Abstract: A fuse and antifuse link structure, which when used with a memory integrated circuit device such as a gate array or programmable mad-only memory (PROM), allows the memory circuit to be reprogrammed. The fuse and antifuse link is comprised of a fuse 12 and an antifuse 16, connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof. Either element of the link can be programmed initially, and the other can be programmed in a second step, to reverse the first programming. Several links can be used in one circuit to provide multiple reprogramming capability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly changing the temperature of a semiconductor wafer, in order to perform electrical tests or stress at elevated temperature, and then cool rapidly to ambient temperature. The apparatus is comprised of a wafer support 17, capable of supporting the wafer, mounted on top of a rapid thermal processing (RTP) illuminator 20 (lamps, preferably halogen), and including one or more probe needles 22, capable of contacting the wafer to perform electrical measurements. A semiconductor wafer 16 is placed upon the wafer support 17 and the RTP illuminator 20 located beneath is activated, rapidly elevating the wafer to the desired temperature. Electrical tests may be performed as desired during the process.

Abstract: This is a method of forming a bipolar transistor comprising: forming a subcollector layer, having a doping type and a doping level, on a substrate; forming a first layer, of the same doping type and a lower doping level than the subcollector layer, over the subcollector layer; increasing the doping level of first and second regions of the first layer; forming a second layer, of the same doping type and a lower doping level than the subcollector layer, over the first layer; increasing the doping level of a first region of the second layer which is over the first region of the first layer, whereby the subcollector layer, the first region of the first layer and the first region of the second layer are the collector of the transistor; forming a base layer over the second layer of an opposite doping type than the subcollector layer; and forming an emitter layer of the same doping type as the subcollector layer over the base layer. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lateral resonant tunneling transistor is provided comprising heterojunction barriers (24) and a quantized region (33). Current between source contact (26) and drain contact (28) can be switched "ON" or "OFF" by placing an appropriate voltage on gate contacts (30) and (32). The potential on gate contacts (30) and (32) selectively modulate the quantum states within quantized region (33) so as to allow electrons to tunnel through heterojunction barrier (24) and quantized region (33).

Abstract: Group II-VI thin film transistors, a method of making same and a monolithic device containing a detector array as well as transistors coupled thereto wherein, according to a first embodiment, there is provided a group II-VI insulating substrate, a doped layer of a group II-VI semiconductor material disposed over the substrate, an insulating gate region disposed over the doped layer, a pair of spaced contacts on the doped layer providing source and drain contacts, a gate contact disposed over the insulating gate region, an insulating layer disposed over exposed regions of the substrate, doped layer, insulating gate region and contacts and metallization disposed on the insulating layer and extending through the insulating layer to the contacts. The thickness of the doped layer is less than the maximum depletion region thickness thereof.

Abstract: To provide a type of logic circuit, characterized by the fact that the novel-configuration logic circuit can be easily manufactured in a bipolar process, having a high integration degree and allowing a high-speed operation. For standard longitudinal-type NPN transistor TR0, its emitter E0 is connected to bias terminal BIAS, base B0 is connected to voltage source+Vcc, and collector C0 is connected to base B1 of PNP transistor TR1. For lateral-type PNP transistor TR1, emitter E1 is connected to voltage source Vxx, base B1 is connected to both the collector Co of NPN transistor TR0 and input terminal IN, and collectors C1, C2, C3, . . . Cn are connected to output terminals OUT1, OUT2, PUT3, . . .OUTn, respectively. Schottky diodes SBD1, SBD2, SBD3, . . .SBDn are connected between base B1 and collectors C1, C2, C3, . . . Cn of NPN transistor TR1 with a cathode on the side of the base and with an anode on the side of the collector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for accurate digital to analog conversion in which bipolar voltage switches are used in a GaAs I.sup.2 L integrated circuit. An architecture is provided that includes an R-2R resistor ladder network formed in a GaAs I.sup.2 L integrated circuit. A compound transistor pair (Q1, Q2) is connected to each leg (2R) of the ladder network in a digital to analog converter (110). Each transistor pair (Q1, Q2) is configured as a single-pole-double-throw voltage bit switch (100). The transistor pair switches the shunt (2R) resistors between two, alternative voltage levels (Vb, circuit "ground"), based on the state of the binary input logic signal (Ai). Each switch and respective leg in the ladder network relates to a corresponding bit position (Ai) in the input signal.

Abstract: A molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system (10) is provided to grow thin film, epitaxy layers (44, 46, 48, 50) on compound semiconductor substrates (40). A mass spectrometer detector (95) is used to monitor and control the flux from selected sources (21, 23, 25, 27) within the MBE system (10). A uniform layer of indium gallium arsenide (46, 50) may be grown on a semiconductor substrate (40) by controlling the indium flux with respect to substrate (40) temperature and time. An epitaxy layer (46) of indium gallium arsenide with uniform mole fraction concentration and reduced lattice strain is produced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for forming a p-doped layer (68, 80, 92) of Group II and Group VI elements by molecular beam epitaxial process in which a nitrogen dopant is introduced as the layer (68, 80, 92) is being grown. In one embodiment, molecular nitrogen is passed through a plasma generator (46) for converting it to activated nitrogen, and the activated nitrogen is conducted through an elongated guide tube (50) toward the substrate (66) upon which a Group II-Group VI layer (68, 80, 92) is being grown. In one embodiment, an n-type dopant source (72) is also provided, the apparatus (10) being operable for forming electrical devices (86, 88) having successive layers (78, 80, 90, 92, 94) of differing electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A method of resetting coupled modules and a system using the method are disclosed. The method comprises applying a reset instruction signal to a selected module, the selected module generating a reset permission request signal, one or more other modules (other than the selected module) receiving the reset permission request signal and taking necessary action to avoid system malfunction after the selected module is reset, the one or more other modules sending a permission granted signal, and resetting the selected module once it is determined that the one or more modules have sent a permission granted signal. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a refractory metal silicide on a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of depositing a layer of refractory metal on the device and reacting the layer with nitrogen. The reaction is accomplished at a partial pressure of nitrogen greater than one atmosphere. The disclosed process allows thin layers of low resistance silicide to be formed for use as an ohmic contact while also forming a nitride layer for use as a device-to-device interconnection.

Abstract: A MOSFET (100) device having a silicon carbide substrate (102) of a first conductivity type. A first epitaxial layer (104) of said first conductivity type and a second epitaxial layer (106) of a second conductivity type are located on a top side of the substrate (102). An insulator layer (108) separates gate electrode (112) from second epitaxial layer (106). A drift region (118) of the first conductivity type is located within the second epitaxial layer (106) on the first side of the gate electrode (112). The drift region has an extension which extends through the second epitaxial layer (106) to the first epitaxial layer (104). Source regions (116) and body contact regions (122) are located within the second epitaxial layer (106) on the second side of the gate electrode (112). Source regions (116,) and body contact regions (122) are of opposite conductivity type. Source electrode (126) electrically connects source regions (116) and body contact regions (122 ).

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture employs an improved insulating layer to laterally separate conductive layers or regions. A relatively thick insulating layer is anisotropically patterned to form an electrode having a thick insulating layer on its side walls. Subsequently defined conductive regions are separated from the electrode by a distance determined by the thickness of the insulating layer. In devices requiring multiple level polycrystalline silicon electrodes, shorts between electrodes are reduced; in MOS devices, operating parameters are improved due to decreased overlap of the gate electrode over the source or drain region, decreased contamination of the gate electrode during manufacture, and more uniform gate oxide definition along the active channel between the source and drain.

Abstract: This is a method for forming patterned features. The method comprises: forming a single layer of resist 12 on a substrate 10, the layer 12 having a thickness; patterning the resist by selective exposure to a first energy source 16 to modify the developing properties of portions of the resist, leaving an amount of the thickness unexposed; and developing the resist. This is also a device which comprises: a substrate; a layer of resist over the substrate; and an energy absorbing dye in the resist. Other methods and structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: This is a package [10] for an rf device [11] operable with a characteristic impedance providing a plurality of terminals [12-19] and [101] for effecting circuit connections to the device, the connection between at least one of the terminals and the device being matched in relation to the characteristic impedance. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This is a method of forming a bipolar transistor comprising: forming a subcollector layer, having a doping type and a doping level, on a substrate; forming a first layer, of the same doping type and a lower doping level than the subcollector layer, over the subcollector layer; increasing the doping level of first and second regions of the first layer; forming a second layer, of the same doping type and a lower doping level than the subcollector layer, over the first layer; increasing the doping level of a first region of the second layer which is over the first region of the first layer, whereby the subcollector layer, the first region of the first layer and the first region of the second layer are the collector of the transistor; forming a base layer over the second layer of an opposite doping type than the subcollector layer; and forming an emitter layer of the same doping type as the subcollector layer over the base layer. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming LOCOS isolation regions which includes the steps of forming a polysilicon buffer layer between the pad oxide layer and the nitride layer and forming a sidewall seal around the perimeter of the active moat regions prior to the field oxidation step. The resulting field oxide isolation region has reduced oxide encroachment into the active moat region.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a MOSFET-protected nonvolatile capacitor cell which has a storage gate and a nonvolatile stack thereunder, the cell having a heavily doped n+ ring surrounding the storage gate and an n-type tank disposed beneath the stack and electrically connected to the n+ type ring.

Abstract: The process of using electron beam induced stimulated desorption chemistry to produce structures of nanometer order size on surfaces. By passivating a reconstructed surface and selectively removing such passivation with an electron beam through the electron stimulated desorption effect, the adsorption of other atoms and/or molecules is controlled at predetermined regions and/or lines on the surface.

Abstract: A quantum effect device implementation of the Shannon Decomposition Function in the form of a Shannon Cell is provided in which a first quantum dot logic unit (50) is coupled between the X input and the output of the Shannon Cell. A second quantum dot logic unit (52) is coupled between the Y input and the output of the Shannon Cell. The control input to the Shannon Cell is coupled to both the first and second quantum dot logic units (50 and 52) such that current flows through the appropriate quantum dot logic unit (50 or 52) depending upon the logic state of the control input.