Patents by Inventor Bruce Odekirk

Bruce Odekirk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250120145
    Abstract: A transistor that may include a substrate, a drain layer formed within the substrate at a first side of the substrate. A first well implant having a first implant depth, a second well implant having a second implant depth and a third well implant having a third implant depth. The first well implant, the second well implant and the third well implant formed within the substrate at the second side of the substrate. The second implant depth is greater than the first implant depth and the third implant depth is greater than the second implant depth. A gate formed at the second side of the substrate. The gate overlaps the first well implant by a first distance, the gate overlaps the second well implant by a second distance and the gate overlaps the third well implant by a third distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Shesh Mani Pandey, Randy L. Yach, Bruce Odekirk
  • Publication number: 20250112035
    Abstract: A method includes performing a pressing operation on a volume of silicon carbide (SiC) powder to form a polycrystalline SiC (poly-SiC) ingot, and divide the poly-SiC ingot into a plurality of poly-SiC wafer bases. The method further includes, for a respective poly-SiC wafer base, bonding a silicon (Si) wafer structure to the respective poly-SiC wafer base to define a hybrid Si/poly-SiC stack structure, and performing a dividing process to remove a partial thickness of the Si wafer structure from the hybrid Si/poly-SiC stack structure to provide a hybrid Si/poly-SiC wafer comprising a remaining portion of the Si wafer structure bonded to the respective poly-SiC wafer base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve Nagel, Bomy Chen, Bruce Odekirk, Pejman Khosropour, Robin Liu, Andy Tu, Thomas Krutsick
  • Publication number: 20250107211
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device may include a silicon carbide substrate, a silicon layer formed at a first side of the silicon carbide substrate, a gate oxide layer formed on the silicon layer, a gate terminal formed on the gate oxide layer, a drain terminal formed at a second side of the silicon carbide substrate opposite the first side, and a source terminal formed at the first side of the silicon carbide substrate, and at opposite ends of the silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Shesh Mani Pandey, Randy L. Yach, Bruce Odekirk
  • Publication number: 20250107194
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method may include implanting a silicon-rich layer on a surface of a silicon carbide substrate, and growing a gate oxide layer on the silicon-rich layer on the surface of the silicon carbide substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Shesh Mani Pandey, Bruce Odekirk, Sami El Hageali
  • Publication number: 20250089282
    Abstract: A diode that may include a substrate with a cathode terminal on a first surface of the substrate. An anode terminal on a second surface of the substrate. An implant portion disposed within the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Shesh Mani Pandey, Bruce Odekirk
  • Publication number: 20250054761
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that may include a silicon carbide substrate, a silicon layer disposed on the silicon carbide substrate, and a gate oxide layer disposed on the silicon layer. The silicon layer may be implanted within the silicon carbide substrate. The silicon layer may comprise a thickness of 100 angstroms 5000 angstroms. The silicon layer may contain less than one percent carbon, or may contain a certain percentage of carbon that decreases as a distance from the surface of the silicon carbide substrate increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Shesh Mani Pandey, Bruce Odekirk
  • Patent number: 11615953
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having a SiC epitaxial layer disposed over a surface of the SiC substrate, the SiC substrate having a first conductivity and the SiC epitaxial layer having the first conductivity. A contact region and a well region are formed in the SiC epitaxial layer, the contact region and the well region have a doping level of a second conductivity opposite the first conductivity. The contact region lies completely within the well region, is not in contact with a region having the first conductivity and has edges recessed from edges of the well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk
  • Publication number: 20220093397
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having a SiC epitaxial layer disposed over a surface of the SiC substrate, the SiC substrate having a first conductivity and the SiC epitaxial layer having the first conductivity. A contact region and a well region are formed in the SiC epitaxial layer, the contact region and the well region have a doping level of a second conductivity opposite the first conductivity. The contact region lies completely within the well region, is not in contact with a region having the first conductivity and has edges recessed from edges of the well region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk
  • Patent number: 11222782
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes providing a SiC epitaxial layer disposed over a surface of a SiC substrate, forming an implant aperture in a hardmask layer on a surface of the expitaxial SiC layer, implanting contact and well regions in the SiC epitaxial layer through the hardmask layer, the contact region lying completely within and recessed from edges of the well region by performing one of implanting the well region through the implant aperture, reducing the area of the implant aperture forming a reduced-area contact implant aperture and implanting the contact region through the reduced-area implant aperture to form a contact region, and implanting the contact region through the implant aperture, increasing the area of the implant aperture to form a increased-area well implant aperture and implanting the well region through the increased-area implant aperture to form a well region completely surrounding the contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk
  • Publication number: 20210225645
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon carbide semiconductor device includes providing a SiC epitaxial layer disposed over a surface of a SiC substrate, forming an implant aperture in a hardmask layer on a surface of the expitaxial SiC layer, implanting contact and well regions in the SiC epitaxial layer through the hardmask layer, the contact region lying completely within and recessed from edges of the well region by performing one of implanting the well region through the implant aperture, reducing the area of the implant aperture forming a reduced-area contact implant aperture and implanting the contact region through the reduced-area implant aperture to form a contact region, and implanting the contact region through the implant aperture, increasing the area of the implant aperture to form a increased-area well implant aperture and implanting the well region through the increased-area implant aperture to form a well region completely surrounding the contact region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk
  • Patent number: 10665680
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor assembly and a method of forming a silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor assembly are provided. The silicon carbide semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor substrate and an electrode. The semiconductor substrate is formed of silicon carbide and includes a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a thickness extending therebetween. The method includes forming one or more electronic devices on the first surface and thinning the semiconductor substrate by removing the second surface to a predetermined depth of semiconductor substrate and leaving a third surface opposing the first surface. The method further includes forming a non-ohmic alloy layer on the third surface at a first temperature range and annealing the alloy layer at a second temperature range forming an ohmic layer, the second temperature range being greater than the first temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Odekirk, Jacob Alexander Soto
  • Patent number: 10566416
    Abstract: A semiconductor device constituted of: a semiconductor layer; and a field layer patterned on said semiconductor layer, said field layer constituted of material having characteristics which block diffusion of mobile ions and maintain structural integrity at activation temperatures of up to 1200 degrees centigrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk, Nathaniel Berliner, Dumitru Sdrulla
  • Publication number: 20190157397
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor assembly and a method of forming a silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor assembly are provided. The silicon carbide semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor substrate and an electrode. The semiconductor substrate is formed of silicon carbide and includes a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a thickness extending therebetween. The method includes forming one or more electronic devices on the first surface and thinning the semiconductor substrate by removing the second surface to a predetermined depth of semiconductor substrate and leaving a third surface opposing the first surface. The method further includes forming a non-ohmic alloy layer on the third surface at a first temperature range and annealing the alloy layer at a second temperature range forming an ohmic layer, the second temperature range being greater than the first temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce Odekirk, Jacob Alexander Soto
  • Publication number: 20190058032
    Abstract: A semiconductor device constituted of: a semiconductor layer; and a field layer patterned on said semiconductor layer, said field layer constituted of material having characteristics which block diffusion of mobile ions and maintain structural integrity at activation temperatures of up to 1200 degrees centigrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Amaury Gendron-Hansen, Bruce Odekirk, Nathaniel Berliner, Dumitru Sdrulla
  • Patent number: 9478606
    Abstract: A high power, high current Unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor, formed on SiC starting material is disclosed. The device is structured to avalanche uniformly across the entire central part (active area) such that very high currents can flow while the device is reversely biased. Forcing the device to avalanche uniformly across designated areas is achieved in different ways but consistently in concept, by creating high electric fields where the device is supposed to avalanche (namely the active area) and by relaxing the electric field across the edge of the structure (namely in the termination), which in all embodiments meets the conditions for an increased reliability under harsh environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Bruce Odekirk, Cecil Kent Walters
  • Publication number: 20160126306
    Abstract: A high power, high current Unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor, formed on SiC starting material is disclosed. The device is structured to avalanche uniformly across the entire central part (active area) such that very high currents can flow while the device is reversely biased. Forcing the device to avalanche uniformly across designated areas is achieved in different ways but consistently in concept, by creating high electric fields where the device is supposed to avalanche (namely the to active area) and by relaxing the electric field across the edge of the structure (namely in the termination), which in all embodiments meets the conditions for an increased reliability under harsh environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Bruce Odekirk, Cecil Kent Walters
  • Patent number: 9040377
    Abstract: A Vertical Multiple Implanted Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET (VMIMOSFET) includes a first conductivity semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity semiconductor drift layer on the top of the substrate, a multitude of second conductivity layers implanted in the drift layer. The body layer is where the channel is formed. A first conductivity source layer is interspaced appropriately inside of the second conductivity layers. A gate oxide of a certain thickness and another oxide of a different thickness, a greater thickness than the gate oxide, placed in between the body layers but in such way that its shape does not distort the gate oxide in the channel. A charge compensated body layer of the second conductivity formed outside of the channel region and only at specific high electric field locations in the structure. The device and the manufacturing method deliver a power SiC MOSFET with increased frequency of operation and reduced switching losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Bruce Odekirk, Marc H. Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 8674439
    Abstract: A Vertical Multiple Implanted Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET (VMIMOSFET) includes a first conductivity semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity semiconductor drift layer on the top of the substrate, a multitude of second conductivity layers implanted in the drift layer. The body layer is where the channel is formed. A first conductivity source layer is interspaced appropriately inside of the second conductivity layers. A gate oxide of a certain thickness and another oxide of a different thickness, a greater thickness than the gate oxide, placed in between the body layers but in such way that its shape does not distort the gate oxide in the channel. A charge compensated body layer of the second conductivity formed outside of the channel region and only at specific high electric field locations in the structure. The device and the manufacturing method deliver a power SiC MOSFET with increased frequency of operation and reduced switching losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Bruce Odekirk, Marc Vandenberg
  • Publication number: 20140065778
    Abstract: A Vertical Multiple Implanted Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET (VMIMOSFET) includes a first conductivity semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity semiconductor drift layer on the top of the substrate, a multitude of second conductivity layers implanted in the drift layer. The body layer is where the channel is formed. A first conductivity source layer is interspaced appropriately inside of the second conductivity layers. A gate oxide of a certain thickness and another oxide of a different thickness, a greater thickness than the gate oxide, placed in between the body layers but in such way that its shape does not distort the gate oxide in the channel. A charge compensated body layer of the second conductivity formed outside of the channel region and only at specific high electric field locations in the structure. The device and the manufacturing method deliver a power SiC MOSFET with increased frequency of operation and reduced switching losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Bruce Odekirk, Marc H. Vandenberg
  • Publication number: 20130313570
    Abstract: A SIC VDMOS transistor is integrated with a SiC SBD, in a seamless way, without any increase of the device area. The SiC SBD is integrated in the active area of the VDMOS by splitting the P-Wells, such that the lightly doped drift region extents all the way to the surface of semiconductor, and by trenching through the source of the VDMOS and partially through the P-Wells to reach the peak of the P-type doping in the P-Well regions. The source of the VDMOS is contacted from the top surface and from the vertical sidewalls of the trenched source and the forward voltage of the Schottky Barrier diode is tailored by using two different metals for the ohmic contact on the source and for the SBD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Marc H. Vandenberg, Bruce Odekirk