Patents Examined by David Nhu
  • Patent number: 9246092
    Abstract: Selector elements that can be suitable for nonvolatile memory device applications are disclosed. The selector element can have low leakage currents at low voltages to reduce sneak current paths for non-selected devices, and higher leakage currents at higher voltages to minimize voltage drops during device switching. The selector element can include insulator layers between the semiconductor layer and the metal layers to lower the leakage current of the device. The metal layers of the selector element can include conductive materials such as tungsten, titanium nitride, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Bodke, Mark Clark, Kevin Kashefi, Prashant B. Phatak, Dipankar Pramanik
  • Patent number: 9245974
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of generating a transistor device having an epitaxial layer disposed over a recessed active region. The epitaxial layer improves transistor device performance. In some embodiments, the method is performed by providing a semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial growth is performed to form an epitaxial layer onto the semiconductor substrate. An electrically insulating layer is then formed onto the epitaxial layer, and a gate structure is formed onto the electrically insulating layer. By forming the epitaxial layer over the semiconductor substrate the surface roughness of the semiconductor substrate is improved, thereby improving transistor device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Ru-Liang Lee, Tung-I Lin, Wei-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 9236446
    Abstract: An IC device manufacturing process effectuates a planar recessing of material that initially varies in height across a substrate. The method includes forming a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC), baking to induce cross-linking in the BARC, CMP to remove a first portion of the BARC and form a planar surface, then plasma etching to effectuate a planar recessing of the BARC. The plasma etching can have a low selectivity between the BARC and the material being recessed, whereby the BARC and the material are recessed simultaneously. Any of the material above a certain height is removed. Structures that are substantially below that certain height can be protected from contamination and left intact. The method can be particularly effective when an abrasive used during CMP forms ester linkages with the BARC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Kuei Liu, Teng-Chun Tsai, Kuo-Yin Lin, Shen-Nan Lee, Yu-Wei Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lien, Chang-Sheng Lin, Chih-Chang Hung, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9236241
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method for processing a wafer may include: forming at least one hollow chamber and a support structure within the wafer, the at least one hollow chamber defining a cap region of the carrier located above the at least one hollow chamber and a bottom region of the carrier located below the at least one hollow chamber and an edge region surrounding the cap region of the carrier, wherein a surface area of the cap region is greater than a surface area of the edge region, and wherein the cap region is connected to the bottom region by the support structure; removing the cap region in one piece from the bottom region and the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Alessia Scire, Steffen Bieselt, Uwe Rudolph, Marco Mueller, Boris Binder
  • Patent number: 9236284
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a tape frame lift assembly for a plasma processing chamber includes a capture single ring having an upper surface for supporting a tape frame of a substrate support and for cooling the tape frame. The tape frame lift assembly also includes one or more capture lift arms for moving the capture single ring to and from transfer and processing positions. The tape frame assembly also includes one or more captured lift plate portions, one captured lift plate portion corresponding to one capture lift arm, the one or more captured lift plate portions for coupling the one or more capture lift arms to the capture single ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Hiroshi Ouye
  • Patent number: 9236497
    Abstract: The method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A doped semiconductor layer is formed over the substrate. The doped semiconductor layer is patterned to form a plurality of doped semiconductor patterns. An implantation process is performed to implant a dopant into the doped semiconductor patterns. A process temperature of the implantation process is no more than about ?50° C. The dopants of the implantation process and the doped semiconductor patterns have the same conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeng-Hwa Liao, Jung-Yu Shieh, Ling-Wuu Yang
  • Patent number: 9236269
    Abstract: Approaches for providing a fin field effect transistor device (FinFET) with a planar block area to enable variable fin pitch and width are disclosed. Specifically, approaches are provided for forming a plurality of fins patterned from a substrate, the plurality of fins comprising: a first set of fins having a variable pitch and a variable width; and a second set of fins having a variable pitch and a uniform width, wherein the first set of fins is adjacent the second set of fins. In one approach, the first set of fins is patterned from the planar block area, which is formed over the substrate, and the second set of fins is formed using a sidewall image transfer (SIT) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Kozarsky, Shiv Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 9236342
    Abstract: Self-aligned via and plug patterning with photobuckets for back end of line (BEOL) interconnects is described. In an example, an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a first layer of the interconnect structure disposed above a substrate, the first layer having a first grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a first direction. The dielectric lines have an uppermost surface higher than an uppermost surface of the metal lines. The integrated circuit also includes a second layer of the interconnect structure disposed above the first layer of the interconnect structure. The second layer includes a second grating of alternating metal lines and dielectric lines in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The dielectric lines have a lowermost surface lower than a lowermost surface of the metal lines of the second grating. The dielectric lines of the second grating overlap and contact, but are distinct from, the dielectric lines of the first grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Bristol, Kevin Lin, Kanwal Jit Singh, Alan M. Myers, Richard E. Schenker
  • Patent number: 9236247
    Abstract: Methods of treating metal-containing thin films, such as films comprising titanium carbide, with a silane or a borane agent are provided. In some embodiments a film comprising titanium carbide is deposited on a substrate by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The process may include a plurality of deposition cycles involving alternating and sequential pulses of a first source chemical that comprises titanium and at least one halide ligand, a second source chemical comprising metal and carbon, wherein the metal and the carbon from the second source chemical are incorporated into the thin film, and a third source chemical, wherein the third source chemical is a silane or borane that at least partially reduces oxidized portions of the titanium carbide layer formed by the first and second source chemicals. In some embodiments treatment forms a capping layer on the metal carbide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Jerry Chen, Vladimir Machkaoutsan, Brennan Milligan, Jan Maes, Suvi Haukka, Eric Shero, Tom Blomberg, Dong Li
  • Patent number: 9236326
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a wafer substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a conductive pillar in the wafer substrate defined by a deep trench insulator through the top surface and the bottom surface of the wafer substrate. The method for fabricating the semiconductor structure includes following steps. A deep trench is formed from a top surface of a wafer substrate to define a conductive region in the wafer substrate. The conductive region is doped with a dopant. The deep trench is filled with an insulation material to form a deep trench insulator. And the wafer substrate is thinned from a bottom surface of the wafer substrate to expose the deep trench insulator and isolate the conductive region to form a conductive pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Kalnitsky, Hsiao-Chin Tuan, Shih-Fen Huang, Hsin-Li Cheng, Felix Ying-Kit Tsui
  • Patent number: 9228260
    Abstract: A wafer processing chamber is provided, including a first processing gas supply unit and a second processing gas supply unit. The first processing gas supply unit is configured for supplying a first processing gas to form a first processing zone in the wafer processing chamber. The second processing gas supply unit is configured for supplying a second processing gas into the wafer processing chamber to form a second processing zone in the wafer processing chamber. In the wafer processing chamber, the first processing zone and the second processing zone are virtually separated from each other, such that a process wafer in the first processing zone may be performed a different process from another process wafer in the second processing zone at the same time. Further, a heat treatment apparatus and a method for processing wafers also provide herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsai-Fu Hsiao, Chun-Yao Wang, Tai-Chun Huang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 9230802
    Abstract: Field-effect transistors (FETs) and methods of fabricating field-effect transistors are provided, with one or both of a source cavity or a drain cavity having different channel junction characteristics. The methods include, for instance, recessing a semiconductor material to form a cavity adjacent to a channel region of the transistor, the recessing defining a bottom channel interface surface and a sidewall channel interface surface within the cavity; providing a protective liner over the sidewall channel interface surface, with the bottom channel interface surface being exposed within the cavity; processing the bottom channel interface surface to facilitate forming a first channel junction of the transistor; and removing the protective liner from over the sidewall channel interface surface, and subsequently processing the sidewall channel interface surface to form a second channel junction of the transistor, where the first and second channel junctions have different channel junction characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Neeraj Tripathi, Christopher Michael Prindle
  • Patent number: 9230912
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a device manufactured using the same are provided. According to the embodiment, substrate with a dielectric layer formed thereon is provided. Plural trenches are defined in the dielectric layer, and the trenches are isolated by the dielectric layer. A first barrier layer is formed in the trenches as barrier liners of the trenches, followed by filling the trenches with a conductor. Then, the conductor in the trenches is partially removed to form a plurality of recesses, wherein remained conductor has a flat surface. Next, a second barrier layer is formed in the recesses as barrier caps of the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsin-Kuo Hsu, Li-Chieh Hsu, Hsiang-Hao Chen, Chung-Wei Hsueh
  • Patent number: 9224710
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor package, the semiconductor package includes a first substrate, a first semiconductor chip which is mounted on the first substrate, a second substrate which is disposed on the first semiconductor chip, at least one second semiconductor chip which is disposed on the second substrate; and a plurality of wires which are in contact with the first substrate and the second substrate to connect the first substrate and the second substrate to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 9224844
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first semiconductor layer, a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and an insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and contacts the first electrode. The first semiconductor region is provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second electrode, and contacts the second electrode. The second semiconductor region is provided between the first semiconductor region and the second electrode, and contacts the second electrode. An impurity concentration of the second semiconductor region is higher than an impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region. An insulating layer has one end contacting the second electrode and the other end positioned in the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ogura, Tomoko Matsudai
  • Patent number: 9224955
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel purifying method for the organic optoelectronic material. More specifically the present invention relates to a purifying method for organic electroluminescent (herein referred to as organic EL) material, organic photovoltaics (herein referred to as OPV) material and organic thin-film transistor (herein referred to as OTFT) material. The organic optoelectronic device use the organic optoelectronic material can lower driving voltage, prolong half-lifetime and improve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Feng-Wen Yen, Cheng-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 9224847
    Abstract: A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer having a first band gap, and a second III-V compound layer having a second band gap over the first III-V compound layer. The second band gap is greater than the first band gap. A crystalline interfacial layer is overlying and in contact with the second III-V compound layer. A gate dielectric is over the crystalline interfacial layer. A gate electrode is over the gate dielectric. A source region and a drain region are over the second III-V compound layer, and are on opposite sides of the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Chin Chiu, Po-Chun Liu, Chi-Ming Chen, Chung-Yi Yu, King-Yuen Wong
  • Patent number: 9219162
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer covering the oxide semiconductor layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode over the gate insulating layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode include an oxide region formed by oxidizing a side surface thereof. Note that the oxide region of the source electrode and the drain electrode is preferably formed by plasma treatment with a high frequency power of 300 MHz to 300 GHz and a mixed gas of oxygen and argon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 9217917
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first material formed on a substrate. The first material includes a first alignment mark. The first alignment mark includes alignment lines in at least three directions. The semiconductor device further includes a second material comprising a second alignment mark. The second alignment mark corresponds to the first alignment mark such that when the second alignment mark is aligned with the first alignment mark, the second material is aligned with the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ru-Shang Hsiao, I-I Cheng, Jia-Ming Huang, Jen-Pan Wang, Ling-Sung Wang, Chih-Mu Huang
  • Patent number: 9219126
    Abstract: A device, including a substrate, an electronically active component on the substrate, an interface dielectric on the semiconductor, and a relaxor dielectric on the interface dielectric. The relaxor dielectric includes a surfactant that is solid at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Whiting, Tse Nga Ng, Bing R. Hsieh