Patents Examined by Erik T Peterson
  • Patent number: 8969202
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal silicide is disclosed below. A substrate having a first region and a second region is provided. A silicon layer is formed on the substrate. A planarization process is performed to make the silicon layer having a planar surface. A part of the silicon layer is removed to form a plurality of first gates on the first region and to form a plurality of second gates on the second region. The height of the first gates is greater than the height of the second gates, and top surfaces of the first gates and the second gates have the same height level. A dielectric layer covering the first gates and the second gates is formed and exposes the top surfaces of the first gates and the second gates. A metal silicide is formed on the top surfaces of the first gates and the second gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Hao Shih, Ying-Tso Chen, Shih-Chang Tsai, Chun-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 8969177
    Abstract: Laser and plasma etch wafer dicing using UV-curable adhesive films. A mask is formed covering ICs formed on the wafer, as well as any bumps providing an interface to the ICs. The semiconductor wafer is coupled to a carrier substrate by a double-sided UV-curable adhesive film. The mask is patterned by laser scribing to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the semiconductor wafer, below thin film layers from which the ICs are formed. The semiconductor wafer is then etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the ICs. The UV-curable adhesive film is partially cured by UV irradiation through the carrier. The singulated ICs are then detached from the partially cured adhesive film still attached to the carrier substrate, for example individually by a pick and place machine. The UV-curable adhesive film may then be further cured for the film's complete removal from the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Wei-Sheng Lei, Todd Egan, Brad Eaton, Madhava Rao Yalamanchili, Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 8962348
    Abstract: A method for forming a MTJ in a spintronic device is disclosed and includes a thin seed layer that enhances perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying laminated layer with a (Co/Ni)n composition. The seed layer is preferably NiCr, NiFeCr, Hf, or a composite thereof. Furthermore, a magnetic layer such as CoFeB may be formed between the laminated layer and a tunnel barrier layer to serve as a transitional layer between a (111) laminate and (100) MgO tunnel barrier. There may be a Ta insertion layer between the CoFeB layer and laminated layer to promote (100) crystallization in the CoFeB layer. The laminated layer may be used as a reference layer, dipole layer, or free layer in a MTJ. Annealing between 300° C. and 400° C. may be used to further enhance PMA in the laminated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenole Jan, Witold Kula, Ru Ying Tong, Yu Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 8956984
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device capable of forming a nitride layer having high resistance to hydrogen fluoride at low temperatures. The method includes forming a nitride film on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including supplying a source gas to the substrate, supplying a plasma-excited hydrogen-containing gas to the substrate, supplying a plasma-excited or thermally excited nitriding gas to the substrate, and supplying at least one of a plasma-excited nitrogen gas and a plasma-excited rare gas to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Okuda
  • Patent number: 8956698
    Abstract: Systems and methods for depositing complex thin-film alloys on substrates are provided. In particular, systems and methods for the deposition of thin-film Cd1-xMxTe ternary alloys on substrates using a stacked-source sublimation system are provided, where M is a metal such as Mg, Zn, Mn, and Cu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Walajabad S. Sampath, Pavel S. Kobyakov, Kevin E. Walters, Davis R. Hemenway
  • Patent number: 8952413
    Abstract: Etched trenches in a bond material for die singulation, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method for solid state transducer device singulation in accordance with one embodiment includes forming a plurality of trenches by etching through a metallic bond material forming a bond between a carrier substrate and a plurality of the dies and singulating the carrier substrate along the trenches to separate the dies. In particular embodiments, the trenches extend into the carrier substrate. In further particular embodiments, the dies are at least partially encapsulated in a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Odnoblyudov, Scott D. Schellhammer, Jeremy S. Frei
  • Patent number: 8952517
    Abstract: Provided are a package-on-package device and a method of fabricating the same. In the device, solder balls may be disposed on two opposing side regions of a package substrate, such that the device can have a reduced size or width. In addition, input/output pads of the logic chip and the solder balls, which need to be directly connected to each other, can be disposed adjacent to each other. As a result, it is possible to improve routability of signals to and from the solder balls and to reduce the lengths of the interconnection lines. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce any signal interference, to increase signal delivery speed, and to improve signal-quality and power-delivery properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heungkyu Kwon, JeongOh Ha
  • Patent number: 8952405
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) device and packaging for same is disclosed. In some aspects, the LED is manufactured using a vertical configuration including a plurality of layers. Certain layers act to promote mechanical, electrical, thermal, or optical characteristics of the device. The device avoids design problems, including manufacturing complexities, costs and heat dissipation problems found in conventional LED devices. Some embodiments include a plurality of optically permissive layers, including an optically permissive cover substrate or wafer stacked over a semiconductor LED and positioned using one or more alignment markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Mordehai Margalit
  • Patent number: 8945952
    Abstract: Combinatorial workflow is provided for evaluating cleaning processes after forming a gate structure of transistor devices, to provide optimized process conditions for gate stack formation, including metal gate stack using high-k dielectrics. NMOS and PMOS transistor devices are combinatorially fabricated on multiple regions of a substrate, with each region exposed to a different cleaning chemical and process. The transistor devices are then characterized, and the data are compared to categorize the potential damages of different cleaning chemicals and processes. Optimized chemicals and processes can be obtained to satisfy desired device requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: John Foster
  • Patent number: 8946058
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate, the method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing a work piece onto the work piece support, said work piece having a support film, a frame and the substrate; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; applying a tensional force to the support film; clamping the work piece to the work piece support; generating a plasma using the plasma source; and etching the work piece using the generated plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Plasma-Therm LLC
    Inventors: Rich Gauldin, Chris Johnson, David Johnson, Linnell Martinez, David Pays-Volard, Russell Westerman, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 8940616
    Abstract: A bonded device having at least one porosified surface is disclosed. The porosification process introduces nanoporous holes into the microstructure of the bonding surfaces of the devices. The material property of a porosified material is softer as compared to a non-porosified material. For the same bonding conditions, the use of the porosified bonding surfaces enhances the bond strength of the bonded interface as compared to the non-porosified material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Rama Krishna Kotlanka, Rakesh Kumar, Premachandran Chirayarikathuveedu Sankarapillai, Huamao Lin, Pradeep Yelehanka
  • Patent number: 8941148
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. One embodiment includes a lateral HEMT (High Electron Mobility Transistor) structure with a heterojunction between two differing group III-nitride semiconductor compounds and a layer arranged on the heterojunction. The layer includes a group III-nitride semiconductor compound and at least one barrier to hinder current flow in the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Prechtl
  • Patent number: 8941137
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) device and packaging for same is disclosed. In some aspects, the LED is manufactured using a vertical configuration including a plurality of layers. Certain layers act to promote mechanical, electrical, thermal, or optical characteristics of the device. The device avoids design problems, including manufacturing complexities, costs and heat dissipation problems found in conventional LED devices. Some embodiments include a plurality of optically permissive layers, including an optically permissive cover substrate or wafer stacked over a semiconductor LED and positioned using one or more alignment markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Mordehai Margalit
  • Patent number: 8927368
    Abstract: A trench having a side wall and a bottom portion is formed in a silicon carbide substrate. A trench insulating film is formed to cover the bottom portion and the side wall. A silicon film is formed to fill the trench with the trench insulating film being interposed therebetween. The silicon film is etched so as to leave a portion of the silicon film that is disposed on the bottom portion with the trench insulating film being interposed therebetween. The trench insulating film is removed from the side wall. By oxidizing the silicon film, a bottom insulating film is formed. A side wall insulating film is formed on the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Saitoh, Takeyoshi Masuda, Hideki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8912022
    Abstract: A method for making a LED comprises following steps. A substrate having a surface is provided. A first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor pre-layer is formed on the surface of the substrate. A first electrode and a second electrode are formed to electrically connect with the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor pre-layer respectively. A patterned mask layer is applied on a surface of the second semiconductor pre-layer. A number of three-dimensional nano-structures are formed on the second semiconductor pre-layer and the patterned mask layer is removed. A method for making an optical element is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Hao Jin, Qun-Qing Li, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8896062
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor base, on an insulation layer; source/drain regions abutting opposite first sides of the semiconductor base; and gates at opposite second sides of the semiconductor base, wherein the semiconductor base includes a cavity, and the insulation layer is exposed by the cavity. The invention also provides a method for forming a semiconductor device, including: forming a semiconductor bottom on an insulation layer; forming source/drain regions, the source/drain regions abutting opposite first sides of the semiconductor bottom; forming gates on opposite second sides of the semiconductor bottom; and removing a part of the semiconductor bottom to form a cavity in the semiconductor bottom, the cavity exposing the insulation layer. With the technical solutions provided by the invention, short-channel effects can be alleviated, and the resistance of the source/drain regions and parasitic capacitance can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 8889442
    Abstract: Provided is a method of transferring semiconductor elements formed on a non-flexible substrate to a flexible substrate. Also, provided is a method of manufacturing a flexible semiconductor device based on the method of transferring semiconductor elements. A semiconductor element grown or formed on the substrate may be efficiently transferred to the resin layer while maintaining an arrangement of the semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the resin layer acts as a flexible substrate supporting the vertical semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-hyoung Cho, Jun-hee Choi, Jin-seung Sohn
  • Patent number: 8883637
    Abstract: A method for filling a recessed feature of a substrate includes a) at least partially filling a recessed feature of a substrate with tungsten-containing film using at least one of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD); b) at a predetermined temperature, using an etchant including activated fluorine species to selectively etch the tungsten-containing film more than an underlying material of the recessed feature without removing all of the tungsten-containing film at a bottom of the recessed feature; and c) filling the recessed feature using at least one of CVD and ALD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Esther Jeng, Anand Chandrashekar, Raashina Humayun, Michal Danek, Ronald Powell
  • Patent number: 8866242
    Abstract: A memory device may comprise a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, a bottom electrode (BE) layer, and a contact layer. The MTJ stack may include a free layer, a barrier, and a pinned layer. The BE layer may be coupled to the MTJ stack, and encapsulated in a planarized layer. The BE layer may also have a substantial common axis with the MTJ stack. The contact layer may be embedded in the BE layer, and form an interface between the BE layer and the MTJ stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xia Li, Seung H. Kang, Matthew M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8853048
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a streamlined approach to forming vertically structured devices such as deep trench capacitors. Trenches and a contact plate bridging the trenches are formed using one lithographic process. A hard mask is formed over the substrate and etched through the mask to form two or more closely spaced trenches. The hard mask is then reduced by an isotropic etch process. The etch removes the hard mask preferentially between the trenches. Chemical mechanical polishing removes the conductive material down to the remaining hard mask layer, whereby conductive material remains in mask openings and forms a conductive bridge across the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-An Weng, Chen-Chien Chang