Patents Examined by André C. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11195724
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes the following operations. A substrate embedded with a shallow trench isolation is received. A first dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. An etching process is performed to form a hole in the first dielectric layer and form a pit in the substrate, wherein an upper surface of the shallow trench isolation is exposed from the hole, and the pit is adjacent to the shallow trench isolation. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer and the shallow trench isolation and in the pit. The second dielectric layer is treated with a plasma to convert a first portion of the second dielectric layer substantially on the first dielectric layer and the shallow trench isolation to a plasma-treated layer. The plasma-treated layer is removed to remain a second portion of the second dielectric layer in the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jen-I Lai, Chun-Heng Wu
  • Patent number: 11195934
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a semiconductor structure having bi-layer self-aligned contact. The semiconductor structure includes a gate stack disposed on a semiconductor substrate and having a first height, a spacer disposed on a sidewall of the gate stack and having a second height greater than the first height, and a first etch stop layer disposed on a sidewall of the gate spacer and having a third height greater than the second height. The semiconductor structure further includes a first dielectric layer disposed over the gate stack and contacting the gate spacer and the first etch stop layer and a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer and contacting the first etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Li-Zhen Yu, Chia-Hao Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11183395
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and its fabrication method are provided. The method includes forming a core layer on a first region of a base substrate layer; forming sidewall spacer layers on sidewalls of two sides of the core layer along a first direction; forming a filling layer on a second region between adjacent sidewall spacer layers which are arranged along the first direction; forming a first dividing trench in the filling layer on the second region to divide the filling layer along a second direction, where sidewalls of the first dividing trench, arranged along the first direction, expose corresponding sidewall spacer layers; forming a second dividing trench in the core layer to divide the core layer along the second direction; forming a second dividing layer in the second dividing trench when forming a first dividing layer in the first dividing trench; and removing the filling layer and the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Linlin Sun, Bo Su
  • Patent number: 11177336
    Abstract: A method for repairing a display substrate includes detecting whether there is a fault point on signal lines. If a fault point is detected on a signal line, short-circuiting is performed of two sides of the at least one fault point through line portions of two drive power lines respectively located at two sides of the at least one fault point and perpendicular to the signal line where the at least one fault point is located and a line portion of a drive power line located at one side of the at least one fault point and parallel to the signal line where the at least one fault point is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cuili Gai, Baoxia Zhang, Ling Wang
  • Patent number: 11177138
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated circuit. The method includes forming a first hard mask layer over a substrate and forming a second hard mask layer over the first hard mask layer. The second hard mask layer is patterned to define an island having a first width along a first direction. The island is patterned to form a patterned island having a second width along the first direction that is less than the first width. A sacrificial mask is formed over the first hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer is patterned according to the patterned island and the sacrificial mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ying Lee, Jyu-Horng Shieh
  • Patent number: 11177145
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of electronic circuits is disclosed. Each electronic circuit comprises a respective first portion, comprising a respective group of contact pads, and a respective integrated circuit, IC, comprising a respective group of terminals and mounted on the respective group of contact pads with each terminal in electrical contact with a respective contact pad. The method comprises: providing a first structure comprising the plurality of first portions; providing a second structure comprising the plurality of ICs and a common support arranged to support the plurality of ICs; transferring said ICs from the common support onto a first roller having a removable surface portion; and transferring said ICs from the first roller onto the first structure such that each group of terminals is mounted on a respective group of contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PRAGMATIC PRINTING LTD.
    Inventors: Neil Davies, Richard Price, Stephen Devenport, Stuart Speakman
  • Patent number: 11174153
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device may be coupled to a dielectric material at an upper planar surface or lower planar surface of the MEMS device. One or more temperature sensors may be attached to the dielectric material layer. Signals from the one or more temperature sensors may be used to determine a thermal gradient along on axis that is normal to the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface. The thermal gradient may be used to compensate for values measured by the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Gurin, Matthew Julian Thompson, Vadim Tsinker
  • Patent number: 11170990
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method including depositing an underlayer comprising silicon oxide over a substrate, depositing a polysilicon liner on the underlayer, and depositing an amorphous silicon layer on the polysilicon liner. Aspects of the disclosure provide a device intermediate including a substrate, an underlayer comprising silicon oxide formed over the substrate, a polysilicon liner disposed on the underlayer, and an amorphous silicon layer disposed on the polysilicon liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Krishna Nittala, Rui Cheng, Karthik Janakiraman, Praket Prakash Jha, Jinrui Guo, Jingmei Liang
  • Patent number: 11164775
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first insulation film in a via hole of a semiconductor substrate and above a first surface thereof, the semiconductor substrate having a circuit substrate on a second surface thereof, depositing a second insulation film having a covering property lower than the first insulation film in the via hole and above the first surface, and removing the first and second insulation films deposited at the bottom of the via hole by anisotropic etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Takahashi, Shinya Okuda
  • Patent number: 11139256
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to tamper-resistant integrated circuits are described. The tamper-resistant integrated circuits include tamper-resistant features including a tamper-resistant material formulated or configured to exhibit a change in at least one electrical property responsive to exposure to oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or other environmental conditions. Data located within the integrated circuit may be erased, or at least a portion of the integrated circuit may be destroyed, responsive to a change in the at least one electrical property. In some examples, one or more electrical properties of a tamper-resistant feature may be measured. A change in an electrical property may be an indication that the associated integrated circuit has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana C. Majerus, Scott D. Van De Graaff, Matthew N. Rocklein
  • Patent number: 11133181
    Abstract: Methods of forming silicon nitride thin films on a substrate in a reaction space under high pressure are provided. The methods can include a plurality of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) cycles, where at least one PEALD deposition cycle comprises contacting the substrate with a nitrogen plasma at a process pressure of 20 Torr to 500 Torr within the reaction space. In some embodiments the silicon precursor is a silyly halide, such as H2SiI2. In some embodiments the processes allow for the deposition of silicon nitride films having improved properties on three dimensional structures. For example, such silicon nitride films can have a ratio of wet etch rates on the top surfaces to the sidewall of about 1:1 in dilute HF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Viljami J. Pore, Shang Chen, Ryoko Yamada, Dai Ishikawa, Kunitoshi Namba
  • Patent number: 11133328
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a stack structure including horizontal conductive patterns and interlayer insulating layers, which are alternately stacked; gate patterns overlapping with both ends of the stack structure under the stack structure, the gate patterns being spaced apart from each other; and a channel pattern including vertical parts penetrating the stack structure, and a connection part disposed under the stack structure, the connection part connecting the vertical parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kang Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 11127857
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices are provided. In embodiments a treatment process is utilized in order to introduce silicon into a p-metal work function layer. By introducing silicon into the p-metal work function layer, subsequently deposited layers which may comprise diffusable materials such as aluminum can be prevented from diffusing through the p-metal work function layer and affect the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 11121142
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a memory structure including the following steps is provided. A spacer layer is formed on sidewalls of gate stack structures. A protective material layer covering the spacer layer and the gate stack structures is formed. A mask material layer is formed on the protective material layer. There is a void located in the mask material layer between two adjacent gate stack structures. A first distance is between a top of the protective material layer and a top of the mask material layer. A second distance is between a top of the void and a top of the mask material layer above the void. A third distance is between a bottom of the void and a bottom of the mask material layer below the void. The first distance is greater than a sum of the second and third distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Che-Jui Hsu, Chun-Sheng Lu, Ying-Fu Tung, Chen-Wei Liao
  • Patent number: 11121304
    Abstract: A method of making a Josephson junction for a superconducting qubit includes providing a substructure having a surface with first and second trenches perpendicular to each other defined therein. The method further includes evaporating a first superconducting material to deposit the first superconducting material and evaporating a second superconducting material to deposit the second superconducting material in the first trench to provide a first lead, and forming an oxidized layer on the first and second superconducting materials. The method includes evaporating a third superconducting material at an angle substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substructure to deposit the third superconducting material in the second trench without rotating the substructure to form a second lead. A vertical Josephson junction is formed at the intersection of the first and second trenches electrically connected through the first lead and through the second lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vivekananda P. Adiga, Benjamin B. Wymore, Keith Fogel, Martin O. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 11114394
    Abstract: An electronic device and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the electronic device includes an article having a substrate, a semiconductor die thereon, a routing carrier attached to the substrate, and a transmission pathway electrically connected to the semiconductor die and the substrate, wherein the transmission pathway runs through the routing carrier. In selected examples, the article is made by manufacturing a substrate, attaching a semiconductor die to the substrate, fabricating a routing carrier comprising a transmission pathway, and integrating the routing carrier into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lijiang Wang, Jianyong Xie, Sujit Sharan, Robert L. Sankman
  • Patent number: 11107834
    Abstract: Embodiments of staircase and contact structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The 3D memory device includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of through-substrate-trenches penetrating the semiconductor substrate. The 3D memory device also includes a film stack disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate extending through the through-substrate-trenches to a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the film stack includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers. The 3D memory device also includes a staircase structure formed at an edge of the film stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li Hong Xiao
  • Patent number: 11101365
    Abstract: Example methods for fabricating a semiconductor device and example semiconductor devices are disclosed. An example method may include forming a sacrificial gate structure on a substrate, and the sacrificial gate structure may include a first portion and a second portion. The method may further include, removing the first portion of the sacrificial gate structure and forming an oxide film by oxidizing an upper surface of the second portion of the sacrificial gate structure after removing the first portion of the sacrificial gate structure. The method may additionally include, forming a trench on the substrate by removing the oxide film and the second portion of the sacrificial gate structure; and forming a gate electrode that fills the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Cheon Jeong, YongKuk Jeong, Jin Hyuk Jeong, Tae Gyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11101409
    Abstract: The invention provides a lighting device configured to provide white lighting device light, the lighting device comprising (i) a light source, configured to provide blue light source light, and (ii) a luminescent material element, configured to absorb at least part of the blue light source light and to convert into luminescent material light, wherein the luminescent material element comprises a luminescent material which consists for at least 80 wt. % of a M2-2xEu2xSi5-yAlyOyN8-y phosphor, wherein M comprises one or more of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, with a molar ratio of (Mg+Ca+Sr)/(Ba)?0.1, wherein x is in the range of 0.001-0.02, wherein y is in the range of ?0.2, and wherein the white lighting device light comprises said blue light source light and said luminescent material light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Josef Schmidt, Walter Mayr, Volker Weiler, Hans-Helmut Bechtel
  • Patent number: 11101269
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active pattern extending lengthwise along a first direction and a second active pattern extending lengthwise along the first direction and spaced apart from the first active pattern in the first direction. The device also includes a field insulating film between the first active pattern and the second active pattern. An upper surface of the field insulating film is lower than or coplanar with upper surfaces of the first and second active patterns. The device further includes an element isolation structure in an isolation trench in the first active pattern and the field insulating film. An upper surface of the element isolation structure is higher than the upper surfaces of the first and second active patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Min Yoo, Ju Youn Kim, Hyung Joo Na, Bong Seok Suh, Joo Ho Jung, Eui Chui Hwang, Sung Moon Lee