Patents Examined by Bradley Smith
  • Patent number: 11476110
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is made by: forming an ohmic electrode including Al on a semiconductor substrate; forming a SiN film covering the ohmic electrode; forming a first photoresist on the SiN film, the first photoresist having an opening pattern overlapping the ohmic electrode; performing ultraviolet curing of the first photoresist; forming an opening in the SiN film exposed through the opening pattern and causing a surface of the ohmic electrode to be exposed inside the opening; forming a barrier metal layer on the first photoresist and on the ohmic electrode exposed through the opening; forming a second photoresist in the opening pattern; performing a heat treatment on the second photoresist and covering the barrier metal layer overlapping the opening with the second photoresist; and etching the barrier metal layer using the second photoresist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11469106
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this hard mask for plasma etching is formed on a silicon-containing film. The hard mask is an amorphous film, and contains tungsten and silicon. The ratio of the concentration of tungsten and the concentration of silicon in the surface of the hard mask can be within the range between a ratio specifying that the concentration of tungsten is 35 at % and the concentration of silicon is 65 at % and a ratio specifying that the concentration of tungsten is 50 at % and the concentration of silicon is 50 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Toshima, Shinji Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11456212
    Abstract: A method for forming a fully self-aligned via is provided. A workpiece having a pattern of features in a dielectric layer is received into a common manufacturing platform. Metal caps are deposited on the metal features, and a barrier layer is deposited on the metal caps. A first dielectric layer is added to exposed dielectric material. The barrier layer is removed and an etch stop layer is added on the exposed surfaces of the first dielectric layer and the metal caps. Additional dielectric material is added on top of the etch stop layer, then both the additional dielectric material and a portion of the etch stop layer are etched to form a feature to be filled with metal material. An integrated sequence of processing steps is executed within one or more common manufacturing platforms to provide controlled environments. Transfer modules transfer the workpiece between processing modules within and between controlled environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Robert Clark, Kandabara Tapily, Kai-Hung Yu
  • Patent number: 11450552
    Abstract: Systems, method and related apparatuses for adjusting support elements of a support apparatus to approximate a surface profile of a wafer. The support apparatus may include a group of mutually lateral adjacent support elements, each mutually lateral adjacent support element is configured to independently move at least vertically and comprising an upper surface. The support apparatus may further include a thermal energy transfer device operably coupled to each of the mutually lateral support elements, and an actuator system operably coupled to each of the support elements to selectively move one or more of the mutually lateral support elements vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Shirley
  • Patent number: 11450560
    Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies, related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly may include a first die having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first die is in a first dielectric layer; a magnetic core inductor, having a first surface and an opposing second surface, in the first dielectric layer, wherein the magnetic core inductor may include a first conductive pillar at least partially surrounded by a magnetic material, and a second conductive pillar coupled to the first conductive pillar; and a second die having a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the second die is in a second dielectric layer, and wherein the first surface of the second die is coupled to the second surface of the magnetic core inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Bharath, Adel A. Elsherbini, Shawna M. Liff, Kaladhar Radhakrishnan, Zhiguo Qian, Johanna M. Swan
  • Patent number: 11444222
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor light-emitting element includes an n-type cladding layer including n-type AlGaN and having a first Al composition ratio, and a multiple quantum well layer in which a plurality (number N) of barrier layers including AlGaN having a second Al composition ratio more than the first Al composition ratio and a plural (number N) well layers having an Al composition ratio less than the second Al composition ratio are stacked alternately in this order, wherein the second Al composition ratio of the plurality of barrier layers of the multiple quantum well layer increases at a predetermined increase rate from an n-type cladding layer side toward an opposite side to the n-type cladding layer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Furusawa, Mitsugu Wada, Yusuke Matsukura, Cyril Pernot
  • Patent number: 11444018
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a first interconnect structure, disposed above the first gate structure, that extends along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The first interconnect structure includes a first portion and a second portion electrically isolated from each other by a first dielectric structure. The semiconductor device includes a second interconnect structure, disposed between the first gate structure and the first interconnect structure, that electrically couples the first gate structure to the first portion of the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a recessed portion that is substantially aligned with the first gate structure and the dielectric structure along a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Guo-Huei Wu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Shang-Wen Chang, Yi-Hsun Chiu
  • Patent number: 11437542
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light-emitting element includes condensing a laser beam inside a substrate provided with a semiconductor structure to form modified portions including first and second modified portions, including scanning the substrate along a predetermined planned cleavage line to form the first modified portions on the planned cleavage line inside the substrate and cracks generated from the first modified portions, and then scanning the substrate with a laser beam along a first predetermined imaginary line parallel to the planned cleavage line in a top view and is offset from the planned cleavage line in an in-plane direction of the substrate by a predetermined distance to perform second irradiation to form the second modified portions on the first predetermined imaginary line inside the substrate to facilitate development of the cracks generated from the first modified portions. The method then includes cleaving the substrate starting from the first modified portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Yamaguchi, Naoto Inoue, Masaaki Shuto
  • Patent number: 11437380
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including first-first conductive lines on a substrate; second-first conductive lines on the first-first conductive lines; first contacts connected to the first-first conductive lines; and second contacts connected to the second-first conductive lines, wherein the first-first conductive lines protrude in a first direction beyond the second-first conductive lines; the first-first conductive lines include first regions having a first thickness, second regions having a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness, and third regions having a third thickness, the third thickness being smaller than the first thickness and smaller than the second thickness, and the second regions of the first-first conductive lines are between the first regions of the first-first conductive lines and the third regions of the first-first conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-Ho Park, Jae Hoon Kim, Yong-Hoon Son, Seung Jae Jung
  • Patent number: 11430677
    Abstract: Wafer taping apparatuses and methods are provided for determining whether taping defects are present on a semiconductor wafer, based on image information acquired by an imaging device. In some embodiments, a method includes applying an adhesive tape on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. An imaging device acquires image information associated with the adhesive tape on the semiconductor wafer. The presence or absence of taping defects is determined by defect recognition circuitry based on the acquired image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Yi Lee, Wen-Kuei Liu
  • Patent number: 11421316
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing fine pitch patterning on a substrate. Warpage correction of the substrate is accomplished on a carrier or carrier-less substrate. A first warpage correction process is performed on the substrate by raising and holding a temperature of the substrate to a first temperature and cooling the carrier-less substrate to a second temperature. Further wafer level packaging processing is then performed such as forming vias in a polymer layer on the substrate. A second warpage correction process is then performed on the substrate by raising and holding a temperature of the substrate to a third temperature and cooling the substrate to a fourth temperature. With the warpage of the substrate reduced, a redistribution layer may be formed on the substrate with a 2/2 ?m l/s fine pitch patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Prayudi Lianto, Mohamed Rafi, Muhammad Azim Bin Syed Sulaiman, Guan Huei See, Ang Yu Xin Kristy, Karthik Elumalai, Sriskantharajah Thirunavukarasu, Arvind Sundarrajan
  • Patent number: 11421344
    Abstract: A gallium nitride crystal substrate has a diameter of 50-155 mm and a thickness of 300-800 ?m and includes any of a flat portion and a notch portion in a part of an outer edge. The gallium nitride crystal substrate contains any of oxygen atoms, silicon atoms, and carriers at a concentration of 2×1017 to 4×1018 cm?3, and has an average dislocation density of 1000 to 5×107 cm?2 in any of a first flat region extending over a width from the flat portion to a position at a distance of 2 mm in a direction perpendicular to a straight line indicating the flat portion in a main surface and a first notch region extending over a width from the notch portion to a position at a distance of 2 mm in a direction perpendicular to a curve indicating the notch portion in the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Yoshizumi, Hideki Osada, Shugo Minobe, Yoshiaki Hagi
  • Patent number: 11417794
    Abstract: A growth mask layer is formed over a semiconductor material layer on a substrate. Optionally, a patterned hard mask layer can be formed over the growth mask layer. A nano-imprint lithography (NIL) resist layer is applied, and is imprinted with a pattern of recesses by stamping. The pattern in the NIL resist layer through the growth mask layer to provide a patterned growth mask layer with clusters of openings therein. If a patterned hard mask layer is employed, the patterned hard mask can prevent transfer of the pattern in the area covered by the patterned hard mask layer. Semiconductor material portions, such as nanowires can be formed in a cluster configuration through the clusters of openings in the patterned growth mask layer. Alignment marks can be formed concurrently with formation of semiconductor material portions by employing nano-imprint lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: NANOSYS, INC.
    Inventors: Zulal Tezcan Ozel, Tsun Lau, Benjamin Leung, Fariba Danesh
  • Patent number: 11417568
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively depositing a tungsten layer atop a dielectric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Lei, Yi Xu, Yu Lei, Tae Hong Ha, Raymond Hung, Shirish A. Pethe
  • Patent number: 11417797
    Abstract: Provided is a micro-LED device, comprising: a light emitting unit comprising a light emitting layer having a first end surface, a second end surface opposite to the first end surface, and a lateral surface between the first end surface and the second end surface; a P-type semiconductor layer on the first end surface; and an N-type semiconductor layer on the second end surface; a transparent insulating layer covering at least the lateral surface of the light emitting layer; and a reflecting layer on a side of the transparent insulating layer away from the light emitting unit, wherein the transparent insulating layer insulates the light emitting unit from the reflecting layer, and the reflecting layer covers at least the lateral surface of the light emitting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinfeng Wu, Fei Li, Huihui Li, Xinzhu Wang, Youyuan Hu, Jinxia Hu, Xiaotian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11417799
    Abstract: A method for fabricating light emitting diode (LED) dice includes the steps of: providing a substrate, and forming a plurality of die sized semiconductor structures on the substrate. The method also includes the steps of providing a receiving plate having an elastomeric polymer layer, placing the substrate and the receiving plate in physical contact with an adhesive force applied by the elastomeric polymer layer, and performing a laser lift-off (LLO) process by directing a uniform laser beam through the substrate to the semiconductor layer at an interface with the substrate to lift off the semiconductor structures onto the elastomeric polymer layer. During the laser lift-off (LLO) process the elastomeric polymer layer functions as a shock absorber to reduce momentum transfer, and as an adhesive surface to hold the semiconductor structures in place on the receiving plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: SemiLEDs Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Fu Chu, Shih-Kai Chan, Yi-Feng Shih, David Trung Doan, Trung Tri Doan, Yoshinori Ogawa, Kohei Otake, Kazunori Kondo, Keiji Ohori, Taichi Kitagawa, Nobuaki Matsumoto, Toshiyuki Ozai, Shuhei Ueda
  • Patent number: 11417629
    Abstract: A stacking structure including a first die, a second die stacked on the first die, and a third die and a fourth die disposed on the second die. The first die has a first metallization structure, and the first metallization structure includes first through die vias. The second die has a second metallization structure, and second metallization structure includes second through die vias. The first through die vias are bonded with the second through die vias, and sizes of the first through die vias are different from sizes of the second through die vias. The third and fourth dies are disposed side-by-side and are bonded with the second through die vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Fa Chen, Sung-Feng Yeh, Tzuan-Horng Liu, Chao-Wen Shih
  • Patent number: 11398454
    Abstract: A system-in-package module includes a substrate, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip on the substrate, first wafer level package (WLP) memories on the substrate spaced apart from the ASIC chip in a first direction parallel to an upper surface of the substrate, and second WLP memories on the substrate spaced apart from the ASIC chip in a direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ae-Nee Jang, Kyung Suk Oh, Eunseok Song, Seung-Yong Cha
  • Patent number: 11387204
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, an interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate, and a bonding structure disposed over the interconnect structure is provided. The bonding structure includes a dielectric layer covering the interconnect structure, signal transmission features penetrating through the dielectric layer, and a thermal conductive feature penetrating through the dielectric layer. The thermal conductive feature includes a thermal routing and thermal pads, and the thermal pads are disposed on and share the thermal routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Hsien-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11380648
    Abstract: The invention concerns a support intended for the implementation of a method of self-assembly of at least one element on a surface of the support, including at least one assembly pad on said surface, a liquid drop having a static angle of contact on the assembly pad smaller than or equal to 15°, and nanometer- or micrometer-range pillars on said surface around the pad, the liquid drop having a static angle of contact on the pillars greater than or equal to 150°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Léa Di Cioccio, Jean Berthier, Nicolas Posseme