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).

  • Patent number: 10825924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 10541324
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 10522670
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 10074588
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9905658
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Stephen H. Kilgore, Craig A. Gaw
  • Publication number: 20170317202
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 9799760
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20170294531
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 9779988
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Marcel N. Tutt
  • Publication number: 20170236929
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20170207142
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9685345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 9614046
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
  • Publication number: 20160308010
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9362198
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Lakshminarayan Viswanathan, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L M Mahalingam
  • Publication number: 20150357452
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20150294921
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: LAKSHMINARAYAN VISWANATHAN, Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, L. M. Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9153448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
  • Patent number: 9111868
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Green, Darrell G. Hill, Jenn Hwa Huang, Karen E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20150179566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell G. Hill, Marcel N. Tutt