Patents Examined by Mounir S Amer
  • Patent number: 11810936
    Abstract: A pixel array may include air gap reflection structures under a photodiode of a pixel sensor to reflect photons that would otherwise partially refract or scatter through a bottom surface of a photodiode. The air gap reflection structures may reflect photons upward toward the photodiode so that the photons may be absorbed by the photodiode. This may increase the quantity of photons absorbed by the photodiode, which may increase the quantum efficiency of the pixel sensor and the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: ChunHao Lin, Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 11809441
    Abstract: A chuck assembly includes an upper surface configured to support a wafer-level package assembly and a clamping mechanism securing the wafer-level package assembly to the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Onto Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Barr, Edward Andrew Condon
  • Patent number: 11812619
    Abstract: A resistive memory device includes a first conductive line extending in a first horizontal direction on a substrate, a plurality of second conductive lines separated from the first conductive line in a vertical direction and extending in a second horizontal direction intersecting with the first horizontal direction, on the substrate, a plurality of memory cells respectively connected between the first conductive line and one second conductive line selected from among the plurality of second conductive lines at a plurality of intersection points between the first conductive line and the plurality of second conductive lines, each of the plurality of memory cells including a selection device and a resistive memory pattern, and a bottom electrode shared by the plurality of memory cells, the bottom electrode having a variable thickness in the first horizontal direction, and including a top surface having a concave-convex shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jinwoo Lee, Zhe Wu, Dongsung Choi, Chungman Kim, Seunggeun Yu, Jabin Lee, Soyeon Choi
  • Patent number: 11810933
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an image sensor device is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of photosensitive pixels in a substrate; depositing a dielectric layer over the substrate; etching the dielectric layer, resulting in a first trench in the dielectric layer and laterally surrounding the photosensitive pixels; and forming a light blocking structure in the first trench, such that the light blocking structure laterally surrounds the photosensitive pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Wei-Li Hu, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Ying-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 11810920
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first standard cell including a first p-type transistor, a first n-type transistor, a first gate stack intersecting first and second active regions, first extended source/drain contacts on a first side of the first gate stack, a first normal source/drain contact on a second side of the first gate stack, a first gate via connected to the first gate stack, and a first source/drain via connected to the first normal source/drain contact, a second standard cell adjacent the first standard cell and including a second p-type transistor, a second n-type transistor, a second gate stack intersecting the first and second active regions, and a second gate via connected to the second gate stack, an input wiring connected to the first gate via, and an output wiring at a same level as the input wiring to connect the first source/drain via and the second gate via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Ji Su Yu, Jae-Ho Park, Sanghoon Baek, Hyeon Gyu You, Seung Young Lee, Seung Man Lim
  • Patent number: 11805710
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes forming a cell stack layer covering key and cell regions of a substrate and including a variable resistance layer and a switching layer, forming key mask patterns on the cell stack layer of the key region and cell mask patterns on the cell stack layer of the cell region, and simultaneously forming a plurality of key patterns on the key region and a plurality of memory cells on the cell region by etching the cell stack layer using the key and cell mask patterns as an etching mask. Each memory cell includes a variable resistance pattern and a switching pattern formed by etching the variable resistance layer and the switching layer. Each key pattern includes a dummy variable resistance pattern and a dummy switching pattern formed by etching the variable resistance layer and the switching layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heejung Kim, Taehong Min, Chorong Park, Joohee Seo, Eunsuk Hwang
  • Patent number: 11805660
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a memory region, the memory region includes a first metal line, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the first metal line, a cap, wherein at least a portion of the cap is above the MTJ, a first stop layer above the cap, and a first metal via being disposed over the MTJ and in direct contact with the first stop layer, and a logic region adjacent to the memory region, the logic region includes a second metal line, a third metal line over the second metal line, a second stop layer being disposed over the third metal line, and a second metal via over the third metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Yuan-Tai Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11805661
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnection structure. The interconnection structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnection structure includes first conductive lines, second conductive lines, and ovonic threshold switches. The first conductive lines extend parallel to each other in a first direction. The second conductive lines are stacked over the first conductive lines and extend parallel to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The ovonic threshold switches are disposed between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines. The ovonic threshold switches include a ternary GeCTe material. The ternary GeCTe material consists substantially of carbon, germanium, and tellurium. In the ternary GeCTe material, a content of carbon is in a range from 10 to 30 atomic percent and a content of germanium is in a range from 10 to 65 atomic percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Min Lee, Tung-Ying Lee, Cheng-Hsien Wu, Xinyu Bao, Hengyuan Lee, Ying-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11800817
    Abstract: A method for forming a phase-change memory cell includes depositing a metal layer over a wafer such that the metal layer covers connection structures of the wafer. The method further includes removing a portion of the metal layer such that the connection structures of the wafer remain covered by a remaining portion of the metal layer. The method further includes forming a phase-change memory stack on a stack area of the remaining portion of the metal layer. The method further includes removing the remaining portion of the metal layer except in the stack area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Injo Ok, Nicole Saulnier, Kevin W. Brew, Steven Michael McDermott, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Hari Prasad Amanapu, Adra Carr, Prasad Bhosale
  • Patent number: 11799015
    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, a method includes forming a plurality of fins and forming a plurality of gate structures over the plurality of fins. A dielectric material structure is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gate structures. A portion of a first of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a first portion of each of the plurality of fins, and a portion of a second of the plurality of gate structures is removed to expose a second portion of each of the plurality of fins. The exposed first portion of each of the plurality of fins is removed, but the exposed second portion of each of the plurality of fins is not removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tahir Ghani, Byron Ho, Michael L. Hattendorf, Christopher P. Auth
  • Patent number: 11798804
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 11800819
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure may include a phase change memory comprising a phase change material. The non-volatile memory structure may include a Schottky diode in series with the phase change memory, wherein a Schottky barrier of the Schottky diode is a surface of the phase change memory. This may be accomplished through a proper selection of materials for the contact of the phase change memory. This may create an integrated diode-memory structure which may control directionality of current without a penalty on the footprint of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Mathew Philip, Kevin W. Brew, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11793092
    Abstract: Memory stacks and method of forming the same are provided. A memory stack includes a bottom electrode layer, a top electrode layer and a phase change layer between the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer. A width of the top electrode layer is greater than a width of the phase change layer. A first portion of the top electrode layer uncovered by the phase change layer is rougher than a second portion of the top electrode layer covered by the phase change layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ying Lee, Shao-Ming Yu, Yu-Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 11791367
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating thereof are disclosed. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a trench fill structure in a substrate in a pixel area; covering a buffer dielectric layer over a surface of the substrate in the pixel area, the buffer dielectric layer burying the trench fill structure; etching the buffer dielectric layer to form a first opening, which exposes at least a portion of the substrate surrounding sidewalls of a top of the trench fill structure and/or at least a portion of the top of the trench fill structure; and forming a metal grid layer on the buffer dielectric layer, wherein the metal grid layer fills the first opening and is electrically connected to the exposed portion of the substrate and/or the exposed portion of the trench fill structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WUHAN XINXIN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fan Yang, Sheng Hu
  • Patent number: 11784166
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including a dual-sided redistribution structure and having low-warpage across all temperatures and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die electrically coupled to a first side of a redistribution structure and a second semiconductor die electrically coupled to a second side of the redistribution structure opposite the first side. The semiconductor device also includes a first molded material on the first side, a second molded material on the second side, and conductive columns electrically coupled to the first side and extending through the first molded material. The first and second molded materials can have the same volume and/or coefficients of thermal expansion to inhibit warpage of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chan H. Yoo, Mark E. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 11784204
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising a substrate. A photodetector is in the substrate. A trench is in the substrate and is defined by sidewalls and an upper surface of the substrate. A first isolation layer extends along the sidewalls and the upper surface of the substrate that define the trench. The first isolation layer comprises a first dielectric material. A second isolation layer is over the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer lines the first isolation layer. The second isolation layer comprises a second dielectric material. A third isolation layer is over the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer fills the trench and lines the second isolation layer. The third isolation layer comprises a third material. A ratio of a first thickness of the first isolation layer to a second thickness of the second isolation layer is about 0.17 to 0.38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ying Tsai, Cheng-Te Lee, Rei-Lin Chu, Ching I Li, Chung-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11778933
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory circuit in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following features: (a) a logic source, and (b) a semi-conductive device being electrically coupled to the logic source, having a first terminal, a second terminal and a nano-grease with significantly reduced amount of carbon nanotube loading located between the first and second terminal, wherein the nano-grease exhibits non-volatile memory characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS
    Inventors: Charles Tolle, Haiping Hong, Christian Widener, Greg Christensen, Jack Yang
  • Patent number: 11773486
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical sublimator vessels and corresponding deposition modules. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a housing configured to hold solid chemical reactant therein. A lid may be disposed on a proximal portion of the housing. The lid can include a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and define a serpentine flow path within a distal portion of the lid. The lid can be adapted to allow gas flow within the flow path. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a filter that is disposed between the serpentine flow path and the distal portion of the housing. The filter can have a porosity configured to restrict a passage of a solid chemical reactant therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Mohith E. Verghese, Kyle Fondurulia, Timothy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11778837
    Abstract: A memory system may include separate amounts or types of resistive material that may be deposited over memory cells and conductive vias using separate resistive layers in the access lines. A first resistive material layer may be deposited over the memory cells prior to performing an array termination etch used to deposit the conductive via. The array termination etch may remove the first resistive material over the portion of the array used to deposit the conductive via. A second resistive material layer may be deposited after the etch has occurred and the conductive via has been formed. The second resistive material layer may be deposited over the conductive via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Wei, Pengyuan Zheng, Kevin Lee Baker, Efe Sinan Ege, Adam Thomas Barton, Rajasekhar Venigalla
  • Patent number: 11769780
    Abstract: An image sensor with stress adjusting layers and a method of fabrication the image sensor are disclosed. The image sensor includes a substrate with a front side surface and a back side surface opposite to the front side surface, an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer disposed on the back side surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer disposed on the ARC layer, a metal layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a stress adjusting layer disposed on the metal layer. The stress adjusting layer includes a silicon-rich oxide layer. The concentration profiles of silicon and oxygen atoms in the stress adjusting layer are non-overlapping and different from each other. The image sensor further includes oxide grid structure disposed on the stress adjusting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Ying-Hao Chen, Yun-Wei Cheng