Patents by Inventor James A. Benjamin

James A. Benjamin 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: 4670064
    Abstract: A semiconductor ion implantation processing technique is disclosed for implanting high purity, high flux density ions in a semiconductor wafer substrate. A reactant gas is irradiated with excimer pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation at a discrete designated pulsed wavelength corresponding to a discrete designated ionization excitation energy of the gas photochemically breaking bonds of the gas to nonthermally photolytically ionize the gas. The ions are then accelerated by an electric field for subsequent implantation into a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Schachameyer, James A. Benjamin, John B. Pardee, Lyle O. Hoppie
  • Patent number: 4670764
    Abstract: A power JFET (2) has a stack (4) of alternating conductivity type layers (5-9) forming a plurality of channels (6, 8). The JFET has an ON state conducting bidirectional current horizontally through the channels. The channels are stacked vertically, and the JFET has an OFF state blocking current flow through the channels due to vertical depletion pinch-off. Various main and gate terminal and drift region structures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Benjamin, Herman P. Schutten, Robert W. Lade
  • Patent number: 4670063
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing technique is disclosed for periodically selectively effecting lattice ordering and dopant distribution during a semiconductor layer formation process. Excimer pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation is provided at different energy fluxes to provide an electrically active layer as formed, without post-annealing, and curing lattice damage otherwise due to certain processing methods such as ion implantation. In a photolytic deposition technique, excimer laser radiation is periodically increased to transiently provide a pyrolytic thermal reaction in the layer as thus far deposited to provide a plurality of short intermittent periodic annealing steps to ensure crystallization as the layer continues to be deposited at lower radiation energy fluxes. Single crystalline material may be formed without post-annealing by periodically irradiating incremental thicknesses of the layer as formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Schachameyer, James A. Benjamin, John B. Pardee, Lyle O. Hoppie
  • Patent number: 4668304
    Abstract: A dopant gettering semiconductor processing technique is disclosed for selectively activating an otherwise benign reactant to remove dopant from a semiconductor wafer substrate. Excimer pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation is provided at a discrete designated pulsed wavelength corresponding to a discrete designated gettering excitation energy of the otherwise benign reactant photochemically breaking bonds of the reactant such that the reactant is photolytically activated to remove dopant from the substrate, without thermally driven pyrolytic reaction. The bonds of a reactant gas are photochemically broken to produce gettering agents reacting with the substrate to remove dopant by forming a gaseous compound liberated from the substrate and benign to and unactivated by the discrete designated wavelength of the excimer pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Schachameyer, James A. Benjamin, John B. Pardee, Lyle O. Hoppie, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4655849
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing technique is disclosed for reasonantly reacting with a semiconductor wafer substrate and cleaving surface atomic bonds to create dangling bonds. The substrate is irradiated with excimer pulsed ultraviolet laser radiation at a discrete designed wavelength to resonantly photolytically cleave surface bonds and create the dangling bonds. This enhances further processing operations such as single crystalline silicon deposition and enhanced bonding and growth thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Schachameyer, James A. Benjamin, John B. Pardee, Lyle O. Hoppie
  • Patent number: 4642665
    Abstract: MOMOM structural geometry and fabrication techniques are disclosed. First and second metal layer strips (6 and 10) are supported on an insulating substrate (4) and have vertically overlapped portions sandwiched between insulating layers (8, 12). A generally vertical side (18) is defined through the layers to the substrate to expose vertical edges (20, 24) of the metal layers which are oxidized (32, 34) and covered by a third metal layer (44) extending therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the middle insulating layer (8) is undercut (28), oxidized (36, 40), and filled with metallization (50), to provide a vertical rectilinear conduction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4635084
    Abstract: A power JFET (2) has a common drift region (4) between split first and second longitudinally separated sets of rows (6, 8) of alternating conductivity type layers (10-20 and 21-31) forming a plurality of channels (11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30). The JFET has an ON state conducting bidirectional current horizontally longitudinally through the common drift region and the channels. The JFET has an OFF state blocking current flow through the channels due to horizontally lateral depletion pinch-off. The layers of the rows extend vertically and horizontally longitudinally such that the direction of layering extends horizontally laterally. Particular gate structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4633278
    Abstract: MOMOM structural geometry and fabrication techniques are disclosed. A first oxidizable metal strip (3) and a second coplanar nonoxidizable metal strip (6) are deposited on an insulating substrate (2). An insulating layer (12) is deposited on the metal strips, followed by deposition of a third nonoxidizable metal layer. A generally vertical notch (14) is cut through the layers to the substrate providing left and right sections (15, 16) of the third metal layer, left and right sections (19, 20) of the insulating layer, and the first and second metal layers with facing edges (23, 24) spaced by the notch therebetween. An oxidized tip (25) is formed at the facing edge of the first metal layer. A fourth metal layer (26) is ballistically deposited over the oxidized tip and the left section of the third metal layer, using the notch edge of the right section of the third metal layer as a shadow mask, followed by oxidization of the fourth metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4633281
    Abstract: A power JFET (2) has a common drift region (4) between a pair of spaced first and second stacks (6, 8) of alternating conductivity type layers (10-14 and 15-19) forming a plurality of channels (11, 13, 16 and 18). The JFET has an ON state conducting bidirectional current horizontally through the common drift region and the channels. The channels are stacked vertically, and the JFET has an OFF state blocking current flow through the channels due to vertical depletion pinch-off. Field shaping and high blocking voltage capability are provided. Particular main terminal and gate structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4624533
    Abstract: A solid display is provided by a semiconductor switched between transparent and opaque conditions according to external removal of carriers from the conduction band for controlling absorption of light-energy. A semiconductor has an energy band gap affording a normally saturated conduction band in response to impinging light energy of a given range wavelength. The normally saturated condition of the semiconductor prevents further absorption, and enables light to pass thererthrough. The semiconductor is switched to an opaque condition by completing an electric circuit for removing carriers from the conduction band to enable further absorption of incident light in the semiconductor by raising additional carriers from the valence band to the conduction band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin, Stanley V. Jasolski, Gordon B. Spellman
  • Patent number: 4622568
    Abstract: Lateral planar FET structure (2) is disclosed for bidirection power switching, including AC application. Voltage blocking capability is enhanced in the lateral current flow device (2) by field shaping in the drift region (22). In the OFF state, the field shaping region (24) straightens field lines and prevents gradient induced depletion and unwanted inversion of conductivity type along a lateral drift region portion (54) extending beneath a top major surface (28) of the substrate between channel-containing regions (6) and (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade
  • Patent number: 4622569
    Abstract: A lateral bidirectional power FET (2) has a common drift region (6) between first and second stacks (8, 10) of alternating conductivity type layers (12-17 and 18-23). A notch (38) extends vertically downwardly into the drift region and laterally separates the stacks above the drift region. The stacks include a plurality of channel-containing regions (12-14 and 18-20) interleaved with a plurality of source regions (15-17 and 21-23). In the ON state, bidirectional current flows serially through the source regions and channels of each stack and through the drift region. In the OFF state, voltage is dropped across the plurality of junctions in series in the stacks, and the respective junctions with the drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin, Herman P. Schutten
  • Patent number: 4612465
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bidirectional power switching, including AC application. A notch extends downwardly from a top major surface to separate left and right source regions and left and right channel regions, and direct the drift region current path between the channels around the bottom of the notch. Split gate electrodes in the notch proximate the channels control bidirectional conduction, and are at non-common potentials in the OFF state to increase breakdown voltage. Self-shielding of the gates is also disclosed to further increase OFF state breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4577052
    Abstract: An AC solar cell is provided by a pair of PN junction type solar cells connected in antiparallel between a pair of main terminals, and means for directing light alternatingly on the PN junctions to generate an alternating potential across the main terminals. AC electrical energy is generated without a DC to AC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade
  • Patent number: 4577208
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bidirectional power switching, including AC application. Integral avalanche protection is provided by a pair of isolation regions forming protective barrier junctions with a common layer, which junctions are in parallel with the reverse blocking junctions of the power FET in the OFF state and have a lower reverse breakover threshold for protecting the latter. A plurality of integrated FETs each have left and right source regions and left and right channel regions with a common drift region therebetween, and conduct current in either direction according to the polarity of main terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, Robert W. Lade, James A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4574208
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bi-directional power switching. A raised gate structure enables distal gate electrode portions to be in close proximity to FET channels and the remainder of the gate to be separated from the drift or drain region by a substantially greater distance so as to prevent undesired inducement of potential conduction channels through the drift region in the OFF state. This enables the gate to be referenced to the same potential level as one of the main terminals in the OFF state while still affording high voltage blocking capability. A multicell matrix array is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lade, Herman P. Schutten, James A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4574207
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bidirectional power switching, including AC appliction. Main electrodes extend downwardly into and through respective source regions and at least into regions having respective channel portions. Notch gate structure extends into the drift region and separates the main electrodes and the respective source regions and channels. High density, high voltage plural FET structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Benjamin, Herman P. Schutten, Robert W. Lade
  • Patent number: 4574209
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bidirectional power switching. A split gate structure is provided to prevent unwanted formation of potential conduction channels in the OFF state of the FET. This enables the gate to be referenced in common to one of the source regions in the OFF state while still affording high blocking voltage capability. A multicell matrix array is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lade, Herman P. Schutten, James A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4571512
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed for bidirectional power switching, including AC application. Voltage blocking capability is substantially increased by a shielding electrode insulated between first and second gate electrodes in a notch between laterally spaced source regions and channel regions joined by a common drift region around the bottom of the notch. The shielding electrode prevents the electric field gradient toward the gate electrode on one side of the notch from inducing depletion in the drift region along the opposite side of the notch. This prevents unwanted inducement of conduction channels in the drift region during the OFF state of the FET. High density, high voltage, plural FET structure is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Herman P. Schutten, James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade
  • Patent number: 4571606
    Abstract: Lateral FET structure is disclosed with an insulative region such as porous silicon filled with oxide formed in the drift region to divert the drift region current path and increase the length thereof to afford higher OFF state blocking voltage without increasing lateral dimensions. Combinations involving bidirectional power switching structures are also disclosed, as well as a multicell matrix array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Benjamin, Robert W. Lade, Herman P. Schutten, Stanley V. Jaskolski