Amorphous Silicon Transistor (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.289)
  • Patent number: 9000437
    Abstract: A thin-film semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a gate electrode formed above the substrate; a gate insulating film formed on the gate electrode; a channel layer that is formed of a polycrystalline semiconductor layer on the gate insulating film; an amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the channel layer and having a projecting shape in a surface; and a source electrode and a drain electrode that are formed above the amorphous semiconductor layer, and a first portion included in the amorphous semiconductor layer and located closer to the channel layer has a resistivity lower than a resistivity of a second portion included in the amorphous semiconductor layer and located closer to the source and drain electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hayashi, Takahiro Kawashima, Genshirou Kawachi
  • Patent number: 8835271
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor display device having an interlayer insulating film which can obtain planarity of a surface while controlling film formation time, can control treatment time of heating treatment with an object of removing moisture, and can prevent moisture in the interlayer insulating film from being discharged to a film or an electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. An inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover a TFT. Next, an organic resin film containing photosensitive acrylic resin is applied to the organic insulting film, and the organic resin film is partially exposed to light to be opened. Thereafter, an inorganic insulting film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover the opened organic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Murakami, Masahiko Hayakawa, Kiyoshi Kato, Mitsuaki Osame
  • Patent number: 8735896
    Abstract: According to present invention, system on panel without complicating the process of TFT can be realized, and a light-emitting device that can be formed by lower cost than that of the conventional light-emitting device can be provided. A light-emitting device is provided in which a pixel portion is provided with a pixel including a light-emitting element and a TFT for controlling supply of current to the light-emitting element; a TFT included in a drive circuit and a TFT for controlling supply of current to the light-emitting element include a gate electrode, a gate insulating film formed over the gate electrode, a first semiconductor film, which overlaps with the gate electrode via the gate insulating film, a pair of second semiconductor films formed over the first semiconductor film; the pair of second semiconductor films are doped with an impurity to have one conductivity type; and the first semiconductor film is formed by semiamorphous semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8653512
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thin film transistor composition. The thin film transistor composition has a semiconductor material and a substrate. The substrate is composed of a polyimide and a sub-micron filler. The polyimide is derived from at least one aromatic dianhydride component selected from rigid rod dianhydride, non-rigid rod dianhydride and combinations thereof, and at least one aromatic diamine component selected from rigid rod diamine, non-rigid rod diamine and combinations thereof. The mole ratio of dianhydride to diamine is 48-52:52-48 and the ratio of X:Y is 20-80:80-20 where X is the mole percent of rigid rod dianhydride and rigid rod diamine, and Y is the mole percent of non-rigid rod dianhydride and non-rigid rod diamine. The sub-micron filler is less than 550 nanometers in at least one dimension; has an aspect ratio greater than 3:1; is less than the thickness of the film in all dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Auman, Meredith L. Dunbar, Tao He, Kostantinos Kourtakis
  • Publication number: 20140042427
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a thin-film transistor (TFT). The method includes forming a semiconductor layer over a gate insulator that covers a gate electrode, and depositing an insulator layer over the semiconductor layer, as well as etching the insulator layer to form a patterned etch-stop without losing the gate insulator. The method also includes forming a source electrode and a drain electrode over the semiconductor layer and the patterned etch-stop. The method further includes removing a portion of the semiconductor layer beyond the source electrode and the drain electrode such that a remaining portion of the semiconductor layer covers the gate insulator in a first overlapping area of the source electrode and the gate electrode and a second overlapping area of the drain electrode and gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Chin Hung, Kyung Wook Kim, Young Bae Park, Hao-Lin Chiu, Chun-Yao Huang, Shih Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 8629437
    Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided a semiconductor device, including: a logic circuit; an interlayer insulating film formed above the logic circuit; an amorphous silicon layer including: a non-silicide layer formed on the interlayer insulating film; and a silicide layer formed on the non-silicide layer; a TFT formed on the amorphous silicon layer; and a contact plug formed to plug a through hole penetrating the interlayer insulating film, the contact plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit, an upper part of the contact plug being connected to the silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishida, Masahiro Inohara
  • Patent number: 8624277
    Abstract: A display substrate includes a gate line, a gate insulation layer, a data line, a switching element, a protection insulation layer, a gate pad portion and a data pad portion. The gate insulation layer is disposed on the gate line. The switching element is connected to the gate line and the data line. The protection insulation layer is disposed on the switching element. The gate pad portion includes a first gate pad electrode which makes contact with an end portion of the gate line through a first hole formed through the gate insulation layer, and a second gate pad electrode which makes contact with the first gate pad electrode through a second hole formed through the protection insulation layer. The data pad portion includes a data pad electrode which makes contact with an end portion of the data line through a third hole formed through the protection insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Min Kim, Bo-Sung Kim, Seon-Pil Jang, Seung-Hwan Cho, Kang-Moon Jo
  • Publication number: 20140001462
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a stable, high mobility metal oxide thin film transistor includes the steps of providing a substrate, positioning a gate on the substrate, and depositing a gate dielectric layer on the gate and portions of the substrate not covered by the gate. A multiple film active layer including a metal oxide semiconductor film and a metal oxide passivation film is deposited on the gate dielectric with the passivation film positioned in overlying relationship to the semiconductor film. An etch-stop layer is positioned on a surface of the passivation film and defines a channel area in the active layer. A portion of the multiple film active layer on opposite sides of the etch-stop layer is modified to form an ohmic contact and metal source/drain contacts are positioned on the modified portion of the multiple film active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Chan-Long Shieh, Gang Yu, Fatt Foong, Tian Xiao, Juergen Musolf
  • Publication number: 20130328053
    Abstract: A transistor that may be used in electronic displays to selectively activate one or more pixels. The transistor includes a metal layer, a silicon layer deposited on at least a portion of the metal layer, the silicon layer includes an extension portion that extends a distance past the metal layer, and at least three lightly doped regions positioned in the silicon layer. The at least three lightly doped regions have a lower concentration of doping atoms than other portions of the silicon layer forming the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Cheng-Ho Yu, Shih Chang Chang, Ting-Kuo Chang
  • Publication number: 20130306969
    Abstract: A thin film transistor which may be included in a pixel circuit includes: a substrate; a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate and including a source region, a first drain region spaced apart from the source region by a first current path, and a second drain region spaced apart from the source region by a second current path having a length different from that of the first current path; a gate electrode insulated from the semiconductor layer by a gate insulating layer; a source electrode connected to the source region of the semiconductor layer; a first drain electrode connected to the first drain region of the semiconductor layer; and a second drain electrode connected to the second drain region of the semiconductor layer. Currents having different magnitudes may be simultaneously provided through the first current path and the second current path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Park, Dong-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8569757
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with an amorphous silicon (a-Si) metal-aluminum oxide-semiconductor (MAS) memory cell structure. The device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer overlying the substrate, and one or more source or drain regions embedded in the dielectric layer with a co-planar surface of n-type a-Si and the dielectric layer. Additionally, the device includes a p-i-n a-Si diode junction. The device further includes an aluminum oxide charge trapping layer on the a-Si p-i-n diode junction and a metal control gate overlying the aluminum oxide layer. A method is provided for making the a-Si MAS memory cell structure and can be repeated to integrate the structure three-dimensionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Mieno Fumitake
  • Publication number: 20130193439
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer on a substrate, a gate electrode electrically insulated from the semiconductor layer by a gate insulating layer, an insulating layer on the gate insulating layer and on the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode on the insulating layer, the source and drain electrode being connected to the semiconductor layer. The source electrode overlaps at least a part of the gate electrode. The source electrode, the insulating layer, and the gate electrode overlap each other so as to provide a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Jeong-Keun Ahn, Wang-Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8487307
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement is disclosed. One embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer including a first and second component zone that form a pn-junction or a Schottky-junction. A second semiconductor layer includes a drift control zone adjacent to the second component zone. A dielectric layer separates the first semiconductor layer from the second semiconductor layer. A rectifying element is coupled between the drift control zone and the second component zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Joachim Weyers, Anton Mauder, Franz Hirler, Paul Kuepper
  • Patent number: 8470695
    Abstract: A semiconductor element of the electric circuit includes a semiconductor layer over a gate electrode. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor element is formed of a layer including polycrystalline silicon which is obtained by crystallizing amorphous silicon by heat treatment or laser irradiation, over a substrate. The obtained layer including polycrystalline silicon is also used for a structure layer such as a movable electrode of a structure body. Therefore, the structure body and the electric circuit for controlling the structure body can be formed over one substrate. As a result, a micromachine can be miniaturized. Further, assembly and packaging are unnecessary, so that manufacturing cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayumi Yamaguchi, Konami Izumi
  • Publication number: 20130092924
    Abstract: A miniaturized transistor having excellent electrical characteristics is provided with high yield. Further, a semiconductor device including the transistor and having high performance and high reliability is manufactured with high productivity. In a semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film including a channel formation region and low-resistance regions between which the channel formation region is sandwiched, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode layer whose top surface and side surface are covered with an insulating film including an aluminum oxide film are stacked, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor film and the top surface and a side surface of the insulating film including an aluminum oxide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8415669
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor display device having an interlayer insulating film which can obtain planarity of a surface while controlling film formation time, can control treatment time of heating treatment with an object of removing moisture, and can prevent moisture in the interlayer insulating film from being discharged to a film or an electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. An inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover a TFT. Next, an organic resin film containing photosensitive acrylic resin is applied to the organic insulating film, and the organic resin film is partially exposed to light to be opened. Thereafter, an inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover the opened organic resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Murakami, Masahiko Hayakawa, Kiyoshi Kato, Mitsuaki Osame
  • Patent number: 8367488
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of preparing a multilayer film 80 formed by sequentially stacking a first metal layer 10, an inorganic insulating layer 20, a semiconductor layer 30, and a second metal layer 40; forming a source electrode 42s and a drain electrode 42d comprised of the second metal layer 40 by etching the second metal layer 40; pressure-bonding a resin layer 50 onto a surface of the multilayer film 80 provided with the source electrode 42s and the drain electrode 42d to burry the source electrode 42s and the drain electrode 42d in the resin layer 50; and forming a gate electrode 10g comprised of the first metal layer 10 by etching the first metal layer 10. The inorganic insulating layer 20g functions as a gate insulating film. The semiconductor layer 30 functions as a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ichiryu, Seiichi Nakatani, Koichi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8367444
    Abstract: A display substrate includes a gate line, a gate insulation layer, a data line, a switching element, a protection insulation layer, a gate pad portion and a data pad portion. The gate insulation layer is disposed on the gate line. The switching element is connected to the gate line and the data line. The protection insulation layer is disposed on the switching element. The gate pad portion includes a first gate pad electrode which makes contact with an end portion of the gate line through a first hole formed through the gate insulation layer, and a second gate pad electrode which makes contact with the first gate pad electrode through a second hole formed through the protection insulation layer. The data pad portion includes a data pad electrode which makes contact with an end portion of the data line through a third hole formed through the protection insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Min Kim, Bo-Sung Kim, Seon-Pil Jang, Seung-Hwan Cho, Kang-Moon Jo
  • Publication number: 20130001556
    Abstract: A thin film transistor and a press sensing device using the thin film transistor are disclosed. The thin film transistor, comprises a source electrode; a drain electrode spaced from the source electrode; a semiconductor layer electrically connected with the source electrode and the drain electrode, a channel defined in the semiconductor layer and located between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a gate electrode electrically insulated from the semiconductor layer; and an insulative layer configured for insulating the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconductor layer from each other, wherein the insulative layer is made of a polymeric material with an elastic modulus ranged from about 0.1 megapascal (MPa) to about 10 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: CHUN-HUA HU, CHANG-HONG LIU, SHOU-SHAN FAN
  • Patent number: 8344380
    Abstract: A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode layer; a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer having lower carrier mobility than the first semiconductor layer, which is provided over and in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer which is provided between and in contact with the gate electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer; first impurity semiconductor layers which are provided so as to be in contact with the second semiconductor layer; second impurity semiconductor layers which are provided so as to be partially in contact with the first impurity semiconductor layers and the first and second semiconductor layers; and source and drain electrode layers which are provided so as to be in contact with entire surfaces of the second impurity semiconductor layers, in which an entire surface of the first semiconductor layer on the gate electrode layer side overlaps with the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Godo, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8330165
    Abstract: In fabricating a thin film transistor, an active layer comprising a silicon semiconductor is formed on a substrate having an insulating surface. Hydrogen is introduced into The active layer. A thin film comprising SiOxNy is formed to cover the active layer and then a gate insulating film comprising a silicon oxide film formed on the thin film comprising SiOxNy. Also, a thin film comprising SiOxNy is formed under the active layer. The active layer includes a metal element at a concentration of 1×1015 to 1×1019 cm?3 and hydrogen at a concentration of 2×1019 to 5×1021 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20120299003
    Abstract: An object is to obtain a semiconductor device having a high sensitivity in detecting signals and a wide dynamic range, using a thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used. An analog circuit is formed with the use of a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor which has a function as a channel formation layer, has a hydrogen concentration of 5×1019 atoms/cm3 or lower, and substantially functions as an insulator in the state where no electric field is generated. Thus, a semiconductor device having a high sensitivity in detecting signals and a wide dynamic range can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Atsushi HIROSE, Masashi TSUBUKU, Kosei NODA
  • Publication number: 20120298999
    Abstract: An object is to reduce off-state leakage current between a source electrode and a drain electrode. One embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device including a gate electrode, gate insulating films and formed to cover the gate electrode, an active layer formed over the gate insulating films and located above the gate electrode, silicon layers and formed over side surfaces of the active layer and the gate insulating films, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed over the silicon layers. The active layer is not in contact with each of the source electrode and the drain electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicants: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro JINBO, Koji DAIRIKI, Hidekazu MIYAIRI, Tomohiro KIMURA, Yoshitaka YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120292626
    Abstract: The problem of the present invention is to provide an organic thin film transistor insulating layer material capable of producing an organic thin film transistor having a small absolute value of threshold voltage and small hysteresis. The means for solving the problem is an organic thin film transistor insulating layer material comprising a macromolecular compound (A) containing repeating units having a fluorine atom-containing group, repeating units having a photodimerizable group and repeating units having a first functional group that generates a second functional group which reacts with active hydrogen by the action of electromagnetic waves or heat, and an active hydrogen compound (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Isao Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20120286272
    Abstract: A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode on a substrate, a main active layer in electrical connection with the gate electrode and including an exposed channel portion, a source electrode in electrical connection with the main active layer, a drain electrode which is spaced apart from the source electrode and in electrical connection with the main active layer, and a sub active layer in electrical connection to the main active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong-Long NING, Byeong-Beom KIM, Chang-Oh JEONG, Sang-Won SHIN, Hyeong-Suk YOO, Xin-Xing LI, Joon-Yong PARK, Hyun-Ju KANG, Su-Kyoung YANG, Kyung-Seop KIM
  • Patent number: 8304778
    Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel structure having the TFT are provided. The TFT is configured on a substrate. Besides, the TFT includes a gate, a gate insulation layer, a source, a channel layer, and a drain. The gate insulation layer covers the gate and the substrate. The source is configured on a portion of the gate insulation layer. The channel layer is configured on the gate insulation layer and covers a portion of the source located above the gate. The drain is configured on and electrically connected to the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Wu, Yih-Chyun Kao, Chun-Yao Huang
  • Patent number: 8304767
    Abstract: Provided is a crystalline silicon thin film semiconductor device which is capable of reducing off-state leakage current and has excellent current rising characteristics. The thin film transistor includes a semiconductor layer formed of an amorphous silicon layer and a crystalline silicon layer. A drain electrode is provided in direct contact with the crystalline silicon layer of the semiconductor layer, to thereby improve the current rising characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120248445
    Abstract: High performance thin-film, transistors are entirely processed at temperatures not exceeding 150° C., using amorphous multi component dielectrics based on the mixture of high band gap and high dielectric constant (K) materials. The sputtered or ink jet printed mixed dielectric materials such as Ta2O5 with SiO2 or Al2O3 or HfO2 with SiO2 or Al2O3 are used. These multicomponent dielectrics allow producing amorphous dielectrics to be introduced in high stable electronic devices with low leakage currents, while preserving a high dielectric constant. This results in producing thin film transistors with remarkable electrical properties, such as the ones produced based on Ga—In—Zn oxide as channel layers and where the dielectric was the combination of the mixture Ta2O5:SiO2, exhibiting field-effect mobility exceeding 35 cm2 V?1 s?1, close to 0 V turn-on voltage, on/off ratio higher than 106 and subthreshold slope below 0.24 V dec?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: Faculdad de Ciencias e Technologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Universidad de Barcelona, Jozef Stefan Institute
    Inventors: Rodrigo Ferrão De Paiva Martins, Elvira Maria Correia fortunato, Pedro Miguel Cândido Barquinha, Luís Miguel Nunes Pereira, Gonçalo Pedro Gonçalves, Danjela Kuscer Hrovatin, Marija Kosec
  • Publication number: 20120228616
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thin film transistor composition. The thin film transistor composition has a semiconductor material and a substrate. The substrate is composed of a polyimide and a sub-micron filler. The polyimide is derived from at least one aromatic dianhydride component selected from rigid rod dianhydride, non-rigid rod dianhydride and combinations thereof, and at least one aromatic diamine component selected from rigid rod diamine, non-rigid rod diamine and combinations thereof. The mole ratio of dianhydride to diamine is 48-52:52-48 and the ratio of X:Y is 20-80:80-20 where X is the mole percent of rigid rod dianhydride and rigid rod diamine, and Y is the mole percent of non-rigid rod dianhydride and non-rigid rod diamine. The sub-micron filler is less than 550 nanometers in at least one dimension; has an aspect ratio greater than 3:1; is less than the thickness of the film in all dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian C. Auman, Meredith L. Dunbar, Tao He, Kostantinos Kourtakis
  • Patent number: 8253137
    Abstract: A laminate structure is disclosed that has a region having high surface free energy and a region having low surface free energy that are well separated, has high adhesiveness between an underlying layer and a conductive layer, and can be formed easily with low cost. The laminate structure includes a wettability-variable layer including a first surface free energy region of a first film thickness and a second surface free energy region of a second film thickness, and a conductive layer formed on the second surface free energy region of the wettability-variable layer. The second film thickness is less than the first film thickness and the surface free energy of the second surface free energy region is made higher than the surface free energy of the first surface free energy region by applying a predetermined amount of energy on the second surface free energy region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Tano, Atsushi Onodera, Koei Suzuki, Hidenori Tomono
  • Publication number: 20120200818
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel having a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode. A first thin film transistor is connected to the first sub-pixel electrode. A second thin film transistor is connected to the second sub-pixel electrode. A third thin film transistor is connected to the second sub-pixel electrode. A fourth thin film transistor is connected to a drain electrode of the third thin film transistor. A first gate line is connected to the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor. A data line is connected to the first thin film transistor and the second thin film transistor. A second gate line is connected to the third thin film transistor. A third gate line is connected to the fourth thin film transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: CHANG-SOO LEE, Kee-Bum PARK, Yun Jae PARK, Jong Jae LEE, Hoi Sik MOON
  • Publication number: 20120193628
    Abstract: A highly reliable semiconductor device is manufactured by giving stable electric characteristics to a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used. A p-type oxide semiconductor material is contained in an n-type oxide semiconductor film, whereby carriers which are generated in the oxide semiconductor film without intention can be reduced. This is because electrons generated in the n-type oxide semiconductor film without intention are recombined with holes generated in the p-type oxide semiconductor material to disappear. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce carriers which are generated in the oxide semiconductor film without intention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinari SASAKI, Kosei NODA, Yuta ENDO
  • Patent number: 8232147
    Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) and a fabricating method thereof are provided. The TFT includes a channel layer, an ohmic contact layer, a dielectric layer, a source, a drain, a gate, and a gate insulating layer. The channel layer has an upper surface and a sidewall. The ohmic contact layer is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the channel layer. The dielectric layer is disposed on the sidewall of the channel layer, and does not overlap with the ohmic contact layer. The source and the drain are disposed on portions of the ohmic contact layer and the dielectric layer. A portion of dielectric layer is not covered by the source or the drain. The gate is above or below the channel layer. The gate insulating layer is disposed between the gate and the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Guang-Ren Shen, Pei-Ming Chen, Chun-Hsiun Chen, Wei-Ming Huang
  • Publication number: 20120146029
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel includes an insulating substrate, a gate line disposed on the insulating substrate having a gate electrode, a first gate insulating layer disposed on the gate line and made of silicon nitride, a second gate insulating layer disposed on the first gate insulating layer and made of silicon oxide, an oxide semiconductor disposed on the second gate insulating layer, a data line disposed on the oxide semiconductor and having a source electrode, a drain electrode disposed on the oxide semiconductor and facing the source electrode, and a pixel electrode that is connected to the drain electrode. A thickness of the second gate insulating layer may range from 200 ? to less than 500 ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Joo CHOI, Woo Geun LEE, Kap Soo YOON, Ki-Won KIM, Sang Wan JIN, Jae Won SONG, Zhu Xun
  • Publication number: 20120146036
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device using an oxide semiconductor, the device including a circuit part configured to include a thin film transistor using the oxide semiconductor as a channel material, wherein the circuit part has a lower interconnect, an upper interconnect, and an interlayer insulating film, the interlayer insulating film includes an oxide semiconductor layer and a channel protective layer, and the channel protective layer is interposed between an outer circumferential surface of a rising part of the oxide semiconductor layer corresponding to thickness of the lower interconnect and the upper interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Minami, Katsuhide Uchino
  • Publication number: 20120140929
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device that is secure from invasion and related methods are disclosed herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Arizona Board of Regents, for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Clark, David R. Allee
  • Publication number: 20120120362
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel includes a source electrode and a drain electrode on an insulating substrate, an oxide semiconductor on the insulating substrate and overlapping the source electrode and the drain electrode, a passivation layer overlapping the oxide semiconductor and on the insulating substrate, a gate electrode on the passivation layer, and a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode. The gate electrode and the pixel electrode include a same material. The oxide semiconductor is between the source electrode and the gate electrode, and between the drain electrode and the gate electrode in a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistor array panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-Young CHOI, Bo Sung KIM, Young Min KIM, Seon-Pil JANG, Kang Moon JO, Yeon Taek JEONG, Ki Beom LEE
  • Publication number: 20120119212
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured using a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is included in a channel region and variation in electric characteristics due to a short-channel effect is less likely to be caused. The semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor film having a pair of oxynitride semiconductor regions including nitrogen and an oxide semiconductor region sandwiched between the pair of oxynitride semiconductor regions, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode provided over the oxide semiconductor region with the gate insulating film positioned therebetween. Here, the pair of oxynitride semiconductor regions serves as a source region and a drain region of the transistor, and the oxide semiconductor region serves as the channel region of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta ENDO, Toshinari SASAKI, Kosei NODA
  • Publication number: 20120097958
    Abstract: A field emission pixel includes a cathode on which a field emitter emitting electrons is formed, an anode on which a phosphor absorbing electrons from the field emitter is formed, and a thin film transistor (TFT) having a source connected to a current source in response to a scan signal, a gate receiving a data signal, and a drain connected to the field emitter. The field emitter is made of carbon material such as diamond, diamond like carbon, carbon nanotube or carbon nanofiber. The cathode may include multiple field emitters, and the TFT may include multiple transistors having gates to which the same signal is applied, sources to which the same signal is applied, and drains respectively connected to the field emitters. An active layer of the TFT is made of a semiconductor film such as amorphous silicon, micro-crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, wide-band gap material like ZnO, or an organic semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yoon Ho SONG, Dae Jun Kim, Jin Woo Jeong, Jin Ho Lee, Kwang Yong Kang
  • Publication number: 20120097955
    Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel structure having the TFT are provided. The TFT is configured on a substrate. Besides, the TFT includes a gate, a gate insulation layer, a source, a channel layer, and a drain. The gate insulation layer covers the gate and the substrate. The source is configured on a portion of the gate insulation layer. The channel layer is configured on the gate insulation layer and covers a portion of the source located above the gate. The drain is configured on and electrically connected to the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Wu, Yih-Chyun Kao, Chun-Yao Huang
  • Publication number: 20120080681
    Abstract: A thin film transistor including: a substrate; an active layer formed over the substrate; a gate insulating layer formed over the active layer; a gate electrode formed over the gate insulating layer; an interlayer insulating layer formed over the gate electrode; and source and drain electrodes that contact the active layer via the interlayer insulating layer. The source and drain electrodes may have a structure including an aluminum (Al) layer, an aluminum-nickel alloy (AlNiX) layer, and an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, which are sequentially stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Yoon Kim, IL-Jeong Lee, Choong-Youl Im, Do-Hyun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20120068179
    Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided a semiconductor device, including: a logic circuit; an interlayer insulating film formed above the logic circuit; an amorphous silicon layer including: a non-silicide layer formed on the interlayer insulating film; and a silicide layer formed on the non-silicide layer; a TFT formed on the amorphous silicon layer; and a contact plug formed to plug a through hole penetrating the interlayer insulating film, the contact plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit, an upper part of the contact plug being connected to the silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ishida, Masahiro Inohara
  • Publication number: 20120061671
    Abstract: To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor. Further to provide a highly reliable light-emitting device including an oxide semiconductor. A second electrode sealed together with a semiconductor element including an oxide semiconductor hardly becomes inactive. A hydrogen ion and/or a hydrogen molecule produced by reaction of the active second electrode with moisture remaining in the semiconductor device and/or moisture entering from the outside of the device increase the carrier concentration in the oxide semiconductor, which causes a reduction in the reliability of the semiconductor device. An adsorption layer of a hydrogen ion and/or a hydrogen molecule may be provided on the other surface side of the second electrode having one surface in contact with the organic layer. Further, an opening which a hydrogen ion and/or a hydrogen molecule passes through may be provided for the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hatano
  • Patent number: 8120030
    Abstract: Off current of a bottom gate thin film transistor in which a semiconductor layer is shielded from light by a gate electrode is reduced. A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode layer; a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer, provided on and in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer between and in contact with the gate electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer; impurity semiconductor layers in contact with the second semiconductor layer; and source and drain electrode layers partially in contact with the impurity semiconductor layers and the first and second semiconductor layers. The entire surface of the first semiconductor layer on the gate electrode layer side is covered by the gate electrode layer; and a potential barrier at a portion where the first semiconductor layer is in contact with the source or drain electrode layer is 0.5 eV or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Godo, Satoshi Kobayashi, Hidekazu Miyairi, Toshiyuki Isa, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120032172
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including the following components and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; an oxide semiconductor layer over the substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode whose end portion has a taper angle and whose upper end portion has a curved surface, the source electrode and the drain electrode being electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer being in contact with a part of the oxide semiconductor layer and covering the oxide semiconductor layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode; and a gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer and being over the gate insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kosei NODA, Yuta ENDO, Toshinari SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20120032171
    Abstract: An object is to miniaturize a semiconductor device. Another object is to reduce the area of a driver circuit of a semiconductor device including a memory cell. The semiconductor device includes an element formation layer provided with at least a first semiconductor element, a first wiring provided over the element formation layer, an interlayer film provided over the first wiring, and a second wiring overlapping with the first wiring with the interlayer film provided therebetween. The first wiring, the interlayer film, and the second wiring are included in a second semiconductor element. The first wiring and the second wiring are wirings to which the same potentials are supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko SAITO, Yuki HATA, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20120012851
    Abstract: A pixel TFT formed in a pixel region is formed on a first substrate by a channel etch type reverse stagger type TFT, and patterning of a source region and a drain region, and patterning of a pixel electrode are performed by the same photomask. A driver circuit formed by using TFTs having a crystalline semiconductor layer, and an input-output terminal dependent on the driver circuit, are taken as one unit. A plurality of units are formed on a third substrate, and afterward the third substrate is partitioned into individual units, and the obtained stick drivers are mounted on the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Jun KOYAMA, Yasuyuki ARAI, Hideaki KUWABARA
  • Patent number: 8097880
    Abstract: A semiconductor component including a lateral transistor component is disclosed. One embodiment provides an electrically insulating carrier layer. A first and a second semiconductor layer are arranged on above another and are separated from another by a dielectric layer. The first semiconductor layer includes a polycrystalline semiconductor material, an amorphous semiconductor material or an organic semiconductor material. In the first semiconductor layer: a source zone, a body zone, a drift zone and a drain zone are provided. In the second semiconductor layer; a drift control zone is arranged adjacent to the drift zone, including a control terminal at a first lateral end for applying a control potential, and is coupled to the drain zone via a rectifying element at a second lateral end. A gate electrode is arranged adjacent to the body zone and is dielectrically insulated from the body zone by a gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Joachim Weyers, Anton Mauder, Franz Hirler, Paul Kuepper
  • Publication number: 20120001180
    Abstract: Provided is a structure to obtain a reliable electrical contact through a narrow contact hole formed in an insulating layer, which is required in the miniaturization of a semiconductor device. An exemplified structure includes a thin film transistor comprising: a lower electrode over and in contact with a semiconductor layer, the lower electrode comprising a metal or a metal compound; an insulating layer over the lower electrode, the insulating layer having a contact hole reaching the lower electrode; a conductive silicon whisker grown from a surface of the lower electrode; and an upper electrode over the insulating layer and in contact with the conductive silicon whisker. The ability of the conductive silicon whisker grown from the lower electrode to ohmically contact with the lower and upper electrodes leads to a reliable electrical contact between the thin film transistor and a wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yokoi, Kensuke Yoshizumi
  • Publication number: 20120001181
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for forming a layer having functionality including a conductive layer and a colored layer and a flexible substrate having a layer having functionality with a high yield. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that is small-sized, thin, and lightweight. After coating a substrate having heat resistance with a silane coupling agent, a layer having functionality is formed. Then, after attaching an adhesive to the layer having functionality, the layer having functionality is peeled from the substrate. Further, after coating a substrate having heat resistance with a silane coupling agent, a layer having functionality is formed. Then, an adhesive is attached to the layer having functionality. Thereafter, the layer having functionality is peeled from the substrate, and a flexible substrate is attached to the layer having functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki AOKI, Takuya TSURUME