Patents by Inventor Mitsuhiko Kitagawa

Mitsuhiko Kitagawa 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: 20230090328
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer located in a diode region, the first semiconductor layer including a plurality of first semiconductor regions and a plurality of second semiconductor regions alternately arranged in a first direction; a second semiconductor layer located in the IGBT region; and a third semiconductor layer located on the first semiconductor layer in the diode region, an impurity concentration of the third semiconductor layer having a maximum at a first position in a second direction, an impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region having a maximum at a second position in the second direction, a third position being separated from the upper surface of the first electrode by a length that is 3 times a distance between the second position and a lower end of the third semiconductor layer, the first position being the same as or lower than the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kenichi MATSUSHITA, Mitsuhiko KITAGAWA
  • Patent number: 11334009
    Abstract: A load controller includes a control device, a switching device, an arc suppression circuit, and a control section. The control device is provided on an electric power supply path between first and second terminals coupled to an alternating-current electric power source, and controls electric power supply to a load provided on the electric power supply path. The switching device is provided on the electric power supply path and is to be in an open state or a closed state. The arc suppression circuit is to suppress discharge at the switching device. The arc suppression circuit is to be set to an enabled state or a limited state. The control section controls operation of the control device, the switching device, and the arc suppression circuit. The control section varies the arc suppression circuit from the limited state to the enabled state after bringing the switching device into the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujikura, Mitsuhiko Kitagawa, Akira Nakayama, Kazuya Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210223726
    Abstract: A load controller includes a control device, a switching device, an arc suppression circuit, and a control section. The control device is provided on an electric power supply path between first and second terminals coupled to an alternating-current electric power source, and controls electric power supply to a load provided on the electric power supply path. The switching device is provided on the electric power supply path and is to be in an open state or a closed state. The arc suppression circuit is to suppress discharge at the switching device. The arc suppression circuit is to be set to an enabled state or a limited state. The control section controls operation of the control device, the switching device, and the arc suppression circuit. The control section varies the arc suppression circuit from the limited state to the enabled state after bringing the switching device into the closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi FUJIKURA, Mitsuhiko KITAGAWA, Akira NAKAYAMA, Kazuya YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10319844
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor region disposed on and electrically connected to the first electrode, a second semiconductor region disposed on the first semiconductor region and having a carrier concentration lower than that of the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region disposed on the second semiconductor region, a fourth semiconductor region disposed on the third semiconductor region, a fifth semiconductor region disposed on the second semiconductor region and separated from the third semiconductor region in a direction, a gate electrode disposed on the second semiconductor region, facing the third semiconductor region via an insulating layer in the direction and positioned between the third and fourth semiconductor regions, a second electrode disposed on and electrically connected to the fourth semiconductor region, and a third electrode disposed on the fifth semiconductor region, separated from the second electrode, and electrically connected to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10050135
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a first electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer, a second electrode facing the second semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed, a fifth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a sixth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a seventh semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a third electrode connected to the fifth semiconductor layer and the seventh semiconductor layer, and a fourth electrode facing the fifth semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20180083129
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor region disposed on and electrically connected to the first electrode, a second semiconductor region disposed on the first semiconductor region and having a carrier concentration lower than that of the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region disposed on the second semiconductor region, a fourth semiconductor region disposed on the third semiconductor region, a fifth semiconductor region disposed on the second semiconductor region and separated from the third semiconductor region in a direction, a gate electrode disposed on the second semiconductor region, facing the third semiconductor region via an insulating layer in the direction and positioned between the third and fourth semiconductor regions, a second electrode disposed on and electrically connected to the fourth semiconductor region, and a third electrode disposed on the fifth semiconductor region, separated from the second electrode, and electrically connected to
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20170317199
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a first electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer, a second electrode facing the second semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed, a fifth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a sixth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a seventh semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a third electrode connected to the fifth semiconductor layer and the seventh semiconductor layer, and a fourth electrode facing the fifth semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9768248
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device has a first region formed of semiconductor and a second region formed of semiconductor which borders the first region. An electrode is formed to be in ohmic-connection with the first region. A third region is formed to sandwich the first region. A first potential difference is produced between the first and the second regions in a thermal equilibrium state, according to a second potential difference between the third region and the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9741836
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a first electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer, a second electrode facing the second semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed, a fifth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a sixth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a seventh semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a third electrode connected to the fifth semiconductor layer and the seventh semiconductor layer, and a fourth electrode facing the fifth semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20170133456
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device has a first region formed of semiconductor and a second region formed of semiconductor which borders the first region. An electrode is formed to be in ohmic-connection with the first region. A third region is formed to sandwich the first region. A first potential difference is produced between the first and the second regions in a thermal equilibrium state, according to a second potential difference between the third region and the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20170077273
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a first electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer, a second electrode facing the second semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed, a fifth semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a sixth semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a seventh semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, a third electrode connected to the fifth semiconductor layer and the seventh semiconductor layer, and a fourth electrode facing the fifth semiconductor layer with an insulating film interposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9590030
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device has a first region formed of semiconductor and a second region formed of semiconductor which borders the first region. An electrode is formed to be in ohmic-connection with the first region. A third region is formed to sandwich the first region. A first potential difference is produced between the first and the second regions in a thermal equilibrium state, according to a second potential difference between the third region and the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9530874
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, and a second semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. A third semiconductor region of a first conductivity type is selectively provided on the second semiconductor region. A fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type and a fifth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type are selectively provided on the third semiconductor region. A first electrode is provided on a second insulating film within the second semiconductor region. A second electrode is in contact with the fifth semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region. The sixth semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region at least in a portion thereon other than the area where the third semiconductor region is provided. The sixth semiconductor region is not in contact with the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9502402
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer having a first end portion and a second end portion; a first main electrode provided on the first end portion and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer; a second main electrode provided on the second end portion and electrically connected to the semiconductor layer; a first gate electrode provided via a first gate insulating film in a plurality of first trenches formed from the first end portion toward the second end portion; and a second gate electrode provided via a second gate insulating film in a plurality of second trenches formed from the second end portion toward the first end portion. Spacing between a plurality of the first gate electrodes and spacing between a plurality of the second gate electrodes are 200 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20160071964
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, and a second semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. A third semiconductor region of a first conductivity type is selectively provided on the second semiconductor region. A fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type and a fifth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type are selectively provided on the third semiconductor region. A first electrode is provided on a second insulating film within the second semiconductor region. A second electrode is in contact with the fifth semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region. The sixth semiconductor region is provided on the second semiconductor region at least in a portion thereon other than the area where the third semiconductor region is provided. The sixth semiconductor region is not in contact with the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: MITSUHIKO KITAGAWA
  • Patent number: 9276076
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a first control electrode, a first electrode, a second control electrode, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a first insulating film. The first control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region. The first electrode is provided on the first control electrode. The second control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region and includes a first portion which is beside the first control electrode and a second portion which is provided on the first portion and beside the first electrode. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region. A boundary between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region is above the lower end of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20160020290
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a first control electrode, a first electrode, a second control electrode, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a first insulating film. The first control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region. The first electrode is provided on the first control electrode. The second control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region and includes a first portion which is beside the first control electrode and a second portion which is provided on the first portion and beside the first electrode. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region. A boundary between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region is above the lower end of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9178028
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a first control electrode, a first electrode, a second control electrode, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a first insulating film. The first control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region. The first electrode is provided on the first control electrode. The second control electrode is provided on or above the first semiconductor region and includes a first portion which is beside the first control electrode and a second portion which is provided on the first portion and beside the first electrode. The second semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region. A boundary between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region is above the lower end of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9082810
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a device portion disposed in the semiconductor substrate, and a junction terminal portion disposed in the semiconductor substrate and having an annular shape surrounding the device portion. The junction terminal portion includes first semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type and second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type. The first semiconductor regions are adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction of the annular shape of the junction terminal portion, and have a width decreasing with progressing in a direction away from the device portion. The second semiconductor regions are disposed between the first semiconductor regions, and have a width increasing with progressing in the direction away from the device portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9024382
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a drift region, a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, a main electrode, first gate electrodes and a second gate electrode. The first gate electrodes and the second gate electrode between a pair of first gate electrodes are provided in the drift region. The first semiconductor region is provided between the first gate electrodes and the second gate electrode. The first semiconductor region has a first side surface opposite to the one of the adjacent ones and a second side surface partially opposite to the second gate electrode. The second semiconductor region is selectively provided on the first semiconductor region. The main electrode has a portion directly adjacent to part of the second side surface and the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kitagawa