Patents Examined by Sarah Salerno
  • Patent number: 9559113
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of strings of memory cells. The device includes a plurality of stacks of conductive strips separated by insulating material, including at least a bottom plane of conductive strips, a plurality of intermediate planes of conductive strips, and a top plane of conductive strips. A plurality of vertical active strips is formed between the plurality of stacks. Charge storage structures are formed in interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips in the plurality of intermediate planes and the vertical active strips in the plurality of vertical active strips. Gate dielectric, having a different composition than the charge storage structures, is formed in interface regions at cross-points between the vertical active strips and side surfaces of the conductive strips in at least one of the top plane of conductive strips and the bottom plane of conductive strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9559096
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) including a collector layer located over a substrate, the collector layer including a semiconductor material, and a field effect transistor (FET) located over the substrate, the FET having a channel formed in the semiconductor material that forms the collector layer of the HBT. In some implementations, a second FET can be provided so as to be located over the substrate and configured to include a channel formed in a semiconductor material that forms an emitter of the HBT. One or more of the foregoing features can be implemented in devices such as a die, a packaged module, and a wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Zampardi, Hsiang-Chih Sun
  • Patent number: 9553015
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide III-V-on-insulator (IIIVOI) platforms for semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same. According to one embodiment, compositionally-graded buffer layers of III-V alloy are grown on a silicon substrate, and a smart cut technique is used to cut and transfer one or more layers of III-V alloy to a silicon wafer having an insulator layer such as an oxide. One or more transferred layers of III-V alloy can be etched away to expose a desired transferred layer of III-V alloy, upon which a semi-insulating buffer layer and channel layer can be grown to yield IIIVOI platform on which semiconductor devices (e.g., planar and/or 3-dimensional FETs) can be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anirban Basu, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Ali Khakifirooz, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 9553096
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region. The semiconductor arrangement includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where an electrode unit of the first electrode has a first portion and a second portion, and where the second portion is above the first portion and is wider than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Shih-Chang Liu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen, Chen-Jong Wang
  • Patent number: 9543260
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a first bond pad disposed at a first side of a substrate. The first bond pad includes a first plurality of pad segments. At least one pad segment of the first plurality of pad segments is electrically isolated from the remaining pad segments of the first plurality of pad segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Albert Birner, Helmut Brech, Matthias Zigldrum
  • Patent number: 9530849
    Abstract: A transistor having a source region and a drain region which are separately formed in a substrate, a trench which is defined in the substrate between the source region and the drain region, and a gate electrode which is formed in the trench. The gate electrode includes a first electrode buried over a bottom of the trench; a second electrode formed over the first electrode; and a liner electrode having an interface part which is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and a side part, which is positioned on sidewalls of the second electrode and overlaps with the source region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Tae-Kyung Oh, Su-Ho Kim, Jin-Yul Lee
  • Patent number: 9525030
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the embodiment comprises a base substrate; patterns on the base substrate; and an epitaxial layer on the base substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer is formed on a surface of the substrate exposed among the patterns. A method for growing a semiconductor crystal comprises the steps of cleaning a silicon carbide substrate; forming patterns on the silicon carbide substrate; and forming an epitaxial layer on the silicon carbide substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Young Hwang, Seok Min Kang, Moo Seong Kim, Yeong Deuk Jo
  • Patent number: 9525108
    Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor device includes a conductive layer; a plurality of electrical connectors extending into the conductive layer; a semiconductor system, formed on the conductive layer, electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connectors and having a side surface; an insulation material directly covering the side surface; and an electrode arranged at a position not corresponding to the plurality of electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Lu, Wei-Chih Peng, Shiau-Huei San, Min-Hsun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9520285
    Abstract: A method comprises providing a monocrystalline silicon wafer (11) having a principal surface (17) which supports a masking layer (24), for example silicon dioxide or polycrystalline silicon, having windows (25) to expose corresponding regions of the silicon wafer, forming silicon carbide seed regions (30) on the exposed regions of the wafer, for example by forming carbon and converting the carbon into silicon carbide, and growing monocrystalline silicon carbide (31) on the silicon carbide seed regions. Thus, monocrystalline silicon carbide can be formed selectively on the silicon wafer which can help to avoid wafer bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Anvil Semiconductors Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ward
  • Patent number: 9515222
    Abstract: We disclose a semiconductor structure comprising a monocrystalline silicon wafer; spaced apart monocrystalline silicon carbide layers disposed directly on the silicon wafer; amorphous and/or polycrystalline silicon carbide layers disposed directly on the silicon wafer between the monocrystalline silicon carbide layers; first gallium nitride layers disposed on the monocrystalline silicon carbide layers; and second gallium nitride layers disposed on the amorphous and/or polycrystalline silicon carbide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Anvil Semiconductors Limited
    Inventor: Peter Ward
  • Patent number: 9508425
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device structure. The non-volatile memory device structure comprises a first electrode formed from a first metal material, a resistive switching element overlying the first electrode. The resistive switching element comprises a metal oxide material characterized by one or more oxygen deficient sites. The device includes a second electrode overlying the resistive switching layer, the second electrode being formed from a second metal material. The second electrode is made from a noble metal. The one or more oxygen deficient sites are caused to migrate from one of the first electrode or the second electrode towards the other electrode upon a voltage applied to the first electrode or the second electrode. The device can have a continuous change in resistance upon applying a continuous voltage ramp, suitable for an analog device. Alternatively, the device can have a sharp change in resistance upon applying the continuous voltage ramp, suitable for a digital device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Wei Lu, Sung Hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 9508722
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement includes a logic region and a memory region. The memory region has an active region that includes a semiconductor device. The memory region also has a capacitor within one or more dielectric layers over the active region, where the capacitor is over the semiconductor device. The semiconductor arrangement also includes a protective ring within at least one of the logic region or the memory region and that separates the logic region from the memory region. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulating layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the first electrode is substantially larger than other portions of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chern-Yow Hsu, Shih-Chang Liu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen, Chen-Jong Wang
  • Patent number: 9508797
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in provided having a substrate and a semiconductor layer formed on a main surface of the substrate. A plurality of first island electrodes and a plurality of second island electrodes are placed over the semiconductor layer. The plurality of first island electrodes and second island electrodes are spaced apart from each other so as to be alternatively arranged to produce two-dimensional active regions in all feasible areas of the semiconductor layer. Each side of the first island electrodes is opposite a side of the second island electrodes. The semiconductor device can also include a plurality of strip electrodes that are formed in the regions between the first island electrodes and the second island electrodes. The strip electrodes serve as the gate electrodes of a multi-island transistor. The first island electrodes serve as the source electrodes of the multi-island transistor. The second island electrodes serve as the drain electrodes of the multi-island transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GAN SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: John Roberts, Ahmad Mizan, Girvan Patterson, Greg Klowak
  • Patent number: 9484316
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a contact layer over a first major surface of a substrate. The substrate includes device regions separated by kerf regions. The contact layer is disposed in the kerf region and the device regions. A structured solder layer is formed over the device regions. The contact layer is exposed at the kerf region after forming the structured solder layer. The contact layer and the substrate in the kerf regions are diced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Evelyn Napetschnig, Ulrike Fastner, Alexander Heinrich, Thomas Fischer
  • Patent number: 9484297
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with single core inductors and methods for producing them are provided. Embodiments include forming a trench in a dielectric layer; forming a first metal-oxide hard mask by disposing a metal hard mask and an oxide hard mask over the dielectric layer and in strips in the trench; forming metal line trenches through the first metal-oxide hard mask and into the first dielectric layer on opposite sides of the inductor trench and first vias; filling the first metal line trenches, first vias, and trench; forming another dielectric layer and a second metal-oxide hard mask over the filled trench; forming a second trench through the second metal-oxide hard mask and into the second dielectric layer and second metal line trenches and second vias; and filling the second metal line trenches, second vias, and second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ki Young Lee, Moosung M. Chae, Woo Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9478441
    Abstract: An improved superjunction semiconductor device includes a charged balanced pylon in a body region, where a top of the pylon is large to create slight charge imbalance. A MOSgated structure is formed over the top of the pylon and designed to conduct current through the pylon. By increasing a dimension of the top of the pylon, the resulting device is less susceptible to variations in manufacturing tolerances to obtain a good breakdown voltage and improved device ruggedness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SILICONIX TECHNOLOGY C. V.
    Inventor: Srikant Sridevan
  • Patent number: 9466660
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a first electrode over a substrate, a high-K dielectric material over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the high-K dielectric material, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may include a material selected from the group consisting of a molybdenum nitride (MoaNb) material, a molybdenum oxynitride (MoOxNy) material, a molybdenum oxide (MoOx) material, and a molybdenum-based alloy material comprising molybdenum and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, Kotha Sai Madhukar Reddy, Vassil Antonov, Vishwanath Bhat
  • Patent number: 9465154
    Abstract: To provide a light emitting device that makes it possible to form a surface light emitting apparatus of less unevenness in luminance. The light emitting device 10 of the present invention comprises a light emitting element 30, connecting terminals 21a, 21b connected with the light emitting element 30, a package 12 which has a recess 40 wherein the light emitting element 30 is mounted and from which a part of each connecting terminal 21a, 21b is projected outward, an opening 41 of the recess 40 being elongated in one direction, wherein both side walls of the recess 40 positioned in the longitudinal direction of the recess 40 are inclined surface 43, an angle ? between both the inclined surfaces 43 being 90 degrees or more. In the light emitting device 10 of the present invention, light emitted by the light emitting element 30 is spread sufficiently in the longitudinal direction of the opening 41 so as to produce a band-shaped beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kashiwao, Takeo Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 9455240
    Abstract: Reliability of a semiconductor device is improved. Each of a plurality of terminals formed on a chip mounting surface included in a wiring substrate has a shape in which a narrow width portion is arranged between adjacent wide width portions in plan view. Moreover, a center of a tip end surface of each of a plurality of protruding electrodes formed on a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate is arranged at a position where it overlaps the narrow width portion in plan view, and the plurality of terminals and the plurality of protruding electrodes are electrically connected to each other via a solder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jumpei Konno, Takafumi Nishita, Nobuhiro Kinoshita, Kazunori Hasegawa, Michiaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9431298
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, a method for making an integrated circuit product, and methods for customizing an integrated circuit are disclosed. Integrated circuit elements including programmable elements, such as fuses, PROMs, RRAMs, MRAMs, or the like, are formed on the frontside of a substrate. Vias are formed through the substrate from its frontside to its backside to establish conduction paths to at least some of the programmable elements from the backside. A programming stimulus is applied to at least some of the vias from the backside to program at least some of the frontside programmable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel W. Perry, Shiqun Gu