Patents by Inventor Gary H. Loechelt

Gary H. Loechelt 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).

  • Publication number: 20110193177
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a drain region of a transistor, a channel region of the transistor, and a doped region that is disposed under substantially all of the channel region, is not disposed under substantially all of a heavily doped portion of the drain region, and has a higher dopant concentration compared to the channel region. A process of forming an electronic device can include forming a drain region, a channel region, and a doped region, wherein the drain region has a conductivity type opposite that of the channel and doped region. After forming the drain, channel, and doped regions, the doped region is disposed under substantially all of the channel region, the doped region is not disposed under substantially all of a heavily doped portion of the drain region, and the drain region is laterally closer to the doped region than to the channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Publication number: 20110193160
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a buried conductive region, a buried insulating layer over the buried conductive region, and a semiconductor layer disposed over the buried insulating layer, wherein the semiconductor layer has a primary surface and an opposing surface, and the buried conductive region is disposed closer to the opposing surface than to the primary surface. The electronic device can also include a current-carrying electrode of a first transistor, wherein the current carrying electrode is disposed along the primary surface and spaced apart from the buried conductive layer. The electronic device can also include a vertical conductive structure extending through the buried insulating layer, wherein the vertical conductive structure is electrically connected to the current-carrying electrode and the buried conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Gordon M. Grivna, Peter J. Zdebel
  • Publication number: 20110193143
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a drain region of a transistor, wherein the drain region has a first conductivity type. The electronic device can also include a channel region of the transistor, wherein the channel region has a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The electronic device can further include a first doped region having the first conductivity type, wherein the first doped region extends from the drain region towards the channel region. The electronic device can still further include a second doped region having the first conductivity type, wherein the second doped region is disposed between the first doped region and the channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 7989857
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a transistor, wherein the electronic device can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface, a channel region, a gate electrode, a source region, a conductive electrode, and an insulating layer lying between the primary surface of the semiconductor layer and the conductive electrode. The insulating layer has a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is thinner than the second region. The channel region, gate electrode, source region, or any combination thereof can lie closer to the first region than the second region. The thinner portion can allow for faster switch of the transistor, and the thicker portion can allow a relatively large voltage difference to be placed across the insulating layer. Alternative shapes for the transitions between the different regions of the insulating layer and exemplary methods to achieve such shapes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Patent number: 7960781
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having vertical localized charge-compensated trenches, trench control regions, and sub-surface doped layers. The vertical localized charge-compensated trenches include at least a pair of opposite conductivity type semiconductor layers. The trench control regions are configured to provide a generally vertical channel region electrically coupling source regions to the sub-surface doped layers. The sub-surface doped layers are further configured to electrically connect the drain-end of the channel to the vertical localized charge compensation trenches. Body regions are configured to isolate the sub-surface doped layers from the surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Peter J. Zdebel
  • Publication number: 20110068344
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a transistor. In an embodiment, the transistor can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface and a conductive structure. The conductive structure can include a horizontally-oriented doped region lying adjacent to the primary surface, an underlying doped region spaced apart from the primary surface and the horizontally-oriented doped region, and a vertically-oriented conductive region extending through a majority of the thickness of the semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the doped horizontal region and the underlying doped region. In another embodiment, the transistor can include a gate dielectric layer, wherein the field-effect transistor is designed to have a maximum gate voltage of approximately 20 V, a maximum drain voltage of approximately 30 V, and a figure of merit no greater than approximately 30 m?*nC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Patent number: 7902017
    Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include providing a workpiece comprising a substrate, including an underlying doped region, and a semiconductor layer overlying the underlying doped region, wherein the semiconductor layer has a primary surface spaced apart from the underlying doped region. The process can also include forming a vertically-oriented conductive region extending from the primary surface to the underlying doped region, and forming a horizontally-oriented doped region adjacent to the primary surface. In a finished form of the electronic device, the horizontally-oriented doped region extends further in a lateral direction toward a region where a source region has been or will be formed, as compared to the vertically-oriented conductive region. The electronic device includes a transistor that includes the underlying doped region, the vertically-oriented conductive region, and the horizontally-oriented doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Patent number: 7902601
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed in a body of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes a charge compensating trench formed in proximity to active portions of the device. The charge compensating trench includes a trench filled with various layers of semiconductor material including opposite conductivity type layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, John M. Parsey, Jr., Peter J. Zdebel, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 7902075
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gordon M. Grivna, Gary H. Loechelt, John Michael Parsey, Jr., Mohammed Tanvir Quddus
  • Patent number: 7868379
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a transistor. In an embodiment, the transistor can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface and a conductive structure. The conductive structure can include a horizontally-oriented doped region lying adjacent to the primary surface, an underlying doped region spaced apart from the primary surface and the horizontally-oriented doped region, and a vertically-oriented conductive region extending through a majority of the thickness of the semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the doped horizontal region and the underlying doped region. In another embodiment, the transistor can include a gate dielectric layer, wherein the field-effect transistor is designed to have a maximum gate voltage of approximately 20 V, a maximum drain voltage of approximately 30 V, and a figure of merit no greater than approximately 30 m?*nC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Publication number: 20100327347
    Abstract: An electronic device including an integrated circuit can include a buried conductive region and a semiconductor layer overlying the buried conductive region, and a vertical conductive structure extending through the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the buried conductive region. The integrated circuit can further include a doped structure having an opposite conductivity type as compared to the buried conductive region, lying closer to an opposing surface than to a primary surface of the semiconductor layer, and being electrically connected to the buried conductive region. The integrated circuit can also include a well region that includes a portion of the semiconductor layer, wherein the portion overlies the doped structure and has a lower dopant concentration as compared to the doped structure. In other embodiment, the doped structure can be spaced apart from the buried conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Publication number: 20100327350
    Abstract: An electronic device, including an integrated circuit, can include a buried conductive region and a semiconductor layer overlying the buried conductive region, wherein the semiconductor layer has a primary surface and an opposing surface lying closer to the buried conductive region. The electronic device can also include a first doped region and a second doped region spaced apart from each other, wherein each is within the semiconductor layer and lies closer to primary surface than to the opposing surface. The electronic device can include current-carrying electrodes of transistors. A current-carrying electrode of a particular transistor includes the first doped region and is a source or an emitter and is electrically connected to the buried conductive region. Another current-carrying electrode of a different transistor includes the second doped region and is a drain or a collector and is electrically connected to the buried conductive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Gordon M. Grivna
  • Patent number: 7821063
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed in a body of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes a localized region of doping near a portion of a channel region where current exits during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Robert B. Davies, David H. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7768078
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed in a body of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes a counter-doped drain region spaced apart from a channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Peter J. Zdebel
  • Publication number: 20100151646
    Abstract: A process of forming an electronic device can include providing a workpiece comprising a substrate, including an underlying doped region, and a semiconductor layer overlying the underlying doped region, wherein the semiconductor layer has a primary surface spaced apart from the underlying doped region. The process can also include forming a vertically-oriented conductive region extending from the primary surface to the underlying doped region, and forming a horizontally-oriented doped region adjacent to the primary surface. In a finished form of the electronic device, the horizontally-oriented doped region extends further in a lateral direction toward a region where a source region has been or will be formed, as compared to the vertically-oriented conductive region. The electronic device includes a transistor that includes the underlying doped region, the vertically-oriented conductive region, and the horizontally-oriented doped region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Publication number: 20100148245
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a transistor. In an embodiment, the transistor can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface and a conductive structure. The conductive structure can include a horizontally-oriented doped re-ion lying adjacent to the primary surface, an underlying doped region spaced apart from the primary surface and the horizontally-oriented doped region, and a vertically-oriented conductive region extending through a majority of the thickness of the semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the doped horizontal region and the underlying doped region. In another embodiment, the transistor can include a gate dielectric layer, wherein the field-effect transistor is designed to have a maximum gate voltage of approximately 20 V, a maximum drain voltage of approximately 30 V, and a figure of merit no greater than approximately 30 m?*nC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Publication number: 20100148227
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a transistor, wherein the electronic device can include a semiconductor layer having a primary surface, a channel region, a gate electrode, a source region, a conductive electrode, and an insulating layer lying between the primary surface of the semiconductor layer and the conductive electrode. The insulating layer has a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is thinner than the second region. The channel region, gate electrode, source region, or any combination thereof can lie closer to the first region than the second region. The thinner portion can allow for faster switch of the transistor, and the thicker portion can allow a relatively large voltage difference to be placed across the insulating layer. Alternative shapes for the transitions between the different regions of the insulating layer and exemplary methods to achieve such shapes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Patent number: 7732862
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed in a body of semiconductor material. The semiconductor device includes an offset body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary H. Loechelt
  • Publication number: 20100059814
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having vertical localized charge-compensated trenches, trench control regions, and sub-surface doped layers. The vertical localized charge-compensated trenches include at least a pair of opposite conductivity type semiconductor layers. The trench control regions are configured to provide a generally vertical channel region electrically coupling source regions to the sub-surface doped layers. The sub-surface doped layers are further configured to electrically connect the drain-end of the channel to the vertical localized charge compensation trenches. Body regions are configured to isolate the sub-surface doped layers from the surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gary H. Loechelt, Peter J. Zdebel
  • Publication number: 20100059815
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having a trench structure. The trench structure includes a single crystalline semiconductor plug formed along exposed upper surfaces of the trench. In one embodiment, the single crystalline semiconductor plug seals the trench to form a sealed core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gordon M. Grivna, Gary H. Loechelt, John Michael Parsey, JR., Mohammed Tanvir Quddus