With Non-planar Semiconductor Surface (e.g., Groove, Mesa, Bevel, Etc.) Patents (Class 257/586)
  • Patent number: 11967637
    Abstract: A disclosed structure includes a fin-based bipolar junction transistor (BJT) with reduced base resistance. The BJT includes one or more semiconductor fins. Each semiconductor fin has opposing sidewalls, a first width, and a base recess, which extends across the first width through the opposing sidewalls. The BJT includes a base region positioned laterally between collector and emitter regions. The base region includes a base semiconductor layer (e.g., an intrinsic base layer), which fills the base recess and which has a second width greater than the first width such that the base semiconductor layer extends laterally beyond the opposing sidewalls. In a BJT with multiple semiconductor fins, the base recess on each semiconductor fin is filled with a discrete base semiconductor layer. The base region further includes an additional base semiconductor layer (e.g., an extrinsic base layer) covering the base semiconductor layer(s). Also disclosed is a method of forming the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Razavieh, Jagar Singh, Haiting Wang
  • Patent number: 11949169
    Abstract: A resistive splitter can include a monolithic substrate and a patterned resistive layer formed over the monolithic substrate. The resistive splitter can include a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal each connected with the patterned resistive layer. The resistive splitter can include at least one frequency compensating conductive layer formed over a portion of the patterned resistive layer. In some embodiments, the resistive splitter can exhibit a first insertion loss response between the first terminal and the second terminal that is greater than about ?10 dB for frequencies ranging from about 0 GHz up to about 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA AVX Components Corporation
    Inventors: Cory Nelson, Gheorghe Korony
  • Patent number: 11908898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a lateral bipolar transistor with a base layer of varying horizontal thickness, and related methods to form the same. A lateral bipolar transistor may include an emitter/collector (E/C) layer on a semiconductor layer. A first base layer is on the semiconductor layer and horizontally adjacent the E/C layer. The first base layer has a lower portion having a first horizontal width from the E/C layer. The first base layer also has an upper portion on the lower portion, with a second horizontal width from the E/C layer greater than the first horizontal width. A second base layer is on the first base layer and adjacent a spacer. The upper portion of the first base layer separates a lower surface of the second base layer from the E/C layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Haiting Wang, Hong Yu, Zhenyu Hu, Alexander M. Derrickson
  • Patent number: 11610988
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate. A step is formed at a periphery of the semiconductor substrate. A first layer, made of polysilicon doped in oxygen, is deposited on top of and in contact with a first surface of the substrate. This first layer extends at least on a wall and bottom of the step. A second layer, made of glass, is deposited on top of the first layer and the edges of the first layer. The second layer forms a boss between the step and a central area of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Hauttecoeur, Vincent Caro
  • Patent number: 11600590
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a semiconductor package including the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element; a protective layer disposed adjacent to the surface of the semiconductor element, the protective layer defining an opening to expose the semiconductor element; a first bump disposed on the semiconductor element; and a second bump disposed onto the surface of the protective layer. The first bump has a larger cross-section surface area than the second bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Wei Liu, Huei-Siang Wong
  • Patent number: 11563084
    Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor is provided with an emitter structure that is positioned above the upper surface of the base region. The thickness of the emitter and the interfacial oxide thickness between the emitter and the base is configured to optimize a gain for a given type of transistor. A method of fabricating PNP and NPN transistors on the same substrate using a complementary bipolar fabrication process is provided. The method enables the emitter structure for the NPN transistor to be defined separately to that of the PNP transistor. This is achieved by epitaxially growing the emitter layer for the PNP transistor and growing the emitter layer for the NPN transistor in a thermal furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Edward John Coyne, Alan Brannick, Shane Tooher, Breandán Pol Og Ó hAnnaidh, Catriona Marie O'Sullivan, Shane Patrick Geary
  • Patent number: 11521961
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a bipolar transistor, e.g. a back-ballasted NPN, that can conduct laterally and vertically. At a low voltage breakdown and low current conduction occur laterally near a substrate surface, while at a higher voltage vertical conduction occurs in a more highly-doped channel below the surface. A relatively high-resistance region at the surface has a low doping level to guide the conduction deeper into the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Akram Ali Salman, Guruvayurappan Mathur, Ryo Tsukahara
  • Patent number: 11374125
    Abstract: A transistor device includes transistor cells each having source and drift regions of a first doping type and a body region of a second doping type in a first region of a semiconductor body, and a gate electrode dielectrically insulated from the body region. A gate conductor arranged on top of a second region of the semiconductor body is electrically connected to each gate electrode. A source conductor arranged on top of the first region is connected to each source and body region. A discharging region of the second doping type is arranged in the second region and located at least partially below the gate conductor, and includes at least one lower dose section in which a doping dose is lower than a minimum doping dose in other sections of the discharging region. The at least one lower dose section is associated with a corner of the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Winfried Kaindl, Gabor Mezoesi, Enrique Vecino Vazquez
  • Patent number: 11329157
    Abstract: A two-terminal biristor in which a polysilicon emitter layer is inserted and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method of manufacturing the two-terminal biristor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes forming a first semiconductor layer of a first type on a substrate, forming a second semiconductor layer of a second type on the first semiconductor layer, forming a third semiconductor layer of the first type on the second semiconductor layer, and forming a polysilicon layer of the first type on the third semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yang-Kyu Choi, Jun Woo Son, Jae Hur
  • Patent number: 11217685
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a device with a marker layer and methods of manufacture. The device includes: a collector region; an intrinsic base region above the collector region; an emitter region comprising emitter material and a marker layer vertically between the intrinsic base region and the emitter material; and an extrinsic base region in electrical contact with the intrinsic base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Herbert Ho, Vibhor Jain, John J. Pekarik, Claude Ortolland, Judson R. Holt, Qizhi Liu, Viorel Ontalus
  • Patent number: 11201192
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first electrode line layer including a plurality of first electrode lines extending on a substrate in a first direction and being spaced apart from each other, a second electrode line layer including a plurality of second electrode lines extending on the first electrode line layer in a second direction that is different from the first direction and being spaced apart from each other, and a memory cell layer including a plurality of first memory cells located at a plurality of intersections between the plurality of first electrode lines and the plurality of second electrode lines, each first memory cell including a selection device layer, an intermediate electrode and a variable resistance layer that are sequentially stacked. A side surface of the variable resistance layer is perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate or inclined to be gradually wider toward an upper portion of the variable resistance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Hyun Jeong, Gwan-hyeob Koh, Dae-hwan Kang
  • Patent number: 11183538
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first electrode line layer including a plurality of first electrode lines extending on a substrate in a first direction and being spaced apart from each other, a second electrode line layer including a plurality of second electrode lines extending on the first electrode line layer in a second direction that is different from the first direction and being spaced apart from each other, and a memory cell layer including a plurality of first memory cells located at a plurality of intersections between the plurality of first electrode lines and the plurality of second electrode lines, each first memory cell including a selection device layer, an intermediate electrode and a variable resistance layer that are sequentially stacked. A side surface of the variable resistance layer is perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate or inclined to be gradually wider toward an upper portion of the variable resistance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-hyun Jeong, Gwan-hyeob Koh, Dae-hwan Kang
  • Patent number: 11158219
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating an illumination assembly comprising a plurality of micro-light sources into an exterior surface of a vehicle for the purpose of producing predetermined fixed or sequenced visual images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Rebecca Estelle Burghy
  • Patent number: 11107810
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and the substrate includes a first region and a second region. A gate structure is formed over a fin structure and a first S/D structure has a first volume. A second S/D structure has a second volume, and the second volume is lower than the first volume. A first contact structure is formed over the first S/D structure and a first conductive via is formed over the first contact structure. A power line is formed over the first conductive via, and the power line is electrically connected to the first S/D structure by the first conductive via and the first contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Pin Tsao, Jeng-Ya Yeh, Chia-Wei Soong
  • Patent number: 10892346
    Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) containing sensor that includes a vertically oriented stack of an emitter overlying a supporting substrate, a base region present directly atop the emitter and a collector atop the base region. A first extrinsic base region is in contact with a first sidewall of a vertically oriented base region. The first extrinsic base region is electrically contacted to provide the bias current of the bipolar junction transistor during sensor operation. A second extrinsic base region is in contact with a second sidewall of the base region. The second extrinsic base region includes a sensing element. A sample trench is present adjacent to the BJT having a trench sidewall provided by the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Reznicek, Tak H. Ning, Sufi Zafar, Oscar van der Straten
  • Patent number: 10811523
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a first surface formed at a first height and a second surface formed at a second height on a semiconductor substrate includes: a base region formed in the semiconductor substrate; a trench formed from the first surface and the second surface into the semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film covering an inner side of the trench; a gate electrode embedded to a third height; an insulating film formed on the gate electrode; a first region which has the first surface and in which a base contact region is formed; and a second region which has the second surface and in which a source region is formed, the first region and the second region being alternately arranged in the trench extension direction to prevent a reduction in channel formation density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ABLIC INC.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoshimura, Masahiro Hatakenaka
  • Patent number: 10686067
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (A1) includes a semiconductor layer having a first face with a trench (3) formed thereon and a second face opposite to the first face, a gate electrode (41), and a gate insulating layer (5). The semiconductor layer includes a first n-type semiconductor layer (11), a second n-type semiconductor layer (12), a p-type semiconductor layer (13), and an n-type semiconductor region (14). The trench (3) is formed so as to penetrate through the p-type semiconductor layer (13) and to reach the second n-type semiconductor layer (12). The p-type semiconductor layer (13) includes an extended portion extending to a position closer to the second face of the semiconductor layer than the trench (3) is. Such structure allows suppressing dielectric breakdown in the gate insulating layer (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 10629710
    Abstract: An approach for heat dissipation in integrated circuit devices is provided. A method includes forming an isolation layer on an electrically conductive feature of an integrated circuit device. The method also includes forming an electrically conductive layer on the isolation layer. The method additionally includes forming a plurality of nanowire structures on a surface of the electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Max L. Lifson, James A. Slinkman, Theodore G. Van Kessel, Randy L. Wolf
  • Patent number: 10170746
    Abstract: A battery electrode in accordance with various embodiments may include: a substrate including a surface configured to face an ion-carrying electrolyte; and a first diffusivity changing region at a first portion of the surface, wherein the first diffusivity changing region is configured to change diffusion of ions carried by the electrolyte into the substrate, and wherein a second portion of the surface is free from the first diffusivity changing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Joachim Hirschler, Magdalena Forster, Michael Sorger, Katharina Schmut, Bernhard Goller, Philemon Schweizer, Michael Sternad, Thomas Walter
  • Patent number: 10121860
    Abstract: A fin-type bipolar semiconductor device includes a base region having a first portion in a semiconductor substrate and a first semiconductor fin on the adjacent first portion, a collector region having a second portion in the semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor fin on the adjacent second portion, and an emitter region having a third region in the semiconductor substrate and a third semiconductor fin on the adjacent third portion. The second portion is adjacent the first portion, and the third portion is adjacent the first portion and forms an emitter junction in the semiconductor substrate. The second portion is not adjacent to the third portion. The first, second, and third semiconductor fins are physically separated from each other. The fin-type bipolar device exhibits low leakage current, good linearity and uniformity of electrical characteristics to facilitate device matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10002954
    Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor devices, integrated circuit devices and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a first fin and a second fin disposed on a substrate. The first fin may have a portion including a first material disposed between a second material and the substrate, the second material disposed between a third material and the first material, and the third material disposed between a fourth material and the second material. The first and third materials may be formed from a first type of extrinsic semiconductor, and the second and fourth materials may be formed from a second, different type of extrinsic semiconductor. The second fin may be laterally separated from the first fin and materially contiguous with at least one of the first, second, third or fourth materials. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Walid M. Hafez, Chia-Hong Jan
  • Patent number: 9905668
    Abstract: A structure, including a bipolar junction transistor and method of fabrication thereof, is provided herein. The bipolar junction transistor includes: a substrate including a substrate region having a first conductivity type; an emitter region over a first portion of the substrate region, the emitter region having a second conductivity type; a collector region over a second portion of the substrate region, the collector region having the second conductivity type; and, a base region overlie structure disposed over, in part, the substrate region. The base region overlie structure separates the emitter region from the collector region and aligns to a base region of the bipolar junction transistor within the substrate region, between the first portion and the second portion of the substrate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Jagar Singh
  • Patent number: 9850569
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor tape, includes depositing a superconductor layer on a substrate, forming a metal layer comprising a first metal on a surface of the superconductor layer, and implanting an alloy species into the metal layer where the first metal forms a metal alloy after the implanting the alloy species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Connie P. Wang, Paul Murphy, Paul Sullivan, Ludovic Godet, Frank Sinclair, Morgan Evans
  • Patent number: 9653305
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes semiconductor fins formed between a base plane and a main surface of a semiconductor body. Each semiconductor fin includes a source region formed between the main surface and a channel/body region, and a drift zone formed between the channel/body region and the base plane. The semiconductor component further includes gate electrode structures on two mutually opposite sides of each channel/body region, and a field electrode structure between mutually adjacent ones of the semiconductor fins. Each field electrode structure is separated from the drift zone by a field dielectric and extends from the main surface as far as the base plane. The gate electrode structures assigned to the mutually adjacent semiconductor fins enclose an upper portion of the corresponding field electrode structure from two sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Tegen, Marko Lemke, Rolf Weis
  • Patent number: 9245951
    Abstract: Device structures and fabrication methods for a bipolar junction transistor. A layer is formed on a top surface of a substrate. A trench is formed in the layer and has a plurality of sidewalls with a width between an opposite pair of the sidewalls that varies with increasing distance from the top surface of the substrate. A collector pedestal of the bipolar junction transistor is formed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, David L. Harame, Vibhor Jain, Vikas K. Kaushal, Marwan H. Khater
  • Patent number: 9006833
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor includes a substrate having a semiconductor surface, a first trench enclosure and a second trench enclosure outside the first trench enclosure both at least lined with a dielectric extending downward from the semiconductor surface to a trench depth, where the first trench enclosure defines an inner enclosed area. A base and an emitter formed in the base are within the inner enclosed area. A buried layer is below the trench depth including under the base. A sinker diffusion includes a first portion between the first and second trench enclosures extending from a topside of the semiconductor surface to the buried layer and a second portion within the inner enclosed area, wherein the second portion does not extend to the topside of the semiconductor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry Litzmann Edwards, Akram A. Salman
  • Patent number: 8981444
    Abstract: Novel etch techniques are provided for shaping silicon features below the photolithographic resolution limits. FinFET devices are defined by recessing oxide and exposing a silicon protrusion to an isotropic etch, at least in the channel region. In one implementation, the protrusion is contoured by a dry isotropic etch having excellent selectivity, using a downstream microwave plasma etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Torek, Mark Fischer, Robert J. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20150060950
    Abstract: Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. A first isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a lateral boundary for an active device region and an intrinsic base layer is formed on the substrate. The intrinsic base layer has a section overlying the active device region. After the intrinsic base layer is formed, the first isolation region is partially removed adjacent to the active device region to define a trench that is coextensive with the substrate in the active device region and that is coextensive with the first isolation region. The trench is at least partially filled with a dielectric material to define a second isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Marwan H. Khater
  • Patent number: 8946862
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a device that includes merged vertical and lateral transistors with collector regions of a first conductivity type between upper and lower base regions of opposite conductivity type that are Ohmically coupled via intermediate regions of the same conductivity type and to the base contact. The emitter is provided in the upper base region and the collector contact is provided in outlying sinker regions extending to the thin collector regions and an underlying buried layer. As the collector voltage increases part of the thin collector regions become depleted of carriers from the top by the upper and from the bottom by the lower base regions. This clamps the collector regions' voltage well below the breakdown voltage of the PN junction formed between the buried layer and the lower base region. The gain and Early Voltage are increased and decoupled and a higher breakdown voltage is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Lin, Daniel J. Blomberg, Jiang-Kai Zuo
  • Patent number: 8933537
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, comprising a substrate layer made of a semiconductor material of a first conductivity type and having a first insulation region, and a vertical bipolar transistor having a first vertical portion of a collector made of monocrystalline semiconductor material of a second conductivity type and disposed in an opening of the first insulation region, a second insulation region lying partly on the first vertical portion of the collector and partly on the first insulation region and having an opening in the region of the collector, in which opening a second vertical portion of the collector made of monocrystalline material is disposed, said portion including an inner region of the second conductivity type, a base made of monocrystalline semiconductor material of the first conductivity type, a base connection region surrounding the base in the lateral direction, a T-shaped emitter made of semiconductor material of the second conductivity type and overlapping the base connection region, wherein t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: IHP GmbH—Innovations for High Performance Microelectronics/Leibniz-Institut fur Innovative Mikroelekronik
    Inventors: Alexander Fox, Bernd Heinemann, Steffen Marschmeyer
  • Patent number: 8933536
    Abstract: Memory cells having memory elements self-aligned with the emitters of bipolar junction transistor access devices are described herein, as well as methods for manufacturing such devices. A memory device as described herein comprises a plurality of memory cells. Memory cells in the plurality of memory cells include a bipolar junction transistor comprising an emitter comprising a pillar of doped polysilicon. The memory cells include an insulating element over the emitter and having an opening extending through the insulating layer, the opening centered over the emitter. The memory cells also include a memory element within the opening and electrically coupled to the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Macronix International Co., Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lan Lung, Erh-Kun Lai, Chung H. Lam, Bipin Rajendran
  • Patent number: 8932911
    Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating integrated circuits includes forming a metal contact structure that is electrically connected to a device. A capping layer is selectively formed on the metal contact structure, and an interlayer dielectric material is deposited over the capping layer. A metal hard mask is deposited and patterned over the interlayer dielectric material to define an exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material. The method etches the exposed region of the interlayer dielectric material to expose at least a portion of the capping layer. The method includes removing the metal hard mask with an etchant while the capping layer physically separates the metal contact structure from the etchant. A metal is deposited to form a conductive via electrically connected to the metal contact structure through the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Torsten Huisinga, Carsten Peters, Andreas Ott, Axel Preusse
  • Publication number: 20150008562
    Abstract: Lateral PNP bipolar junction transistors and design structures for a lateral PNP bipolar junction transistor. An emitter and a collector of the lateral PNP bipolar junction transistor are comprised of p-type semiconductor material that is formed by a selective epitaxial growth process. The source and drain each directly contact a top surface of a device region used to form the emitter and collector. A base contact may be formed on the top surface and overlies an n-type base defined within the device region. The emitter is laterally separated from the collector by the base contact. Another base contact may be formed in the device region that is separated from the other base contact by the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: David L. Harame, Qizhi Liu
  • Patent number: 8912631
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is provided with an improved on-state breakdown voltage VCE. The improvement of the on-state breakdown voltage for the HBT improves the output power characteristics of the HBT and the ability of the HBT to withstand large impedance mismatch (large VSWR). The improvement in the on-state breakdown voltage is related to the suppression of high electric fields adjacent a junction of a collector layer and a sub-collector layer forming a collector region of the HBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: MicroLink Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Noren Pan, Andree Wibowo
  • Patent number: 8912094
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a stretchable thin film transistor. The method for manufacturing a stretchable thin film transistor includes forming a mold substrate, forming a stretchable insulator on the mold substrate, forming a flat substrate on the stretchable insulator, removing the mold substrate, forming discontinuous and corrugated wires on the stretchable insulator, forming a thin film transistor connected between the wires, and removing the flat substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae Bon Koo, Chan Woo Park, Soon-Won Jung, Sang Chul Lim, Ji-Young Oh, Bock Soon Na, Hye Yong Chu
  • Patent number: 8912529
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes forming a patterned layer on a doped emitter portion of the photovoltaic device, the patterned layer including openings that expose areas of the doped emitter portion and growing an epitaxial layer over the patterned layer such that a crystalline phase grows in contact with the doped emitter portion and a non-crystalline phase grows in contact with the patterned layer. The non-crystalline phase is removed from the patterned layer. Conductive contacts are formed on the epitaxial layer in the openings to form a contact area for the photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Ali Khakifirooz, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8901713
    Abstract: A structure is provided in which the back gate regions are physically separated from one another as opposed to using reversed biased pn junction diodes. In the present disclosure, the back gate regions can be formed first through a buried dielectric material of an extremely thin semiconductor-on-insulator (ETSOI) substrate. After dopant activation, standard device fabrication processes can be performed. A semiconductor base layer portion of the ETSOI substrate can then be removed from the original ETSOI to expose a surface of the back gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Publication number: 20140339677
    Abstract: A hybrid plasma semiconductor device has a thin and flexible semiconductor base layer. An emitter region is diffused into the base layer forming a pn-junction. An insulator layer is upon one side the base layer and emitter region. Base and emitter electrodes are isolated from each other by the insulator layer and electrically contact the base layer and emitter region through the insulator layer. A thin and flexible collector layer is upon an opposite side of the base layer. A microcavity is formed in the collector layer and is aligned with the emitter region. Collector electrodes are arranged to sustain a microplasma within the microcavity with application of voltage to the collector electrodes. A depth of the emitter region and a thickness of the base layer are set to define a predetermined thin portion of the base layer as a base region between the emitter region and the microcavity. Microplasma generated in the microcavity serves as a collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: J. Gary Eden, Paul A. Tchertchian, Clark J. Wagner, Dane J. Sievers, Thomas J. Houlahan, Benben Li
  • Publication number: 20140327111
    Abstract: Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. A first isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a lateral boundary for an active device region and an intrinsic base layer is formed on the substrate. The intrinsic base layer has a section overlying the active device region. After the intrinsic base layer is formed, the first isolation region is partially removed adjacent to the active device region to define a trench that is coextensive with the substrate in the active device region and that is coextensive with the first isolation region. The trench is at least partially filled with a dielectric material to define a second isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Marwan H. Khater
  • Publication number: 20140319654
    Abstract: Preferred embodiment flexible and on wafer hybrid plasma semiconductor devices have at least one active solid state semiconductor region; and a plasma generated in proximity to the active solid state semiconductor region(s). A preferred device is a hybrid plasma semiconductor device having base, emitting and microcavity collector regions formed on a single side of a device layer. Visible or ultraviolet light is emitted during operation by plasma collectors in the array. In preferred embodiments, individual PBJTs in the array serve as sub-pixels of a full-color display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: J. Gary Eden, Paul A. Tchertchian, Clark J. Wagner, Dane J. Sievers, Thomas J. Houlahan, Benben Li
  • Patent number: 8853826
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are disclosed. A BJT comprises a collector made of p-type semiconductor material, a base made of n-type well on the collector; and an emitter comprising a p+ region on the base and a SiGe layer on the p+ region. The BJT can be formed by providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a collector, a base on the collector, forming a sacrificial layer on the base, patterning a first photoresist on the sacrificial layer to expose an opening surrounded by a STI within the base; implanting a p-type material through the sacrificial layer into an area of the base, forming a p+ region from the p-type implant; forming a SiGe layer on the etched p+ region to form an emitter. The process can be shared with manufacturing a polysilicon transistor up through the step of patterning a first photoresist on the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Yao Lai, Shyh-Wei Wang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8847278
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active section for a main current flow and a breakdown withstanding section for breakdown voltage. An external peripheral portion surrounds the active section on one major surface of an n-type semiconductor substrate. The breakdown withstanding section has a ring-shaped semiconductor protrusion, with a rectangular planar pattern including a curved section in each of four corners thereof, as a guard ring. The ring-shaped semiconductor protrusion has a p-type region therein, is sandwiched between a plurality of concavities deeper than the p-type region, and has an electrically conductive film across an insulator film on the surface thereof. Because of this, it is possible to manufacture at low cost a breakdown withstanding structure with which a high breakdown voltage is obtained in a narrow width, wherein there is little drop in breakdown voltage, even when there are variations in a patterning process of a field oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Takei, Yusuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8847359
    Abstract: High voltage bipolar transistors built with a BiCMOS process sequence exhibit reduced gain at high current densities due to the Kirk effect. Threshold current density for the onset of the Kirk effect is reduced by the lower doping density required for high voltage operation. The widened base region at high collector current densities due to the Kirk effect extends laterally into a region with a high density of recombination sites, resulting in an increase in base current and drop in the gain. The instant invention provides a bipolar transistor in an IC with an extended unsilicided base extrinsic region in a configuration that does not significantly increase a base-emitter capacitance. Lateral extension of the base extrinsic region may be accomplished using a silicide block layer, or an extended region of the emitter-base dielectric layer. A method of fabricating an IC with the inventive bipolar transistor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott Gerard Balster, Hiroshi Yasuda, Philipp Steinmann, Badih El-Kareh
  • Patent number: 8729675
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of parallel-trenches that are parallel to each other, a plurality of intersect-trenches that are parallel to each other, a plurality of active regions that are confined by the parallel-trenches and the intersect-trenches, a plurality of lower conductive lines that cross the active regions, a plurality of upper conductive lines that are parallel to each other, that cross the lower conductive lines, and that cross over the active regions, and data storage elements connected to the active regions. Each of the parallel-trenches and the intersect-trenches is a straight line. The parallel-trenches cross the upper conductive lines and form a first acute angle with the upper conductive lines. The intersect-trenches cross the parallel-trenches and form a second acute angle with the parallel-trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jay-Bok Choi, Kyu-Hyun Lee, Mi-Jeong Jang, Young-Jin Choi, Ju-Young Huh
  • Patent number: 8716836
    Abstract: A high-quality GaAs-type crystal thin film using an inexpensive Si wafer with good thermal release characteristics is achieved. Provided is a semiconductor wafer comprising an Si wafer; an inhibiting layer that is formed on the wafer and that inhibits crystal growth, the inhibiting layer including a covering region that covers a portion of the wafer and an open region that does not cover a portion of the wafer within the covering region; a Ge layer that is crystal-grown in the open region; and a functional layer that is crystal-grown on the Ge layer. The Ge layer may be formed by annealing with a temperature and duration that enables movement of crystal defects, and the annealing is repeated a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takada, Sadanori Yamanaka, Masahiko Hata, Taketsugu Yamamoto, Kazumi Wada
  • Patent number: 8716837
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating bipolar junction transistors, bipolar junction transistors made by the methods, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. The bipolar junction transistor includes a dielectric layer on an intrinsic base and an extrinsic base at least partially separated from the intrinsic base by the dielectric layer. An emitter opening extends through the extrinsic base and the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is recessed laterally relative to the emitter opening to define a cavity between the intrinsic base and the extrinsic base. The cavity is filled with a semiconductor layer that physically links the extrinsic base and the intrinsic base together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Peter B. Gray, David L. Harame, Alvin J. Joseph, Marwan H. Khater, Qizhi Liu
  • Publication number: 20140111892
    Abstract: A bi-directional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device may include a substrate, an N+ doped buried layer, an N-type well region and two P-type well regions. The N+ doped buried layer may be disposed proximate to the substrate. The N-type well region may encompass the two P-type well regions such that a portion of the N-type well region is interposed between the two P-type well regions. The P-type well regions may be disposed proximate to the N+ doped buried layer and comprise one or more N+ doped plates, one or more P+ doped plates, one or more field oxide (FOX) portions, and one or more field plates. A multi-emitter structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Liang Chen, Shuo-Lun Tu
  • Patent number: 8669640
    Abstract: An improved device (20) is provided, comprising, merged vertical (251) and lateral transistors (252), comprising thin collector regions (34) of a first conductivity type sandwiched between upper (362) and lower (30) base regions of opposite conductivity type that are Ohmically coupled via intermediate regions (32, 361) of the same conductivity type and to the base contact (38). The emitter (40) is provided in the upper base region (362) and the collector contact (42) is provided in outlying sinker regions (28) extending to the thin collector regions (34) and an underlying buried layer (28). As the collector voltage increases part of the thin collector regions (34) become depleted of carriers from the top by the upper (362) and from the bottom by the lower (30) base regions. This clamps the thin collector regions' (34) voltage well below the breakdown voltage of the PN junction formed between the buried layer (28) and the lower base region (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Lin, Daniel J. Blomberg, Jiang-Kai Zuo
  • Patent number: 8637959
    Abstract: The invention discloses a vertical parasitic PNP transistor in a BiCMOS process and manufacturing method of the same, wherein an active region is isolated by STIs. The transistor includes a collector region, a base region, an emitter region, pseudo buried layers, and N-type polysilicon. The pseudo buried layers, formed at the bottom of the STIs located on both sides of the collector region, extend laterally into the active region and contact with the collector region, whose electrodes are picked up through making deep-hole contacts in the STIs. The N-type polysilicon is formed on the base region and contacts with it, whose electrodes are picked up through making metal contacts on the N-type polysilicon. The transistors can be used as output devices in high-speed and high-gain circuits, efficiently reducing the transistors area, diminishing the collector resistance, and improving the transistors performance. The method can reduce the cost without additional technological conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Hua Hong NEC Electronics
    Inventors: Wensheng Qian, Donghua Liu, Jun Hu
  • Publication number: 20130299944
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are disclosed. A BJT comprises a collector made of p-type semiconductor material, a base made of n-type well on the collector; and an emitter comprising a p+ region on the base and a SiGe layer on the p+ region. The BJT can be formed by providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a collector, a base on the collector, forming a sacrificial layer on the base, patterning a first photoresist on the sacrificial layer to expose an opening surrounded by a STI within the base; implanting a p-type material through the sacrificial layer into an area of the base, forming a p+ region from the p-type implant; forming a SiGe layer on the etched p+ region to form an emitter. The process can be shared with manufacturing a polysilicon transistor up through the step of patterning a first photoresist on the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Yao Lai, Shyh-Wei Wang, Yen-Ming Chen