Patents by Inventor Gerhard Prechtl

Gerhard Prechtl 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: 20180159528
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first FET having gate, source and drain terminals, a switching device being configured to electrically short a gate-source capacitance of the first FET responsive to a control signal, a first gate lead, a second gate lead, a drain lead, and a source lead. The first and second gate leads, the drain lead, and the source lead form externally accessible terminals of the semiconductor assembly. A reverse blocking rating of the switching device is less than a reverse blocking rating of the first FET. A gate of the first FET is directly electrically connected to the first gate lead. A gate of the switching device is directly electrically connected to the second gate lead. The first FET and the switching device are the only active semiconductor devices connected between the first gate lead, the second gate lead, the drain lead, and the source lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Severin Kampl
  • Patent number: 9960157
    Abstract: Circuits and devices for bidirectional normally-off switches are described. A circuit for a bidirectional normally-off switch includes a depletion mode transistor and an enhancement mode transistor. The depletion mode transistor includes a first source/drain node, a second source/drain node, a first gate, and a second gate. The enhancement mode transistor includes a third source/drain node and a fourth source/drain node, and a third gate. The third source/drain node is coupled to the first source/drain node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Bernhard Zojer
  • Patent number: 9917578
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first FET integrated within the semiconductor assembly and comprising gate, source and drain terminals. The semiconductor assembly further includes a low voltage switching device integrated within the semiconductor assembly and being configured to electrically short a gate-source capacitance of the first FET responsive to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Severin Kampl
  • Publication number: 20180047813
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes forming an intentionally doped superlattice laminate on a support substrate, forming a Group III nitride-based device having a heterojunction on the superlattice laminate layer, and forming a charge blocking layer between the heterojunction and the superlattice laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Horst Schäfer, Oliver Häberlen
  • Patent number: 9887139
    Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor component is provided. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having a <111>-surface defining a vertical direction, forming in the silicon substrate at least one electronic component, forming at least two epitaxial semiconductor layers on the silicon substrate to form a heterojunction above the <111>-surface, and forming a HEMT-structure above the <111>-surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Gebhart Dippold
  • Publication number: 20170365520
    Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor component is provided. The method includes providing a silicon substrate having a <111>-surface defining a vertical direction, forming in the silicon substrate at least one electronic component, forming at least two epitaxial semiconductor layers on the silicon substrate to form a heterojunction above the <111>-surface, and forming a HEMT-structure above the <111>-surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Gebhart Dippold
  • Publication number: 20170365702
    Abstract: A high-electron-mobility semiconductor device includes: a buffer region having first, second and third cross-sections forming a stepped lateral profile, the first cross-section being thicker than the third cross-section and comprising a first buried field plate disposed therein, the second cross-section interposed between the first and third cross-sections and forming oblique angles with the first and third cross-sections; and a barrier region of substantially uniform thickness extending along the stepped lateral profile of the buffer region, the barrier region being separated from the first buried field plate by a portion of the buffer region. The buffer region is formed by a first semiconductor material and the barrier region is formed by a second semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier, Oliver Häberlen
  • Patent number: 9847394
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a Group III-nitride-based High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) configured as a bidirectional switch. The Group III nitride-based HEMT includes a first input/output electrode, a second input/output electrode, a gate structure arranged between the first input/output electrode and the second input/output electrode, and a field plate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Haeberlen, Clemens Ostermaier
  • Patent number: 9837522
    Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a III-Nitride bidirectional device. Such a bidirectional device includes a substrate, a back channel layer situated over the substrate, and a device channel layer and a device barrier layer situated over the back channel layer. The device channel layer and the device barrier layer are configured to produce a device two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). In addition, the III-Nitride bidirectional device includes first and second gates formed on respective first and second depletion segments situated over the device barrier layer. The III-Nitride bidirectional device also includes a back barrier situated between the back channel layer and the device channel layer. A polarization of the back channel layer of the III-Nitride bidirectional device is substantially equal to a polarization of the device channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier, Oliver Haeberlen
  • Patent number: 9837520
    Abstract: A Group III-nitride-based enhancement mode transistor includes a multi-heterojunction fin structure. A first side face of the multi-heterojunction fin structure is covered by a first p-type Group III-nitride layer, and a second side face of the multi-heterojunction fin structure is covered by a second p-type Group III-nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Clemens Ostermaier, Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Häberlen
  • Publication number: 20170271454
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a substrate structure includes a support substrate, a buffer structure arranged on the support substrate, the buffer structure including an intentionally doped superlattice laminate, an unintentionally doped first Group III nitride layer arranged on the buffer structure, a second Group III nitride layer arranged on the first Group III nitride layer forming a heterojunction therebetween, and a blocking layer arranged between the heterojunction and the buffer structure. The blocking layer is configured to block charges from entering the buffer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Horst Schäfer, Oliver Häberlen
  • Patent number: 9768258
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a substrate structure includes a support substrate, a buffer structure arranged on the support substrate, the buffer structure including an intentionally doped superlattice laminate, an unintentionally doped first Group III nitride layer arranged on the buffer structure, a second Group III nitride layer arranged on the first Group III nitride layer forming a heterojunction therebetween, and a blocking layer arranged between the heterojunction and the buffer structure. The blocking layer is configured to block charges from entering the buffer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Horst Schäfer, Oliver Häberlen
  • Publication number: 20170244407
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a first FET integrated within the semiconductor assembly and comprising gate, source and drain terminals. The semiconductor assembly further includes a low voltage switching device integrated within the semiconductor assembly and being configured to electrically short a gate-source capacitance of the first FET responsive to a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Severin Kampl
  • Publication number: 20170243936
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a substrate and a semiconductor body supported by the substrate and having a periphery which is devoid of active devices and terminates at an edge face of the semiconductor die. The semiconductor body includes a first III-nitride semiconductor layer and a plurality of second III-nitride semiconductor layers below the first III-nitride semiconductor layer. An uninsulated connection structure extends vertically in the periphery of the semiconductor body and provides a vertical leakage path for at least some of the second III-nitride semiconductor layers to the substrate, to a metallization layer disposed above the substrate, or to both. A corresponding method of manufacturing the semiconductor die is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Clemens Ostermaier, Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Häberlen
  • Patent number: 9728630
    Abstract: A high-electron-mobility field effect transistor is formed with a buffer region having a stepped lateral profile, the stepped lateral profile having first, second and third cross-sections of the buffer region, the first cross-section being thicker than the third cross-section and including a buried field plate, the second cross-section interposed between the first and third cross-sections and forming oblique angles with the first and third cross-sections. A barrier region is formed along the stepped lateral profile. The barrier region is separated from the buried field plate by a portion of the buffer region. The buffer region is formed from a first semiconductor material and the barrier region is formed from a second semiconductor material. The first and second semiconductor materials have different band-gaps such that an electrically conductive channel of a two-dimensional charge carrier gas arises at an interface between the buffer and barrier regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier, Oliver Haeberlen
  • Publication number: 20170200817
    Abstract: A method includes providing a heterostructure body with a buffer region, and a barrier region disposed on the buffer region, and forming a gate structure for controlling the channel on the heterostructure body, the gate structure having a doped semiconductor region disposed on the heterostructure body, an interlayer disposed on the doped semiconductor region, and a gate electrode disposed on the interlayer. Forming the gate structure includes controlling a doping concentration of the doped semiconductor region such that a portion of the channel adjacent the gate structure is non-conductive at zero gate bias, and controlling electrical and geometrical characteristics of the interlayer based upon a relationship between the electrical and geometrical characteristics of the interlayer and corresponding effects on a static threshold voltage and a dynamic threshold voltage shift of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Gilberto Curatola, Oliver Haeberlen, Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier
  • Publication number: 20170194230
    Abstract: A semiconductor die includes an III-V semiconductor body having a periphery devoid of active devices, the periphery terminating at an edge face of the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die further includes a seal ring structure above the periphery of the III-V semiconductor body and a barrier. The barrier is disposed over the periphery of the III-V semiconductor body at least between the seal ring structure and the edge face of the semiconductor die. The barrier has a density which prevents water, water ions, sodium ions and potassium ions from diffusing through the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Haeberlen
  • Publication number: 20170186600
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes treating an edge region of a wafer including a substrate having an upper surface and one or more epitaxial Group III nitride layers arranged on the upper surface of the substrate, so as to remove material including at least one Group III element from the edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Clemens Ostermaier, Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Haeberlen
  • Patent number: 9666705
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including a plurality of compound semiconductor layers and a two-dimensional charge carrier gas channel region formed in one of the compound semiconductor layers. The semiconductor device further includes a contact structure disposed in the semiconductor body. The contact structure includes a metal region and a doped region. The metal region extends into the semiconductor body from a first side of the semiconductor body to at least the compound semiconductor layer which includes the channel region. The doped region is formed in the semiconductor body between the metal region and the channel region so that the channel region is electrically connected to the metal region through the doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier, Oliver Häberlen, Gianmauro Pozzovivo
  • Patent number: 9647104
    Abstract: A Group III-nitride-based enhancement mode transistor having a heterojunction fin structure and a corresponding semiconductor device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Clemens Ostermaier, Gerhard Prechtl, Oliver Haeberlen