Patents by Inventor Koichiro Saga

Koichiro Saga 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: 20230411429
    Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first semiconductor layer including, for each pixel, a photoelectric conversion section and a charge accumulation section that accumulates signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion section; a second semiconductor layer stacked on the first semiconductor layer and having a first surface provided with a pixel transistor, in which the pixel transistor has a three-dimensional structure and reads the signal charge from the charge accumulation section; and a through-wiring line that directly couples the charge accumulation section and a gate electrode of the pixel transistor to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi NAKAZAWA, Takashi KOJIMA, Shinichi IMAI, Tokihisa KANEGUCHI, Koichiro SAGA, Kai TOKUHIRO, Takaaki HIRANO
  • Publication number: 20220367558
    Abstract: An apparatus and method enabling a reduction in a resistance of a conductive path electrically connecting an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The apparatus includes a first semiconductor layer with element formation regions disposed adjacent to one another via element isolation regions, each of the element formation regions having a first active element, contact regions on an element isolation region side of a front layer portion of the element formation regions, conductive pads connected to the contact regions and extending across the element isolation region, a first insulating layer, a second semiconductor layer on the first insulating layer and having a second active element, a second insulating layer covering the second semiconductor layer, and conductive plugs extending from the second insulating layer to the conductive pad, the conductive plugs including a material identical to a material of the conductive pad and formed integrally with the conductive pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobutoshi FUJII, Koichi SEJIMA, Koichiro SAGA, Shinichi MIYAKE
  • Patent number: 10734386
    Abstract: To further improve reliability as an element for the memory element. Provided is a memory element including: a plurality of magnetoresistive elements having an MTJ structure that are arrayed on a substrate. There is a region in which magnetism is neutralized in a region of a magnetic material layer that functions as a storage layer in the magnetoresistive element other than a region that functions as the magnetoresistive element, and the region in which magnetism is neutralized includes an alloy containing a first element constituting the magnetic material layer and a second element having an fcc structure when forming an alloy with the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ito, Koichiro Saga
  • Publication number: 20190103404
    Abstract: To further improve reliability as an element for the memory element. Provided is a memory element including: a plurality of magnetoresistive elements having an MTJ structure that are arrayed on a substrate. There is a region in which magnetism is neutralized in a region of a magnetic material layer that functions as a storage layer in the magnetoresistive element other than a region that functions as the magnetoresistive element, and the region in which magnetism is neutralized includes an alloy containing a first element constituting the magnetic material layer and a second element having an fcc structure when forming an alloy with the first element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya ITO, Koichiro SAGA
  • Publication number: 20140240370
    Abstract: A display includes: a light-emitting section provided in a display region; and a light-receiving section provided in the display region, and configured to receive light from the light-emitting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi SAKAIRI, Yoshiya HAGIMOTO, Hayato IWAMOTO, Koichiro SAGA, Nobutoshi FUJII
  • Patent number: 7767585
    Abstract: A method of cleaning for removing metal compounds attached to a surface of a substrate, wherein the cleaning is conducted by supplying a supercritical fluid of carbon dioxide comprising at least one of triallylamine and tris(3-aminopropyl)amine to the surface of the substrate and a process for producing a semiconductor device using the method of cleaning are provided. In accordance with the method of cleaning and the method for producing a semiconductor device using the method, etching residues or polishing residues containing metal compounds are efficiently removed selectively from the electroconductive material forming the electroconductive layer. When the electroconductive layer is a wiring, an increase in resistance due to residual metal compounds can be suppressed, and an increase in the leak current due to diffusion of the metal from the metal compounds to the insulating film can be prevented. Therefore, reliability on the wiring is improved, and the yield of the semiconductor device can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Kenji Yamada, Tomoyuki Azuma, Yuji Murata
  • Patent number: 7670496
    Abstract: A structural body comprising a substrate and a structural layer formed on the substrate through an air gap in which the structural layer functions as a micro movable element is produced by a process comprising a film-deposition step of successively forming a sacrificial layer made of a silicon oxide film and the structural layer on the substrate, an air gap-forming step of removing the sacrificial layer by etching with a treating fluid to form the air gap between the substrate and the structural layer, and a cleaning step. By using a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid containing a fluorine compound, a water-soluble organic solvent and water as the treating fluid, the sacrificial layer is removed in a short period of time with a small amount of the treating fluid without any damage to the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: SONY Corporation, Mitsubishiki Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Hiroya Watanabe, Tomoyuki Azuma
  • Publication number: 20090221143
    Abstract: A method of cleaning for removing metal compounds attached to a surface of a substrate, wherein the cleaning is conducted by supplying a supercritical fluid of carbon dioxide comprising at least one of triallylamine and tris(3-aminopropyl)amine to the surface of the substrate and a process for producing a semiconductor device using the method of cleaning are provided. In accordance with the method of cleaning and the method for producing a semiconductor device using the method, etching residues or polishing residues containing metal compounds are efficiently removed selectively from the electroconductive material forming the electroconductive layer. When the electroconductive layer is a wiring, an increase in resistance due to residual metal compounds can be suppressed, and an increase in the leak current due to diffusion of the metal from the metal compounds to the insulating film can be prevented. Therefore, reliability on the wiring is improved, and the yield of the semiconductor device can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Kenji Yamada, Tomoyuki Azuma, Yuji Murata
  • Publication number: 20080066787
    Abstract: A method for treating a substrate using a supercritical fluid as a medium is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing the supercritical fluid with a chemical under a pressure higher than a pressure for treating the substrate, and subsequently treating the substrate with the supercritical fluid mixed with the chemical at the pressure for treating the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Publication number: 20050205515
    Abstract: A structural body comprising a substrate and a structural layer formed on the substrate through an air gap in which the structural layer functions as a micro movable element is produced by a process comprising a film-deposition step of successively forming a sacrificial layer made of a silicon oxide film and the structural layer on the substrate, an air gap-forming step of removing the sacrificial layer by etching with a treating fluid to form the air gap between the substrate and the structural layer, and a cleaning step. By using a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid containing a fluorine compound, a water-soluble organic solvent and water as the treating fluid, the sacrificial layer is removed in a short period of time with a small amount of the treating fluid without any damage to the structural body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Hiroya Watanabe, Tomoyuki Azuma
  • Publication number: 20040259357
    Abstract: A surface treatment method of treating a surface having structural bodies formed thereon using a supercritical fluid (4) is characterized in adding a co-solvent or a reactant (5) such as ammonium hydroxide, alkanolamine, amine fluoride, hydrofluoric acid and so forth to the supercritical fluid (4). The supercritical fluid (4) may also be added with a surfactant (6) together with the co-solvent or the reactant (5). It is allowable to use a polar solvent as the surfactant (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Publication number: 20040221875
    Abstract: Method of using a supercritical fluid to clean a substrate having a fine structure in which a cleaning process is carried out by immersing the substrate in supercritical carbon dioxide for a predetermined time, and foreign matter adhering to the substrate is removed. After this, a rinsing process is performed on the substrate by stopping the supplying of a tertiary amine compound and supplying only the supercritical carbon dioxide so that the supercritical carbon dioxide to which the tertiary amine compound has been added is replaced with pure supercritical carbon dioxide. Next, the supplying of the carbon dioxide is stopped and the supercritical carbon dioxide inside the processing chamber is discharged so that the temperature and pressure inside the processing chamber fall, resulting in the carbon dioxide inside the processing chamber being gasified and the substrate being supercritically dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Hiroya Watanabe, Tomoyuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 6536136
    Abstract: To provide a substrate transfer apparatus capable of forming a hermetically-closed space integrated between a normal substrate processing apparatus which is not integrated with a substrate transfer unit and a substrate transfer container, the substrate transfer apparatus includes a main body in a box-like shape containing a substrate W, an upper opening (first opening) provided at the main body and connected to a bottom opening (substrate transfer port) of a container while maintaining an air tight state against outside air, a side wall opening (second opening) provided at the main body and connected to a substrate transfer port of the transfer processing apparatus while maintaining the air tight state against outside air, an exhaust pipe connected to the main body, an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing a bottom lid relative to the bottom opening in a state in which the upper opening and the bottom opening of the container are connected and transfer mechanisms installed in the main body for tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Patent number: 6533000
    Abstract: A hermetic substrate transportation container permitting storage of an electronic substrate is provided, keeping a rise of internal moisture concentration low, thus preventing generation of natural oxidation film on the surface of the electronic substrate and allowing detection of the contents inside the substrate transportation container, from outside. A container body having an aperture for loading and unloading an electronic substrate, the substrate transportation container comprising a lid for sealing such aperture, in which the container body and the lid are made of a material having an amorphous polyolefin as its main constituent. By constituting the container body and the lid using the amorphous polyolefin with low hygroscopic characteristic as a main constituent, it is possible to keep discharge of moisture from the internal wall thereof low and also to prevent an increase of moisture concentration in the sealed compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Publication number: 20010053418
    Abstract: A hermetic substrate transportation container permitting storage of an electronic substrate is provided, keeping a rise of internal moisture concentration low, thus preventing generation of natural oxidation film on the surface of the electronic substrate and allowing detection of the contents inside the substrate transportation container, from outside. A container body having an aperture for loading and unloading an electronic substrate, the substrate transportation container comprising a lid for sealing such aperture, in which the container body and the lid are made of a material having an amorphous polyolefin as its main constituent. By constituting the container body and the lid using the amorphous polyolefin with low hygroscopic characteristic as a main constituent, it is possible to keep discharge of moisture from the internal wall thereof low and also to prevent an increase of moisture concentration in the sealed compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Publication number: 20010026747
    Abstract: To provide a substrate transfer apparatus capable of forming a hermetically-closed space integrated between a normal substrate processing apparatus which is not integrated with a substrate transfer unit and a substrate transfer container, the substrate transfer apparatus includes a main body in a box-like shape containing a substrate W, an upper opening (first opening) provided at the main body and connected to a bottom opening (substrate transfer port) of a container while maintaining an air tight state against outside air, a side wall opening (second opening) provided at the main body and connected to a substrate transfer port of the transfer processing apparatus while maintaining the air tight state against outside air, an exhaust pipe connected to the main body, an opening/closing mechanism for opening and closing a bottom lid relative to the bottom opening in a state in which the upper opening and the bottom opening of the container are connected and transfer mechanisms installed in the main body for tra
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Patent number: 6267158
    Abstract: To provide a sealed container, a storage apparatus, an electronic part conveyance system and methods of storage and conveyance of an electronic part able to inhibit growth of a native oxide film on the electronic part without an excessive supply of an inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Patent number: 6044874
    Abstract: First and second wall portions respectively spread along first and second opposing inner surfaces of a housing portion, and a plurality of vent pores that are distributed along the first and second inner surfaces are formed in the first and second wall portions. Hence, when an ambient gas is supplied to a space between the first inner surface and the first wall portion and another ambient gas is simultaneously discharged from a space between the second inner surface and the second wall surface, a laminar flow of an ambient gas directed from the first inner surface toward the second inner surface is formed to be parallel to a plate-like body held by a base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Patent number: 5679171
    Abstract: A method of cleaning the surface of a substrate, wherein the first step of the process of cleaning the substrate including a step of cleaning the surface of the substrate by an acidic solution, oxidizing solution, or alkaline solution, comprises a step of removing the natural oxide film formed on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Saga, Sakuo Koyata, Takeshi Hattori