Patents by Inventor Darrell G. Hill
Darrell G. Hill 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).
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Patent number: 10825924Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate to control current flow through the channel, a first dielectric layer supported by the semiconductor substrate and including an opening in which the gate is disposed, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate in a first area over the channel. The gate may be configured to include a lateral overhang that is separated from an upper surface of the first dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 10541324Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate, a buffer layer that includes at least one additional layer formed over the substrate, a channel layer formed over the buffer layer, a barrier layer formed over the channel layer forming a channel, a gate electrode disposed over the substrate electrically coupled to the channel, and an ohmic contact recessed into the barrier layer. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor substrate that includes a mixed crystal layer, creating an isolation region that defines an active region along an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate in the active region, and recessing an ohmic contact into the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 10522670Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate to control current flow through the channel, a first dielectric layer supported by the semiconductor substrate and including an opening in which the gate is disposed, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate in a first area over the channel. The second dielectric layer is patterned such that the first dielectric layer is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a second area over the channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 10074588Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
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Patent number: 9905658Abstract: An embodiment of a transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, spaced-apart source and drain electrodes coupled to the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode coupled to the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain electrodes, a dielectric layer over the gate electrode and at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate, and a field plate structure over the dielectric layer, wherein the field plate structure includes a gold-containing material and one or more migration inhibiting materials.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Stephen H. Kilgore, Craig A. Gaw
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Publication number: 20170317202Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate to control current flow through the channel, a first dielectric layer supported by the semiconductor substrate and including an opening in which the gate is disposed, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate in a first area over the channel. The gate may be configured to include a lateral overhang that is separated from an upper surface of the first dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 9799760Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, first and second ohmic contacts supported by the semiconductor substrate, in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate, and spaced from one another for current flow between the first and second ohmic contacts through the channel, and first and second dielectric layers supported by the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the first and second ohmic contacts extends through respective openings in the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second dielectric layer includes a wet etchable material having an etch selectivity to a dry etchant of the first dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
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Publication number: 20170294531Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes an upper surface and a channel, a gate electrode disposed over the substrate electrically coupled to the channel, and a Schottky metal layer disposed over the substrate adjacent the gate electrode. The Schottky metal layer includes a Schottky contact electrically coupled to the channel which provides a Schottky junction and at least one alignment mark disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes creating an isolation region that defines an active region along an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate in the active region, and forming a Schottky metal layer over the semiconductor substrate. Forming the Schottky metal layer includes forming at least one Schottky contact electrically coupled to the channel and providing a Schottky junction, and forming an alignment mark in the isolation region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 9779988Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an inactive area and a pair of active areas separated by the inactive area, a control terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area to define a conduction path during operation between a first conduction region in each active area and a second conduction region in each active area, a conduction terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area for electrical connection to each first conduction region, and a via extending through the semiconductor substrate, electrically connected to the conduction terminal, and positioned in the inactive area.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Marcel N. Tutt
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Publication number: 20170236929Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate to control current flow through the channel, a first dielectric layer supported by the semiconductor substrate and including an opening in which the gate is disposed, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate in a first area over the channel. The second dielectric layer is patterned such that the first dielectric layer is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a second area over the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Publication number: 20170207142Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
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Patent number: 9685345Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes an upper surface and a channel, a gate electrode disposed over the substrate electrically coupled to the channel, and a Schottky metal layer disposed over the substrate adjacent the gate electrode. The Schottky metal layer includes a Schottky contact electrically coupled to the channel which provides a Schottky junction and at least one alignment mark disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes creating an isolation region that defines an active region along an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate in the active region, and forming a Schottky metal layer over the semiconductor substrate. Forming the Schottky metal layer includes forming at least one Schottky contact electrically coupled to the channel and providing a Schottky junction, and forming an alignment mark in the isolation region.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 9614046Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, INC.Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
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Publication number: 20160308010Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
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Patent number: 9362198Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L M Mahalingam
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Publication number: 20150357452Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, first and second ohmic contacts supported by the semiconductor substrate, in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate, and spaced from one another for current flow between the first and second ohmic contacts through the channel, and first and second dielectric layers supported by the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the first and second ohmic contacts extends through respective openings in the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second dielectric layer includes a wet etchable material having an etch selectivity to a dry etchant of the first dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
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Publication number: 20150294921Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a host substrate and an upper surface, an active area, a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by a recessed surface, and a thermally conductive layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate within the active area. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device includes defining an active area, forming a gate electrode over a channel in the active area, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode in the active area on opposite sides of the gate electrode, etching a substrate opening in the semiconductor substrate that is partially defined by the recessed surface, and depositing a thermally conductive layer over the semiconductor substrate that extends between the recessed surface and a portion of the semiconductor substrate over the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: LAKSHMINARAYAN VISWANATHAN, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
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Patent number: 9153448Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate to control current flow through the channel, a first dielectric layer supported by the semiconductor substrate and including an opening in which the gate is disposed, and a second dielectric layer disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate in a first area over the channel. The second dielectric layer is patterned such that the first dielectric layer is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a second area over the channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
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Patent number: 9111868Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate configured to include a channel, first and second ohmic contacts supported by the semiconductor substrate, in ohmic contact with the semiconductor substrate, and spaced from one another for current flow between the first and second ohmic contacts through the channel, and first and second dielectric layers supported by the semiconductor substrate. At least one of the first and second ohmic contacts extends through respective openings in the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the first dielectric layer and a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the second dielectric layer includes a wet etchable material having an etch selectivity to a dry etchant of the first dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
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Publication number: 20150179566Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an inactive area and a pair of active areas separated by the inactive area, a control terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area to define a conduction path during operation between a first conduction region in each active area and a second conduction region in each active area, a conduction terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area for electrical connection to each first conduction region, and a via extending through the semiconductor substrate, electrically connected to the conduction terminal, and positioned in the inactive area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Marcel N. Tutt