Patents by Inventor Matthias Kuenle

Matthias Kuenle 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: 12211703
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer being of the same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer having a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate; increasing the porosity of the first semiconductor layer; first annealing the first semiconductor layer in an atmosphere including an inert gas; forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer; and separating the second semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate by splitting within the first semiconductor layer. Additional methods of forming a semiconductor device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Alexander Breymesser, Bernhard Goller, Matthias Kuenle, Helmut Oefner, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Stephan Voss
  • Patent number: 12018369
    Abstract: A processing chamber includes a chamber body, a substrate support configured to hold a substrate in place, and a pre-heat ring having a central opening sized to be disposed around the substrate. A process gas inlet is configured to direct process gas in a lateral direction to flow over the pre-heat ring and the substrate. A process gas flow deflector includes a radially outer mounting portion and a radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion extending in a radial direction. The radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion is shaped as a ring segment. The radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion is disposed above the process gas inlet and dimensioned to overlap with the pre-heat ring, wherein a degree of overlap between the pre-heat ring and process gas flow deflector in the radial direction is at least ½ of the radial dimension of the pre-heat ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kuenle, Olaf Fiedler, Thomas Huber, Christian Illemann, Mathias Male
  • Publication number: 20240128356
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a semiconductor device, the method including forming a plurality of semiconductor arrangements one above the other, wherein forming each of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements includes forming a semiconductor layer, forming a plurality of trenches in a first surface of the semiconductor layer, and implanting dopant atoms of at least one of a first type and a second type into at least one of a first sidewall and a second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches. Forming of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements further includes forming a protective layer covering mesa regions between the plurality of trenches of the respective semiconductor layer, and covering a bottom, the first sidewall and the second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches that are formed in the respective semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Tutuc, Matthias Kuenle, Ingo Muri, Hans Weber
  • Patent number: 11894445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a semiconductor device, the method including forming a plurality of semiconductor arrangements one above the other, wherein forming each of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements includes forming a semiconductor layer, forming a plurality of trenches in a first surface of the semiconductor layer, and implanting dopant atoms of at least one of a first type and a second type into at least one of a first sidewall and a second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches. Forming of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements further includes forming a protective layer covering mesa regions between the plurality of trenches of the respective semiconductor layer, and covering a bottom, the first sidewall and the second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches that are formed in the respective semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Daniel Tutuc, Matthias Kuenle, Ingo Muri, Hans Weber
  • Publication number: 20230395394
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer being of the same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer having a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate; increasing the porosity of the first semiconductor layer; first annealing the first semiconductor layer in an atmosphere including an inert gas; forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer; and separating the second semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate by splitting within the first semiconductor layer. Additional methods of forming a semiconductor device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Alexander Breymesser, Bernhard Goller, Matthias Kuenle, Helmut Oefner, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Stephan Voss
  • Publication number: 20230275033
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a semiconductor base substrate. An alignment structure is formed on a surface of the semiconductor base substrate. An epitaxial layer is deposited on the surface of the semiconductor base substrate. The alignment structure includes an area of the surface of the semiconductor base substrate that is formed as a groove pattern. Grooves of the groove pattern are aligned with a specific crystallographic direction of the semiconductor base substrate. The specific crystallographic direction provides for a slower epitaxial growth rate on such a groove-patterned base substrate surface area compared to epitaxial growth on a surface of the semiconductor base substrate adjacent to the groove-patterned area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Matthias Kuenle, Iris Moder, Joerg Ortner
  • Patent number: 11742215
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, including forming a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer being of the same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer having a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate, increasing the porosity of the first semiconductor layer, first annealing the first semiconductor layer at a temperature of at least 1050° C., forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer and separating the second semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate by splitting within the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Alexander Breymesser, Bernhard Goller, Matthias Kuenle, Helmut Oefner, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Stephan Voss
  • Patent number: 11515264
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor wafer is proposed. The method may include reducing a thickness of the semiconductor wafer. A carrier structure is placed on a first side of the semiconductor wafer, e.g. before or after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes providing a support structure on a second side of the semiconductor wafer opposite to the first side, e.g. after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. Methods for welding a support structure onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed. Further, semiconductor composite structures with support structures welded onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Alexander Breymesser, Erich Griebl, Michael Knabl, Matthias Kuenle, Andreas Moser, Roland Rupp, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Sokratis Sgouridis, Stephan Voss
  • Publication number: 20220359428
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor wafer is proposed. The method may include: reducing a thickness of the semiconductor wafer; before or after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer, placing a carrier structure at a first side of the semiconductor wafer; and after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer, providing a support structure at a second side of the semiconductor wafer opposite to the first side. Methods for welding a support structure onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed. Further, semiconductor composite structures with support structures welded onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Alexander Breymesser, Erich Griebl, Michael Knabl, Matthias Kuenle, Andreas Moser, Roland Rupp, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Sokratis Sgouridis, Stephan Voss
  • Publication number: 20220052182
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a semiconductor device, the method including forming a plurality of semiconductor arrangements one above the other, wherein forming each of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements includes forming a semiconductor layer, forming a plurality of trenches in a first surface of the semiconductor layer, and implanting dopant atoms of at least one of a first type and a second type into at least one of a first sidewall and a second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches. Forming of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor arrangements further includes forming a protective layer covering mesa regions between the plurality of trenches of the respective semiconductor layer, and covering a bottom, the first sidewall and the second sidewall of each of the plurality of trenches that are formed in the respective semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Tutuc, Matthias Kuenle, Ingo Muri, Hans Weber
  • Publication number: 20220037165
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, including forming a first semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer being of the same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the first semiconductor layer having a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate, increasing the porosity of the first semiconductor layer, first annealing the first semiconductor layer at a temperature of at least 1050° C., forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer and separating the second semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate by splitting within the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Schulze, Alexander Breymesser, Bernhard Goller, Matthias Kuenle, Helmut Oefner, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Stephan Voss
  • Publication number: 20220018023
    Abstract: A processing chamber includes a chamber body, a substrate support configured to hold a substrate in place, and a pre-heat ring having a central opening sized to be disposed around the substrate. A process gas inlet is configured to direct process gas in a lateral direction to flow over the pre-heat ring and the substrate. A process gas flow deflector includes a radially outer mounting portion and a radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion extending in a radial direction. The radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion is shaped as a ring segment. The radially inner blade-shaped process gas deflection portion is disposed above the process gas inlet and dimensioned to overlap with the pre-heat ring, wherein a degree of overlap between the pre-heat ring and process gas flow deflector in the radial direction is at least ½ of the radial dimension of the pre-heat ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Matthias Kuenle, Olaf Fiedler, Thomas Huber, Christian Illemann, Mathias Male
  • Patent number: 11149351
    Abstract: A CVD reactor, including a deposition chamber housing a first susceptor and a second susceptor, the first susceptor having a cavity for receiving a first substrate, the first substrate having a front surface and a back surface, the second susceptor having a cavity for receiving a second substrate, the second substrate having a front surface and a back surface, and the first susceptor and the second susceptor are disposed so that the front surface of the first substrate is opposite to the front surface of the second substrate thereby forming a portion of a gas flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kuenle, Johannes Baumgartl, Manfred Engelhardt, Christian Illemann, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Olaf Storbeck
  • Patent number: 11004963
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an insulated gate bipolar transistor in a semiconductor body. A first field stop zone portion of a first conductivity type is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A second field stop zone portion of the first conductivity type is formed on the first field stop zone portion. A drift zone of the first conductivity type is formed on the second field stop zone portion. A doping concentration in the drift zone is smaller than 1013 cm?3 along a vertical extension of more than 30% of a thickness of the semiconductor body upon completion of the insulated gate bipolar transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Oana Julia Spulber, Matthias Kuenle, Wolfgang Roesner, Christian Philipp Sandow, Christoph Weiss
  • Patent number: 10825716
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having a first side; forming a plurality of recess structures in the semiconductor substrate at the first side; filling the recess structures with a dielectric material to form dielectric islands in the recess structures; forming a semiconductor layer on the first side of the semiconductor substrate to cover the dielectric islands; and subjecting the semiconductor layer to heat treatment and recrystallizing the semiconductor layer to form a recrystallized semiconductor layer, so that a crystal structure of the recrystallized semiconductor layer adapts to a crystal structure of the semiconductor substrate, and so that the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer together form a compound wafer with the dielectric islands at least partially buried in the semiconductor material of the compound wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Moser, Matteo Dainese, Matthias Kuenle, Hans-Joachim Schulze
  • Patent number: 10727311
    Abstract: A method for forming a power semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: providing a semiconductor wafer grown by a Czochralski process and having a first side; forming an n-type substrate doping layer in the semiconductor wafer at the first side, the substrate doping layer having a doping concentration of at least 1017/cm3; and forming an epitaxy layer on the first side of the semiconductor wafer after forming the n-type substrate doping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Schmidt, Johannes Konrad Baumgartl, Matthias Kuenle, Erwin Lercher, Daniel Schloegl
  • Patent number: 10529809
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power semiconductor device includes: creating a doped contact region on top of a surface of a carrier; creating, on top of the contact region, a doped transition region having a maximum dopant concentration of at least 0.5*1015 cm?3 for at least 70% of a total extension of the doped transition region in an extension direction and a maximal dopant concentration gradient of at most 3*1022 cm?4, wherein a lower subregion of the doped transition region is in contact with the contact region and has a maximum dopant concentration at least 100 times higher than a maximum dopant concentration of an upper subregion of the doped transition region; and creating a doped drift region on top of the upper subregion of the doped transition region, the doped drift region having a lower dopant concentration than the upper subregion of the doped transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kuenle, Daniel Schloegl, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Christoph Weiss
  • Publication number: 20190363057
    Abstract: A method for processing a semiconductor wafer is proposed. The method may include reducing a thickness of the semiconductor wafer. A carrier structure is placed on a first side of the semiconductor wafer, e.g. before or after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes providing a support structure on a second side of the semiconductor wafer opposite to the first side, e.g. after reducing the thickness of the semiconductor wafer. Methods for welding a support structure onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed. Further, semiconductor composite structures with support structures welded onto a semiconductor wafer are proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez, Alexander Breymesser, Erich Griebl, Michael Knabl, Matthias Kuenle, Andreas Moser, Roland Rupp, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Sokratis Sgouridis, Stephan Voss
  • Patent number: 10410911
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a buried insulation region within a substrate by processing the substrate using etching and deposition processes. A semiconductor layer is formed over the buried insulation region at a first side of the substrate. Device regions are formed in the semiconductor layer. The substrate is thinned from a second side of the substrate to expose the buried insulation region. The buried insulation region is selectively removed to expose a bottom surface of the substrate. A conductive region is formed under the bottom surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Carsten Schaeffer, Andreas Moser, Matthias Kuenle, Matteo Dainese, Roland Rupp, Hans-Joachim Schulze
  • Patent number: 10325803
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a semiconductor wafer may include: a semiconductor body including an integrated circuit structure; and at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer formed at least one of over or in the integrated circuit structure, the at least one tetrahedral amorphous carbon layer may include a substance amount fraction of sp3-hybridized carbon of larger than approximately 0.4 and a substance amount fraction of hydrogen smaller than approximately 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kuenle, Gerhard Schmidt, Martin Sporn, Markus Kahn, Juergen Steinbrenner, Ravi Joshi