Patents Assigned to ATOMERA INCORPORATED
  • Patent number: 12635155
    Abstract: A method for making a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may include forming a first superlattice on a substrate defining a collector region therein. The first superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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. The method may further include forming a base on the first superlattice, and forming a second superlattice on the base comprising a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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. The method may also include forming an emitter on the second superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Richard Burton
  • Patent number: 12635271
    Abstract: A method for making an image sensor device may include forming a pixel region within a semiconductor substrate comprising a first dopant having a first conductivity type, forming a first pinning layer on a surface of the substrate and including a second dopant having a second conductivity type different the first conductivity type, and forming a second pinning layer in the semiconductor substrate adjacent at least one side of the pixel region and including a superlattice and the second dopant. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Yi-Ann Chen, Nyles Wynn Cody
  • Patent number: 12635122
    Abstract: A memory system including a first chip having a processor, and a second chip having a DRAM sector that includes: a plurality of DRAM arrays; an output circuit configured to store a plurality of data values read from the DRAM arrays; a first set of through silicon vias (TSVs) connecting the processor to the DRAM sector, wherein the first processor transmits a plurality of weight data values to the DRAM sector on the first set of TSVs; a plurality of comparator arrays coupled to receive the plurality of weight data values and the plurality of data values read from the DRAM arrays, and in response, generate a plurality of comparison output values; and a second set of TSVs connecting the processor to the DRAM sector, wherein the plurality of comparison output values are transmitted from DRAM sector to the processor on the second set of TSVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Atomera Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Stephen Roy
  • Patent number: 12575199
    Abstract: An image sensor device may include a semiconductor substrate, a pixel region within the semiconductor substrate comprising a first dopant having a first conductivity type, a first pinning layer on a surface of the substrate and including a second dopant having a second conductivity type different the first conductivity type, and a second pinning layer in the semiconductor substrate adjacent at least one side of the pixel region and including a superlattice and the second dopant. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Yi-Ann Chen, Nyles Wynn Cody
  • Patent number: 12477798
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a first single crystal silicon layer having a first percentage of silicon 28; a second single crystal silicon layer having a second percentage of silicon 28 higher than the first percentage of silicon 28; and a superlattice between the first and second single crystal silicon layers. The superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including stacked base silicon monolayers defining a base silicon portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base silicon portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marek Hytha, Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody, Hideki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 12439658
    Abstract: A semiconductor gate-all-around (GAA) device may include a semiconductor substrate, source and drain regions on the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of semiconductor nanostructures extending between the source and drain regions, a gate surrounding the plurality of semiconductor nanostructures in a gate-all-around arrangement, and a dopant diffusion liner adjacent at least one of the source and drain regions and comprising a first superlattice. The first superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Hideki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 12439618
    Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may include a substrate defining a collector region therein. A first superlattice may be on the substrate including a plurality of stacked groups of first layers, with each group of first layers including a first plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a first base semiconductor portion, and at least one first non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent first base semiconductor portions. Furthermore, a base may be on the first superlattice, and a second superlattice may be on the base including a second plurality of stacked groups of second layers, with each group of second layers including a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a second base semiconductor portion, and at least one second non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent second base semiconductor portions. An emitter may be on the second superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Richard Burton
  • Patent number: 12417912
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) semiconductor device may include a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and an RF ground plane layer on the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate including a conductive superlattice. The conductive superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising stacked doped base semiconductor monolayers defining a doped base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent doped base semiconductor portions. The RF semiconductor device may further include a body above the RF ground plane layer, spaced apart source and drain regions adjacent the body and defining a channel region in the body, and a gate overlying the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Robert J. Mears
  • Patent number: 12382689
    Abstract: A method for making a double-diffused MOS (DMOS) device may include forming a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, forming a drift region of a second conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate, forming spaced-apart source and drain regions in the semiconductor layer, and forming a first superlattice on the semiconductor layer. The first superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, each group of layers including a plurality of 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. The method may also include forming a gate above the first superlattice, and a forming field plate layer adjacent the drift region and configured to deplete the drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Burton, Shuyi Li
  • Publication number: 20250218468
    Abstract: An arrayed processor system having an array of stacked MTDRAM processor systems. Each stacked MTDRAM processor system includes a controller chip having a plurality of processor blocks arranged in an array, and a plurality of DRAM chips. Each DRAM chip includes a plurality of independent DRAM unit cells arranged in an array, wherein each of the processor blocks of the controller chip is coupled to a corresponding DRAM unit cell in each of the DRAM chips. The arrayed processor system further includes communication control chips coupled to the stacked MTDRAM processor systems, power management chips coupled to the communication control chips and the stacked MTDRAM processor systems, and high-speed communication links coupled to the communication control chips. The various elements of the arrayed processor system are mounted on, and are interconnected by, an interconnect structure that includes a silicon substrate with a plurality of patterned metal interconnect layers formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Atomera Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard S. Roy
  • Publication number: 20250218499
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip comprising an array of unit cells, each including a plurality of memory strips, each including a plurality of independently accessible DRAM sub-arrays arranged in a row and a corresponding pair of primary single-ended sense amplifier circuits coupled to each of the DRAM sub-arrays. The DRAM sub-arrays of the plurality of memory strips are further arranged in a plurality of columns. Each unit cell further includes a plurality of global bit line sets, each coupled to the primary single-ended sense amplifier circuits of a corresponding column of DRAM sub-arrays, a multiplexer circuit coupled to each of the global bit line sets, wherein the multiplexer circuit selectively couples one of the global bit line sets to a set of global input/output lines, a secondary sense amplifier circuit coupled to the set of global input/output lines, and plural through silicon vias coupled to the secondary sense amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Applicant: Atomera Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard S. Roy
  • Patent number: 12322594
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a first single crystal silicon layer having a first percentage of silicon 28, and forming a superlattice above the first single crystal silicon layer. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of stacked base silicon monolayers defining a base silicon portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base silicon portions. The method may further include forming a second single crystal silicon layer above the superlattice having a second percentage of silicon 28 higher than the first percentage of silicon 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marek Hytha, Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody, Hideki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 12315722
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include, in an epitaxial deposition tool, performing an anneal on a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate including a first semiconductor layer, an insulating layer on the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the insulating layer, the second semiconductor layer having a first thickness. The method may also include, in the epitaxial deposition tool, performing an in-situ etch to reduce the second semiconductor layer to a second thickness less than the first thickness, and forming a superlattice layer on the second semiconductor layer. The superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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: March 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nyles Wynn Cody, Keith D. Weeks, Robert Michael Vyne, Robert J. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 12315723
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a superlattice above a semiconductor layer, the superlattice including a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including a plurality of 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. The method may further include selectively etching the superlattice to remove semiconductor atoms and cause non-semiconductor atoms to accumulate adjacent the semiconductor layer, epitaxially growing an active semiconductor device layer above the semiconductor layer and accumulated non-semiconductor atoms after the selective etching, and forming at least one circuit in the epitaxially grown active semiconductor device layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marek Hytha, Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody
  • Publication number: 20250124971
    Abstract: A bit line is pre-charged to ground. First and second nodes of a latch are coupled to ground and a reference voltage, respectively. A DRAM bitcell is activated, thereby coupling a DRAM cell capacitor to the bit line, and developing a read voltage on the bit line. The bit line is isolated from the latch when the DRAM bitcell is activated. The first node is decoupled from ground, and the bit line is then coupled to the first node, thereby developing the read voltage on the first node. Then, the second node is de-coupled from the reference voltage, and the bit line is isolated from the first node. The latch is activated, amplifying the voltage difference between the first and second nodes, resulting in a read data voltage on the first node. The bit line is recoupled to the first node, applying the read data voltage to the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: Atomera Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard S. Roy
  • Patent number: 12267996
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device may include an array of DRAM cells, with each DRAM cell configured to store a high logic voltage and a low logic voltage. The DRAM device may further include a precharge circuit configured to selectively provide a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage to a first line and a second line, respectively, and a sense amplifier comprising a cross-coupled transistor sensing circuit coupled between the first line and second line. The sense amplifier may include at least one transistor including a superlattice channel. The DRAM device may further include a refresh circuit configured to selectively couple a third reference voltage to a corresponding DRAM cell via the first line and based upon a voltage difference between the first line and the second line, with the third reference voltage being greater than the high logic voltage of the DRAM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Atomera Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Stephen Roy, Robert J. Mears
  • Patent number: 12230694
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming spaced apart gate stacks on a substrate with adjacent gate stacks defining a respective trench therebetween. Each gate stack may include alternating layers of first and second semiconductor materials, with the layers of the second semiconductor material defining nanostructures. The method may further include forming respective source/drain regions within the trenches, respective insulating regions adjacent lateral ends of the layers of the first semiconductor material, and respective conductive contact liners in the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Donghun Kang
  • Patent number: 12199180
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and spaced apart first and second doped regions in the substrate. The first doped region may be larger than the second doped region to define an asymmetric channel therebetween. The semiconductor device may further include a superlattice extending between the first and second doped regions to constrain dopant therein. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers comprising a plurality of 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. A gate may overly the asymmetric channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hideki Takeuchi, Richard Burton, Yung-Hsuan Yang
  • Patent number: 12199148
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor layer, and a superlattice adjacent the semiconductor layer and including stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers may include stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one oxygen monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The at least one oxygen monolayer of a given group of layers may include an atomic percentage of 18O greater than 10 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marek Hytha, Nyles Wynn Cody, Keith Doran Weeks
  • Patent number: 12191160
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming first and second superlattices adjacent a semiconductor layer. Each of the first and second superlattices may 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. The second superlattice may have a greater thermal stability with respect to non-semiconductor atoms therein than the first superlattice. The method may further include heating the first and second superlattices to cause non-semiconductor atoms from the first superlattice to migrate toward the at least one non-semiconductor monolayer of the second superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody, Marek Hytha, Robert J. Mears