Patents Examined by Trung Dang
  • Patent number: 7482647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is set up on a semiconductor layer, a light shielding wall that is set up around the semiconductor element, a hole that is set up on the light shielding wall, and a wiring layer that is electrically connected to the semiconductor element and is drawn out through the hole to the outside of the light shielding wall. The wiring layer has a pattern including a first part that is located within the hole and a second part that is located on the outside of the hole and has a larger width compared to the width of the first part, the width of the second part being the same with or larger than the width of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Inoue, Yo Takeda, Yutaka Maruo
  • Patent number: 7479464
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for low temperature aerosol deposition of a plasma resistive layer on semiconductor chamber components/parts. In one embodiment, the method for low temperature aerosol deposition includes forming an aerosol of fine particles in an aerosol generator, dispensing the aerosol from the aerosol generator into a processing chamber toward a surface of a substrate, maintaining the substrate temperature at between about 0 degrees Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius, and depositing a layer from material in the aerosol on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Y. Sun, Elmira Ryabova, Senh Thach, Xi Zhu, Semyon L. Kats
  • Patent number: 7479695
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a stiffener, a circuit substrate and an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The stiffener has a surface with a first region and a second region. The circuit substrate covers the first region, while the IC chip overlies at least a portion of each of the first and second regions. Moreover, the assembly further comprises a plurality of first solder bumps and a plurality of second solder bumps. The first solder bumps contact both the IC chip and the circuit substrate. The second solder bumps are larger than the first solder bumps, contact the IC chip and are disposed above the second region of the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Adam Bachman, David L. Crouthamel
  • Patent number: 7476616
    Abstract: A method for electroless plating of a substrate is provided that comprises exposing an electroless plating reagent comprising a metal to be plated and at least one reducing agent to a solid phase Activation Material to form an activated electroless plating reagent prior to application of the electroless plating reagent to the substrate. The activated electroless plating reagent is applied to a substrate in the process chamber under conditions to cause the metal of the electroless plating reagent to deposit on the substrate. Systems and modules are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Karl Christenson
  • Patent number: 7476575
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a thin film integrate circuit from peeling off during the process of transferring to a base material. By a manufacturing method of the present invention, a separation layer is formed selectively on a surface of a substrate; thus, a first region where the separation layer is provided and a second region where the separation layer is not provided are formed. A thin film integrated circuit is formed over the separation layer. Then, an opening portion for exposing the separation layer is formed, en etching agent is introduced into the opening portion to remove the separation layer. Thus, a space is generated in the region provided with the separation layer, whereas a space is not generated in the region without the separation layer. Therefore, the thin film integrated circuit can be prevented from peeling off even after the separation layer is removed, by providing the region where the space is not generated after that.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Tsurume, Koji Dairiki
  • Patent number: 7476914
    Abstract: Methods of boosting the performance of bipolar transistor, especially SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors, is provided together with the structure that is formed by the inventive methods. The methods include providing a species-rich dopant region comprising C, a noble gas, or mixtures thereof into at least a collector. The species-rich dopant region forms a perimeter or donut-shaped dopant region around a center portion of the collector. A first conductivity type dopant is then implanted into the center portion of the collector to form a first conductivity type dopant region that is laterally constrained, i.e., confined, by the outer species-rich dopant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Omer H. Dokumaci, Gregory G. Freeman, Marwan H. Khater, Rajendran Krishnasamy, Kathryn T. Schonenberg
  • Patent number: 7476961
    Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a window frame/window piece assembly is disclosed in this application. A window frame having an opening in its inner portion is provided. According to one aspect, the window frame can be formed from a unitary piece of sheet metal. A transparent piece is attached to the inner portion of the window frame through a molding process. According to one embodiment, the window frame is placed within a mold such that the inner portion of the window frame projects into an inner cavity inside the mold. After the mold has been closed, a transparent material is injected into the inner cavity so that it bonds with the inner portion of the window frame. After the bond of between the transparent material and the window frame is set, the window frame/window piece assembly is removed from the mold. According to another embodiment, a plurality of window frames may be loaded into a single mold so that a plurality of window frame/window piece assemblies can be fabricated in a single batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradley M. Haskett, John Patrick O'Connor, Jwei Wien Liu
  • Patent number: 7473645
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of etching substrates, methods of forming features on substrates, and methods of depositing a layer comprising silicon, carbon and fluorine onto a semiconductor substrate. In one implementation, a method of etching includes forming a masking feature projecting from a substrate. The feature has a top, opposing sidewalls, and a base. A layer comprising SixCyFz is deposited over the feature, where “x” is from 0 to 0.2, “y” is from 0.3 to 0.9, and “z” is from 0.1 to 0.6. The SixCyFz—comprising layer and upper portions of the feature opposing sidewalls are etched effective to laterally recess such upper portions proximate the feature top relative to lower portions of the feature opposing sidewalls proximate the feature base. After such etching of the SixCyFz—comprising layer and such etching of upper portions of the feature sidewalls, the substrate is etched using the masking feature as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mirzafer Abatchev, Krupakar M. Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7465605
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to functionalize carbon nanotubes in situ. A carbon nanotube (NT) array is grown or deposited on a substrate. The NT array is functionalized in situ with a polymer by partial thermal degradation of the polymer to form a NT structure. The functionalization of the NT structure is characterized. The functionalized NT structure is processed according to the characterized functionalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nachiket R. Raravikar, James C. Matayabas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7459730
    Abstract: A photodiode for detection of preferably very long wavelength infrared radiation wherein low energy photons are absorbed in one region and detected in another. In one example embodiment, an absorbing P region is abutted with an N region of lower doping such that the depletion region is substantially (preferably completely) confined to the N region. The N region is also chosen with a larger bandgap than the P region, with compositional grading of a region of the N region near the P region. This compositional grading mitigates the barrier between the respective bandgaps. Under reverse bias, the barrier is substantially reduced or disappears, allowing charge carriers to move from the absorbing P region into the N region (and beyond) where they are detected. The N region bandgap is chosen to be large enough that the dark current is limited by thermal generation from the field-free p-type absorbing volume, and also large enough to eliminate tunnel currents in the wide bandgap region of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Kinch
  • Patent number: 7456493
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for mounting a semiconductor part having improved productivity, in which a bump is detached from a land portion and a method of manufacturing a mounting substrate used therein. The structure for mounting the semiconductor part includes a mounting substrate 1 having an insulating substrate 2 on which a wiring pattern 3 and a land portion 4 are provided, a semiconductor part 5 mounted on the mounting substrate 1 using a bump 7 and the land portion 4, and an underfill 8 inserted between the semiconductor part 5 and the insulating substrate 2. An undercut portion 4c having an inverse tapered shape from the insulating substrate 2 to an upper surface of the land portion 4 is provided in an edge 4a of the land portion 4 in which the bump 7 is located, and the bump is inserted into the undercut portion. Accordingly, since the couple between the bump 7 and the land portion 4 becomes stronger, the bump is not detached from the land portion 4 when the underfill 8 expands or contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murata, Masayoshi Takeuhi
  • Patent number: 7456101
    Abstract: Methods for depositing a ruthenium metal layer on a dielectric substrate are provided. The methods involve, for instance, exposing the dielectric substrate to an amine-containing compound, followed by exposing the substrate to a ruthenium precursor and an optional co-reactant such that the amine-containing compound facilitates the nucleation on the dielectric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Gopinath, Jeremie Dalton, Jason M. Blackburn, John Drewery, Willibrordus Gerardus Maria van den Hoek
  • Patent number: 7456044
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an image sensor using a microlens mold is provided. The method includes: forming an interlayer dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having photodiodes; forming color filter layers on the interlayer dielectric layer; forming a planarization layer on the color filter layers; coating photoresist on the planarization layer; aligning a mold having a lens shaped pattern on the semiconductor substrate with the photoresist applied thereon; pressing the mold and the semiconductor substrate closely to each other such that a pattern formed in the mold is transferred onto the photoresist; and separating the mold from the semiconductor substrate, thereby forming micro-lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan Yul Lee
  • Patent number: 7453134
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has a substrate with first and second portions. One or more first active regions are formed in the first portion of the substrate. Each of the one or more first active regions has rounded corners. One or more first circuit elements are formed on the one or more first active regions after the corners of the one or more first active regions have been rounded. One or more second active regions are formed in the second portion of the substrate. One or more second circuit elements are formed on the one or more second active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukesh Sandhu, Kevin Torek
  • Patent number: 7449417
    Abstract: There are provided a cleaning solution for a silicon surface containing a buffer solution including acetic acid (CH3COOH) and ammonium acetate (CH3COONH4), iodine oxidizer, hydrofluoric acid (HF), and water. In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, a silicon substrate may have an exposed silicon surface, which may be cleaned using a cleaning solution that contains a buffer solution including acetic acid and ammonium acetate, iodine oxidizer, hydrofluoric acid, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Yong Kim, Chang-Ki Hong, Woo-Gwan Shim
  • Patent number: 7446007
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a multi-layer spacer located adjacent and adjoining a sidewall of a topographic feature within the semiconductor structure. The multi-layer spacer includes a first spacer sub-layer comprising a deposited silicon oxide material laminated to a second spacer sub-layer comprising a material that is other than the deposited silicon oxide material. The first spacer sub-layer is recessed with respect to the second spacer sub-layer by a recess distance of no greater than a thickness of the first spacer sub-layer (and preferably from about 50 to about 150 angstroms). Such a recess distance is realized through use of a chemical oxide removal (COR) etchant that is self limiting for the deposited silicon oxide material with respect to a thermally grown silicon oxide material. Dimensional integrity and delamination avoidance is thus assured for the multi-layer spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, Marc W. Cantell, James R. Elliott, James V. Hart, III, Dale W. Martin
  • Patent number: 7446057
    Abstract: A method for forming a multilevel structure on a surface by depositing a curable liquid layer on the surface; pressing a stamp having a multilevel pattern therein into the liquid layer to produce in the liquid layer a multilevel structure defined by the pattern; and, curing the liquid layer to produce a solid layer having the multilevel structure therein. Mechanical alignment may be employed to enhance optical alignment of the stamp relative to the substrate via spaced protrusions on the substrate on which the structure is to be formed and complementary recesses in the patterning of the stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Bietsch, Bruno Michel
  • Patent number: 7446387
    Abstract: In a HV transistor having a high breakdown voltage and a method of manufacturing the same, a first insulation pattern is formed on a semiconductor substrate by oxidizing a portion of the substrate, and a second insulation pattern is formed such that at least a portion of the first insulation pattern is covered with the second insulation pattern. A gate electrode including a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion is formed on the substrate by depositing conductive materials onto the substrate. The first end portion is formed on the first insulation pattern and the second end portion is formed on the second insulation pattern. Source/drain regions are formed at surface portions of the substrate by implanting impurities onto the substrate. Electric field intensity at an edge portion of the gate electrode is reduced, and the HV transistor has a high breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi-Hyun Kang, Hwa-Sook Shin, Mueng-Ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 7443014
    Abstract: An electronic module includes a semiconductor power switch and a semiconductor diode. The lower side of the semiconductor power switch includes an output contact mounted on a die pad of a leadframe, and the upper side of the semiconductor power switch includes a control contact and an input contact. The anode contact of the semiconductor diode is disposed on and electrically connected to the input contact of the semiconductor power switch. The cathode contact of the diode is electrically connected with the output contact of the power semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Ralf Otremba
  • Patent number: 7439136
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming epitaxial silicon-comprising material and methods of forming vertical transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming epitaxial silicon-comprising material includes providing a substrate comprising monocrystalline material. A first portion of the monocrystalline material is outwardly exposed while a second portion of the monocrystalline material is masked. A first silicon-comprising layer is epitaxially grown from the exposed monocrystalline material of the first portion and not from the monocrystalline material of the masked second portion. After growing the first silicon-comprising layer, the second portion of the monocrystalline material is unmasked. A second silicon-comprising layer is then epitaxially grown from the first silicon-comprising layer and from the unmasked monocrystalline material of the second portion. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Cem Basceri, Eric R. Blomiley