reverse leakage current. and comprises a number of parallel, equally spaced trenches with mesa regions between adjacent trenches. A third embodiment of the invention provides a GaN tunnel diode with a low Vf resulting from the tunneling of electrons through the barrier potential, instead of over it. This embodiment can also have a trench structure to reduce reverse leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, Umesh Mishra
  • Patent number: 7453133
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a dielectric/metal/2nd energy bandgap (Eg) semiconductor/1st Eg substrate structure. In order to reduce the contact resistance, a semiconductor with a lower energy bandgap (2nd Eg) is put in contact with metal. The energy bandgap of the 2nd Eg semiconductor is lower than the energy bandgap of the 1st Eg semiconductor and preferably lower than 1.1eV. In addition, a layer of dielectric may be deposited on the metal. The dielectric layer has built-in stress to compensate for the stress in the metal, 2nd Eg semiconductor and 1st Eg substrate. A process of making the structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lee, Chung-Hu Ge, Chenming Hu
  • Patent number: 7435670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bit line barrier metal layer for a semiconductor device and a process for preparing the same, the process comprising: forming bit line contact on an insulation layer vapor-deposited on an upper part of a substrate so as to expose an ion implantation region; vapor-depositing a first barrier metal layer of a Ti film on the entire upper surface thereof; and vapor-depositing, on the upper part of the Ti film, a second barrier metal layer of a ZrB2 film having different upper and lower Boron concentrations, by RPECVD controlling the presence/absence of H2 plasma, wherein the barrier metal layer includes the Ti film, lower ZrB2 film and upper a ZrB2 film sequentially stacked between tungsten bit lines and ion implantation region of a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Soo Eun
  • Patent number: 7436039
    Abstract: A gallium nitride based semiconductor Schottky diode fabricated from a n+ doped GaN layer having a thickness between one and six microns disposed on a sapphire substrate; an n? doped GaN layer having a thickness greater than one micron disposed on said n+ GaN layer patterned into a plurality of elongated fingers and a metal layer disposed on the n? doped GaN layer and forming a Schottky junction therewith. The layer thicknesses and the length and width of the elongated fingers are optimized to achieve a device with breakdown voltage of greater than 500 volts, current capacity in excess of one ampere, and a forward voltage of less than three volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Velox Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: TingGang Zhu, Bryan S. Shelton, Marek K. Pabisz, Mark Gottfried, Linlin Liu, Milan Pophristic, Michael Murphy, Richard A. Stall
  • Patent number: 7432559
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first silicon-containing layer comprising an element selected from the group consisting essentially of carbon and germanium wherein the silicon-containing layer has a first atomic percentage of the element to the element and silicon, a second silicon-containing layer comprising the element over the first silicon-containing layer, and a silicide layer on the second silicon-containing layer. The element in the second silicon-containing layer has a second atomic percentage of the element to the element and silicon, wherein the second atomic percentage is substantially lower than the first atomic percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jerry Lai, Chii-Ming Wu, Chih-Wei Chang, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 7405458
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor channel region, (b) a semiconductor source block in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region; (c) a source contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor source block, wherein the source contact region comprises a first electrically conducting material, and wherein the semiconductor source block physically isolates the source contact region from the semiconductor channel region, and (d) a drain contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region, wherein the semiconductor channel region is disposed between the semiconductor source block and the drain contact region, and wherein the drain contact region comprises a second electrically conducting material; and (e) a gate stack in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7391089
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes a field effect transistor having a gate electrode on the upper side of a semiconductor substrate, with a gate insulation film therebetween, wherein at least the gate insulation film side of the gate electrode includes a film containing hafnium and silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinpei Yamaguchi, Kaori Tai, Tomoyuki Hirano
  • Patent number: 7332782
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell with high conversion efficiency is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has, between an electrode (2) formed on a surface of a transparent substrate (1) and a counter electrode (6), a light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-absorbing particles carrying dye and an electrolyte layer (5), characterized in that the light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-scattering particles (4) different in size from the light-absorbing particles. In such a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, the energy of light, which passes through a light-absorbing layer in a conventional cell structure, can be strongly absorbed by the dye in the light-absorbing layer of the present invention. This will increase the conversion efficiency and output current of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7332785
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell with high conversion efficiency is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has, between an electrode (2) formed on a surface of a transparent substrate (1) and a counter electrode (6), a light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-absorbing particles carrying dye and an electrolyte layer (5), characterized in that the light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-scattering particles (4) different in size from the light-absorbing particles. In such a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, the energy of light, which passes through a light-absorbing layer in a conventional cell structure, can be strongly absorbed by the dye in the light-absorbing layer of the present invention. This will increase the conversion efficiency and output current of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7329937
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor channel region, (b) a semiconductor source block in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region; (c) a source contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor source block, wherein the source contact region comprises a first electrically conducting material, and wherein the semiconductor source block physically isolates the source contact region from the semiconductor channel region, and (d) a drain contact region in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region, wherein the semiconductor channel region is disposed between the semiconductor source block and the drain contact region, and wherein the drain contact region comprises a second electrically conducting material; and (e) a gate stack in direct physical contact with the semiconductor channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7315068
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making electronic devices with a thin anisotropic conducting layer interface layer formed between a substrate and an active device layer that is preferably patterned conductive layer. The interface layer preferably provides Ohmic and/or rectifying contact between the active device layer and the substrate and preferably provides good adhesion of the active device layer to the substrate. The active device layer is preferably fashioned from a nanoparticle ink solution that is patterned using embossing methods or other suitable printing and/or imaging methods. The active device layer is preferably patterned into an array of gate structures suitable for the fabrication of thin film transistors and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kovio Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Haubrich, Klaus Kunze, James C. Dunphy, Chris Gudeman, Joerg Rockenberger, Fabio Zurcher, Nassrin Sleiman, Mao Takashima, Chris Spindt
  • Patent number: 7312507
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell with high conversion efficiency is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has, between an electrode (2) formed on a surface of a transparent substrate (1) and a counter electrode (6), a light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-absorbing particles carrying dye and an electrolyte layer (5), characterized in that the light-absorbing layer (3) containing light-scattering particles (4) different in size from the light-absorbing particles. In such a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, the energy of light, which passes through a light-absorbing layer in a conventional cell structure, can be strongly absorbed by the dye in the light-absorbing layer of the present invention. This will increase the conversion efficiency and output current of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7276796
    Abstract: An interconnect structure of the single or dual damascene type and a method of forming the same, which substantially reduces the surface oxidation problem of plating a conductive material onto a noble metal seed layer are provided. In accordance with the present invention, a hydrogen plasma treatment is used to treat a noble metal seed layer such that the treated noble metal seed layer is highly resistant to surface oxidation. The inventive oxidation-resistant noble metal seed layer has a low C content and/or a low nitrogen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Nancy R. Klymko, Christopher C. Parks, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
  • Patent number: 7274082
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solid state chemical sensors. Detention of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, and molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, W. Henry Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 7253486
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a transistor (100) is provided. The transistor (100) comprises a source (10), a gate (30), a drain (20), and a field plate (40) located between the gate (30) and the drain (20). The field plate (40) comprises a plurality of connection locations (47) and a plurality of electrical connectors (45) connecting said plurality of connection locations (47) to a potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Ellen Lan, Phillip Li
  • Patent number: 7214988
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is provided. First, a gate structure is formed over a substrate. Then, offset spacers are formed on respective sidewalls of the gate structure. A first ion implantation process is performed to form a lightly doped drain (LDD) in the substrate beside the gate structure. Other spacers are formed on respective sidewalls of the offset spacers. Thereafter, a second ion implantation process is performed to form source/drain region in the substrate beside the spacers. Then, a metal silicide layer is formed on the surface of the source and the drain. An oxide layer is formed on the surface of the metal silicide layer. The spacers are removed and an etching stop layer is formed on the substrate. With the oxide layer over the metal silicide layer, the solvent for removing the spacers is prevented from damaging the metal silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chang-Chi Huang, Ming-Tsung Chen, Yi-Yiing Chiang, Yu-Lan Chang, Chung-Ju Lee, Chih-Ning Wu, Kuan-Yang Liao
  • Patent number: 7176537
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a metal/metal silicide gate and a Schottky source/drain and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate, a metal or metal silicide gate electrode having a work function of less than about 4.3 eV or greater than about 4.9 eV overlying the gate dielectric, a spacer having a thickness of less than about 100 ? on a side of the gate electrode, and a Schottky source/drain having a work function of less than about 4.3 eV or greater than about 4.9 eV wherein the Schottky source/drain region overlaps the gate electrode. The Schottky source/drain region preferably has a thickness of less than about 300 ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lee, Chung-Hu Ke, Min-Hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 7098676
    Abstract: An on-chip redundant crack termination barrier structure, or crackstop, provides a barrier for preventing defects, cracks, delaminations, and moisture/oxidation contaminants from reaching active circuit regions. Conductive materials in the barrier structure design permits wiring the barriers out to contact pads and device pins for coupling a monitor device to the chip for monitoring barrier integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Landers, Thomas M. Shaw, Diana Llera-Hurlburt, Scott W. Crowder, Vincent J. McGahay, Sandra G. Malhotra, Charles R. Davis, Ronald D. Goldblatt, Brett H. Engel
  • Patent number: 7078783
    Abstract: A vertical unipolar component formed in a semiconductor substrate. An upper portion of the substrate includes insulated trenches filled with a vertical multiple-layer of at least two conductive elements separated by an insulating layer, the multiple-layer depth being at most equal to the thickness of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Frédéric Lanois
  • Patent number: 7071525
    Abstract: A Merged P-i-N Schottky device in which the oppositely doped diffusions extend to a depth and have been spaced apart such that the device is capable of absorbing a reverse avalanche energy comparable to a Fast Recovery Epitaxial Diode having a comparatively deeper oppositely doped diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Chiola, Kohji Andoh, Silvestro Fimiani
  • Patent number: 7071526
    Abstract: A GaN semiconductor device with improved heat resistance of the Schottky junction electrode and excellent power performance and reliability is provided. In this semiconductor device having a Schottky gate electrode 17 which is in contact with an AlGaN electron supplying layer 14, a gate electrode 17 comprises a laminated structure wherein a first metal layer 171 formed of any of Ni, Pt and Pd, a second metal layer 172 formed of any of Mo, Pt, W, Ti, Ta, MoSi, PtSi, WSi, TiSi, TaSi, MoN, WN, TiN and TaN, and a third metal layer formed of any of Au, Cu, Al and Pt. Since the second metal layer comprises a metal material having a high melting point, it works as a barrier to the interdiffusion between the first metal layer and the third metal layer, and the deterioration of the gate characteristics caused by high temperature operation is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Ando, Hironobu Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Okamoto, Kensuke Kasahara, Tatsuo Nakayama, Masaaki Kuzuhara
  • Patent number: 7064407
    Abstract: A JFET controlled Schottky barrier diode includes a p-type diffusion region integrated into the cathode of the Schottky diode to form an integrated JFET where the integrated JFET provides on-off control of the Schottky barrier diode. The p-type diffusion region encloses a portion of the forward current path of the Schottky barrier diode where the p-type diffusion region forms the gate of the JFET and the enclosed portion of the forward current path forms the channel region of the JFET. By applying a reverse biased potential to the gate of the JEFT with respect to the anode of the Schottky diode, the forward current of the Schottky diode can be pinched off, thereby providing on-off control over the Schottky diode forward current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventor: Shekar Mallikarjunaswamy
  • Patent number: 6998694
    Abstract: A power Schottky rectifier device and its fabrication method are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: First, a semiconductor substrate having a relatively heavily doped n+ doped layer and a lightly doped is provided. A buried p region is then formed in the epi layer by ion implantation. Afterward, a first oxide layer and a nitride layer are then successively formed on the epi layer. The result structure is then patterned to form trenches. Subsequently, a thermal oxidation step is performed to recover etch damage. A wet etch is then performed to remove the thin oxide layer in the trench to expose the silicon in the sidewall. After that, a silicidation process is then performed to form silicide layer on the n-epi-layer in the trenches. After a removal of un-reacted metal layer, a top metal layer is then formed on the silicide layer and on the first oxide layer or nitride layer. The top metal layer on the termination region portion is then patterned to define anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Chip Integration Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shye-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 6963121
    Abstract: A three-terminal semiconductor transistor device comprises a base region formed by a semiconductor material of a first conductivity type at a first concentration, the base region being in contact with a first electrical terminal via a semiconductor material of the second conductivity type at a second concentration, wherein the second concentration is lower than the first concentration. The three-terminal semiconductor transistor device also includes a conductive emitter region in contact with the semiconductor base region, forming a first Schottky barrier junction at the interface of the conductive emitter region and the semiconductor base region. The conductive emitter region is in contact with a second electrical terminal. The three-terminal semiconductor transistor device further includes a conductive collector region in contact with the semiconductor base region, which forms a second Schottky barrier junction at the interface of the conductive collector region and the semiconductor base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 6956276
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device, comprising a gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, source/drain diffusion layers formed on both sides of the gate electrode, a gate electrode side-wall on the side of the source/drain diffusion layer and a gate side-wall insulating film covering a part of the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the vicinity of the gate electrode and having an L-shaped/reversed L-shaped cross-sectional shape, and a semiconductor layer extending over the gate side-wall insulating film covering a part of the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the vicinity of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akira Hokazono
  • Patent number: 6936906
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to filling of a feature by depositing a barrier layer, depositing a seed layer over the barrier layer, and depositing a conductive layer over the seed layer. In one embodiment, the seed layer comprises a copper alloy seed layer deposited over the barrier layer. For example, the copper alloy seed layer may comprise copper and a metal, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, tin, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the seed layer comprises a copper allloy seed layer deposited over the barrier layer and a second seed layer deposited over the copper alloy seed layer. The copper alloy seed layer may comprise copper and a metal, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, tin, and combinations thereof The second seed layer may comprise a metal, such as undoped copper. In still another embodiment, the seed layer comprises a first seed layer and a second seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hua Chung, Ling Chen, Jick Yu, Mei Chang