Patents by Inventor Daniel Nelson Carothers

Daniel Nelson Carothers 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: 10886164
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Sidewall insulators are formed on sidewalls of the isolation recess. Thermal oxide is formed at a bottom surface of the isolation recess to provide a buried isolation layer, which does not extend up the sidewall insulators. A single-crystal silicon-based semiconductor layer is formed over the buried isolation layer and planarized to be substantially coplanar with the substrate adjacent to the isolation recess, thus forming an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer. The isolated semiconductor layer is laterally separated from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20200300974
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a static monolithic LIDAR transceiver, a collimating optic, and a first rotatable wedge prism. The static monolithic LIDAR transceiver is configured to transmit a laser beam and receive reflected laser light from a first target object. The collimating optic is configured to narrow the transmitted laser beam to produce a collimated laser beam. The first rotatable wedge prism is configured to steer the collimated laser beam in a direction of the first target object based on the first rotatable wedge prism being in a first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson Carothers
  • Patent number: 10712433
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a static monolithic LIDAR transceiver, a collimating optic, and a first rotatable wedge prism. The static monolithic LIDAR transceiver is configured to transmit a laser beam and receive reflected laser light from a first target object. The collimating optic is configured to narrow the transmitted laser beam to produce a collimated laser beam. The first rotatable wedge prism is configured to steer the collimated laser beam in a direction of the first target object based on the first rotatable wedge prism being in a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson Carothers
  • Patent number: 10516019
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20190146061
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a static monolithic LIDAR transceiver, a collimating optic, and a first rotatable wedge prism. The static monolithic LIDAR transceiver is configured to transmit a laser beam and receive reflected laser light from a first target object. The collimating optic is configured to narrow the transmitted laser beam to produce a collimated laser beam. The first rotatable wedge prism is configured to steer the collimated laser beam in a direction of the first target object based on the first rotatable wedge prism being in a first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson Carothers
  • Patent number: 10215846
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a static monolithic LIDAR transceiver, a collimating optic, and a first rotatable wedge prism. The static monolithic LIDAR transceiver is configured to transmit a laser beam and receive reflected laser light from a first target object. The collimating optic is configured to narrow the transmitted laser beam to produce a collimated laser beam. The first rotatable wedge prism is configured to steer the collimated laser beam in a direction of the first target object based on the first rotatable wedge prism being in a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson Carothers
  • Publication number: 20180315816
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 10032863
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20180096882
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Sidewall insulators are formed on sidewalls of the isolation recess. Thermal oxide is formed at a bottom surface of the isolation recess to provide a buried isolation layer, which does not extend up the sidewall insulators. A single-crystal silicon-based semiconductor layer is formed over the buried isolation layer and planarized to be substantially coplanar with the substrate adjacent to the isolation recess, thus forming an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer. The isolated semiconductor layer is laterally separated from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 9865498
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Sidewall insulators are formed on sidewalls of the isolation recess. Thermal oxide is formed at a bottom surface of the isolation recess to provide a buried isolation layer, which does not extend up the sidewall insulators. A single-crystal silicon-based semiconductor layer is formed over the buried isolation layer and planarized to be substantially coplanar with the substrate adjacent to the isolation recess, thus forming an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer. The isolated semiconductor layer is laterally separated from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20170146639
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a static monolithic LIDAR transceiver, a collimating optic, and a first rotatable wedge prism. The static monolithic LIDAR transceiver is configured to transmit a laser beam and receive reflected laser light from a first target object. The collimating optic is configured to narrow the transmitted laser beam to produce a collimated laser beam. The first rotatable wedge prism is configured to steer the collimated laser beam in a direction of the first target object based on the first rotatable wedge prism being in a first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson CAROTHERS
  • Publication number: 20160379866
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Sidewall insulators are formed on sidewalls of the isolation recess. Thermal oxide is formed at a bottom surface of the isolation recess to provide a buried isolation layer, which does not extend up the sidewall insulators. A single-crystal silicon-based semiconductor layer is formed over the buried isolation layer and planarized to be substantially coplanar with the substrate adjacent to the isolation recess, thus forming an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer. The isolated semiconductor layer is laterally separated from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 9472571
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Sidewall insulators are formed on sidewalls of the isolation recess. Thermal oxide is formed at a bottom surface of the isolation recess to provide a buried isolation layer, which does not extend up the sidewall insulators. A single-crystal silicon-based semiconductor layer is formed over the buried isolation layer and planarized to be substantially coplanar with the substrate adjacent to the isolation recess, thus forming an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer. The isolated semiconductor layer is laterally separated from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 9466520
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by forming an isolation recess in a single crystal substrate which includes silicon, filling the isolation recess with isolation dielectric material, and planarizing the isolation dielectric material to be coplanar with the top surface of the substrate to form a buried isolation layer. A non-selective epitaxial process forms single-crystalline silicon-based semiconductor material on exposed areas of the substrate and polycrystalline or amorphous silicon-based material on the buried isolation layer. A cap layer is formed over the epitaxial silicon-based material, and a radiantly-induced recrystallization process causes the polycrystalline or amorphous silicon-based material to form single-crystalline semiconductor over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20160225657
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by forming an isolation mesa over a single crystal substrate which includes silicon, and forming a first epitaxial layer on the substrate by a selective epitaxial process so that a top surface of the first epitaxial layer is coplanar with the top surface of the isolation mesa. A non-selective epitaxial process forms single-crystalline silicon-based semiconductor material on the first epitaxial layer and non-crystalline silicon-based material on the isolation mesa. A cap layer is formed over the second epitaxial layer, and a radiantly-induced recrystallization process causes the non-crystalline silicon-based material to form single-crystalline semiconductor over the isolation mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20160218177
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 9330959
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEd
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 9312164
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by forming an isolation mesa over a single crystal substrate which includes silicon, and forming a first epitaxial layer on the substrate by a selective epitaxial process so that a top surface of the first epitaxial layer is coplanar with the top surface of the isolation mesa. A non-selective epitaxial process forms single-crystalline silicon-based semiconductor material on the first epitaxial layer and non-crystalline silicon-based material on the isolation mesa. A cap layer is formed over the second epitaxial layer, and a radiantly-induced recrystallization process causes the non-crystalline silicon-based material to form single-crystalline semiconductor over the isolation mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20150294901
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed by forming an isolation recess in a single crystal substrate which includes silicon, filling the isolation recess with isolation dielectric material, and planarizing the isolation dielectric material to be coplanar with the top surface of the substrate to form a buried isolation layer. A non-selective epitaxial process forms single-crystalline silicon-based semiconductor material on exposed areas of the substrate and polycrystalline or amorphous silicon-based material on the buried isolation layer. A cap layer is formed over the epitaxial silicon-based material, and a radiantly-induced recrystallization process causes the polycrystalline or amorphous silicon-based material to form single-crystalline semiconductor over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Publication number: 20150294902
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord