Patents by Inventor Ferdinando Iucolano
Ferdinando Iucolano 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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Publication number: 20250246497Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body; a gate; a field plate, spaced from the gate, the field plate having a strip-like shape with main extensions along a first direction, the strip-like shape having a first and a second end opposite to one; a first conductive pad in electrical contact with the field plate at the first end through a first connecting region; a second conductive pad in electrical contact with the field plate at the second end through a second connecting region; and a third conductive pad in electrical contact with the field plate at the second end through a third connecting region. The conductive pads allow the use of the field plate as a temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2025Publication date: July 31, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Lorenzo Maurizio SELGI, Ferdinando IUCOLANO
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Publication number: 20250240997Abstract: HEMT device comprising: a heterostructure comprising a channel layer and a barrier layer extending, along a first axis, onto the channel layer; a dielectric protection layer of dielectric material, extending along the first axis onto the barrier layer; and a gate region extending along the first axis onto the dielectric protection layer, wherein the dielectric protection layer has, along the first axis, a thickness lower than 10 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2025Publication date: July 24, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Cristina MICCOLI, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Marco MARCHESI, Cristina TRINGALI, Ferdinando IUCOLANO
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Publication number: 20250212439Abstract: A device and method of manufacturing a device based on heterostructure, including a work body, is provided having a wafer and an epitaxial multilayer that extends on the wafer along a direction from a front surface of the wafer up to an upper surface. To form an active area, a conduction region of conductive material is formed on the epitaxial multilayer. To form a contact region for biasing the first conduction region: a front trench is formed in the work body starting from the upper surface towards the back surface of the wafer, up to a contact surface; a conductive region is formed inside the front trench, on the contact surface, and in electrical contact with the first conduction region; a back trench is formed in the work body starting from the back surface towards the upper surface up to the contact surface; and a back metallization layer is formed on the back surface of the wafer and inside the back trench, on the contact surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2024Publication date: June 26, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Stella LO VERSO, Salvatore TARANTO, Cristina TRINGALI
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Publication number: 20250142928Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure disclose improved gallium nitride (GaN) power devices and methods of fabrication of such devices. A method for fabricating a GaN device may include providing a semiconductor base material with a first and second side. The semiconductor base material includes a GaN material, a frontside barrier layer, and a backside barrier layer. A pGaN landing is formed on a first region of the semiconductor base material and an ohmic contact is formed on a second region of the semiconductor base material. The ohmic contact includes one or more via contact landing and one or more backside barrier contacts that make direct contact with the backside barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Inventors: Cristina TRINGALI, Alessandro CONTARINO, Raffaella PEZZUTO, Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Aurore CONSTANT
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Publication number: 20250142862Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for normally-on GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) integration on monolithic p-GaN integrated circuits (ICs) platforms are provided. In particular, the integrated circuit platforms may include both enhancement mode and depletion mode HEMT power devices in monolithically integrated p-GaN power ICs. Exemplary methods may include treating at least one of a plurality of p-GaN gates with an in-situ plasma treatment to deactivate Mg in the p-GaN gate treated and deplete this p-Gan gate of Mg. The depleted p-GaN gate may be the gate for the normally on HEMT in the IC. At least one of the p-GaN gates not exposed to the in-situ plasma pretreatment may be the gate of the normally off HEMT in the IC.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Inventors: Giovanni GIORGINO, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Virgil GUILLON, Cristina TRINGALI, Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Aurore CONSTANT
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Publication number: 20250142865Abstract: A process for forming a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes forming a semiconductor heterostructure including a channel layer of the HEMT, forming a gate layer of GaN on the channel layer, and patterning the gate layer to form a first gate finger, a second gate finger, and a gate arc connecting the first gate finger and the second gate finger. The process includes forming an isolation mask covering an active region of the semiconductor heterostructure and the gate arc and performing an ion bombardment process on an inactive region of the semiconductor heterostructure exposed by the isolation mask.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Aurore CONSTANT, Tariq WAKRIM, Ferdinando IUCOLANO
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Publication number: 20250142864Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for normally off HEMT are provided, including for in situ plasma treatment before Al2O3 deposition for improved on on-hydrogen-based resistance. An exemplary method may include providing a wafer comprising a AlGaN layer and a p-GaN layer; etching the p-GaN layer to form a p-GaN gate; depositing a first aluminum oxide layer over the p-GaN gate; depositing a silicon dioxide layer over the aluminum layer; etching the silicon dioxide layer and the aluminum oxide layer to expose a first portion of the AlGaN layer starting a first distance from the p-GaN gate; treating the first portion of the AlGaN layer with an in-situ hydrogen-based plasma treatment, wherein the in situ plasma treatment deactivates magnesium in the first portion of the AlGaN layer; and forming at least a first normally-off HEMT, wherein the gate of the normally-off HEMT is the first p-GaN gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Cristina TRINGALI, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Giovanni GIORGINO, Aurore CONSTANT, Virgil GUILLON
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Patent number: 12278283Abstract: An HEMT includes a semiconductor body, which includes a semiconductor heterostructure, and a conductive gate region. The gate region includes: a contact region, which is made of a first metal material and contacts the semiconductor body to form a Schottky junction; a barrier region, which is made of a second metal material and is set on the contact region; and a top region, which extends on the barrier region and is made of a third metal material, which has a resistivity lower than the resistivity of the first metal material. The HEMT moreover comprises a dielectric region, which includes at least one front dielectric subregion, which extends over the contact region, delimiting a front opening that gives out onto the contact region; and wherein the barrier region extends into the front opening and over at least part of the front dielectric subregion.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2023Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Cristina Tringali
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Publication number: 20250095998Abstract: A method for manufacturing a HEMT device includes forming, on a heterostructure, a dielectric layer, forming a through opening through the dielectric layer, and forming a gate electrode in the through opening. Forming the gate electrode includes forming a sacrificial structure, depositing by evaporation a first gate metal layer, carrying out a lift-off of the sacrificial structure, depositing a second gate metal layer by sputtering, and depositing a third gate metal layer. The second gate metal layer layer forms a barrier against the diffusion of metal atoms towards the heterostructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2024Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Cristina TRINGALI
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Patent number: 12218231Abstract: An HEMT transistor includes a semiconductor body having a semiconductive heterostructure. A gate region, of conductive material, is arranged above and in contact with the semiconductor body. A first insulating layer extends over the semiconductor body, laterally to the conductive gate region. A second insulating layer extends over the first insulating layer and the gate region. A first field plate region, of conductive material, extends between the first and the second insulating layers, laterally spaced from the conductive gate region along a first direction. A second field plate region, of conductive material, extends over the second insulating layer, and the second field plate region overlies and is vertically aligned with the first field plate region.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Alessandro Chini
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Publication number: 20250040164Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ohmic contact for a HEMT device, comprising the steps of: forming a photoresist layer, on a semiconductor body comprising a heterostructure; forming, in the photoresist layer, an opening, through which a surface region of the semiconductor body is exposed at said heterostructure; etching the surface region of the semiconductor body using the photoresist layer as etching mask to form a trench in the heterostructure; depositing one or more metal layers in said trench and on the photoresist layer; and carrying out a process of lift-off of the photoresist layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Cristina TRINGALI
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Publication number: 20250040173Abstract: An HEMT device, comprising: a semiconductor body including a heterojunction structure; a dielectric layer on the semiconductor body; a gate electrode; a drain electrode, facing a first side of the gate electrode; and a source electrode, facing a second side opposite to the first side of the gate electrode; an auxiliary channel layer, which extends over the heterojunction structure between the gate electrode and the drain electrode, in electrical contact with the drain electrode and at a distance from the gate electrode, and forming an additional conductive path for charge carriers that flow between the source electrode and the drain electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Alessandro Chini
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Publication number: 20250022947Abstract: An HEMT includes: a heterostructure; a dielectric layer on the heterostructure; a gate electrode, which extends throughout the thickness of the dielectric layer; a source electrode; and a drain electrode. The dielectric layer extends between the gate electrode and the drain electrode and is absent between the gate electrode and the source electrode. In this way, the distance between the gate electrode and the source electrode can be designed in the absence of constraints due to a field plate that extends towards the source electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventor: Ferdinando IUCOLANO
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Patent number: 12165871Abstract: A method for manufacturing a HEMT device includes forming, on a heterostructure, a dielectric layer, forming a through opening through the dielectric layer, and forming a gate electrode in the through opening. Forming the gate electrode includes forming a sacrificial structure, depositing by evaporation a first gate metal layer layer, carrying out a lift-off of the sacrificial structure, depositing a second gate metal layer by sputtering, and depositing a third gate metal layer. The second gate metal layer layer forms a barrier against the diffusion of metal atoms towards the heterostructure.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Cristina Tringali
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Publication number: 20240404945Abstract: A heterojunction power device includes: a substrate containing semiconductor material; a first active area and a second active area, arranged on the substrate symmetrically opposite with respect to an axis of symmetry and accommodating respective heterostructures; a separation region, extending along the axis of symmetry between the first active area and the second active area. The power device further includes: a first conductive bus configured to distribute a first electric potential of the power device in parallel to the first and the second active areas; a second conductive bus configured to distribute a second electric potential of the power device, different from the first electric potential, in parallel to the first and the second active areas. The first and the second conductive buses extend along the axis of symmetry above the separation region and the second conductive bus overlies the first conductive bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Antonio Filippo Massimo PIZZARDI, Santo Alessandro SMERZI, Ferdinando IUCOLANO
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Publication number: 20240405115Abstract: A HEMT device including: a semiconductor body forming a heterostructure; a gate region on the semiconductor body and elongated along a first axis; a gate metal region including a lower portion on the gate region and recessed with respect to the gate region, and a upper portion on the lower portion and having a width greater that the lower portion along a second axis; a source metal region extending on the semiconductor body and made in part of aluminum; a drain metal region on the semiconductor body, the source metal region and the drain metal region on opposite sides of the gate region; a first conductivity enhancement region of aluminum nitride, extending on the semiconductor body and interposed between the source metal region and the gate region, the first conductivity enhancement region being in direct contact with the source metal region and being separated from the gate region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Giovanni GIORGINO, Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Cristina TRINGALI, Aurore CONSTANT
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Patent number: 12154967Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ohmic contact for a HEMT device, comprising the steps of: forming a photoresist layer, on a semiconductor body comprising a heterostructure; forming, in the photoresist layer, an opening, through which a surface region of the semiconductor body is exposed at said heterostructure; etching the surface region of the semiconductor body using the photoresist layer as etching mask to form a trench in the heterostructure; depositing one or more metal layers in said trench and on the photoresist layer; and carrying out a process of lift-off of the photoresist layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Cristina Tringali
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Patent number: 12148823Abstract: An HEMT device, comprising: a semiconductor body including a heterojunction structure; a dielectric layer on the semiconductor body; a gate electrode; a drain electrode, facing a first side of the gate electrode; and a source electrode, facing a second side opposite to the first side of the gate electrode; an auxiliary channel layer, which extends over the heterojunction structure between the gate electrode and the drain electrode, in electrical contact with the drain electrode and at a distance from the gate electrode, and forming an additional conductive path for charge carriers that flow between the source electrode and the drain electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Alessandro Chini
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Publication number: 20240332413Abstract: The HEMT device has a body including a heterostructure configured to generate a 2-dimensional charge-carrier gas; and a gate structure which extends on a top surface of the body and is biasable to electrically control the 2-dimensional charge-carrier gas. The gate structure has a channel modulating region of semiconductor material; a functional region of semiconductor material; and a gate contact region of conductive material. The functional region and the gate contact region extend on a top surface of the channel modulating region and the gate contact region is arranged laterally with respect to the functional region. The channel modulating region has a different conductivity type with respect to the functional region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Alessandro CHINI, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Aurore CONSTANT, Cristina TRINGALI
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Publication number: 20240313102Abstract: An integrated power device includes a heterostructure, having a channel layer and a barrier layer, a source contact, a drain contact, and a gate region, arranged on the barrier layer between the source contact and the drain contact. An insulating field structure is arranged on the barrier layer between the gate region and the drain contact. A field plate extends over the insulating field structure. The insulating field structure includes a first dielectric region made of a first dielectric material on the barrier layer and a second dielectric region made of a second dielectric material, selectively etchable with respect to the first dielectric material on the first dielectric region. On a side of the insulating field structure towards the gate region, the field plate is in contact with the first dielectric region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Cristina MICCOLI, Ferdinando IUCOLANO, Cristina TRINGALI, Maria Eloisa CASTAGNA, Alessandro CHINI