Patents by Inventor Dong-Kwon Kim

Dong-Kwon Kim 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: 10043879
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin active region protruding from a substrate and extending in a first direction, a gate electrode covering an upper surface and sidewalls of the fin active region and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a gate spacer structure on opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode, an insulating capping layer on the gate electrode and extending in the second direction, an insulating liner on opposite sidewalls of the gate electrode and on an upper surface of the gate spacer structure, and a self-aligned contact at a side of the gate electrode. The insulating liner may have a second thickness greater than a first thickness of the gate spacer structure. A sidewall of the self-aligned contact may be in contact with the gate spacer structure and the insulating liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-jae Kim, Ho-young Kim, Dong-kwon Kim, Jin-hyuk Yoo, Woo-jin Jung
  • Patent number: 9972683
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. A strain relaxed buffer (SRB) layer is formed on a substrate. The SRB layer is formed of a first silicon germanium alloy (SiGe) layer which has a first atomic percent of germanium (Ge) atoms. A heterogeneous channel layer is formed on the SRB layer. The heterogeneous channel layer includes a silicon layer on a first region of the SRB layer and a second SiGe layer on a second region of the SRB layer. The second SiGe layer includes a second atomic percent of germanium greater than the first atomic percent of germanium atoms. The silicon layer is in contact with the second SiGe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Ji-Hoon Cha
  • Patent number: 9831119
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. An epitaxial layer is formed on an active fin structure. Metal gate electrodes are formed on the active fin structure. Gate electrode caps are formed on upper surfaces of the metal gate electrodes. Metal gate spacers are formed on sidewalls of the metal gate electrodes. A source/drain electrode is formed on the epitaxial layer. An air spacer region is formed by removing the metal gate electrode caps and the metal gate spacers. An air spacer is formed within the air spacer region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong-Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 9818825
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. A channel layer is formed on a strain relaxed buffer (SRB) layer. A first etching process is performed on the channel layer and the SRB layer to form a plurality of trenches. The trenches penetrate through the channel layer and into the SRB layer to a first depth. First liners are formed on first sidewalls of the trenches having the first depth. The first liners cover the first sidewalls. A second etching process is performed on the SRB layer exposed through the trenches. The second etching process is performed on the SRB layer using a gas etchant having etch selectivity with respect to the first liners so that after the performing of the second etching process, the first liners remain on the first sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Yong-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9768070
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which can secure a sufficient margin in a process of forming a self-aligned contact. The method includes forming a plurality of gate structures arranged in parallel on a substrate and being spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of gate structures including a conductive layer and a capping layer formed on the conductive layer, forming a first insulation layer between each of the plurality of gate structures, recessing top portions of the plurality of gate structures, forming a block layer along a top surface of the first insulation layer and the recessed top portions of the plurality of gate structures, forming a hardmask layer on the block layer, forming a hardmask pattern on each of the plurality of gate structures by planarizing a top portion of the block layer and a top portion of the hardmask layer, and forming a second insulation layer along a top surface of the block layer and top surfaces of the hardmask patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung-Suk Lee, Dong-Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 9755034
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided as follows. A first nanowire is disposed on a substrate. The first nanowire is extended in a first direction and spaced apart from the substrate. A gate electrode surrounds a periphery of the first nanowire. The gate electrode is extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A gate spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. The gate spacer includes an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall facing each other. The inner sidewall of the gate spacer faces the sidewall of the gate electrode. An end portion of the first nanowire is protruded from the outer sidewall of the gate spacer. A source/drain epitaxial layer is disposed on at least one side of the gate electrode. The source/drain is connected to the protruded end portion of the first nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Kang-Ill Seo
  • Patent number: 9716041
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a pre-fin extending in a first direction, the pre-fin including first, second, and third regions, forming first and second gates on the pre-fin to extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first and second gates being spaced apart from each other in the first direction and overlapping with the first and second regions, respectively, forming first and second dummy spacers on the first and second regions, respectively to form a first trench in the third region that exposes the third region, forming a second trench by etching the exposed third region using the first and second dummy spacers as masks to separate the pre-fin into first and second active fins corresponding to the first and second regions, respectively, forming a dummy gate by filling the first and second trenches and removing the first and second dummy spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Kang-Ill Seo
  • Publication number: 20170186873
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. An epitaxial layer is formed on an active fin structure. Metal gate electrodes are formed on the active fin structure. Gate electrode caps are formed on upper surfaces of the metal gate electrodes. Metal gate spacers are formed on sidewalls of the metal gate electrodes. A source/drain electrode is formed on the epitaxial layer. An air spacer region is formed by removing the metal gate electrode caps and the metal gate spacers. An air spacer is formed within the air spacer region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: DONG-KWON KIM
  • Publication number: 20170117375
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided as follows. A first nanowire is disposed on a substrate. The first nanowire is extended in a first direction and spaced apart from the substrate. A gate electrode surrounds a periphery of the first nanowire. The gate electrode is extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A gate spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. The gate spacer includes an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall facing each other. The inner sidewall of the gate spacer faces the sidewall of the gate electrode. An end portion of the first nanowire is protruded from the outer sidewall of the gate spacer. A source/drain epitaxial layer is disposed on at least one side of the gate electrode. The source/drain is connected to the protruded end portion of the first nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon KIM, Kang-Ill SEO
  • Publication number: 20170117362
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. A strain relaxed buffer (SRB) layer is formed on a substrate. The SRB layer is formed of a first silicon germanium alloy (SiGe) layer which has a first atomic percent of germanium (Ge) atoms. A heterogeneous channel layer is formed on the SRB layer. The heterogeneous channel layer includes a silicon layer on a first region of the SRB layer and a second SiGe layer on a second region of the SRB layer. The second SiGe layer includes a second atomic percent of germanium greater than the first atomic percent of germanium atoms. The silicon layer is in contact with the second SiGe layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: DONG-KWON KIM, JI-HOON CHA
  • Publication number: 20170117363
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. A channel layer is formed on a strain relaxed buffer (SRB) layer. A first etching process is performed on the channel layer and the SRB layer to form a plurality of trenches. The trenches penetrate through the channel layer and into the SRB layer to a first depth. First liners are formed on first sidewalls of the trenches having the first depth. The first liners cover the first sidewalls. A second etching process is performed on the SRB layer exposed through the trenches. The second etching process is performed on the SRB layer using a gas etchant having etch selectivity with respect to the first liners so that after the performing of the second etching process, the first liners remain on the first sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: DONG-KWON KIM, YONG-WOO LEE
  • Patent number: 9627514
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided as follows. Epitaxial layers is formed on an active fin structure of a substrate. First metal gate electrodes are formed on the active fin structure. Each first metal gate electrode and each epitaxial layer are alternately disposed in a first direction on the active fin structure. ILD patterns are formed on the epitaxial layers, extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. Sacrificial spacer patterns are formed on the first metal gate electrodes. Each of the plurality of sacrificial spacer patterns covers a corresponding first metal gate electrode of the first metal gate electrodes. Self-aligned contact holes and sacrificial spacers are formed by removing the ILD patterns. Each self-aligned contact hole exposes a corresponding epitaxial layer disposed under each ILD pattern. Source/drain electrodes are formed in the self-aligned contact holes. The sacrificial spacers are replaced with air spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Ji-Hoon Cha
  • Patent number: 9590038
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided as follows. A fin-type pattern includes first and second oxide regions in an upper portion of the fin-type pattern. The fin-type pattern is extended in a first direction. A first nanowire is extended in the first direction and spaced apart from the fin-type pattern. A gate electrode surrounds a periphery of the first nanowire, extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The gate electrode is disposed on a region of the fin-type pattern. The region is positioned between the first and the second oxide regions. A first source/drain is disposed on the first oxide region and connected with an end portion of the first nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Kang-Ill Seo
  • Publication number: 20160379886
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a pre-fin extending in a first direction, the pre-fin including first, second, and third regions, forming first and second gates on the pre-fin to extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first and second gates being spaced apart from each other in the first direction and overlapping with the first and second regions, respectively, forming first and second dummy spacers on the first and second regions, respectively to form a first trench in the third region that exposes the third region, forming a second trench by etching the exposed third region using the first and second dummy spacers as masks to separate the pre-fin into first and second active fins corresponding to the first and second regions, respectively, forming a dummy gate by filling the first and second trenches and removing the first and second dummy spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: DONG-KWON KIM, KANG-ILL SEO
  • Patent number: 9508644
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a mask pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and by using the mask pattern as an etch mask; partially removing the mask pattern to expose a portion of an upper surface of the substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the upper surface of the substrate. In the method, when a pattern is formed by DRIE, an upper portion of the pattern does not protrude or scarcely protrudes, and scallops of a sidewall of the pattern are smooth, and thus a conformal material layer may be easily formed on a surface of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-kwon Kim, Ki-il Kim, Ah-young Cheon, Myeong-cheol Kim, Yong-jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20160314983
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns of a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming first to third mask layers on a substrate including a first region and a second region, etching the third mask layer formed in the first region to form first mask elements of a first mask pattern, etching the third mask layer formed in the second region to form second mask elements of a second mask pattern, forming a first spacer film covering the second mask elements, forming a second spacer film on the first spacer film to fully fill at least one trench between the second mask elements and on the first mask elements, removing portions of the first and second spacer films to expose the upper surfaces of the first and second mask elements, etching the second mask layer, etching the first mask layer, and etching the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Eun-Shoo HAN, Dong-Kwon KIM, Bong-Cheol KIM, Kang-ILL SEO
  • Patent number: 9329423
    Abstract: In a sensing device and a method for sending a light by using the same, the sensing device includes: a lower panel; an upper panel facing the lower panel; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower panel and the upper panel; an infrared ray sensor formed in at least one of the lower panel and the upper panel; and a visible ray sensor formed in at least one of the lower panel and the upper panel. The sensing device simultaneously includes the infrared ray sensor and the visible ray sensor such that a touch sensing function or an image sensing function having high reliability may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Hyung-Guel Kim, Jun-Ho Song, Nam-Heon Kim, Joo-Hyung Lee, Sung-Hoon Yang, Kyung-Hun Yoon, Myung-Hum Shin, Jae-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9318478
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first dummy gate having a first width, a second dummy gate adjacent to the first dummy gate in a lengthwise direction and having a second width, and a first bridge connecting the first dummy gate and the second dummy gate to each other. The first width and the second width are smaller than a minimum processing line width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deok-Han Bae, Dong-Kwon Kim, Jong-Hyuk Kim, Yoon-Moon Park
  • Publication number: 20160056110
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a mask pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and by using the mask pattern as an etch mask; partially removing the mask pattern to expose a portion of an upper surface of the substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the upper surface of the substrate. In the method, when a pattern is formed by DRIE, an upper portion of the pattern does not protrude or scarcely protrudes, and scallops of a sidewall of the pattern are smooth, and thus a conformal material layer may be easily formed on a surface of the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Dong-kwon Kim, Ki-il Kim, Ah-young Cheon, Myeong-cheol Kim, Yong-jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20150262839
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a mask pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and by using the mask pattern as an etch mask; partially removing the mask pattern to expose a portion of an upper surface of the substrate; and etching the exposed portion of the upper surface of the substrate. In the method, when a pattern is formed by DRIE, an upper portion of the pattern does not protrude or scarcely protrudes, and scallops of a sidewall of the pattern are smooth, and thus a conformal material layer may be easily formed on a surface of the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Dong-kwon Kim, Ki-il Kim, Ah-young Cheon, Myeong-cheol Kim, Yong-jin Kim