Patents Examined by Abul Kalam
  • Patent number: 9425133
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes circuitry, a first conductor coupled to the circuitry, a conductive pad coupled to the first conductor, and a second conductor coupled to the conductive pad. The second conductor would be floating but for its coupling to the conductive pad. The second conductor may be spaced apart from the first conductor by a distance that is substantially equal to a width of a merged spacer that was formed from a merging of single sidewall spacers over a conductive material from which the first and second conductors were formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger W Lindsay
  • Patent number: 9419035
    Abstract: An example image sensor includes first, second, and third micro-lenses. The first micro-lens is in a first color pixel and has a first curvature and a first height. The second micro-lens is in a second color pixel and has a second curvature and a second height. The third micro-lens is in a third color pixel and has a third curvature and a third height. The first curvature is the same as both the second curvature and the third curvature and the first height is greater than the second height and the second height is greater than the third height, such that light absorption depths for the first, second, and third color pixels are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Wu, Hongjun Li, Yin Qian, Hsin-Chih Tai, Howard E. Rhodes, Jizhang Shan
  • Patent number: 9419182
    Abstract: Solid-state radiation transducer (SSRT) devices having buried contacts that are at least partially transparent and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. An SSRT device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a radiation transducer including a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material, and an active region between the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material. The SSRT device can further include first and second contacts electrically coupled to the first and second semiconductor materials, respectively. The second contact can include a plurality of buried-contact elements electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material. Individual buried-contact elements can have a transparent portion directly adjacent to the second semiconductor material. The second contact can further include a base portion extending between the buried-contact elements, such as a base portion that is least partially planar and reflective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin F. Schubert, Vladimir Odnoblyudov, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 9412601
    Abstract: A method for processing a carrier may include: forming a plurality of structure elements at least one of over and in a carrier, wherein at least two adjacent structure elements of the plurality of structure elements have a first distance between each other; depositing a first layer over the plurality of structure elements having a thickness which equals the first distance between the at least two adjacent structure elements; forming at least one additional layer over the first layer, wherein the at least one additional layer covers an exposed surface of the first layer; removing a portion of the at least one additional layer to expose the first layer partially; and partially removing the first layer, wherein at least one sidewall of the at least two adjacent structure elements is partially exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES DRESDEN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Tegen, Marko Lemke
  • Patent number: 9401407
    Abstract: An object is to provide a transistor having a novel electrode structure capable of substantially maintaining on-state current while parasitic capacitance generated in an overlap portion between a source electrode layer (a drain electrode layer) and a gate electrode layer is reduced. Parasitic capacitance is reduced by using a source electrode layer and a drain electrode in a comb shape in a transistor. Curved current flowing from side edges of electrode tooth portions can be generated by controlling the width of an end of a comb-shaped electrode layer or the interval between the electrode tooth portions. This curved current compensates for a decrease in linear current due to a comb electrode shape; thus, on-state current can be kept unchanged even when parasitic capacitance is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyake, Masayo Kayama
  • Patent number: 9368748
    Abstract: For a display device and manufacturing method for the display device, the method comprises steps of: disposing a plurality of recesses on the cover body; coating glass frit in the recesses; sintering the glass frit for forming sintered blocks; disposing display auxiliary members on the cover body having the sintered blocks formed thereon; and irradiating the sintered blocks by laser to combine the cover and the display substrate with the sintered blocks. The present invention can prevent the display auxiliary members of the cover from being damaged in the packaging process of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tai-pi Wu
  • Patent number: 9355888
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate and implant isolation region extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate surrounding an active region. A gate dielectric is disposed over an active region of the semiconductor substrate and extends over the implant isolation region. A gate electrode is disposed over the gate dielectric and two end cap hardmasks are between the gate dielectric and the gate electrode over the implant isolation region. The two end cap hardmasks include same dopants as those implanted into the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Wen-De Wang, Wen-I Hsu
  • Patent number: 9337201
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a vertically oriented transistor having an elevationally outer source/drain region, an elevationally inner source/drain region, and a channel region elevationally between the inner and outer source/drain regions. The inner source/drain region has opposing laterally outer sides. One of a pair of data/sense lines is electrically coupled to and against one of the outer sides of the inner source/drain region. The other of the pair of data/sense lines is electrically coupled to and against the other of the outer sides of the inner source/drain region. An access gate line is elevationally outward of the pair of electrically coupled data/sense lines and is operatively adjacent the channel region. A charge storage device is electrically coupled to the outer source/drain region. Other embodiments and additional aspects, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Heineck, Jaydip Guha
  • Patent number: 9330957
    Abstract: A process for assembling a first wafer and a second wafer each bevelled on their peripheries includes excavating the bevelled peripheral part of at least one first side of the first wafer to create a deposit bordering the region excavated in the material of the first wafer. The first side and a second side of the second wafer are then bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Aomar Halimaoui, Marc Zussy
  • Patent number: 9293520
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a material stack including an epitaxially grown semiconductor layer on a base semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer on the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer, and an upper semiconductor layer present on the dielectric layer. A capacitor is present extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer into contact with the epitaxially grown semiconductor layer. The capacitor includes a node dielectric present on the sidewalls of the trench and an upper electrode filling at least a portion of the trench. A substrate contact is present in a contact trench extending from the upper semiconductor layer through the dielectric layer and the epitaxially semiconductor layer to a doped region of the base semiconductor layer. A substrate contact is also provided that contacts the base semiconductor layer through the sidewall of a trench. Methods for forming the above-described structures are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Geng Wang, Roger A. Booth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Joseph Ervin, Chengwen Pei, Ravi M. Todi
  • Patent number: 9287178
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a multi-gate field effect transistor (FET) formed on a bulk substrate that includes an isolated fin and methods of forming the same. In one embodiment, the multi-gate FET includes: a plurality of silicon fin structures formed on the bulk substrate, each silicon fin structure including a body region, a source region, and a drain region; wherein a bottom portion the body region of each silicon fin structure includes a tipped shape to isolate the body region from the bulk substrate, and wherein the plurality of silicon fin structures are attached to the bulk substrate via at least a portion of the source region, or at least a portion of the drain region, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hongmei Li, Junjun Li
  • Patent number: 9263553
    Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a source terminal and a drain terminal, each terminal being supported by the substrate, and the source and drain terminal being separated by a portion of the substrate, a layer of semiconductive material deposited so as to cover the portion of the substrate and to connect the source terminal to the drain terminal, a layer of dielectric material deposited so as to cover at least a portion of the layer of semiconductive material, and a layer of electrically conductive material deposited so as to cover at least a portion of the layer of dielectric material. The layer of electrically conductive material providing a gate terminal to which a potential may be applied to control a conductivity of the layer of semiconductive material connecting the source and drain terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Pragmatic Printing Limited
    Inventor: Richard David Price
  • Patent number: 9245807
    Abstract: A transistor region of a first semiconductor layer and a capacitor region in the first semiconductor layer are isolated. A dummy gate structure is formed on the first semiconductor layer in the transistor region. A second semiconductor layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer. First and second portions of the second semiconductor layer are located in the transistor region, and a third portion of the second semiconductor layer is located in the capacitor region. First, second, and third silicide regions are formed on the first, second, and third portions of the second semiconductor layer, respectively. After forming a dielectric layer, the dummy gate structure is removed forming a first cavity. At least a portion of the dielectric layer located above the third silicide region is removed forming a second cavity. A gate dielectric is formed in the first cavity and a capacitor dielectric in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 9246065
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting section, a light transmitting section, a wavelength conversion section, a first conductive section, a second conductive section and a sealing section. The light emitting section includes a first major surface, a second major surface opposite from the first major surface, and a first electrode section and a second electrode section formed on the second major surface. The light transmitting section is provided on a side of the first major surface. The wavelength conversion section is provided over the light transmitting section. The wavelength conversion section is formed from a resin mixed with a phosphor, and hardness of the cured resin is set to exceed 10 in Shore D hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomomichi Naka
  • Patent number: 9245888
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention the device includes a semiconductor chip having a substrate, a first supply terminal electrically coupled to the substrate to provide a first supply potential (VS) and a load current to the substrate, and a second supply terminal operably provided with a second supply potential. A first vertical transistor is integrated in the semiconductor chip and electrically coupled between the supply terminal and an output terminal. The first vertical transistor is configured to provide a current path for the load current to the output terminal in accordance with a control signal, which is provided to a gate electrode of the first vertical transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Luca Petruzzi, Bernhard Auer, Paolo Del Croce, Markus Ladurner
  • Patent number: 9240527
    Abstract: In manufacturing a submount, a first electrode layer (12) is formed as a layer on the surface of a submount substrate (11); a side surface (122) of the first electrode layer (12) is formed on substantially the same plane as a side surface (112) of the submount substrate (11); and the side surface (122) of the first electrode layer (12) is a connection surface for creating an electrical connection with the first electrode layer (12). By making the first electrode layer (12) sufficiently thick, the surface area of the side surface (122) can be made sufficiently large to allow, for example, wire bonding using the side surface (122). Further, components such as an optical element (14) can be protected by a sealing material (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xueliang Song, Foo Cheong Yit, Katsumasa Horiguchi, Shurong Wang
  • Patent number: 9224733
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first PMOS transistor element having a gate region with a first gate metal associated with a PMOS work function and a first NMOS transistor element having a gate region with a second metal associated with a NMOS work function. The first PMOS transistor element and the first NMOS transistor element form a first CMOS device. The semiconductor structure also includes a second PMOS transistor that is formed in part by concurrent deposition with the first NMOS transistor element of the second metal associated with a NMOS work function to form a second CMOS device with different operating characteristics than the first CMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Lucian Shifren, Pushkar Ranade, Sachin R. Sonkusale
  • Patent number: 9219092
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, which has a front side and a backside. A photo-sensitive device is disposed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate. A first and a second grid line are parallel to each other, and are disposed on the backside of, and overlying, the semiconductor substrate. A stacked layer includes an adhesion layer, a metal layer over the adhesion layer, and a high-refractive index layer over the metal layer. The adhesion layer, the metal layer, and the high-refractive index layer are substantially conformal, and extend on top surfaces and sidewalls of the first and the second grid lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko JangJian, Szu-An Wu, Sheng-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9202884
    Abstract: A process is disclosed of forming metal replacement gates for PMOS transistors with oxygen in the metal gates such that the PMOS gates have effective work functions above 4.85. Metal work function layers in the PMOS gates are oxidized at low temperature to increase their effective work functions to the desired PMOS range. Hydrogen may also be incorporated at an interface between the metal gates and underlying gate dielectrics. Materials for the metal work function layers and processes for the low temperature oxidation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, James Joseph Chambers
  • Patent number: 9178099
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to optoelectronic semiconductor devices such as photovoltaic cells. In one aspect, a method for forming a device includes forming an absorber layer made of gallium arsenide (GaAs) and having one type of doping, and forming an emitter layer made of a different material and having a higher bandgap than the absorber layer. An intermediate layer can be formed between emitter and absorber layers. A heterojunction and p-n junction are formed between the emitter layer and the absorber layer, where the p-n junction is formed at least partially within the different material at a location offset from the heterojunction. A majority of the absorber layer can be outside of a depletion region formed by the p-n junction. The p-n junction causes a voltage to be generated in the cell in response to the cell being exposed to light at a front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Brendan M. Kayes, Isik C. Kizilyalli