Patents Examined by Damian A Hillman
  • Patent number: 9171927
    Abstract: A method comprising steps of removing a first dielectric material, including a hard mask layer and one or more spacer material layers, from a semiconductor device having a sacrificial gate whose sidewalls being covered by said spacer material layers, and a raised source and a raised drain region with both, together with said sacrificial gate, being covered by said hard mask layer, wherein the removing is selective to the sacrificial gate, raised source region and raised drain region and creates a void between each of the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate. The method includes depositing a conformal layer of a second dielectric material to the semiconductor device, wherein the second material conforms in a uniform layer to the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate, and fills the void between each of the raised source region, raised drain region and sacrificial gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sanjay C. Mehta, Shom S. Ponoth, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Theodorus E. Standaert, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9153365
    Abstract: A temperature sensing element includes a thermistor composed of Si-base ceramics and a pair of metal electrodes bonded onto the surfaces of the thermistor. The metal electrodes contain Cr and a metal element ? having a Si diffusion coefficient higher than that of Cr. A diffusion layer is formed in a bonding interface between the thermistor and each metal electrode, the diffusion layer including a silicide of the metal element ? in a crystal grain boundary of the Si-base ceramics. A temperature sensor including the diffusion layers is provided. Owing to the diffusion layers, the temperature sensor ensures heat resistance and bonding reliability and enables temperature detection with high accuracy in a temperature range, in particular, of from ?50° C. to 1050° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Tsunenobu Hori, Kaoru Kuzuoka, Chiaki Ogawa, Motoki Satou, Katsunori Yamada, Takao Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Inoguchi
  • Patent number: 9147670
    Abstract: A device includes a spacer, which includes a recess extending from a top surface of the spacer into the spacer, and a conductive feature including a first portion and a second portion continuously connected to the first portion. The first portion extends into the recess. The second portion is on the top surface of the spacer. A die is attached to the spacer, and a lower portion of the first die extends into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Global Unichip Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Ru Chang, Chung-Kai Wang, Ming-Che Wu
  • Patent number: 9147573
    Abstract: The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber; a susceptor configured to support a wafer; lifter pins configured to support the wafer on the susceptor; a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas into the process chamber; a heating unit configured to heat the wafer; an excitation unit configured to excite the gas supplied into the process chamber; an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the inside of the process chamber; and a controller. The controller controls a reducing gas to be supplied into the process chamber in a state in which the wafer is supported by the lifter pins, and controls the gas supply unit to supply an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas into the process chamber in a state in which the wafer is supported by the susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Tsubota
  • Patent number: 9142443
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device having improved reliability at an improved production yield. After forming an insulating film on the main surface of a semiconductor substrate as an oxide film, form a silicon nitride film on the insulating film. Then, form an element isolating trench by plasma dry etching, form an insulating film made of silicon oxide so as to fill the trench by using HDP-CVD, and remove the insulating film outside the trench by CMP, while leaving the insulating film in the trench. Then, remove the silicon nitride film, followed by removal of the insulating film by wet etching to expose the semiconductor substrate. At this time, the insulating film is wet etched while applying light of 140 lux or greater to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9143101
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, such as a transistor. The device includes a gate terminal, a source terminal, a drain terminal, a transconductance component, and a boost component. The gate terminal is configured to receive a bias voltage. The drain terminal is coupled to the boost component. The transconductance component is coupled to the gate terminal, the source terminal and the drain terminal and provides an output current proportional to the bias voltage. The boost component is coupled to the transconductance component and boosts the output current at a selected frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Ying Cho
  • Patent number: 9136165
    Abstract: A method of the invention includes reducing stiction of a MEMS device by providing a conductive path for electric charge collected on a bump stop formed on a substrate. The bump stop is formed by depositing and patterning a dielectric material on the substrate, and the conductive path is provided by a conductive layer deposited on the bump stop. The conductive layer can also be roughened to reduce stiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Cerina Zhang, Nim Tea
  • Patent number: 9136145
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit device having flexible pin arrangement. A semiconductor integrated circuit is bonded to a die pad with an insulating paste, and the potential of the die pad is fixed through a bonding wire from an Al pad provided on the surface of the semiconductor integrated circuit. In the case of a P-type semiconductor substrate, the die pad is set as a terminal other than a terminal having a minimum operating potential of the semiconductor integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Harada
  • Patent number: 9111858
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a cell array layer including a first wire, one or more memory cells stacked on the first wire, and a second wire formed on the memory cell so as to cross the first wire, wherein the memory cell includes a current rectifying element and a variable resistance element, and an atomic composition ratio of nitrogen is higher than that of oxygen in a part of a sidewall of the current rectifying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Jun Nishimura, Nobuaki Yasutake, Kei Sakamoto, Takayuki Okamura
  • Patent number: 9108342
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of forming a film is provided. In the method of forming a film, a reversed pattern which is the reverse of a desired layout pattern is formed on a first substrate. Subsequently, a pattern material of the desired layout pattern is supplied to a second substrate as a reversal material. Thereafter, the reversed pattern is brought into contact with the reversal material such that the reversed pattern faces the reversal material, so that the reversed pattern is filled with the reversal material by a capillary phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsukasa Azuma
  • Patent number: 9102514
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device (58) includes a structural layer (78) having a top surface (86). The top surface (86) includes surface regions (92, 94) that are generally parallel to one another but are offset relative to one another such that a stress concentration location (90) is formed between them. Laterally propagating shallow surface cracks (44) have a tendency to form in the structural layer (78), especially near the joints (102) between the surface regions (92, 94). A method (50) entails fabricating (52) the MEMS device (58) and forming (54) trenches (56) in the top surface (86) of the structural layer (78) of the MEMS device (58). The trenches (56) act as a crack inhibition feature to largely prevent the formation of deep cracks in structural layer (78) which might otherwise result in MEMS device failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC
    Inventor: Chad S. Dawson
  • Patent number: 9093548
    Abstract: Junction field effect transistors are provided which include a gate junction located on a surface of a crystalline semiconductor material of a first conductivity type. The gate junction can be selected from one of a doped hydrogenated crystalline semiconductor material layer portion of a second conductivity type which is opposite the first conductivity type, a doped hydrogenated non-crystalline semiconductor material layer portion of a second conductivity type which is opposite the first conductivity type, and a Schottky contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bahman Hekmatshoar-Tabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 9093378
    Abstract: To fabricate patterns of a semiconductor device, a mask film is formed on a substrate. A plurality of first patterns and a plurality of second patterns are formed on the mask film. The plurality of first patterns is spaced apart from each other at a first distance. The plurality of second patterns is spaced apart from each other at a second distance. The second distance is different from the first distance. A spacer film is conformally formed on the plurality of first patterns and the plurality of second patterns to a predetermined thickness. The spacer film fills spaces between the plurality of second patterns. A part of the spacer film is partially removed to form a plurality of spacer film patterns are formed on side walls of the plurality of the first patterns. The plurality of first patterns and the plurality of second patterns are removed. A plurality of patterns is formed on the substrate using the plurality of spacer film as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Soo Kim, Yong-Min Cho
  • Patent number: 9093380
    Abstract: A method for forming MOS transistor includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor surface having a gate electrode on a gate dielectric thereon, dielectric spacers on sidewalls of the gate electrode, a source and drain in the semiconductor surface on opposing sides of the gate electrode, and a pre-metal dielectric (PAD) layer over the gate electrode and over the source and drain regions. Contact holes are formed through the PMD layer to form a contact to the gate electrode and contacts to the source and drain. A post contact etch dielectric layer is then deposited on the contacts to source and drain and on sidewalls of the PMD layer. The post contact etch dielectric layer is selectively removed from the contacts to leave a dielectric liner on sidewalls of the PMD layer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the contacts to the source and drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tom Lii
  • Patent number: 9082701
    Abstract: A method of forming a thin film transistor array panel includes: forming a first insulating layer on a substrate; forming an amorphous carbon layer on the first insulating layer; forming a second insulating layer on the amorphous carbon layer; forming an opening in the amorphous carbon layer by patterning the second insulating layer and the amorphous carbon layer; and forming a trench in the first insulating layer by etching the first insulating layer, the etching the first insulating layer using the amorphous carbon layer including the opening as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Hwan Ryu, Dae Ho Kim, Hong Sick Park, Shin Il Choi
  • Patent number: 9076821
    Abstract: An anchoring structure for a metal structure of a semiconductor device includes an anchoring recess structure having at least one overhanging side wall, the metal structure being at least partly arranged within the anchoring recess structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Erwin Vogl, Markus Zundel
  • Patent number: 9059144
    Abstract: A method for forming a molded die assembly includes attaching a first major surface of a semiconductor die onto a package substrate; attaching a heat spreader to a second major surface of the semiconductor die, wherein the second major surface is opposite the first major surface, and wherein the semiconductor die, package substrate, and heat spreader form a die assembly; conforming a die release film to a transfer mold; closing the transfer mold around the die assembly such that the die release film is compressed against the heat spreader and a cavity is formed around the die assembly; transferring a thermoset material into the cavity; and releasing the die assembly from the die release film and the transfer mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo M. Higgins, III, Burton J. Carpenter, Glenn G. Daves
  • Patent number: 9041043
    Abstract: A light emitting device package is provided that comprises first and second light emitting devices including light emitting diodes, a body a body having a first cavity in which the first light emitting device is positioned and a second cavity in which the second light emitting device is positioned and a resin material formed in the cavity, wherein the resin material includes, a first resin material formed in the first cavity, a second resin material formed in the second cavity, and a third resin material formed an upper surface of the first and second resin materials, wherein at least one of the first resin material and the second resin material includes a light diffusing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: HaeKyung Lee, ChoongYoul Kim, HyunGoo Kang, KiHo Hong
  • Patent number: 9034705
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed. At least one gate structure is provided on a substrate, wherein the gate structure includes a first spacer formed on a sidewall of a gate. A first disposable spacer material layer is deposited on the substrate covering the gate structure. The first disposable spacer material layer is etched to form a first disposable spacer on the first spacer. A second disposable spacer material layer is deposited on the substrate covering the gate structure. The second disposable spacer material layer is etched to form a second disposable spacer on the first disposable spacer. A portion of the substrate is removed, by using the first and second disposable spacers as a mask, so as to form two recesses in the substrate beside the gate structure. A stress-inducing layer is formed in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tsai-Yu Wen, Tsuo-Wen Lu, Yu-Ren Wang, Chin-Cheng Chien, Tien-Wei Yu, Hsin-Kuo Hsu, Yu-Shu Lin, Szu-Hao Lai, Ming-Hua Chang
  • Patent number: 9035369
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first stacked structure, and a first conductive layer. The first stacked structure is formed on the substrate and includes a conductive structure and an insulating structure, and the conductive structure is disposed adjacent to the insulating structure. The first conductive layer is formed on the substrate and surrounds two side walls and a part of the top portion of the first stacked structure for exposing a portion of the first stacked structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Hang-Ting Lue, Yen-Hao Shih