Patents Examined by John Bodnar
  • Patent number: 10964832
    Abstract: An energy storage device comprising a substrate comprising a series of grooves. Each groove having a first and a second face. Wherein there is a capacitor material in each groove of the series of grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: POWER ROLL LIMITED
    Inventor: Alexander John Topping
  • Patent number: 10957697
    Abstract: A manufacture includes a substrate comprising a first portion and a second portion. The manufacture further includes a first polysilicon structure over the first portion of the substrate. The manufacture further includes a second polysilicon structure over the second portion of the substrate. The manufacture further includes two spacers on opposite sidewalls of the second polysilicon structure, wherein each spacer of the two spacers has a concave corner region between an upper portion and a lower portion. The manufacture further includes a protective layer covering the first portion of the substrate and the first polysilicon structure, the protective layer exposing the second portion of the substrate, the second polysilicon structure, and partially exposing the two spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Shao Cheng, Shin-Yeu Tsai, Chui-Ya Peng, Kung-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 10950429
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for post deposition anneal of a substrate, having an amorphous carbon layer deposited thereon, to desirably reduce variations in local stresses thereacross. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes positioning a substrate, having an amorphous carbon layer deposited thereon, in a first processing volume, flowing an anneal gas into the first processing volume, heating the substrate to an anneal temperature of not more than about 450° C., and maintaining the substrate at the anneal temperature for about 30 seconds or more. Herein, the amorphous carbon layer was deposited on the substrate using a method which included positioning the substrate on a substrate support disposed in a second processing volume, flowing a processing gas into the second processing volume, applying pulsed DC power to a carbon target disposed in the second processing volume, forming a plasma of the processing gas, and depositing the amorphous carbon layer on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Bhargav S. Citla, Mei-Yee Shek, Srinivas D. Nemani
  • Patent number: 10950703
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure disposed over the substrate, a drain structure disposed in the substrate, and a source structure disposed in the substrate on an n opposite side of the gate structure from the drain structure. The substrate includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, and an insulating layer sandwiched between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The source structure and the drain structure include a same conductivity type. The source structure includes at least an epitaxial layer. The source structure extends deeper into the substrate than the drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Chien Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 10937829
    Abstract: In an example, a memory array may include a plurality of first dielectric materials and a plurality of stacks, where each respective first dielectric material and each respective stack alternate, and where each respective stack comprises a first conductive material and a storage material. A second conductive material may pass through the plurality of first dielectric materials and the plurality of stacks. Each respective stack may further include a second dielectric material between the first conductive material and the second conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Andrea Redaelli, Fabio Pellizzer, Innocenzo Tortorelli
  • Patent number: 10930848
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a variable resistance memory device includes: forming an array of memory cells on a substrate, each memory cell including a variable resistance structure and a switching element; and forming a sidewall insulating layer covering a sidewall of the switching element. The forming the sidewall insulating layer includes: a preliminary step of supplying a silicon source to an exposed sidewall of the switching element; and a main step of performing a process cycle a plurality of times, the process cycle comprising supplying the silicon source and supplying a reaction gas, A time duration of the supplying the silicon source in the preliminary step is longer than a time duration of the supplying the silicon gas in the process cycle in the main step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Byongju Kim, Young-Min Ko, Jonguk Kim, Jaeho Jung, Dongsung Choi
  • Patent number: 10930753
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin comprising silicon, the fin having a lower fin portion and an upper fin portion. A first insulating layer is directly on sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin, wherein the first insulating layer is a non-doped insulating layer comprising silicon and oxygen. A second insulating layer is directly on the first insulating layer directly on the sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin, the second insulating layer comprising silicon and nitrogen. A dielectric fill material is directly laterally adjacent to the second insulating layer directly on the first insulating layer directly on the sidewalls of the lower fin portion of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Hattendorf, Curtis Ward, Heidi M. Meyer, Tahir Ghani, Christopher P. Auth
  • Patent number: 10916586
    Abstract: Three dimensional memory arrays and methods of forming the same are provided. An example three dimensional memory array can include a stack comprising a plurality of first conductive lines separated from one another by at least an insulation material, and at least one conductive extension arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines such that the at least one conductive extension intersects each of the plurality of first conductive lines. Storage element material is arranged around the at least one conductive extension, and a select device is arranged around the storage element material. The storage element material is radially adjacent an insulation material separating the plurality of first conductive lines, and the plurality of materials arranged around the storage element material are radially adjacent each of the plurality of first conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 10916634
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a memory gate and a hard mask layer on the memory gate, forming a select gate on a sidewall of the memory gate and the hard mask layer, performing a selective oxidation process to form an oxide layer on the hard mask layer and the select gate, wherein a portion of the oxide layer on the select gate is thicker than a portion of the oxide layer on the hard mask layer, and removing the oxide layer on the hard mask layer and the hard mask layer to expose a top surface of the memory gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wei Xu, Wenbo Ding, Yu-Yang Chen, Wang Xiang
  • Patent number: 10910509
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for processing a silicon wafer that allows improving performance by exploiting the properties of crystallographic imperfections. The method comprises the steps of: forming a silicon layer with crystallographic imperfections in the proximity of a surface of the silicon; exposing at least a portion of the device to hydrogen atoms in a manner such that hydrogen atoms migrate towards the region with crystallographic imperfections and into the silicon along the crystallographic imperfections; and controlling the charge state of hydrogen atoms located at the crystallographic imperfections to be positive when the imperfections are in a p-type region of the wafer; and negative when the imperfections are at an n-type region of the wafer by thermally treating the silicon while exposing the silicon to an illumination intensity of less than 10 mW/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NEWSOUTH INNOVATIONS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Alison Ciesla, Brett Jason Hallam, Catherine Emily Chan, Chee Mun Chong, Daniel Chen, Darren Bagnall, David Neil Payne, Ly Mai, Malcolm David Abbott, Moonyong Kim, Ran Chen, Stuart Ross Wenham, Tsun Hang Fung, Zhengrong Shi
  • Patent number: 10910538
    Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor component and a method for producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component are disclosed. In an embodiment an optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a plurality of active regions configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the active regions are arranged spaced apart from each other, wherein the active regions have a main extension direction, wherein each active region has a core region, an active layer covering the core region at least in directions transverse to the main extension direction, wherein each active region has a cover layer covering the active layer at least in directions transverse to the main extension direction, wherein each active region has a current spreading layer at least partly covering sidewalls of each respective active region, and wherein a metal layer directly adjoins parts of the active regions and parts of the current spreading layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventor: Tansen Varghese
  • Patent number: 10910359
    Abstract: A transistor includes a first insulator over a substrate; a first oxide thereover; a second oxide in contact with at least part of the top surface of the first oxide; a first conductor and a second conductor each in contact with at least part of the top surface of the second oxide; a third oxide that is over the first conductor and the second conductor and is in contact with at least part of the top surface of the second oxide; a second insulator thereover; a third conductor which is over the second insulator and at least part of which overlaps with a region between the first conductor and the second conductor; and a third insulator which is over the third conductor and at least part of which is in contact with the top surface of the first insulator. The thickness of a region of the first insulator that is in contact with the third insulator is less than the thickness of a region of the first insulator that is in contact with the first oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Okuno, Kosei Nei, Hiroaki Honda, Naoto Yamade, Hiroshi Fujiki
  • Patent number: 10896927
    Abstract: A micro-LED transfer method, manufacturing method and device are provided. The micro-LED transfer method comprises: obtaining a laser-transparent carrier substrate having a first surface and a second surface with micro-LEDs; forming a protection layer on at least one of the first surface and the second surface and a third surface of a receiving substrate, wherein the third surface is to receive the micro-LEDs to be transferred via pads; bringing the micro-LEDs to be transferred into contact with the pads on the third surface; and irradiating the micro-LEDs to be transferred with laser from the first surface to lift-off the micro-LEDs to be transferred from the carrier substrate wherein the protection layer configured to protect the third surface from the irradiation of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Quanbo Zou, Peixuan Chen, Xiangxu Feng
  • Patent number: 10892348
    Abstract: A method of rounding fin-shaped structures includes the following steps. A substrate including fin-shaped structures, and pad oxide caps and pad nitride caps covering the fin-shaped structures from bottom to top are provided. An isolation structure fills between the fin-shaped structures. A removing process is performed to remove a top part of the isolation structure and expose top parts of the fin-shaped structures. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize sidewalls of the top parts of the fin-shaped structures, thereby forming oxidized parts covering sidewalls of the top parts of the fin-shaped structures. The pad nitride caps are removed. The pad oxide caps and the oxidized parts are removed at the same time, thereby forming rounding fin-shaped structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hao-Hsuan Chang, Bin-Siang Tsai, Ting-An Chien, Yi-Liang Ye
  • Patent number: 10892356
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate. The apparatus further includes a group III-nitride buffer layer on the substrate; a group III-nitride barrier layer on the group III-nitride buffer layer, the group III-nitride barrier layer including a higher bandgap than a bandgap of the group III-nitride buffer layer. The apparatus further includes a source electrically coupled to the group III-nitride barrier layer; a gate electrically coupled to the group III-nitride barrier layer; a drain electrically coupled to the group III-nitride barrier layer; and a p-region being at least one of the following: in the substrate or on the substrate below said group III-nitride barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Saptharishi Sriram, Thomas Smith, Alexander Suvorov, Christer Hallin
  • Patent number: 10892301
    Abstract: To provide a photo-electric conversion element in which responsiveness and external quantum efficiency are improved. Provided is an organic photo-electric conversion element including: an organic photo-electric conversion layer sandwiched by a first electrode and a second electrode. The organic photo-electric conversion layer contains organic molecules of a quinacridone (QD) derivative and a subphthalocyanine (SubPc) derivative, and at least the quinacridone derivative out of the organic molecules is in random orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ito, Yuta Hasegawa, Hideaki Mogi
  • Patent number: 10886364
    Abstract: A reinforced vertical-NAND structure is provided. The reinforced vertical-NAND structure includes a first set of interleaved oxide and nitride layers formed into first and second vertical structures. The first vertical structure rises from a first section of a substrate and the second vertical structure rises from a second section of the substrate. The reinforced vertical-NAND structure also includes a reinforcing layer and a second set of interleaved oxide and nitride layers formed into third and fourth vertical structures. The reinforcing layer includes sheets, which are distinct and laid across respective tops of the first and second vertical structures, and bridges connecting the sheets. The third vertical structure rises from the sheet corresponding to the first vertical structure and the fourth vertical structure rises from the sheet corresponding to the second vertical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Yang, Choong Ho Lee, Elnatan Mataev, Jonathan Fry, Cheng-Yi Lin, Bharat Biyani, Jang Sim
  • Patent number: 10879351
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming first and second device fins extending from a substrate; forming a fill fin disposed between the first and second device fins; partially recessing the fill fin without recessing the first and second device fins, resulting in a trench in a top portion of the fill fin. The method further includes forming a gate structure engaging the first and second device fins, wherein the gate structure extending continuously from a channel region of the first device fin to a channel region of the second device fin through the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10868022
    Abstract: Flash memory devices and fabrication methods thereof are provided. An exemplary method includes providing discrete bit lines on a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric layer on top surfaces of the bit lines, and a floating gate structure on the first dielectric layer, trenches being formed between adjacent bit lines and on the semiconductor substrate; forming a sacrificial layer with a top surface above the top surfaces of the bit lines in the trenches; forming a second dielectric layer on top and side surfaces of the floating gate structure and the top surface of the sacrificial layer; forming a control gate structure on the second dielectric layer; removing portions of the second dielectric layer, the floating gate structure and the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the sacrificial layer; and removing the sacrificial layer from the adjacent bit lines and the semiconductor substrate, thereby forming air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Fen Chiu, Liang Chen, Chao Feng Zhou, Xiao Bo Li
  • Patent number: 10867998
    Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures, and structures formed, are described. In an embodiment, a structure includes first and second gate structures over an active area, and a gate cut-fill structure. The first and second gate structures extend parallel. The active area includes a source/drain region disposed laterally between the first and second gate structures. The gate cut-fill structure has first and second primary portions and an intermediate portion. The first and second primary portions abut the first and second gate structures, respectively. The intermediate portion extends laterally between the first and second primary portions. First and second widths of the first and second primary portions along longitudinal midlines of the first and second gate structures, respectively, are each greater than a third width of the intermediate portion midway between the first and second gate structures and parallel to the longitudinal midline of the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Hung, Chia-Jen Chen, Ming-Ching Chang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Yi-Hsuan Hsiao, I-Wei Yang