Patents Examined by Matthew W. Such
  • Patent number: 9385043
    Abstract: A spacer etching process produces ultra-narrow polysilicon and gate oxides for insulated gates used with insulated gate transistors. Narrow channels are formed using dielectric and spacer film deposition techniques. The spacer film is removed from the dielectric wherein narrow channels are formed therein. Insulating gate oxides are grown on portions of the semiconductor substrate exposed at the bottoms of these narrow channels. Then the narrow channels are filled with polysilicon. The dielectric is removed from the face of the semiconductor substrate, leaving only the very narrow gate oxides and the polysilicon. The very narrow gate oxides and the polysilicon are separated into insulated gates for the insulated gate transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Paul Fest
  • Patent number: 9379246
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and method of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. Beneath each gate, a single gap fill dielectric layer extends vertically from a lower surface of the gate, at least partially separating the gate from the underlying global bit line. Between horizontally adjacent pillars, this same dielectric layer extends from its same lower level beneath the gates vertically to a level of the upper source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Seiji Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 9379262
    Abstract: A wafer with high rupture resistance includes a plurality of surfaces, wherein the surfaces include a largest surface having a largest area than others and a side surface connected to the fringe of the largest surface. The side surface forms a nanostructured layer thereon to assist the stress dispersion of the wafer. Accordingly, the wafer is provided with a high rupture resistance so as to prevent the wafer from damages during semiconductor or other processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Jer-Liang Yeh
  • Patent number: 9379231
    Abstract: A transistor includes a source finger electrode having a source finger electrode beginning and a source finger electrode end. The transistor also includes a drain finger electrode with a curved drain finger electrode end having an increased radius of curvature. The resulting decreased electric field at the curved drain finger electrode end allows for an increased breakdown voltage and a more robust and reliable transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventors: Michael A. Briere, Naresh Thapar, Reenu Garg
  • Patent number: 9379045
    Abstract: A first embodiment is a common drain+clip 20. It has a conventional drain contact on its bottom surface and is flip chip mounted on a half-etched leadframe 40 which has external source, gate and drain contacts connected to the sources, gate and common drain of the die 20. Common drain clip 50 connects the drain 30 to external contacts between opposite gate contacts. A second embodiment is a direct drain embodiment+heatslug. The device 80 has a top drain contact 36 that extends to the common drain 30 across the bottom of the die which is flip chip mounted to a half-etched leadframe having external source, gate and drain contacts connected to the sources, gates and common drain of the die 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Lin Wu, Steven Sapp, Bigildis Dosdos, Suresh Belani, Sunggeun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9373614
    Abstract: A diode (23) is arranged near a transistor (25) to protect from ESD. The diode comprises a well (5) of a first conductivity type and a doped region (4) of a second conductivity type in opposition to the first conductivity type. The transistor comprises a doped well (2) and a doped region (1) of the first conductivity type. The well (2) of the transistor is doped lower than the well (5) of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Frederic Roger, Wolfgang Reinprecht
  • Patent number: 9373559
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to flip chip technology and more particularly, to a method and structure for reducing internal packaging stresses, improving adhesion properties, and reducing thermal resistance in flip chip packages by using more than one underfill material deposited in different regions of the flip chip interface. According to one embodiment, a method of forming a first underfill in an interior region of an interface such that a periphery region of the interface remains open, and forming a second underfill in the periphery region is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Brofman, Marie-Claude Paquet, Julien Sylvestre
  • Patent number: 9373535
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided having an isolation feature within a fin structure which, for instance, facilitates isolating circuit elements supported by the fin structure. The fabrication method includes, for instance, providing an isolation material disposed, in part, within the fin structure, the isolation material being formed to include a T-shaped isolation region and a first portion extending into the fin structure, and a second portion disposed over the first portion and extending above the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hongliang Shen, Zhenyu Hu, Jin Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 9373690
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming first and second semiconductor structures on a semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor structure includes a first gate channel region having a first gate length, and the second semiconductor structure including a second gate channel region having a second gate length that is greater than the first gate length. The method further includes depositing a work function metal layer in each of a first gate void formed at the first gate channel region and a second gate void formed at the second gate channel region. The method further includes depositing a semiconductor masking layer on the work function metal layer, and simultaneously etching the silicon masking layer located at the first and second gate channel regions to re-expose the first and second gate voids. A low-resistive metal is deposited in the first and second gate voids to form low-resistive metal gate stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Siddarth A. Krishnan, Unoh Kwon
  • Patent number: 9373540
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes conductive patterns and interlayer insulating patterns having a stair structure and being alternately stacked, pad patterns connected to end portions of upper surfaces of the conductive patterns exposed through the stair structure, and a channel film penetrating the conductive patterns and the interlayer insulating patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Sun Hyun
  • Patent number: 9368479
    Abstract: An apparatus relates generally to a three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit. In such an apparatus, the three-dimensional stacked integrated circuit has at least a first die and a second die interconnected to one another using die-to-die interconnects. A substrate of the first die has at least one thermal via structure extending from a lower surface of the substrate toward a well of the substrate without extending to the well and without extending through the substrate. A first end of the at least one thermal via structure is at least sufficiently proximate to the well of the substrate for conduction of heat away therefrom. The substrate has at least one through substrate via structure extending from the lower surface of the substrate to an upper surface of the substrate. A second end of the at least one thermal via structure is coupled to at least one through die via structure of the second die for thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Katkar, Arkalgud R. Sitaram, Cyprian Emeka Uzoh
  • Patent number: 9368507
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of stacking blocks and a plurality of conductive lines. Each stacking blocks comprises two opposite finger VG structures. Each finger VG structure includes a staircase structure and a plurality of bit line stacks. The staircase structure is perpendicular to the bit line stacks, and the bit line stacks of the two opposite finger VG structures are arranged alternately. The conductive lines is disposed over the stacking blocks at interval. The direction of the conductive lines is parallel to a direction of the bit line stacks. The conductive lines include a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of ground lines, and each stacking block includes at least one ground line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 9368748
    Abstract: For a display device and manufacturing method for the display device, the method comprises steps of: disposing a plurality of recesses on the cover body; coating glass frit in the recesses; sintering the glass frit for forming sintered blocks; disposing display auxiliary members on the cover body having the sintered blocks formed thereon; and irradiating the sintered blocks by laser to combine the cover and the display substrate with the sintered blocks. The present invention can prevent the display auxiliary members of the cover from being damaged in the packaging process of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tai-pi Wu
  • Patent number: 9366926
    Abstract: A pixel unit comprises a pixel electrode, a data line and a TFT, and further comprises: a backup TFT, a source electrode of which is isolated from the data line, and a drain electrode of which is isolated from the pixel electrode; a first repair line, one end of the first repair line and the source electrode of the backup TFT being isolated from each other and there being an overlapping region therebetween, and the other end of the first repair line and the data line or a source electrode of the TFT being isolated from each other and there being an overlapping region therebetween; and a second repair line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhixiao Yao, Jiarong Liu, Hongtao Lin, Zhangtao Wang
  • Patent number: 9365416
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a motion sensor structure. The motion sensor structure includes a first substrate having an integrated circuit formed thereon; a second substrate bonded to the first substrate from a first surface, wherein the second substrate includes a motion sensor formed thereon; and a third substrate bonded to a second surface of the second substrate, wherein the third substrate includes a recessed region aligned with the motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Pao Shu, Wen-Chuan Tai, Chia-Ming Hung, Hsiang-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9368434
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic component includes a housing, a die pad having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, a first high voltage semiconductor device arranged on the first surface of the die pad, a further semiconductor device arranged on the second surface of the die pad and a conductive connection between the first high voltage semiconductor device and the further semiconductor device. The conductive connection is surrounded by the housing and includes a portion arranged adjacent the die pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Ralf Otremba
  • Patent number: 9368488
    Abstract: Device and methods for forming a device are presented. The method includes providing a substrate. The substrate includes a resistor region defined by a resistor isolation region. A resistor gate is formed on the resistor isolation region. An implant mask with an opening exposing the resistor region is formed. Resistor well dopants are implanted to form a resistor well in the substrate. The resistor well is disposed in the substrate below the resistor isolation region. Resistor dopants are implanted into the resistor gate to define the sheet resistance of the resistor gate. Terminal dopants are implanted to form first and second resistor terminals at sides of the resistor gate. A central portion of the resistor gate sandwiched by the resistor terminals serves as a resistive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Guowei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9368721
    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 be based on multilayer film stacks (e.g. metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) stacks). A structure including diamond-like carbon (DLC) can be used to surround the semiconductor layer of the MSM stack. The high thermal conductivity of the DLC structure may serve to remove heat from the selector device while higher currents are flowing through the selector element. This may lead to improved reliability and improved endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Bodke, Mark Clark, Kevin Kashefi, Prashant B. Phatak
  • Patent number: 9362427
    Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing Services
    Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Junbo Wu, Michael Cudzinovic, Paul Loscutoff, Joseph Behnke, Michel Arsène Olivier Ngamo Toko
  • Patent number: 9362172
    Abstract: The inventive concept provides semiconductor devices having through-vias and methods for fabricating the same. The method may include forming a via-hole opened toward a top surface of a substrate and partially penetrating the substrate, forming a via-insulating layer having a first thickness on a bottom surface of the via-hole and a second thickness smaller than the first thickness on an inner sidewall of the via-hole, forming a through-via in the via-hole which the via-insulating layer is formed in, and recessing a bottom surface of the substrate to expose the through-via. Forming the via-insulating layer may include forming a flowable layer on the substrate, and converting the flowable layer into a first flowable chemical vapor deposition layer having the first thickness on the bottom surface of the via-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Ha Lee, Ho-Jin Lee, Pil-Kyu Kang, Byung Lyul Park, Hyunsoo Chung, Gilheyun Choi