Patents Examined by Charles Garber
  • Patent number: 9627541
    Abstract: A non-planar transistor is provided. It includes a substrate, a fin structure, a gate structure, a spacer structure and a source/drain region. The fin structure is disposed on the substrate, the gate structure is disposed on the fin structure. The spacer structure is disposed on a sidewall of the gate structure. The spacer structure includes a first spacer with a first height and a second spacer with a second height, wherein the first spacer is disposed between the second spacer, and the first height is different from the second height. The source/drain region is disposed in a semiconductor layer at two sides of the spacer structure. The present invention further provides a method of forming the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jhen-Cyuan Li, Nan-Yuan Huang, Shui-Yen Lu
  • Patent number: 9625647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device employs an epitaxial layer arrangement including a first ohmic contact layer and first modulation doped quantum well structure disposed above the first ohmic contact layer. The first ohmic contact layer has a first doping type, and the first modulation doped quantum well structure has a modulation doped layer of a second doping type. At least one isolation ion implant region is provided that extends through the first ohmic contact layer. The at least one isolation ion implant region can include oxygen ions. The at least one isolation ion implant region can define a region that is substantially free of charge carriers in order to reduce a characteristic capacitance of the device. A variety of high performance transistor devices (e.g., HFET and BICFETs) and optoelectronic devices can employ this device structure. Other aspects of wavelength-tunable microresonantors and related semiconductor fabrication methodologies are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, Opel Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9627649
    Abstract: Discussed is an organic light emitting display device. An OLED including a transparent anode formed of one conductive transparent material and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) including a cavity anode formed of a plurality of conductive materials are provided in one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heume Il Baek, Ho Jin Ryu, Young Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 9627348
    Abstract: Laser assisted bonding for semiconductor die interconnections is disclosed and may, for example, include forming flux on a circuit pattern on a circuit board, placing a semiconductor die on the circuit board where a bump on the semiconductor die contacts the flux, and reflowing the bump by directing a laser beam toward the semiconductor die. The laser beam may volatize the flux and make an electrical connection between the bump and the circuit pattern. A jig plate may be placed on the semiconductor die when the laser beam is directed toward the semiconductor die. Warpage may be reduced during heating or cooling of the semiconductor die by applying pressure to the jig plate. Jig bars may extend outward from the jig plate and may be in contact with the circuit board during the application of pressure to the jig plate. The jig plate may comprise one or more of: silicon, silicon carbide, and glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AMKOR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Su Ryu, Choon Heung Lee, Min Ho Kim, Choong Hoe Kim, Ju Hoon Yoon, Chan Ha Hwang, Yang Gyoo Jung
  • Patent number: 9628052
    Abstract: An embedded multi-terminal capacitor embedded in a substrate cavity includes at least one metal layer patterned into a plurality of power rails and a plurality of ground rails. The substrate includes an external power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hong Bok We, Dong Wook Kim, Kyu-Pyung Hwang, Young Kyu Song
  • Patent number: 9627374
    Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods are provided for various applications including signal amplification. An exemplary electronic circuit comprises a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET in a cascode configuration. The dual-gate JFET includes top and bottom gates disposed above and below the channel. The top gate of the JFET is controlled by a signal that is dependent upon the signal controlling the gate of the MOSFET. The control of the bottom gate of the JFET can be dependent or independent of the control of the top gate. The MOSFET and JFET can be implemented as separate components on the same substrate with different dimensions such as gate widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ACCO
    Inventor: Denis A. Masliah
  • Patent number: 9614078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate structure formed on the semiconductor substrate. A source region and a drain region are disposed on opposite sides of the gate structure on the semiconductor substrate. A lightly-doped drain region is adjacent to a side of the drain region close to the gate structure, and a lightly-doped source region is adjacent to a side of the source region close to the gate structure. An oxidation region is disposed in the lightly-doped drain region. A trench extends from the surface of the semiconductor substrate to the drain region. A source electrode is disposed on the source region, and the drain electrode has a first portion disposed on the drain region and a second portion disposed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Lin, Chia-Hao Lee, Chih-Cherng Liao
  • Patent number: 9613862
    Abstract: Chamferless via structures and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes: forming at least one self-aligned via within at least dielectric material; plugging the at least one self-aligned via with material; forming a protective sacrificial mask over the material which plugs the at least one self-aligned via, after a recessing process; forming at least one trench within the dielectric material, with the protective sacrificial mask protecting the material during the trench formation; removing the protective sacrificial mask and the material within the at least one self-aligned via to form a wiring via; and filling the wiring via and the at least one trench with conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Lenhardt, Frank W. Mont, Brown C. Peethala, Shariq Siddiqui, Jessica P. Striss, Douglas M. Trickett
  • Patent number: 9607896
    Abstract: A method of preparing semiconductor dies from a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of fabrication regions separated by dicing lines on the top side of the wafer, and an adhesive coating on the back side of the wafer, comprises applying a repellent material to the fabrication regions and dicing lines where the adhesive coating is not intended to be printed; applying the adhesive coating to the back side of the wafer; removing the repellent material; and separating the wafer along the dicing lines into individual dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Raj Peddi, Jeffrey Gasa, Kenji Kuriyama, Hoseung Yoo
  • Patent number: 9607904
    Abstract: ALD of HfxAlyCz films using hafnium chloride (HfCl4) and Trimethylaluminum (TMA) precursors can be combined with post-deposition anneal processes and ALD liners to control the device characteristics in high-k metal-gate devices. Variation of the HfCl4 pulse time allows for control of the Al % incorporation in the HfxAlyCz film in the range of 10-13%. Combinatorial process tools can be employed for rapid electrical and materials characterization of various materials stacks. The effective work function (EWF) in metal oxide semiconductor capacitor (MOSCAP) devices with the HfxAlyCz work function layer coupled with ALD deposited HfO2 high-k gate dielectric layers was quantified to be mid-gap at ˜4.6 eV. Thus, HfxAlyCz is a promising metal gate work function material allowing for the tuning of device threshold voltages (Vth) for anticipated multi-Vth integrated circuit (IC) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Albert Sanghyup Lee, Paul Besser, Kisik Choi, Edward L Haywood, Hoon Kim, Salil Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 9601378
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one precursor semiconductor fin from the semiconductor substrate, etching through at least a portion of the at least one precursor semiconductor fin to form at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin having a gap therein. The at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin includes a first vertical surface and a second vertical surface with the gap therebetween. In addition, the method further includes forming a semiconductor material in the gap of the at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin, in which the first vertical surface and the second vertical surface laterally surround the semiconductor material, and transforming the at least one patterned precursor semiconductor fin into at least one semiconductor fin including the semiconductor material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 9601688
    Abstract: In a case where reactive ion etching using a gas containing an oxygen atom is used for etching or a magnetoresistive element, a magnetic film becomes damaged due to oxidation. Such damage to the element by the oxidation becomes a factor which causes deterioration in element properties. In the etching of the magnetoresistive element according to one embodiment of the present invention, a magnetoresistive film is subjected to ion beam etching and thereafter to reactive ion etching. A side deposition formed by the ion beam etching coats a sidewall of the magnetoresistive film and reduces damage by the oxygen atom during the later reactive ion etching. Also, a time during which the element is exposed to plasma of the gas containing the oxygen atom can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9595601
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin-film transistor substrate including a thin-film semiconductor includes: forming a metal film mainly comprising Cu above a substrate; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode by processing the metal film in a predetermined shape; irradiating the source electrode and the drain electrode with nitrogen plasma; exposing surfaces of a top and an end portion of the source electrode and the drain electrode with silane (SiH4) gas; and forming an insulating layer comprising an oxide on the source electrode and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: JOLED, INC.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Miyamae, Kenichirou Nishida, Toru Saito
  • Patent number: 9590071
    Abstract: The characteristics of a semiconductor device using a nitride semiconductor are improved. A trench which penetrates an insulating film and a barrier layer and reaches inside of a channel layer is formed by etching the channel layer, the barrier layer, and the insulating film which are formed over a substrate. Then, an epitaxial regrowth layer is formed over a bottom surface and a side surface of the trench by using an epitaxial growth method. It is possible to reduce roughness (unevenness) of a crystal surface due to etching and the like of the bottom surface and the side surface of the trench by forming the epitaxial regrowth layer in this way. A channel is formed in an interface between the epitaxial regrowth layer and a gate insulating film, so that mobility of carriers improves and on-resistance of an element decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Masumoto
  • Patent number: 9590034
    Abstract: A method of forming fine patterns for a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate with a first region and a second region, forming a conductive layer on the substrate, the conductive layer including a plate portion covering the first region and first protruding portions extending from the plate portion in a first direction and covering a portion of the second region, forming first mask patterns on the conductive layer, the first mask patterns extending in the first direction and being spaced apart from each other in a second direction crossing the first direction, forming a second mask pattern on the second region to cover the first protruding portions, and patterning the conductive layer using the first and second mask patterns as an etch mask to form conductive patterns. In plan view, each of the first protruding portions is overlapped with a corresponding one of the first mask patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-ho Shin, Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 9586812
    Abstract: A device includes vertically and laterally spaced sensors that sense different physical stimuli. Fabrication of the device entails forming a device structure having a first and second wafer layers with a signal routing layer interposed between them. Active transducer elements of one or more sensors are formed in the first wafer layer and a third wafer layer is attached with the second wafer layer to produce one or more cavities in which the active transducer elements are located. A trench extends through the second wafer and through a portion of the signal routing layer. The trench electrically isolates a region of the second wafer layer surrounded by the trench from a remainder of the second wafer layer. Another active transducer element of another sensor is formed in this region. The transducer element formed in the second wafer layer may be a diaphragm for a pressure sensor of the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthieu Lagouge, Mamur Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 9590100
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided such as, ferroelectric transistors and floating gate transistors, that include an epitaxial perovskite/doped strontium titanate structure formed above a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial perovskite/doped strontium titanate structure includes a stack of, in any order, a doped strontium titanate and a perovskite type oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Catherine A. Dubourdieu, Martin M. Frank, Vijay Narayanan
  • Patent number: 9583709
    Abstract: A mask for forming an organic layer pattern, the mask including a photomask having a first substrate and a reflecting layer on the first substrate; and a donor substrate on the photomask and separated therefrom, the donor substrate including a second substrate and an absorption part on the second substrate, wherein the photomask comprises a reflecting part configured to reflect light incident to the photomask and a light concentrating part configured to concentrate the light and transmit the light to the donor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Sung Bang, Jae Sik Kim, Yeon Hwa Lee, Joon Gu Lee, Ji Young Choung, Jin Baek Choi, Kyu Hwan Hwang, Young Woo Song
  • Patent number: 9583574
    Abstract: Embodiments include epitaxial semiconductor stacks for reduced defect densities in III-N device layers grown over non-III-N substrates, such as silicon substrates. In embodiments, a metamorphic buffer includes an AlxIn1-xN layer lattice matched to an overlying GaN device layers to reduce thermal mismatch induced defects. Such crystalline epitaxial semiconductor stacks may be device layers for HEMT or LED fabrication, for example. System on Chip (SoC) solutions integrating an RFIC with a PMIC using a transistor technology based on group III-nitrides (III-N) capable of achieving high Ft and also sufficiently high breakdown voltage (BV) to implement high voltage and/or high power circuits may be provided on the semiconductor stacks in a first area of the silicon substrate while silicon-based CMOS circuitry is provided in a second area of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sansaptak Dasgupta, Han Wui Then, Niloy Mukherjee, Marko Radosavljevic, Robert S. Chau
  • Patent number: 9583641
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes the following steps. A plurality of select gates are formed on a memory region of a semiconductor substrate. Two charge storage structures are formed between two adjacent select gates. A source region is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and the source region is formed between the two adjacent select gates. An insulation block is formed between the two charge storage structures and formed on the source region. A memory gate is formed on the insulation block, and the memory gate is connected to the two charge storage structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yuan-Hsiang Chang, Yi-Shan Chiu, Chih-Chien Chang, Jianjun Yang, Wen-Chuan Chang