Patents by Inventor Daniel E. Grupp

Daniel E. Grupp 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).

  • Patent number: 8916437
    Abstract: A transistor having at least one passivated Schottky barrier to a channel includes an insulated gate structure on a p-type substrate in which the channel is located beneath the insulated gate structure. The channel and the insulated gate structure define a first and second undercut void regions that extend underneath the insulated gate structure toward the channel from a first and a second side of the insulated gate structure, respectively. A passivation layer is included on at least one exposed sidewall surface of the channel, and metal source and drain terminals are located on respective first and second sides of the channel, including on the passivation layer and within the undercut void regions beneath the insulated gate structure. At least one of the metal source and drain terminals comprises a metal that has a work function near a valence band of the p-type substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20140284666
    Abstract: A transistor having at least one passivated Schottky barrier to a channel includes an insulated gate structure on a p-type substrate in which the channel is located beneath the insulated gate structure. The channel and the insulated gate structure define a first and second undercut void regions that extend underneath the insulated gate structure toward the channel from a first and a second side of the insulated gate structure, respectively. A passivation layer is included on at least one exposed sidewall surface of the channel and metal source and drain terminals are located on respective first and second sides of the channel, including on the passivation layer and within the undercut void regions beneath the insulated gate structure. At least one of the metal source and drain terminals comprises a metal that has a work function near a valence band of the p-type substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 8766336
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer comprising arsenic is disposed between and in contact with a conductor and a semiconductor. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 8658523
    Abstract: A metal source/drain field effect transistor is fabricated such that the source/drain regions are deposited, multilayer structures, with at least a second metal deposited on exposed surfaces of a first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl M. Faulkner, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Daniel E. Grupp
  • Patent number: 8431469
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer is disposed between and in contact with a metal and a Si-based semiconductor, the interface layer being of a thickness effective to depin of the Fermi level of the semiconductor while still permitting current to flow between the metal and the semiconductor. The interface layer may include a layer of a passivating material (e.g., made from nitrogen, oxygen, oxynitride, arsenic, hydrogen and/or fluorine) and sometimes also includes a separation layer. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of a semiconductor passivating material. The interface layer thickness corresponds to a minimum specific contact resistance of less than or equal to 10 ?-?m2 or even less than or equal to 1 ?-?m2 for the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 8377767
    Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate and in an electrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and at least one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layer so as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 ?-?m2. The interface layer may include a passivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, an oxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of the channel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of a monolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor of the channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20120280294
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer comprising arsenic is disposed between and in contact with a conductor and a semiconductor. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of arsenic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 8263467
    Abstract: Processes for forming self-aligned, deposited source/drain, insulated gate, transistors and, in particular, FETs. By depositing a source/drain in a recess such that it remains only in the recess, the source/drain can be formed self-aligned to a gate and/or a channel of such a device. For example, in one such process a gate structure of a transistor may be formed and, in a material surrounding the gate structure, a recess created so as to be aligned to an edge of the gate structure. Subsequently, a source/drain conducting material may be deposited in the recess. Such a source/drain conducting material may be deposited, in some cases, as layers, with one or more such layers being planarized following its deposition. In this way, the conducting material is kept within the boundaries of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Carl M. Faulkner
  • Publication number: 20110210376
    Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate and in an electrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and at least one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layer so as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 ?-?m2. The interface layer may include a passivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, an oxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of the channel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of a monolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor of the channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20110169124
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer is disposed between and in contact with a metal and a Si-based semiconductor, the interface layer being of a thickness effective to depin of the Fermi level of the semiconductor while still permitting current to flow between the metal and the semiconductor. The interface layer may include a layer of a passivating material (e.g., made from nitrogen, oxygen, oxynitride, arsenic, hydrogen and/or fluorine) and sometimes also includes a separation layer. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of a semiconductor passivating material. The interface layer thickness corresponds to a minimum specific contact resistance of less than or equal to 10 ?-?m2 or even less than or equal to 1 ?-?m2 for the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20110124170
    Abstract: Processes for forming self-aligned, deposited source/drain, insulated gate, transistors and, in particular, FETs. By depositing a source/drain in a recess such that it remains only in the recess, the source/drain can be formed self-aligned to a gate and/or a channel of such a device. For example, in one such process a gate structure of a transistor may be formed and, in a material surrounding the gate structure, a recess created so as to be aligned to an edge of the gate structure. Subsequently, a source/drain conducting material may be deposited in the recess. Such a source/drain conducting material may be deposited, in some cases, as layers, with one or more such layers being planarized following its deposition. In this way, the conducting material is kept within the boundaries of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Carl M. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 7902029
    Abstract: Processes for forming self-aligned, deposited source/drain, insulated gate, transistors and, in particular, FETs. By depositing a source/drain in a recess such that it remains only in the recess, the source/drain can be formed self-aligned to a gate and/or a channel of such a device. For example, in one such process a gate structure of a transistor may be formed and, in a material surrounding the gate structure, a recess created so as to be aligned to an edge of the gate structure. Subsequently, a source/drain conducting material may be deposited in the recess. Such a source/drain conducting material may be deposited, in some cases, as layers, with one or more such layers being planarized following its deposition. In this way, the conducting material is kept within the boundaries of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Carl M. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 7884003
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer is disposed between and in contact with a metal and a Si-based semiconductor, the interface layer being of a thickness effective to depin of the Fermi level of the semiconductor while still permitting current to flow between the metal and the semiconductor. The interface layer may include a layer of a passivating material (e.g., made from nitrogen, oxygen, oxynitride, arsenic, hydrogen and/or fluorine) and sometimes also includes a separation layer. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of a semiconductor passivating material. The interface layer thickness corresponds to a minimum specific contact resistance of less than or equal to 10 ?-?m2 or even less than or equal to 1 ?-?m2 for the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 7883980
    Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate and in an electrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and at least one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layer so as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 ?-?m2. The interface layer may include a passivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, an oxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of the channel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of a monolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor of the channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20110008953
    Abstract: A metal source/drain field effect transistor is fabricated such that the source/drain regions are deposited, multilayer structures, with at least a second metal deposited on exposed surfaces of a first metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Carl M. Faulkner, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Daniel E. Grupp
  • Patent number: 7816240
    Abstract: A metal source/drain field effect transistor is fabricated such that the source/drain regions are deposited, multilayer structures, with at least a second metal deposited on exposed surfaces of a first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl M. Faulkner, Daniel J. Connelly, Paul A. Clifton, Daniel E. Grupp
  • Patent number: 7615402
    Abstract: A transistor operated by changing the electrostatic potential of an island disposed between two tunnel junctions. The transistor has an island of material which has a band gap (e.g. semiconductor material). Source and drain contacts are provided. The transistor has a first tunnel junction barrier disposed between island and source, and a second tunnel junction barrier disposed between island and drain. The island is Ohmically isolated from other parts of the transistor as well as a substrate. A gate electrode is capacitively coupled to the island so that a voltage applied to the gate can change the potential of the island. The transistor has n- and p-type embodiments. In operation, applying a gate voltage lowers (e.g., for positive gate bias) or raises (e.g., for negative gate bias) the conduction band and valence band of the island. When the conduction band or valence band aligns with the Fermi energy of the source and drain, tunneling current can pass between the source, island and drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Grupp
  • Publication number: 20090104770
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer is disposed between and in contact with a metal and a Si-based semiconductor, the interface layer being of a thickness effective to depin of the Fermi level of the semiconductor while still permitting current to flow between the metal and the semiconductor. The interface layer may include a layer of a passivating material (e.g., made from nitrogen, oxygen, oxynitride, arsenic, hydrogen and/or fluorine) and sometimes also includes a separation layer. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of a semiconductor passivating material. The interface layer thickness corresponds to a minimum specific contact resistance of less than or equal to 10?-?m2 or even less than or equal to 1?-?m2 for the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 7462860
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer is disposed between and in contact with a metal and a Si-based semiconductor, the interface layer being of a thickness effective to depin of the Fermi level of the semiconductor while still permitting current to flow between the metal and the semiconductor. The interface layer may include a layer of a passivating material (e.g., made from nitrogen, oxygen, oxynitride, arsenic, hydrogen and/or fluorine) and sometimes also includes a separation layer. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of a semiconductor passivating material. The interface layer thickness corresponds to a minimum specific contact resistance of less than or equal to 10 ?-?m2 or even less than or equal to 1 ?-?m2 for the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 7382021
    Abstract: A transistor includes one or more channel taps containing a stack consisting at least in part of a semiconductor an interfacial III-VI layered compound and a conductor. The III-VI compound consists primarily of atoms from Groups IIIA-B and from Group VIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements in an approximate 1:1 ratio. These materials may be formed as layers of covalently bonded elements from Groups IIIA-B and covalently bonded Group VIA elements, adjacent and respective planes of which may be bonded by Van der Waals forces (e.g., to form a single bilayer consisting of a single plane of atoms from Groups IIIA-B and a single plane of Group VIA atoms). One particular III-VI material from which the interfacial layer is made, especially for p-channel transistors, is GaSe. Other III-VI compounds, whether pure compounds or alloys of pure compounds, may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Faulkner, Daniel J. Connelly, Daniel E. Grupp