Patents Examined by Gardner W Swan
  • Patent number: 9890033
    Abstract: A silicon-on-sapphire chip with minimal thermal strain preload is provided. The chip includes a sapphire substrate having a first-sapphire surface and an opposing second-sapphire surface; and a silicon layer overlaying the first-sapphire surface. The silicon layer is formed by: creating a plurality of buried cavities in a plane within tens of microns from a first-silicon surface of a silicon wafer; laser fusing the first-silicon surface to the first-sapphire surface at room temperature to attach the silicon wafer to a sapphire wafer; and cleaving the silicon wafer along the plane including the plurality of buried cavities. A silicon-wafer layer is formed from the silicon material between the first-silicon surface and the plane of the plurality of buried cavities. The silicon-wafer layer and the sapphire wafer form a silicon-on-sapphire wafer. The silicon-on-sapphire chip is formed by dicing the silicon-on-sapphire wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Brown
  • Patent number: 9859347
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) on the substrate and including an active layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, a first pixel electrode coupled to one of the source and drain electrodes, a rough portion on the first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode on the rough portion and having a rough pattern, an intermediate layer on the second pixel electrode including an organic emission layer (EML), and an opposing electrode on the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Hyun Jin, Jae-Hwan Oh, Yeoung-Jin Chang, Se-Hun Park, Won-Kyu Lee, Jae-Beom Choi
  • Patent number: 9847281
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to leadframes having the cantilevered extension that includes an integral support on the end of the lead nearest the die pad. A support integral to the leadframe allows the support to be built to the proper height to support the cantilevered lead in each package and reduces or eliminates the upward, downward, and side to side deflections caused or allowed by supports built-in to the tooling of the manufacturing equipment. Also, by building the support into the leadframe, the leadframes may be pretaped prior to the die attach and wire bonding steps of the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Jefferson Talledo
  • Patent number: 9837604
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe phase-change memory cell implant for dummy array leakage reduction. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of phase-change memory (PCM) elements, wherein individual PCM elements of the plurality of PCM elements are dummy cells including a bottom electrode layer, a select device layer disposed on the bottom electrode layer, a middle electrode layer disposed on the select device layer, a phase-change material layer disposed on the middle electrode layer, and a top electrode layer disposed on the phase-change material layer, wherein the phase-change material layer is doped with an impurity to reduce cell leakage of the dummy cells. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lequn J. Liu, Ugo Russo, Max F. Hineman
  • Patent number: 9825256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and particularly to a display panel and a display device comprising the display panel. The display panel comprises a substrate, which is divided into a plurality of sub-pixel areas, each of which comprises a thin film transistor and an organic light-emitting diode device provided above the thin film transistor, wherein, a pixel define layer and a conductive layer are provided above the thin film transistor and below the organic light-emitting diode device, the pixel define layer is used for defining a light-transmissive region and a non-light-transmissive region of the sub-pixel area, an upper surface of the conductive layer and an upper surface of the pixel define layer are in the same plane, and the conductive layer is electrically connected to a drain of the thin film transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yonglian Qi, Shi Shu
  • Patent number: 9818872
    Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication is described that includes forming a fin extending from a substrate and having a source/drain region and a channel region. The fin includes a first epitaxial layer having a first composition and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having a second composition. The second epitaxial layer is removed from the source/drain region of the fin to form a gap. The gap is filled with a dielectric material. Another epitaxial material is formed on at least two surfaces of the first epitaxial layer to form a source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Carlos H. Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Wai-Yi Lien, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 9818849
    Abstract: A first insulating film in contact with an oxide semiconductor film and a second insulating film are stacked in this order over an electrode film of a transistor including the oxide semiconductor film, an etching mask is formed over the second insulating film, an opening portion exposing the electrode film is formed by etching a portion of the first insulating film and a portion of the second insulating film, the opening portion exposing the electrode film is exposed to argon plasma, the etching mask is removed, and a conductive film is formed in the opening portion exposing the electrode film. The first insulating film is an insulating film whose oxygen is partly released by heating. The second insulating film is less easily etched than the first insulating film and has a lower gas-permeability than the first insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Sasagawa, Hiroshi Fujiki, Yoshinori Ieda
  • Patent number: 9806172
    Abstract: A tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) device is disclosed. A protrusion structure is disposed over the substrate and protrudes out of the plane of substrate. Isolation features are formed on the substrate. A drain region is disposed over the substrate adjacent to the protrusion structure and extends to a bottom portion of the protrusion structure as a raised drain region. A drain contact is disposed over the drain region and overlap with the isolation feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Cheng-Cheng Kuo, Ming Zhu
  • Patent number: 9806001
    Abstract: A semiconductor package can include a semiconductor die having an integrated circuit, a first die surface, and an opposite second die surface. A packaging can be attached to the die and have a holder surface opposite the first die surface. A heat spreader can be configured to cover the second die surface and the packaging surface and can be attached thereto by a layer of adhesive positioned between the heat spreader and the semiconductor die. A semiconductor package array can include an array of semiconductor dies and a heat spreader configured to cover each semiconductor die. A conductive lead can be electrically connected to the integrated circuit in a semiconductor die and can extend from the first die surface. Manufacturing a semiconductor package can include applying thermally conductive adhesive to the heat spreader and placing the heat spreader proximate the semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Mihalis Michael, Ilija Jergovic
  • Patent number: 9799671
    Abstract: Dielectric degradation and electrical shorts due to fluorine radical generation from metallic electrically conductive lines in a three-dimensional memory device can be reduced by forming composite electrically conductive layers and/or using of a metal oxide material for an insulating spacer for backside contact trenches. Each composite electrically conductive layer includes a doped semiconductor material portion in proximity to memory stack structures and a metallic material portion in proximity to a backside contact trench. Fluorine generated from the metallic material layers can escape readily through the backside contact trench. The semiconductor material portions can reduce mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jayavel Pachamuthu, Matthias Baenninger, Stephen Shi, Johann Alsmeier
  • Patent number: 9799621
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate. A duplex plated bump on lead pad is formed over the substrate. An insulating layer is formed over the conductive layer and the substrate. A portion of the insulating over the duplex plated bump on lead pad is removed using a laser direct ablation process. The insulating layer is a lamination layer. The duplex plated bump on lead pad has a wide bump on lead pad. A semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate. The semiconductor die has a composite conductive interconnect structure. The semiconductor die has a first bump and a second bump with a pitch ranging from 90-150 micrometers between the first bump and the second bump. A duplex plated contact pad is formed on a surface of the substrate opposite the duplex plated bump-on-lead pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Won Lee, Kyu Won Lee, Eun Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 9793446
    Abstract: Composites having semiconductor structures embedded in a matrix are described. In an example, a composite includes a matrix material. A plurality of semiconductor structures is embedded in the matrix material. Each semiconductor structure includes an anisotropic nanocrystalline core composed of a first semiconductor material. Each semiconductor structure also includes a nanocrystalline shell composed of a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core. An insulator layer encapsulates each nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core pairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Pacific Light Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Juanita Kurtin, Brian Theobald, Matthew J. Carillo, Oun-Ho Park, Georgeta Masson, Steven M. Hughes
  • Patent number: 9773977
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell has first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between. The phase change memory cell is devoid of heater material as part of either of the first and second electrodes and being devoid of heater material between either of the first and second electrodes and the phase change material. A method of forming a memory cell having first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between includes lining elevationally inner sidewalls of an opening with conductive material to comprise the first electrode of the memory cell. Elevationally outer sidewalls of the opening are lined with dielectric material. Phase change material is formed in the opening laterally inward of and electrically coupled to the conductive material in the opening. Conductive second electrode material is formed that is electrically coupled to the phase change material. Other implementations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon E. Van Gerpen, Roberto Bez
  • Patent number: 9768282
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to bipolar transistors, such as heterojunction bipolar transistors, having at least one grading in the collector. One aspect of this disclosure is a bipolar transistor that includes a collector having a high doping concentration at a junction with the base and at least one grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base. In some embodiments, the high doping concentration can be at least about 3×1016 cm?3. According to certain embodiments, the collector includes two gradings. Such bipolar transistors can be implemented, for example, in power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Zampardi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9748374
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a silicon semiconductor body having a main surface and a nitrogen concentration which is lower than about 2*1014 cm?3 at least in a first portion of the silicon semiconductor body, the first portion extending from the main surface to a depth of about 50 ?m. The nitrogen concentration increases with a distance from the main surface at least in the first portion. The semiconductor device further includes a field-effect structure arranged next to the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Peter Irsigler
  • Patent number: 9698255
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having at least a gate structure thereon and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the gate structure, wherein the gate structure comprises a hard mask thereon; forming a dielectric layer on the gate structure and the ILD layer; removing part of the dielectric layer to expose the hard mask and the ILD layer; and performing a surface treatment to form a doped region in the hard mask and the ILD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chia-Lin Lu, Chun-Lung Chen, Kun-Yuan Liao, Feng-Yi Chang, Chih-Sen Huang, Ching-Wen Hung, Wei-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9685624
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to an optoelectronic component, including a first organic functional layer structure, a second organic functional layer structure and a charge generating layer structure between the first organic functional layer structure and the second organic functional layer structure. The charge generating layer structure includes a hole-conducting charge generating layer and a first electron-conducting charge generating layer. The hole-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an inorganic substance or an inorganic substance mixture. The first electron-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an organic substance or an organic substance mixture. The first electron-conducting charge generating layer includes or is formed from an organic, intrinsically electron-conducting substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Reusch, Carola Diez
  • Patent number: 9685542
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of depositing p-type metal oxide thin films by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Also provided are p-type metal oxide thin films and TFTs including p-type metal oxide channels. In some implementations, the p-type metal oxide thin films have a metal and oxygen vacancy defect density of less than 1019/cm3. The p-type metal oxide thin films may be electrically active throughout the entire thicknesses of the thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenji Nomura, John Hyunchul Hong
  • Patent number: 9685402
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with composite bump structures over a surface of the semiconductor die. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate. The conductive layer has a channel in an interconnect site of the conductive layer. The channel extends beyond a footprint of the composite bump structures. The semiconductor die is disposed over the substrate. The bump material of the composite bump structures is melted. The composite bump structures are pressed over the interconnect site of the conductive layer so that the melted bump material flows into the channel. Electrical continuity between the composite bump structures and conductive layer is detected by a presence of the bump material in the channel. No electrical continuity between the composite bump structures and conductive layer is detected by an absence of the bump material in the channel. The electrical continuity can be detected by visual inspection or X-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen Yu Chen, Chien Chen Lee, Yi Wen Huang, Ke Jung Jen
  • Patent number: 9685457
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor-on-insulator structure including a semiconductor substrate, a layer of electrically insulating material over the semiconductor substrate and a layer of semiconductor material over the layer of electrically insulating material. A first transistor is formed. The formation of the first transistor includes forming a dummy gate structure over the layer of semiconductor material, forming a source region of the first transistor and a drain region of the first transistor in portions of the semiconductor substrate adjacent the dummy gate structure, forming an electrically insulating structure annularly enclosing the dummy gate structure and performing a replacement gate process. The replacement gate process includes removing the dummy gate structure and a portion of the layer of semiconductor material below the dummy gate structure, wherein a recess is formed in the electrically insulating structure. The recess is filled with an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Flachowsky, Ralf Illgen