Patents Examined by Erik Kielin
  • Patent number: 10103116
    Abstract: A conductive bump assembly may include a passive substrate. The conductive bump assembly may also include a conductive bump pad supported by the passive substrate and surrounded by a first passivation layer opening. The conductive bump assembly may further include a second passivation layer opening on the passive substrate. The second passivation layer opening may be merged with the first passivation layer opening surrounding the conductive bump pad proximate an edge of the passive substrate. The conductive bump assembly may also include a conductive bump on the conductive bump pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Daeik Daniel Kim, Mario Francisco Velez, Changhan Hobie Yun, Chengjie Zuo, David Francis Berdy, Jonghae Kim, Niranjan Sunil Mudakatte
  • Patent number: 10079182
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a gate stack of a semiconductor device comprises forming a first dielectric layer over a channel region of the device, depositing a first nitride layer on exposed portions of the first dielectric layer, depositing a scavenging layer on the first nitride layer, forming a capping layer over the scavenging layer, removing portions of the capping layer, the scavenging layer, and the first nitride layer to expose a portion of the first dielectric layer in an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) region of the gate stack, forming a barrier layer over the first dielectric layer and the capping layer, forming a first gate metal layer over the barrier layer, depositing a second nitride layer on the first gate metal layer, and depositing a gate electrode material on the second nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruqiang Bao, Siddarth A. Krishnan, Unoh Kwon, Vijay Narayanan
  • Patent number: 10049912
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a frame trench extending from a first surface into a base substrate, forming, in the frame trench, an edge termination structure comprising a glass structure, forming a conductive layer on the semiconductor substrate and the edge termination structure, and removing a portion of the conductive layer above the edge termination structure. A remnant portion of the conductive layer forms a conductive structure that covers a portion of the edge termination structure directly adjoining a sidewall of the frame trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alexander Breymesser, Andre Brockmeier, Elmar Falck, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Holger Schulze
  • Patent number: 10050049
    Abstract: Various apparatuses, including three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and systems including the same, are described herein. In one embodiment, a 3D memory device can include at least two sources; at least two memory arrays respectively formed over and coupled to the at least two sources; and a source conductor electrically respectively coupled to the at least two sources using source contacts adjacent one or more edges of the source. Each of the at least two memory arrays can include memory cells, control gates, and data lines. There is no data line between an edge of a source and the source contacts adjacent the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10048220
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a gate structure over a first surface of the substrate, and a source region and a drain region in the substrate adjacent to the gate structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a channel region interposing the source and drain regions and underlying the gate structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a first layer over a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a second layer over the first layer. The semiconductor structure further comprises a sensing film over the channel region and at least a portion of the first and second layers, and a well over the sensing film and cutting off the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Lin, Chang-Ming Wu, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 10032891
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory cell is provided including forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on a semiconductor substrate, forming floating gates for a sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins and forming a first insulating layer between the plurality of semiconductor fins. The first insulating layer is recessed to a height less than the height of the plurality of semiconductor fins and sacrificial gates are formed over the sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins. A second insulating layer is formed between the sacrificial gates and, after that, the sacrificial gates are removed. Recesses are formed in the first insulating layer and sense gates and control gates are formed in the recesses for the sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins. The first and second insulating layers may be oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Baars, Juergen Faul
  • Patent number: 10026769
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a semiconductor device and a solid-state imaging device of which crack resistance can be improved in a simpler way. The semiconductor device has an upper substrate that is constituted by a Si substrate and wiring layers laminated on the Si substrate and a second substrate that is constituted by a Si substrate and wiring layers laminated on the Si substrate and is joined to the upper substrate. In addition, a pad for wire bonding or probing is formed in the upper substrate, and pads for protecting corner or side parts of the pad for wire bonding or probing are radially laminated and provided in each of the wiring layers between the pad and the Si substrate of the lower substrate. The present technology can be applied to a solid-state imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kagawa, Nobutoshi Fujii, Masanaga Fukasawa, Tokihisa Kaneguchi, Yoshiya Hagimoto, Kenichi Aoyagi, Ikue Mitsuhashi
  • Patent number: 9985031
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least one n-type semiconductor device, and at least one p-type semiconductor device. The n-type semiconductor device is present on the substrate. The n-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom surface of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device and the sidewall of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device intersect to form an interior angle. The p-type semiconductor device is present on the substrate. The p-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom surface of the gate structure of the p-type semiconductor device and the sidewall of the gate structure of the p-type semiconductor device intersect to form an interior angle smaller than the interior angle of the gate structure of the n-type semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 9978675
    Abstract: A package includes an insulating member, first electrically conductive members, and a second electrically conductive member. Each of the first electrically conductive members includes a first terminal portion that forms a part of a first surface, and a second terminal portion that is positioned on a side of a side surface with respect to the first terminal portion and forms a part of the side surface. The second electrically conductive member includes an embedded portion embedded in the insulating member, third terminal portions each of which forms a part of the first surface and is connected to the embedded portion, and a fourth terminal portion that forms a part of a second surface and is connected to the embedded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Suzuki, Fujio Ito, Tadashi Kosaka, Takao Toyooka, Koji Tsuduki, Yasushi Kurihara, Ikuto Kimura
  • Patent number: 9978642
    Abstract: Characteristics of a semiconductor device are improved. A semiconductor device includes a voltage clamp layer, a channel base layer, a channel layer, and a barrier layer on a substrate. A trench extends to a certain depth of the channel layer through the barrier layer. A gate electrode is disposed on a gate insulating film within the trench. A source electrode and a drain electrode are provided on the two respective sides of the gate electrode. A coupling within a through-hole that extends to the voltage clamp layer electrically couples the voltage clamp layer to the source electrode. An impurity region containing an impurity having an acceptor level deeper than that of a p-type impurity is provided under the through-hole. The voltage clamp layer decreases variations in characteristics such as threshold voltage and on resistance. The contact resistance is reduced through hopping conduction due to the impurity in the impurity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakayama, Hironobu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9972615
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for ESD protection, includes a drain region, a first doped region, a second doped region and a source region. The drain region is disposed in a substrate at a first side of a gate and the drain region has a first conductivity type. The first doped region is disposed in a second doped well at a second side of the gate and has a second conductivity type. The source region is also disposed in the second doped well and has the first conductive type, and the source region surrounds the first doped region from a topview. The second doped region is disposed in the second doped well and has the second conductive type, and the second doped region is disposed between the gate and the source region, wherein a plurality of contacts is electrically connected to the second doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jhih-Ming Wang, Li-Cih Wang, Tien-Hao Tang
  • Patent number: 9966428
    Abstract: A method for fabricating capacitor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a material layer; forming a first conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer on the material layer; patterning the first dielectric layer and the second conductive layer to form a patterned first dielectric layer and a middle electrode; forming a second dielectric layer on the first conductive layer and the middle electrode; removing part of the second dielectric layer to form a patterned second dielectric layer; forming a third conductive layer on the first conductive layer and the patterned second dielectric layer, wherein the third conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer directly; and removing part of the third conductive layer to expose part of the patterned second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Zhibiao Zhou, Shao-Hui Wu, Chi-Fa Ku, Chen-Bin Lin
  • Patent number: 9966249
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The first main surface has a maximum diameter of more than 100 mm, and the silicon carbide semiconductor substrate has a thickness of not more than 700 ?m. A dislocation density is not more than 500/mm2 at an arbitrary region having an area of 1 mm2 in a region within 5 mm from an outer circumferential end portion of the first main surface toward a center of the first main surface. Accordingly, there is provided a silicon carbide semiconductor substrate allowing for suppression of generation of cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Tanaka, Kyoko Okita, Taro Nishiguchi, Ryosuke Kubota, Kenji Kanbara
  • Patent number: 9957158
    Abstract: A method for producing a pressure sensor comprises providing a substrate with a depression; attaching a micromechanical sensor element to the substrate in the depression; attaching an evaluation circuit to the substrate next to the depression; electrically connecting the evaluation circuit to the sensor element; covering the substrate around the depression by means of a potting die such that the depression is closed; potting the evaluation circuit between the substrate and the potting die; and removing the potting die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Grabmaier, Eckart Schellkes, Timo Lindemann
  • Patent number: 9953877
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: providing a first substrate, forming at least one transistor on a first surface of the first substrate; forming a first dielectric cap layer covering the first surface of the first substrate; forming a first interconnect structure on the first dielectric cap layer; providing a carrier substrate; bonding the carrier substrate to the first substrate through the first dielectric cap layer; and from a second surface of the first substrate opposite to the first surface, thinning the first substrate to a second depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Herb He Huang, Haiting Li, Jiguang Zhu, Clifford Ian Drowley
  • Patent number: 9954020
    Abstract: A high-dynamic-range color image sensor includes (a) a silicon substrate having a photosensitive pixel array with a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, (b) a color filter layer disposed on the silicon substrate and including at least (i) a plurality of first color filters positioned above a first subset of each of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels and configured to selectively transmit light of a first color and (ii) a plurality of second color filters positioned above a second subset of each of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels and configured to selectively transmit light of a second color, and (c) a dynamic-range extending layer disposed on the color filter layer and including grey filters disposed above the second plurality of pixels to attenuate light propagating toward the second plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Wei Lu, Dajiang Yang, Oray Orkun Cellek, Duli Mao
  • Patent number: 9947694
    Abstract: An array substrate includes a plurality of signal lines disposed in a display area; a plurality of signal pads disposed in a non-display area; and a fan-out portion disposed in the non-display. The fan-out portion includes a plurality of fan-out lines connecting the plurality of signal lines to the plurality of signal pads. Each of the plurality of fan-out lines includes a pattern electrically connected to a corresponding signal pad of the plurality of signal pads, and a straight portion electrically connected to a corresponding signal line of the plurality of signal lines. The pattern includes a first conductive layer. The straight portion includes the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer disposed on the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sohyun Lee, Sowoon Kim, Haeryeong Park, Suah Oh, Wando Lee
  • Patent number: 9947765
    Abstract: A method for increasing the performance of an integrated circuit by reducing the number of dummy gate geometries next to transistors in the speed path of an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Younsung Choi, Shashank Ekbote, Gregory Charles Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9941387
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include the following elements: a fin member including a first doped portion, a second doped portion, and a semiconductor portion positioned between the first doped portion and the second doped portion; a composite structure including a conductor and an insulator positioned between the conductor and the semiconductor portion in a first direction; a first spacer having a first dielectric constant and positioned close to the second doped portion; a second spacer having a second dielectric constant and positioned close to the first doped portion; and a third spacer having a third dielectric constant. The second spacer is positioned between the third spacer and the fin member in the first direction. The composite structure is positioned between the first spacer and the second spacer. The first dielectric constant is less than at least one of the second dielectric constant and the third dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hai Yang Zhang, Zhe Zheng
  • Patent number: 9929100
    Abstract: An electronic component package and a method of manufacturing an electronic component package are provided. An electronic component package includes a frame having a cavity, an electronic component disposed in the cavity, a redistribution layer disposed adjacent to the frame and electrically connected to the electronic component, and an encapsulation material encapsulating the electronic component and having an elastic modulus smaller than that of a material constituting the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Doo Hwan Lee, Hyoung Joon Kim, Jong Rip Kim, Kyung Seob Oh, Ung Hui Shin