Patents Examined by Shaun Campbell
  • Patent number: 9666562
    Abstract: A three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D-IC) architecture incorporates multiple layers, each layer including at least one die and at least one switch to connect the dies on the different layers. In some aspects, a power distribution network (PDN) is routed from a first layer through the switches to supply power to at least one other layer, thereby reducing routing congestion on the layers. The switches can be placed around the periphery of an IC package to improve heat dissipation (e.g., by improving heat transfer from the center to the edge of the IC package). The switches can be used for routing test signals and/or other signals between layers, thereby improving test functionality and/or fault recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Oscar Law, Chunchen Liu, Ju-Yi Lu
  • Patent number: 9653576
    Abstract: Directed self-assembly (DSA) material, or di-block co-polymer, to pattern features that ultimately define a channel region a gate electrode of a vertical nanowire transistor, potentially based on one lithographic operation. In embodiments, DSA material is confined within a guide opening patterned using convention lithography. In embodiments, channel regions and gate electrode materials are aligned to edges of segregated regions within the DSA material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Nyhus, Swaminathan Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 9653631
    Abstract: An improved heterostructure for an optoelectronic device is provided. The heterostructure includes an active region, an electron blocking layer, and a p-type contact layer. The p-type contact layer and electron blocking layer can be doped with a p-type dopant. The dopant concentration for the electron blocking layer can be at most ten percent the dopant concentration of the p-type contact layer. A method of designing such a heterostructure is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Jain, Maxim S. Shatalov, Jinwei Yang, Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 9647168
    Abstract: An improved heterostructure for an optoelectronic device is provided. The heterostructure includes an active region, an electron blocking layer, and a p-type contact layer. The p-type contact layer and electron blocking layer can be doped with a p-type dopant. The dopant concentration for the electron blocking layer can be at most ten percent the dopant concentration of the p-type contact layer. A method of designing such a heterostructure is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Jain, Maxim S. Shatalov, Jinwei Yang, Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 9647160
    Abstract: Provided are novel methods of fabricating photovoltaic modules using pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) to secure wire networks of interconnect assemblies to one or both surfaces of photovoltaic cells. A PSA having suitable characteristics is provided near the interface between the wire network and the cell's surface. It may be provided together as part of the interconnect assembly or as a separate component. The interconnect assembly may also include a liner, which may remain as a part of the module or may be removed later. The PSA may be distributed in a void-free manner by applying some heat and/or pressure. The PSA may then be cured by, for example, exposing it to UV radiation to increase its mechanical stability at high temperatures, in particular at a, for example the maximum, operating temperature of the photovoltaic module. For example, the modulus of the PSA may be substantially increased during this curing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Beijing Apollo Ding Rong Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Todd Krajewski
  • Patent number: 9646879
    Abstract: A depression filling method for filling a depression of a workpiece including a semiconductor substrate and an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate includes: forming an impurity-doped first semiconductor layer along a wall surface which defines the depression; forming, on the first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer which is lower in impurity concentration than the first semiconductor layer and which is smaller in thickness than the first semiconductor layer; annealing the workpiece to form an epitaxial region at the bottom of the depression corresponding to crystals of the semiconductor substrate from the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; and etching the first amorphous semiconductor region and the second amorphous semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Akinobu Kakimoto, Youichirou Chiba, Takumi Yamada, Daisuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9646851
    Abstract: A reconstituted wafer includes a rigid mass with a flat surface and a base surface disposed parallel planar to the flat surface. A plurality of dice are embedded in the rigid mass. The plurality of dice include terminals that are exposed through coplanar with the flat surface. A process of forming the reconstituted wafer includes removing some of the rigid mass to expose the terminals, while retaining the plurality of dice in the rigid mass. A process of forming an apparatus includes separating one apparatus from the reconstituted wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Sankman, John S. Guzek
  • Patent number: 9644270
    Abstract: An oxide semiconductor depositing apparatus includes a heating chamber which is configured to heat and plasma-treat a first substrate including an insulation layer, and includes a chamber body, a heater disposed in the chamber body which is configured to heat the first substrate, and a cathode plate spaced apart from the heater, a high frequency voltage applied to the cathode plate, and a first process chamber which is configured to provide an oxide semiconductor layer on the insulation layer of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsushi Kishimoto, Yeon-Keon Moon, Sang-Woo Sohn, Takayuki Fukasawa, Sang-Won Shin
  • Patent number: 9640444
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device with a field effect transistor. The method may include forming a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode extending substantially parallel to each other and each crossing a PMOSFET region on a substrate and an NMOSFET region on the substrate; forming an interlayered insulating layer covering the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; patterning the interlayered insulating layer to form a first sub contact hole on the first gate electrode, the first sub contact hole being positioned between the PMOSFET region and the NMOSFET region, when viewed in a plan view; and patterning the interlayered insulating layer to form a first gate contact hole and to expose a top surface of the second gate electrode, wherein the first sub contact hole and the first gate contact hole form a single communication hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Ho Do, Sanghoon Baek, Sang-Kyu Oh, Kwanyoung Chun, Sunyoung Park, Taejoong Song
  • Patent number: 9627269
    Abstract: A method for forming transistors is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a base and at least a fin on the base; and forming a gate layer on the fin, the gate layer has first side surfaces parallel to a longitudinal direction of the fin and second side surfaces perpendicular to the fin. The method also includes forming a protective layer on the first side surfaces of the gate layer to protect a vertex of the top of the gate layer from having EPI particles; and forming sidewall spacers on side surfaces of the protective layer and the second side surfaces of the gate layer. Further, the method includes forming a stress layer in the fin at both sides of the sidewall spacers and the gate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jie Zhao
  • Patent number: 9614090
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one first gate structure and at least one second gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. The at least one first gate structure has a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The at least one second gate structure has a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-youn Kim, Sang-jung Kang, Ji-hwan An
  • Patent number: 9607863
    Abstract: Integrated circuit packages with cavity are disclosed. A disclosed integrated circuit package includes a first die. A second die may be coupled to the first die by attaching the first die to a top surface of the second die. A blocking element such as a barrier structure may be formed that surrounds the second die. A cavity may be formed between the blocking element and the first die that encloses the second die. The barrier structure may help prevent underfill material from entering the cavity during underfill deposition processes. A heat spreading lid may cover the first die, second die and package substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Myung June Lee
  • Patent number: 9607942
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of formation are provided herein. A semiconductor device includes a first inductor, a patterned ground shielding (PGS) proximate the first inductor comprising one or more portions and a first switch configured to couple a first portion of the PGS to a second portion of the PGS. The semiconductor device also has a configuration including a first inductor on a first side of the PGS, a second inductor on a second side of the PGS and a first switch configured to couple a first portion of the PGS to a second portion of the PGS. Selective coupling of portions of the PGS by activating or deactivating switches alters the behavior of the first inductor, or the behavior and interaction between the first inductor and the second inductor. A mechanism is thus provided for selectively configuring a PGS to control inductive or other properties of a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Cheng-Wei Luo, Kung-Hao Liang, Chin-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 9608107
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The device may include a semiconductor layer; and a doped well disposed in the semiconductor layer and having a first conductivity type. The device may also include a drain region, a source region, and a body region, where the source and body regions may operate in different voltages. Further, the device may include a first doped region having a second conductivity type, the first doped region disposed between the source region and the doped well; and a second doped region having the first conductivity type and disposed under the source region. The device may include a third doped region having the second conductivity type and disposed in the doped well; and a fourth doped region disposed above the third doped region, the fourth doped region having the first conductivity type. Additionally, the device may include a gate and a field plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsiung Lee, Shin-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9601390
    Abstract: A method of forming a finFET device comprises forming a fin in a silicon layer of a substrate, forming a hardmask layer on a top surface of the fin, forming an insulating layer over the fin and the hardmask layer, removing a portion of the insulating layer to expose a portion of the hardmask layer, removing the exposed portion of the hardmask layer to form a cavity that exposes a portion of the silicon layer of the fin, epitaxially growing a silicon germanium (SiGe) material on exposed portions of the silicon layer of the fin in the cavity, and annealing the grown SiGe to drive germanium atoms into the silicon layer of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Rajasekhar Venigalla
  • Patent number: 9601354
    Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a first bond pad having a bond contact area at a first depth into a plurality of build-up layers over a semiconductor substrate of the integrated circuit die, having sidewalls that surround the bond contact area, the sidewalls extending from the first depth to a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers, and having a top portion that extends over a portion of a top surface of the plurality of build-up layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Reber, Sergio A. Ajuria, Phuc M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9595656
    Abstract: An improved microfabrication technique for Josephson junctions in superconducting integrated circuits, based on the use of a double-layer lithographic mask for partial anodization of the side-walls and base electrode of the junctions. The top layer of the mask is a resist material, and the bottom layer is a dielectric material chosen so to maximize adhesion between the resist and the underlying superconducting layer, be etch-compatible with the underlying superconducting layer, and be insoluble in the resist and anodization processing chemistries. The superconductor is preferably niobium, under a silicon dioxide layer, with a conventional photoresist or electron-beam resist as the top layer. This combination results in a substantial increase in the fabrication yield of high-density superconducting integrated circuits, increase in junction uniformity and reduction in defect density. A dry etch more compatible with microlithography may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hypres, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey K. Tolpygo
  • Patent number: 9590121
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other, a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a buffer layer between at least one of the photoelectric conversion layer and the first electrode, and the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode, the buffer layer including one of MoOx1 (2.58?x1<3.0), ZnOx2 (1.0?x2<2.0), TiOx3 (1.5?x3<2.0), VOx4 (1.5?x4<2.0), TaOx5 (1.0?x5<2.5), WOx6 (2.0<x6<3.0), and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Heon Kim, Dongjin Yun, Sung Heo, Kyu Sik Kim, Satoh Ryuichi, Gyeongsu Park, Hyung-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 9590109
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that operates at high speed. A semiconductor device with favorable switching characteristics. A highly integrated semiconductor device. A miniaturized semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is formed by: forming a semiconductor film including an opening, on an insulating surface; forming a conductive film over the semiconductor film and in the opening, and removing the conductive film over the semiconductor film to form a conductive pillar in the opening; forming an island-shaped mask over the conductive pillar and the semiconductor film; etching the conductive pillar and the semiconductor film using the mask to form a first electrode and a first semiconductor; forming a gate insulating film on a top surface and a side surface of the first semiconductor; and forming a gate electrode that is in contact with a top surface of the gate insulating film and faces the top surface and the side surface of the first semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Miyairi, Kazuya Hanaoka, Suguru Hondo, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9583481
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive portion on a first side of a first shallow trench isolation (STI) region. The first conductive portion is formed within a first well having a first conductivity type. The first conductive portion has the first conductivity type. The first conductive portion is connected to an electro static discharge (ESD) circuit. A second conductive portion is on a second side of the first STI region. The second conductive portion is formed within a second well having a second conductivity type. The second conductive portion having the first conductivity type is connected to a first nanowire and an input output I/O port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Li-Wei Chu, Bo-Ting Chen, Wun-Jie Lin, Han-Jen Yang