Patents Examined by Michael Trinh
  • Patent number: 10050131
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a memory cell of a semiconductor device, e.g., an EEPROM cell, having a sidewall oxide are disclosed. A memory cell structure may be formed including a floating gate and an ONO film over the conductive layer. A sidewall oxide may be formed on a side surface of the floating gate by a process including depositing a thin high temperature oxide (HTO) film on the side surface of the conductive layer, and performing a rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) anneal. The thin HTO film may be deposited before or after performing the RTO anneal. The sidewall oxide formation process may provide an improved memory cell as compared with known prior art techniques, e.g., in terms of endurance and data retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jack Wong, Sajid Kabeer, Mel Hymas, Santosh Murali, Brad Kopp
  • Patent number: 10043888
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. First, a preliminary structure is provided. The preliminary structure includes a substrate and a plurality of fins formed on the substrate. Then, a first polysilicon layer is formed on the substrate. The first polysilicon layer covers at least portions of the fins. An amorphous silicon layer is formed on the first polysilicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Hui Lin, Keng-Jen Lin, Yu-Ren Wang
  • Patent number: 10043687
    Abstract: An apparatus including a bumped electrode array and a method of fabricating a bumped electrode array is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate for the electrode array. The method also includes disposing a plurality of non-planar structures including electrodes above the substrate of the electrode array. The method further includes disposing a dielectric layer above the plurality of non-planar structures having a defined radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Julie A. Bert, David K. Biegelsen, Sourobh Raychaudhuri
  • Patent number: 10038070
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a nitride semiconductor layer including an electron transit layer and an electron supply layer which is in contact with the electron transit layer and which has a composition different from that of the electron transit layer, a gate electrode on the nitride semiconductor layer and a gate insulating film between the gate electrode and the nitride semiconductor layer. A region whose depth is 250 nm from an interface between the gate insulating film and the gate electrode includes a region which has a deep acceptor concentration equal to or more than 1.0×1016 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taketoshi Tanaka, Minoru Akutsu, Norikazu Ito
  • Patent number: 10038064
    Abstract: A nitride semiconductor device includes: a nitride semiconductor layer; a gate electrode finger having at least one end portion, and extending along a surface of the nitride semiconductor layer; and a drain electrode finger having at least one end portion on the same side as that of the one end portion of the gate electrode finger, and extending along the gate electrode finger, wherein the one end portion of the drain electrode finger protrudes relative to the one end portion of the gate electrode finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taketoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10032863
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 10014406
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a forming method thereof, the semiconductor device includes a first and a second wells, a source region, a drain region, two gate structures and at least one doping region. The first well with a first conductive type is disposed in a substrate, and the source region is disposed in the first well. The second well with a second conductive type is disposed adjacent to the first well in a substrate, and the drain region is disposed in the second well. Two gate structures are disposed on the substrate between the source region and the drain region. At least one doping region with the first conductive type is disposed in the second well between the two gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Zhi-Cheng Lee, Yu-Hao Huang, Kai-Lin Lee
  • Patent number: 10014218
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure has a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. The method includes forming first conductive bumps and dummy conductive bumps over a surface of the semiconductor structure. The first conductive bumps are over the central portion and electrically connected to the semiconductor structure. The dummy conductive bumps are over the peripheral portion and electrically insulated from the semiconductor structure. The first conductive bumps each have a first thickness and a first width. The dummy conductive bumps each have a second thickness and a second width. The second thickness is less than the first thickness. The second width is greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Fu Shih, Cheng-Lin Huang, Chien-Chen Li, Che-Jung Chu, Wen-Ming Chen, Kuo-Chio Liu
  • Patent number: 10014226
    Abstract: A process of forming a first mask on a first region of a metal film formed on a surface of a substrate, a process of modulating a work function of a first exposed region of the metal film, using plasma of a first process gas, a process of removing the first mask, a process of forming a second mask on a second region of the metal film, and a process of modulating the work function of a second exposed region of the metal film, using plasma of a second process gas are executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Arito Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10008664
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Such methods can include forming a first electrode, a second electrode, and a memory element directly contacting the first and second electrodes. Forming the memory element can include forming a programmable portion of the memory element isolated from the first electrode by a first portion of the memory element and isolated from the second electrode by a second portion of the memory element. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Michael P. Violette
  • Patent number: 10007157
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a COA substrate includes a substrate, and a gate, a gate dielectric layer, an active layer, a source, a drain, a first passivation layer, a color blocking layer, a second passivation layer, and a transparent conductive layer are formed on the substrate in order subsequently. A first hole is formed in the color blocking layer to expose the first passivation layer. The second passivation layer is disposed on the color blocking layer and in the first hole. A second hole is formed in the first hole to punch through the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer for exposing the drain and the source. A conductive fill-in material layer is formed in the first hole and the second hole. The aperture rate is increased and the bubble failure is improved and the pixel electrode disconnection due to the height gap is reduced in the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Mian Zeng
  • Patent number: 10002797
    Abstract: Device structures and fabrication methods for a BiCMOS integrated circuit. A first fin and a second fin are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode of a vertical field effect transistor is formed in association with the first fin. An emitter of a bipolar junction transistor is formed with an epitaxial growth process on the second fin, and a first source/drain region of the vertical field-effect transistor is concurrently formed with the epitaxial growth process on the first fin. The gate electrode and the first fin are arranged in a vertical direction between the source/drain region and the semiconductor substrate. The second fin is arranged in the vertical direction between the emitter and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Shesh Mani Pandey
  • Patent number: 9997412
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming on a substrate gate electrodes extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction, forming capping patterns on the gate electrodes, forming interlayer dielectric layer filling spaces between adjacent gate electrodes, forming a hardmask on the interlayer dielectric layer with an opening selectively exposing second to fourth capping patterns, using the hardmask as an etch mask to form holes in the interlayer dielectric layer between the second and third gate electrodes and between the third and fourth gate electrodes, forming a barrier layer and a conductive layer in the holes, performing a first planarization to expose the hardmask, performing a second planarization to expose a portion of the barrier layer covering the second to fourth capping patterns, and performing a third planarization to completely expose the first to fourth capping patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Ho Bae, Jaeseok Kim, Hoyoung Kim, Boun Yoon, KyungTae Lee, Kwansung Kim, Eunji Park
  • Patent number: 9984993
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bonding structure includes (a) providing a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a top surface and at least one bonding pad disposed adjacent to the top surface of the substrate, at least one bonding pad having a sloped surface with a first slope; (b) providing a semiconductor element, wherein the semiconductor element includes at least one pillar, and at least one pillar has a sidewall with a second slope, wherein the absolute value of the first slope is smaller than the absolute value of the second slope; and (c) bonding at least one pillar to a portion of the sloped surface of corresponding ones of the at least one bonding pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Min-Fong Shu, Yi-Hsiu Tseng, Kuan-Neng Chen, Shu-Chiao Kuo
  • Patent number: 9984880
    Abstract: A method for doping fins includes depositing a first dopant layer at a base of fins formed in a substrate, depositing a dielectric layer on the first dopant layer and etching the dielectric layer and the first dopant layer in a first region to expose the substrate and the fins. A second dopant layer is conformally deposited over the fins and the substrate in the first region. The second dopant layer is recessed to a height on the fins in the first region. An anneal is performed to drive dopants into the fins from the first dopant layer in a second region and from the second dopant layer in the first region to concurrently form punch through stoppers in the fins and wells in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Effendi Leobandung, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9984924
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of formation are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a metal plug in a first opening over a substrate, the metal plug is over a silicide layer, and the silicide layer is over a metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer has an oxygen gradient, such that a percentage of oxygen increases from a top surface of the metal oxide layer to a bottom surface of the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer unpins the Fermi level of the interface between the metal plug and the substrate, which is exhibited by a lowered Schottky barrier height (SBH) and increased oxygen vacancy states between the V.B. and the C.B. of the metal oxide layer, which decreases the intrinsic resistivity between the metal plug and the substrate as compared to a semiconductor device that lacks such a metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Lin, You-Hua Chou, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 9985234
    Abstract: A light-emitting element is provided. The light-emitting element includes first and second electrodes and an EL layer therebetween. The EL layer includes a light-emitting layer containing first and second substances. The amount of the first substance is larger than that of the second substance. The second substance emits light. Average transition dipole moments of the second substance are divided into three components in x-, y-, and z-directions which are orthogonal to each other. Components parallel to the first or second electrode are assumed to be the components in the x- and y-directions, and a component perpendicular to the first or second electrode is assumed to be the component in the z-direction. The proportion of the component in the z-direction is represented by a, which is less than or equal to 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Seo, Hiromi Seo, Tsunenori Suzuki, Hiromitsu Kido
  • Patent number: 9978981
    Abstract: A highly reliable light-emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A light-emitting element and a terminal electrode are formed over an element formation substrate; a first substrate having an opening is formed over the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode with a bonding layer provided therebetween; an embedded layer is formed in the opening; a transfer substrate is formed over the first substrate and the embedded layer; the element formation substrate is separated; a second substrate is formed under the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode; and the transfer substrate and the embedded layer are removed. In addition, an anisotropic conductive connection layer is formed in the opening, and an electrode is formed over the anisotropic conductive connection layer. The terminal electrode and the electrode are electrically connected to each other through the anisotropic conductive connection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Chida
  • Patent number: 9972741
    Abstract: In various embodiments, photovoltaic devices incorporate discontinuous passivation layers (i) disposed between a thin-film absorber layer and a partner layer, (ii) disposed between the partner layer and a front contact layer, and/or (iii) disposed between a back contact layer and the thin-film absorber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SIVA POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Markus Eberhard Beck, Timothy J. Nagle, Sourav Roger Basu
  • Patent number: 9972486
    Abstract: There is provided a method for forming a nitride film on a substrate to be processed by a thermal ALD which repeats: supplying a film forming raw material gas to the substrate to be processed while heating the substrate to be processed to a predetermined temperature; and supplying a nitriding gas to the substrate to be processed, the nitride film forming method comprises supplying a chlorine-containing gas to the substrate to be processed after the supplying the film forming raw material gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Murakami, Takahiro Miyahara, Daisuke Suzuki