Patents by Inventor Franz Schrank

Franz Schrank 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: 10468541
    Abstract: A dielectric layer (2) is arranged on the main surface (10) of a semiconductor substrate (1), and a passivation layer (6) is arranged on the dielectric layer. A metal layer (3) is embedded in the dielectric layer above an opening (12) in the substrate, and a metallization (14) is arranged in the opening. The metallization contacts the metal layer and forms a through-substrate via to a rear surface (11) of the substrate. A layer or layer sequence (7, 8, 9) comprising at least one further layer is arranged on the passivation layer above the opening. In this way the bottom of the through-substrate via is stabilized. A plug (17) may additionally be arranged in the opening without filling the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Franz Schrank, Sara Carniello, Hubert Enichlmair, Jochen Kraft, Bernhard Loeffler, Rainer Holzhaider
  • Publication number: 20190265119
    Abstract: A pressure sensor device comprises a substrate body, a pressure sensor comprising a membrane, and a cap body comprising at least one opening. The pressure sensor is arranged between the substrate body and the cap body in a vertical direction which is perpendicular to the main plane of extension of the substrate body, and the mass of the substrate body equals approximately the mass of the cap body. Furthermore, a method for forming a pressure sensor device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Joerg Siegert, Willem Frederik Adrianus Besling, Coenraad Cornelis Tak, Martin SCHREMS, FRANZ SCHRANK
  • Patent number: 10340254
    Abstract: The method of producing an interposer-chip-arrangement, comprises providing an interposer (1) with an integrated circuit (25), arranging a dielectric layer (2) with metal layers embedded in the dielectric layer above a main surface (10) of the interposer, connecting the integrated circuit with at least one of the metal layers, forming an interconnection (7) through the interposer, the interconnection contacting one of the metal layers, arranging a further dielectric layer (3) above a further main surface (11) of the interposer opposite the main surface and arranging a further metal layer in or on the further dielectric layer, the further metal layer being connected with the interconnection, arranging a chip provided with at least one contact pad at the main surface or at the further main surface, and electrically conductively connecting the contact pad with the interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Jochen Kraft, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank
  • Patent number: 10332931
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor wafer with an integrated circuit, formed by a plurality of dies, a further semiconductor wafer, which differs from the semiconductor wafer in diameter and semiconductor material, the semiconductor wafer and the further semiconductor wafer being bonded to one another by means of a bonding layer, and an electrically conductive contact layer arranged on the further semiconductor wafer opposite to the bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Cathal Cassidy, Joerg Siegert, Franz Schrank
  • Publication number: 20190165020
    Abstract: A method is proposed to produce an optical sensor at wafer-level, the methods comprises the following steps. A wafer is provided and has a main top surface and a main back surface. At or near the top surface of the wafer at least one integrated circuit is arranged having a light sensitive component. A first mold tool is placed over the at least one integrated circuit such that at least one channel remains between the first mold tool and the top surface to enter a first mold material. A first mold structure is formed by wafer-level molding the first mold material via the at least one channel. The first mold material creates at least one runner structure. A second mold tool is placed over the first mold structure and a second mold structure is formed by wafer-level molding a second mold material by means of the second mold tool. A light path blocking structure is arranged on the top surface to block light from entering via the at least one runner structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Gregor Toschkoff, Thomas Bodner, Franz Schrank
  • Patent number: 10283541
    Abstract: A photosensor (2) is arranged in a semiconductor substrate (1) at a main surface (10), a dielectric layer (4) is arranged on or above the main surface, the dielectric layer including a metal layer (6) electrically connected with the photosensor, and an aperture layer (16) formed from an opaque or semitransparent material is arranged on or above the dielectric layer. The aperture layer is provided with an array of transparent aperture zones (18) above the photosensor, each of the aperture zones penetrating the aperture layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Joerg Siegert, Franz Schrank, Martin Schrems
  • Patent number: 10256147
    Abstract: The dicing method comprises the steps of providing a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, the substrate having a main surface (10), where integrated components (3) of chips (13) are arranged, and a rear surface (11) opposite the main surface, fastening a first handling wafer above the main surface, thinning the substrate at the rear surface, and forming trenches (20) penetrating the substrate and separating the chips by a single etching step after the substrate has been thinned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Martin Schrems, Bernhard Stering, Franz Schrank
  • Patent number: 10243017
    Abstract: The sensor chip stack comprises a sensor substrate of a semiconductor material including a sensor, a chip fastened to the sensor substrate, the chip including an integrated circuit, electric interconnections between the sensor substrate and the chip, electric terminals of the chip, the chip being arranged between the electric terminals and the sensor substrate, and a molding material arranged adjacent to the chip, the electric terminals of the chip being free from the molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ams International AG
    Inventors: Georg Parteder, Jochen Kraft, Franz Schrank, Thomas Troxler, Andreas Fitzi
  • Publication number: 20190035835
    Abstract: A top surface of a substrate is provided with a detection element for detecting electromagnetic radiation. A refractive element is formed by a portion of a cover element, which is attached to the substrate, so that the refractive element is arranged facing the detection element. The refractive element may be arranged within a recess of the cover element, so that a cavity is formed between the detection element and the refraction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jens HOFRICHTER, Franz SCHRANK, Joerg SIEGERT
  • Publication number: 20180323320
    Abstract: An optical package is proposed comprising a carrier, an optoelectronic component, an aspheric lens, and a reflective layer. The carrier comprises electrical interconnections and the optoelectric component is arranged for emitting and/or detecting electromagnetic radiation in a specified wavelength range. Furthermore, the optoelectric component is mounted on the carrier or integrated into the carrier and electrically connected to the electric interconnections. The aspheric lens has an upper surface, a lateral surface, and a bottom surface and the bottom surface is arranged on or near the optoelectric component. The aspheric lens comprises a material which is at least transparent in the specified wavelength range. The reflective layer comprises a reflective material, wherein the reflective layer at least partly covers the lateral surface of the aspheric lens, and wherein the reflective material is at least partly reflective in the specified wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: David MEHRL, Thomas BODNER, Gregor TOSCHKOFF, Harald ETSCHMAIER, Franz SCHRANK
  • Patent number: 10084004
    Abstract: A sensor (2) is arranged at a main surface (10) of a semiconductor substrate (1), and a filter (3) is arranged above the sensor. A through-substrate via (4) penetrates the substrate outside the region of the sensor. A semiconductor body is applied above the main surface and then partially removed at least in an area above the sensor. A portion of the semiconductor body remains above the through-substrate via as a frame layer (5). The filter is on a level with the frame layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Hubert Enichlmair, Franz Schrank
  • Publication number: 20180226514
    Abstract: A method of producing an optical sensor at wafer-level, comprising the steps of providing a wafer having a main top surface and a main back surface and arrange at or near the top surface of the wafer at least one first integrated circuit having at least one light sensitive component. Furthermore, providing in the wafer at least one through-substrate via for electrically contacting the top surface and back surface and forming a first mold structure by wafer-level molding a first mold material over the top surface of the wafer, such that the first mold structure at least partly encloses the first integrated circuit. Finally, forming a second mold structure by wafer-level molding a second mold material over the first mold structure, such that the second mold structure at least partly encloses the first mold structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Harald ETSCHMAIER, Gregor TOSCHKOFF, Thomas BODNER, Franz SCHRANK
  • Publication number: 20180096969
    Abstract: The method of producing an interposer-chip-arrangement, comprises providing an interposer (1) with an integrated circuit (25), arranging a dielectric layer (2) with metal layers embedded in the dielectric layer above a main surface (10) of the interposer, connecting the integrated circuit with at least one of the metal layers, forming an interconnection (7) through the interposer, the interconnection contacting one of the metal layers, arranging a further dielectric layer (3) above a further main surface (11) of the interposer opposite the main surface and arranging a further metal layer in or on the further dielectric layer, the further metal layer being connected with the interconnection, arranging a chip provided with at least one contact pad at the main surface or at the further main surface, and electrically conductively connecting the contact pad with the interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jochen KRAFT, Martin SCHREMS, Franz SCHRANK
  • Patent number: 9870988
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided with an annular cavity extending from a front side of the substrate to an opposite rear side. A metallization is applied in the annular cavity, thereby forming a through-substrate via and leaving an opening of the annular cavity at the front side. A solder ball is placed above the opening and a reflow of the solder ball is effected, thereby forming a void of the through-substrate via, the void being covered by the solder ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Cathal Cassidy, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank
  • Publication number: 20180006074
    Abstract: The sensor chip stack comprises a sensor substrate of a semiconductor material including a sensor, a chip fastened to the sensor substrate, the chip including an integrated circuit, electric interconnections between the sensor substrate and the chip, electric terminals of the chip, the chip being arranged between the electric terminals and the sensor substrate, and a molding material arranged adjacent to the chip, the electric terminals of the chip being free from the molding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Georg PARTEDER, Jochen KRAFT, Franz SCHRANK, Thomas TROXLER, Andreas FITZI
  • Publication number: 20170365551
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided with an annular cavity extending from a front side of the substrate to an opposite rear side. A metallization is applied in the annular cavity, thereby forming a through-substrate via and leaving an opening of the annular cavity at the front side. A solder ball is placed above the opening and a reflow of the solder ball is effected, thereby forming a void of the through-substrate via, the void being covered by the solder ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Cathal CASSIDY, Martin SCHREMS, Franz SCHRANK
  • Patent number: 9818724
    Abstract: The interposer-chip-arrangement comprises an interposer (1), metal layers arranged above a main surface (10), a further metal layer arranged above a further main surface (11) opposite the main surface, an electrically conductive interconnection (7) through the interposer, the interconnection connecting one of the metal layers and the further metal layer, a chip (12) arranged at the main surface or at the further main surface, the chip having a contact pad (15), which is electrically conductively connected with the interconnection, a dielectric layer (2) arranged above the main surface with the metal layers embedded in the dielectric layer, a further dielectric layer (3) arranged above the further main surface with the further metal layer embedded in the further dielectric layer, and an integrated circuit (25) in the interposer, the integrated circuit being connected with at least one of the metal layers (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Jochen Kraft, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank
  • Publication number: 20170309665
    Abstract: A photosensor (2) is arranged in a semiconductor substrate (1) at a main surface (10), a dielectric layer (4) is arranged on or above the main surface, the dielectric layer including a metal layer (6) electrically connected with the photosensor, and an aperture layer (16) formed from an opaque or semitransparent material is arranged on or above the dielectric layer. The aperture layer is provided with an array of transparent aperture zones (18) above the photosensor, each of the aperture zones penetrating the aperture layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Joerg SIEGERT, Franz SCHRANK, Martin SCHREMS
  • Patent number: 9773729
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided with a through-substrate via comprising a metallization and an opening. A solder ball is placed on the opening. A reflow of the solder ball is performed in such a way that the solder ball closes the through-substrate via and leaves a void in the through-substrate via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Cathal Cassidy, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank
  • Patent number: 9735101
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate (10) with a metallization (111) having an upper terminal layer (22) located at a front side (20) of the substrate. The metallization forms a through-substrate via (23) from the upper terminal layer to a rear terminal layer (13) located opposite to the front side at a rear side (21) of the substrate. The through-substrate via comprises an annular cavity (18) and a void (101), which may be filled with air or another gas. A solder ball (100) closes the void without completely filling it. A variety of interconnections for three-dimensional integration is offered by this scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Cathal Cassidy, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank