Voltage Variable Capacitance Device Patents (Class 257/595)
  • Patent number: 11989049
    Abstract: An oscillator and a clock circuit are disclosed. In an oscillator (100), a tail inductor connected to a cross-coupled transistor includes at least two inductors connected in parallel. Therefore, an inductance of the tail inductor is less than an inductance of any one of the inductors. This can address a design difficulty that a tail inductor with a smaller inductance needs to be used as an operating frequency of a VCO increases. The oscillator (100) includes a first cross-coupled transistor (121) and a first tail inductor (111). The first tail inductor (111) includes at least two inductors connected in parallel. The first tail inductor (111) is coupled to a source of the first cross-coupled transistor (121). The source of the first cross-coupled transistor (121) is coupled to a power supply or a ground through the first tail inductor (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jichao Huang, Qing Min, Lei Lu
  • Patent number: 11972977
    Abstract: A method of forming interconnects is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of mandrels on an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer. The method further includes forming sidewall spacers on opposite sides of the each mandrel, wherein a portion of the ILD layer is exposed between adjacent sidewall spacers on adjacent mandrels, and removing the exposed portions of the ILD layer to form a first set of trenches between adjacent sidewall spacers. The method further includes forming a first set of interconnects in the first set of trenches, and removing the mandrels to expose portions of the ILD layer between the sidewall spacers. The method further includes removing the exposed portions of the ILD layer to form a second set of trenches between the sidewall spacers, and forming a second set of interconnects in the second set of trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chanro Park, Kenneth Chun Kuen Cheng, Koichi Motoyama, Kisik Choi
  • Patent number: 11942467
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first metal-dielectric-metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first metal-dielectric-metal layer includes a plurality of first fingers, a plurality of second fingers, and a first dielectric material. The first fingers are electrically connected to a first voltage. The second fingers are electrically connected to a second voltage different from the first voltage, and the first fingers and the second fingers are arranged in parallel and staggeredly. The first dielectric material is between the first fingers and the second fingers. The first dielectric layer is over the first metal-dielectric-metal layer. The first conductive layer is over the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer is over the first conductive layer. The second dielectric layer is between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: I-Sheng Chen, Yi-Jing Li, Chia-Ming Hsu, Wan-Lin Tsai, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 11264517
    Abstract: A varactor is described that may be constructed in CMOS and has a high tuning range. In some embodiments, the varactor includes a well, a plurality of gates formed over the well and having a capacitive connection to the well, the gates comprising a first subset of the gates that are adjacent and consecutive and coupled to a positive pole of an excitation oscillation signal, and a second subset of the gates that are adjacent and consecutive and coupled to a negative pole of the excitation oscillation signal, and a plurality of source/drain terminals formed over the well and having an ohmic connection to the well, each coupled to a respective gate to receive a control voltage to control the capacitance of the varactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammed El-Tanani, Paul Packan, Jami Wiedemer, Andrey Mezhiba, Yonping Fan
  • Patent number: 10910480
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate electrode with multiple metals distributed along the width of the gate electrode. Each of the metals in the gate electrode has different work functions. Such a compound gate provides higher linearity when, e.g., operated as a radio frequency transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Koon Hoo Teo, Nadim Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 10879368
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate electrode with multiple metals distributed along the width of the gate electrode. Each of the metals in the gate electrode has different work functions. Such a compound gate provides higher linearity when, e.g., operated as a radio frequency transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Koon Hoo Teo, Nadim Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 10825901
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and a hyper-abrupt junction region carried by the substrate. The hyper-abrupt junction region may include a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a superlattice layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the superlattice layer and having a second conductivity type different than the first conductivity type. The first, second, and the superlattice layers may be U-shaped. The semiconductor device may further include a gate dielectric layer on the second semiconductor layer of the hyper-abrupt junction region, a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer, and spaced apart source and drain regions adjacent the hyper-abrupt junction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Burton, Marek Hytha, Robert J. Mears
  • Patent number: 10825902
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and a hyper-abrupt junction region carried by the substrate. The hyper-abrupt junction region may include a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a first superlattice layer on the first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer on the first superlattice layer and having a second conductivity type different than the first conductivity type, and a second superlattice layer on the second semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device may further include a first contact coupled to the hyper-abrupt junction regions and a second contact coupled to the substrate to define a varactor. The first and second superlattices may each include stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Burton, Marek Hytha, Robert J. Mears
  • Patent number: 10727408
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to programmable fabrics including correlated electron switch devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: Carlos Alberto Paz de Araujo, Lucian Shifren
  • Patent number: 10141789
    Abstract: An equivalent circuit of a converter (4) is represented by a series connection between an equivalent capacitor (41) and an equivalent resistor (42), and the converter (4) includes a controller that adjusts a power factor of the input power by controlling a capacitive reactance (Xc) of the equivalent capacitor (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY, TOYO ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Kashiwagi, Toshiaki Murai, Yoshiyasu Hagiwara, Tadashi Sawada, Takayoshi Tanaka, Takehisa Kashima
  • Patent number: 10062517
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable capacitors can include a fixed actuation electrode attached to a substrate, a fixed capacitive electrode attached to the substrate, and a movable component positioned above the substrate and movable with respect to the fixed actuation electrode and the fixed capacitive electrode. The movable component can include a movable actuation electrode positioned above the fixed actuation electrode and a movable capacitive electrode positioned above the fixed capacitive electrode. At least a portion of the movable capacitive electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed capacitive electrode by a first gap, and the movable actuation electrode can be spaced apart from the fixed actuation electrode by a second gap that is larger than the first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: WISPRY, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur S. Morris, III, Dana DeReus, Norito Baytan
  • Patent number: 9997662
    Abstract: Various embodiments of solid state transducer (“SST”) devices are disclosed. In several embodiments, a light emitter device includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor, an active region operably coupled to the MOS capacitor, and a bulk semiconductor material operably coupled to the active region. The active region can include at least one quantum well configured to store first charge carriers under a first bias. The bulk semiconductor material is arranged to provide second charge carriers to the active region under the second bias such that the active region emits UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin F. Schubert, Vladimir Odnoblyudov
  • Patent number: 9625488
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable area capacitive lateral acceleration sensor and a preparation method. The acceleration sensor at least includes: three-layer stack structure bonded by a first substrate, a second substrate and a third substrate which are electrically isolated with each other, wherein, the second substrate includes a movable seismic mass, a frame surrounded the movable seismic mass, a elastic beam connected to the movable seismic mass and the frame, a plurality of bar structure electrodes positioned on two surfaces of the movable seismic mass, an anti-overloading structure arranged on the movable seismic mass, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MICROSYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Lufeng Che, Xiaofeng Zhou, Ruojie Tao, Yuelin Wang
  • Patent number: 9559659
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tunable filters that are configured to support multiple frequency bands, such as within the field of cellular radio communication, can include a first resonator and a second resonator configured to block signals within one or more frequency ranges, and one or more coupling element connected to both the first resonator and the second resonator. The one or more coupling element can be configured to provide low insertion loss within a pass band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: WISPRY, INC.
    Inventor: Jorgen Bojer
  • Patent number: 9513244
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 9506153
    Abstract: An integrated heterostructure material is achieved by combining the attributes of two perovskite oxide film growth methods, RF sputtering and the metallo-organic solution deposition (MOSD) technique, in combination with employing a novel integrated material design consisting of a SrTO3 thin film layer which serves as a template to achieve a property enhanced, BST-based thin film overgrowth. In specific the integrated materials design consists of a thin RF sputtered SrTiO3 film (lower layer) which underlies a substantially thicker MOSD over-growth Mg doped BST-based film (upper layer). The inventive material design and combinational film growth fabrication method thereof enables beneficial critical material/device characteristics which include enhanced dielectric permittivity in concert with low loss; low leakage current density; high voltage breakdown strength; high tunability; controlled and optimized film microstructure; and a smooth surface morphology with minimal surface defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Melanie Will-Cole
  • Publication number: 20150108961
    Abstract: An analog open-loop self-oscillating boost converter is provided including: an output terminal for supplying an output voltage bus; an input terminal for receiving variable input power; a varactor positioned in series with the input terminal; and an oscillating network having an inductor, a resistor and a capacitor in a parallel orientation, the oscillating network connected to a semiconductor device and the varactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas BARLAGE, Lhing Gem Kim SHOUTE
  • Patent number: 8981529
    Abstract: A variable capacitance device including: first and second transistors coupled in parallel between first and second nodes of the capacitive device, a control node of the first transistor being adapted to receive a control signal, and a control node of the second transistor being adapted to receive the inverse of the control signal, wherein the first and second transistors are formed in a same semiconductor well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yvan Morandini, Romain Debrouke
  • Patent number: 8970005
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a MEMS element. The MEMS element includes a lower electrode having a surface on which a plurality of minute convex portions are formed. A plurality of dielectric bumps are provided on the upper surface of the lower electrode and are thicker than heights of the convex portions. A dielectric layer is provided on the dielectric bumps and the lower electrode. An upper electrode is provided above the dielectric layer. The upper electrode is movable so as to vary capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140367831
    Abstract: A variable capacitance device includes a capacitor having a first capacitance and a variable resistor coupled in series with the capacitor. The variable resistor includes a gate structure formed over a channel region defined in a doped well formed in a semiconductor substrate. A resistance of the variable resistor is based on a voltage applied to the gate structure, which adjusts a resistance of the channel and a capacitance of the variable capacitance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung YEN, Cheng-Wei LUO
  • Patent number: 8847361
    Abstract: A system and method for a memory cell layout is disclosed. An embodiment comprises forming dummy layers and spacers along the sidewalls of the dummy layer. Once the spacers have been formed, the dummy layers may be removed and the spacers may be used as a mask. By using the spacers instead of a standard lithographic process, the inherent limitations of the lithographic process can be avoided and further scaling of FinFET devices can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhon-Jhy Liaw, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Publication number: 20140217552
    Abstract: A variable capacitance device includes a fixed substrate, a movable portion, driving electrodes, an RF capacitance electrode and an insulating film. The movable portion faces the fixed substrate and can change a gap between the movable portion and the fixed substrate. The driving electrodes are formed on the fixed substrate so as to face the movable portion. The RF capacitance electrode is formed on the fixed substrate so as to face the movable portion and be spaced apart from the driving electrodes. The insulating film is formed between the movable portion and the driving electrodes. The level of a voltage applied to the driving electrodes and the level of a voltage applied to the movable portion are periodically switched and the level of a voltage applied to the RF capacitance electrode and the level of a voltage applied to the movable portion are always the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro KONAKA, Toshiya KAWATE
  • Patent number: 8796809
    Abstract: A varactor diode includes a contact layer having a first conductivity type, a voltage blocking layer having the first conductivity and a first net doping concentration on the contact layer, a blocking junction on the voltage blocking layer, and a plurality of discrete doped regions in the voltage blocking layer and spaced apart from the carrier injection junction. The plurality of discrete doped regions have the first conductivity type and a second net doping concentration that is higher than the first net doping concentration, and the plurality of discrete doped regions are configured to modulate the capacitance of the varactor diode as a depletion region of the varactor diode expands in response to a reverse bias voltage applied to the blocking junction. Related methods of forming a varactor diode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Harris
  • Patent number: 8780584
    Abstract: An electronic product includes a case; a first board placed inside the case; and a second board having an Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structure inserted therein. The second board is coupled to an inside of the case facing the first board so as to shield a noise radiated from the first board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Kim, Chang-Sup Ryu
  • Patent number: 8691707
    Abstract: A voltage-switchable dielectric layer may be employed on a die for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. The voltage-switchable dielectric layer functions as a dielectric layer between terminals of the die during normal operation of the die. When ESD events occur at the terminals of the die, a high voltage between the terminals switches the voltage-switchable dielectric layer into a conducting layer to allow current to discharge to a ground terminal of the die without the current passing through circuitry of the die. Thus, damage to the circuitry of the die is reduced or prevented during ESD events on dies with the voltage-switchable dielectric layer. The voltage-switchable dielectric layer may be deposited on the back side of a die for protection during stacking with a second die to form a stacked IC. A method includes depositing a voltage-switchable dielectric layer on a first die between a first terminal and a second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shiqun Gu, Ratibor Radojcic, Yiming Li
  • Patent number: 8669605
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a circuit cell and a basic end cell. The circuit cell includes a plurality of elements aligned in a first direction, and the basic end cell is arranged adjacent to the circuit cell in the first direction and has a compensation capacitor capable of being connected to a supply voltage of the circuit cell. In the semiconductor device, a diffusion layer forming the compensation capacitor extends along the first direction in a predetermined region of the circuit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8633562
    Abstract: A voltage-switchable dielectric layer may be employed on a die for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. The voltage-switchable dielectric layer functions as a dielectric layer between terminals of the die during normal operation of the die. When ESD events occur at the terminals of the die, a high voltage between the terminals switches the voltage-switchable dielectric layer into a conducting layer to allow current to discharge to a ground terminal of the die without the current passing through circuitry of the die. Thus, damage to the circuitry of the die is reduced or prevented during ESD events on dies with the voltage-switchable dielectric layer. The voltage-switchable dielectric layer may be deposited on the back side of a die for protection during stacking with a second die to form a stacked IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shiqun Gu, Ratibor Radojcic, Yiming Li
  • Publication number: 20130320501
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention is provided a varactor comprising a substrate, a plurality of bottom electrodes positioned on a surface of the substrate separated to form a gap therein, a tunable dielectric material positioned on the surface of the substrate and within the gap, the tunable dielectric at least partially overlaying the plurality of electrodes, and a top electrode in contact with the tunable dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xubai Zhang, Louise C. Sengupta, Jason Sun, Nicolaas Du Toit
  • Patent number: 8598683
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Fried, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8541775
    Abstract: A schottky diode, a resistive memory device including the schottky diode and a method of manufacturing the same. The resistive memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including a word line, a schottky diode formed on the word line, and a storage layer formed on the schottky diode. The schottky diode includes a first semiconductor layer, a conductive layer formed on the first semiconductor layer and having a lower work function than the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer formed on the to conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Beom Baek, Young Ho Lee, Jin Ku Lee, Mi Ri Lee
  • Patent number: 8531006
    Abstract: A memory capacitor based on a field configurable ion-doped polymer is reported. The device can be dynamically and reversibly programmed to analog capacitances with low-voltage (<5 V) pulses. After the device is programmed to a specific value, its capacitance remains nonvolatile. The field configurable capacitance is attributed to the modification of ionic dopant concentrations in the polymer. The ion and dipole concentrations in the ion conductive layer can be modified when the voltage biases applied to the electrodes exceeds a threshold value and can operate as a conventional capacitor when a voltage less than the threshold value is applied. The ion conductive layer will remain at a stable value after the device is modified without applying external voltage. The device has a nonvolatile memory function even when the external voltage is turned off. The memory capacitors may be used for analog memory, nonlinear analog and neuromorphic circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Yong Chen
  • Publication number: 20130200494
    Abstract: A replaceable chamber element for use in a plasma processing system, such as a plasma etching system, is described. The replaceable chamber element includes a chamber component configured to be exposed to plasma in a plasma processing system, wherein the chamber component is fabricated to include a semiconductor junction, and wherein a capacitance of the chamber component is varied when a voltage is applied across the semiconductor junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiying CHEN, Jianping ZHAO, Lee CHEN, Merritt FUNK, Radha SUNDARARAJAN
  • Patent number: 8502348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a differential varactor device including a substrate having a first conductive type, a well having a second conductive type, five doped regions having the second conductive type, a first gate, a second gate, a third gate, and a fourth gate. The well is disposed in the substrate, and the doped regions are disposed in the well and arranged along a direction. The first gate, the second gate, the third gate and the fourth gate are respectively disposed on the well between any two of the adjacent doped regions, and are arranged sequentially along the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yue-Shiun Lee, Cheng-Hsiung Chen, Meng-Fan Wang
  • Patent number: 8492823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor structure, which includes a non-planar varactor having a geometrically designed depletion zone with a taper, as to provide improved Cmax/Cmin with low series resistance. Because of the taper, the narrowest portion of the depletion zone can be designed to be fully depleted, while the remainder of the depletion zone is only partially depleted. The fabrication of semiconductor structure may follow that of standard FinFET process, with a few additional or different steps. These additional or different steps may include formation of a doped trapezoidal (or triangular) shaped silicon mesa, growing/depositing a gate dielectric, forming a gate electrode over a portion of the mesa, and forming a highly doped contact region in the mesa where it is not covered by the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20130181784
    Abstract: A variable capacitance device including: first and second transistors coupled in parallel between first and second nodes of the capacitive device, a control node of the first transistor being adapted to receive a control signal, and a control node of the second transistor being adapted to receive the inverse of the control signal, wherein the first and second transistors are formed in a same semiconductor well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation, STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: STMicroelectronics S.A., International Business Machines Corporation
  • Patent number: 8486798
    Abstract: A replaceable chamber element for use in a plasma processing system, such as a plasma etching system, is described. The replaceable chamber element includes a chamber component configured to be exposed to plasma in a plasma processing system, wherein the chamber component is fabricated to include a semiconductor junction, and wherein a capacitance of the chamber component is varied when a voltage is applied across the semiconductor junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Zhiying Chen, Jianping Zhao, Lee Chen, Merritt Funk, Radha Sundararajan
  • Publication number: 20130140678
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using an insulator layer between two metal layers of a semiconductor die to provide a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, such as an ohmic MEMS switch or a capacitive MEMS switch. In an ohmic MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used to reduce metal undercutting during fabrication, to prevent electrical shorting of a MEMS actuator to a MEMS cantilever, or both. In a capacitive MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used as a capacitive dielectric between capacitive plates, which are provided by the two metal layers. A fixed capacitive element may be provided by the insulator layer between the two metal layers. In one embodiment of the present invention, an ohmic MEMS switch, a capacitive MEMS switch, a fixed capacitive element, or any combination thereof may be integrated into a single semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8450832
    Abstract: Large tuning range junction varactor includes first and second junction capacitors coupled in parallel between first and second varactor terminals. First and second plates of the capacitors are formed by three alternating doped regions in a substrate. The first and third doped regions are of the same type sandwiching the second doped region of the second type. A first input terminal is coupled to the first and third doped regions and a second terminal is coupled to the second doped region. At the interfaces of the doped regions are first and second depletion regions whose width can be varied by varying the voltage across the terminals from zero to full reverse bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Manju Sarkar, Purakh Raj Verma
  • Patent number: 8436698
    Abstract: A filter device is provided including a substrate (302) and a plurality of horizontal gap closing actuator (GCA) devices (550) disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The plurality of GCA devices includes and one or more GCA varactors (700). Each one of the plurality of horizontal GCA devices includes at least one drive comb structure (602a, 602b, 702a, 702b), at least one input/output (I/O) comb structure (616a, 676b, 716a, 716b), and at least one truss comb structure (604, 704) interdigitating the drive comb and the I/O comb structures. The truss comb structure is configured to move along a motion axis between at least a first interdigitated position and a second interdigitated position based on a bias voltage applied between the truss comb structure and the drive comb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8432706
    Abstract: A printed circuit board and an electronic product are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board includes a first board, which has an electronic component mounted thereon, and a second board, which is positioned on an upper side of the first board and covers at least a portion of an upper surface of the first board and in which an EBG structure is inserted into the second board such that a noise radiating upwards from the first board is shielded. Thus, the printed circuit board can readily absorb various frequencies, be easily applied without any antenna effect and be cost-effective in manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Kim, Chang-Sup Ryu
  • Patent number: 8378453
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices or systems that include a composite thermal capacitor disposed in thermal communication with a hot spot of the device, methods of dissipating thermal energy in a device or system, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Andrei G. Fedorov, Craig Green, Yogendra Joshi
  • Patent number: 8362591
    Abstract: A three-dimensional integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate where the substrate has an opening extending through a first surface and a second surface of the substrate and where the first surface and the second surface are opposite surfaces of the substrate. A conductive material substantially fills the opening of the substrate to form a conductive through-substrate-via (TSV). An active circuit is disposed on the first surface of the substrate, an inductor is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and the TSV is electrically coupled to the active circuit and the inductor. The three-dimensional integrated circuit may include a varactor formed from a dielectric layer formed in the opening of the substrate such that the conductive material is disposed adjacent the dielectric layer and an impurity implanted region disposed surrounding the TSV such that the dielectric layer is formed between the impurity implanted region and the TSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Hsien-Pin Hu, Jhe-Ching Lu, Chin-Wei Kuo, Ming-Fa Chen, Sally Liu
  • Patent number: 8334571
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a first well of a first semiconductor type disposed in a substrate of a second semiconductor type forming a first diode. A second well of the second semiconductor type is formed in the substrate to form a second diode with the first well. A first plurality of doped regions of the first semiconductor type are formed in an upper surface of the first well. A second plurality of doped regions of the second semiconductor type are formed in the upper surface of the first well forming a third diode with the first well. A plurality of STI regions are formed in the upper surface of the first well. Each STI region is disposed between a doped region of the first and second semiconductor types. The third diode provides a current bypass when an ESD voltage spike is received at one of the first or second plurality of doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsien Tsai, Tzu-Jin Yeh, Chewn-Pu Jou, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8314475
    Abstract: One example of the present invention is a nanoscale electronic device comprising a first conductive electrode, a second conductive electrode, and an anisotropic dielectric material layered between the first and second electrodes having a permittivity in a direction approximately that of the shortest distance between the first and second electrodes less than the permittivity in other directions within the anisotropic dielectric material. Additional examples of the present invention include integrated circuits that contain multiple nanoscale electronic devices that each includes an anisotropic dielectric material layered between first and second electrodes having a permittivity in a direction approximately that of the shortest distance between the first and second electrodes less than the permittivity in other directions within the anisotropic dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gilberto Medeiros Ribeiro, Philip J. Kuekes, Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Janice H. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20120205781
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David M. Fried, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8242581
    Abstract: Mixed gate varactors are provided. The mixed gate varactors may include a semiconductor region of a given doping type. A first terminal for the varactor may be formed from a gate structure on the semiconductor region. A second terminal for the varactor may be formed from a heavily doped region in the semiconductor region that has the same doping type as the given doping type. A third terminal for the varactor may be formed from a heavily doped region in the semiconductor region that has a different doping type than the given doping type. The gate structure may include multiple gate conductors on a gate insulator. The gate insulator may be a high-K dielectric. The gate conductors may be metals or other materials that have different work functions. A conductive layer such as a layer of polysilicon may electrically connect the first and second gate conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Ratnakumar, Wilson Wong, Jun Liu, Qi Xiang, Jeffrey Xiaoqi Tung
  • Patent number: 8237243
    Abstract: On-chip capacitors with a variable capacitance, as well as design structures for a radio frequency integrated circuit, and method of fabricating and method of tuning on-chip capacitors. The on-chip capacitor includes first and second ports powered with opposite polarities, first and second electrodes, and first and second voltage-controlled units. Each of the first and second voltage-controlled units is switched between a first state in which the first and second electrodes are electrically isolated from the first and second ports and a second state. When the first voltage-controlled unit is switched to the second state, the first electrode is electrically connected with the first port. When the second voltage-controlled unit is switched to the second state the second electrode is electrically connected with the second port. The on-chip capacitor has a larger capacitance value when the first and second voltage-controlled units are in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas M. Daley, Mete Erturk, Edward J. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8232624
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region of a first polarity and a second region of a second polarity adjacent to the first region; and a first terminal including: a first deep trench located in the first region, a first node dielectric abutting all but an upper portion of sidewalls and a bottom of the first deep trench; a first conductive inner electrode inside the first node dielectric and electrically insulated from the first region by the first node dielectric; and a first electrical contact electrically coupling the first conductive inner electrode to the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Fried, Joseph E. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8217496
    Abstract: An internal matching transistor comprises: a conductive base material including a groove, a first region, and a second region which is located opposite to the first region across the groove; a transistor bonded onto the first region of the base material; an internal matching circuit bonded onto the second region of the base material; a wire connecting the transistor to the internal matching circuit across above the groove; and a conductive or non-conductive material located between the wire and the groove, wherein capacitance between the wire and the base material is adjusted by the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8212300
    Abstract: After the formation of a first interlayer insulating, an etching stopper film made of SiON is formed thereon. Subsequently, a contact hole extending from the upper surface of the etching stopper film and reaching a high concentration impurity region is formed, and a first plug is formed by filling W into the contact hole. Next, a ferroelectric capacitor, a second interlayer insulating film, and the like are formed. Thereafter, a contact hole extending from the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film and reaching the first plug is formed. Then, the contact hole is filled with W to form a second plug. With this, even when misalignment occurs, the interlayer insulating film is prevented from being etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Kouichi Nagai