Patents by Inventor Scott A. Kreps

Scott A. Kreps 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: 10741436
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming first and second spaced apart shallow trench isolation (STI) regions in a semiconductor substrate, and forming a superlattice on the semiconductor substrate and extending between the first and second STI regions. The superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, each group of layers including stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The method may also include forming a first semiconductor stringer comprising a non-monocrystalline body at an interface between a first end of the superlattice and the first STI region, and forming a gate above the superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert John Stephenson, Scott A. Kreps, Robert J. Mears, Kalipatnam Vivek Rao
  • Publication number: 20190058059
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and first and second spaced apart shallow trench isolation (STI) regions therein, and a superlattice on the semiconductor substrate and extending between the first and second STI regions. The superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The semiconductor device may further include a first semiconductor stringer including a non-monocrystalline body at an interface between a first end of the superlattice and the first STI region, and a gate above the superlattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert John STEPHENSON, SCOTT A. KREPS, ROBERT J. MEARS, KALIPATNAM VIVEK RAO
  • Publication number: 20190057896
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming first and second spaced apart shallow trench isolation (STI) regions in a semiconductor substrate, and forming a superlattice on the semiconductor substrate and extending between the first and second STI regions. The superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, each group of layers including stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The method may also include forming a first semiconductor stringer comprising a non-monocrystalline body at an interface between a first end of the superlattice and the first STI region, and forming a gate above the superlattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert John STEPHENSON, SCOTT A. KREPS, ROBERT J. MEARS, KALIPATNAM VIVEK RAO
  • Patent number: 7659539
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and at least one non-volatile memory cell. The at least one memory cell may include spaced apart source and drain regions, and a superlattice channel including a plurality of stacked groups of layers on the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. Each group of layers of the superlattice channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon, which may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. A floating gate may be adjacent the superlattice channel, and a control gate may be adjacent the second gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mears Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Kreps, Kalipatnam Vivek Rao
  • Patent number: 7612366
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a stress layer and a strained superlattice layer above the stress layer and including a plurality of stacked groups of layers. More particularly, each group of layers of the strained superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7598515
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a strained superlattice layer including a plurality of stacked groups of layers, and a stress layer above the strained superlattice layer. Each group of layers of the strained superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7586116
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate, an insulating layer adjacent the substrate, and a semiconductor layer adjacent a face of the insulating layer opposite the substrate. The device may further include source and drain regions on the semiconductor layer, a superlattice adjacent the semiconductor layer and extending between the source and drain regions to define a channel, and a gate overlying the superlattice. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers including a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy band-modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Kreps, Kalipatnam Vivek Rao
  • Patent number: 7531828
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include at least one pair of spaced apart stress regions, and a strained superlattice layer between the at least one pair of spaced apart stress regions and including a plurality of stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers of the strained superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Mears Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7446002
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a superlattice comprising a plurality of stacked groups of layers adjacent a substrate. Each group of layers of the superlattice may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The method may further include forming a high-K dielectric layer on the electrode layer, and forming an electrode layer on the high-K dielectric layer and opposite the superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Marek Hytha, Scott A. Kreps, Robert John Stephenson, Jean Augustin Chan Sow Fook Yiptong, Ilija Dukovski, Kalipatnam Vivek Rao, Samed Halilov, Xiangyang Huang
  • Patent number: 7435988
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and at least one MOSFET adjacent the substrate including a superlattice. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers and a semiconductor cap layer on an uppermost group of layers. Each group of layers of the superlattice may comprise a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The MOSFET may further include source, drain, and gate regions defining a channel through at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Jean Augustin Chan Sow Fook Yiptong, Marek Hytha, Scott A. Kreps, Ilija Dukovski
  • Patent number: 7436026
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and at least one metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The at least one MOSFET may include spaced apart source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate, and a superlattice channel including a plurality of stacked groups of layers on the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. The superlattice channel may have upper surface portions vertically stepped above adjacent upper surface portions of the source and drain regions. Each group of layers of the superlattice channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy-band modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor. The at least one MOSFET may additionally include a gate overlying the superlattice channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mears Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7303948
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, and at least one MOSFET adjacent the substrate. The MOSFET may include a superlattice channel that, in turn, includes a plurality of stacked groups of layers. The MOSFET may also include source and drain regions laterally adjacent the superlattice channel, and a gate overlying the superlattice channel for causing transport of charge carriers through the superlattice channel in a parallel direction relative to the stacked groups of layers. Each group of the superlattice channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy-band modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions so that the superlattice channel may have a higher charge carrier mobility in the parallel direction than would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: MEARS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Jean Augustin Chan Sow Fook Yiptong, Marek Hytha, Scott A. Kreps, Ilija Dukovski
  • Patent number: 7288457
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include providing a semiconductor substrate and forming at least one MOSFET by forming spaced apart source and drain regions and a superlattice on the substrate so that the superlattice is between the source and drain regions. The superlattice may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers. The superlattice may have upper portions extending above adjacent upper portions of the source and drain regions, and lower portions contacting the source and drain regions so that a channel is defined in lower portions of the superlattice. Each group of layers of the superlattice may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy-band modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor. The method may further include forming a gate overlying the superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7279701
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and at least one metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The MOSFET may include spaced apart source and drain regions on the semiconductor substrate, and a superlattice including a plurality of stacked groups of layers on the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. The superlattice may have upper portions extending above adjacent upper portions of the source and drain regions, and lower portions contacting the source and drain regions so that a channel is defined in lower portions of said superlattice. Furthermore, each group of layers of the superlattice may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy-band modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor. A gate may overly the superlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Kreps
  • Patent number: 7265002
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include providing a substrate, and forming at least one MOSFET adjacent the substrate by forming a superlattice including a plurality of stacked groups of layers and a semiconductor cap layer on an uppermost group of layers. Each group of layers of the superlattice may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The method may further include forming source, drain, and gate regions defining a channel through at least a portion of the semiconductor cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Jean Augustin Chan Sow Fook Yiptong, Marek Hytha, Scott A. Kreps, Ilija Dukovski
  • Patent number: 7202494
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include at least one fin field-effect transistor (FINFET) comprising a fin, source and drain regions adjacent opposite ends of the fin, and a gate overlying the fin. The fin may include at least one superlattice including a plurality of stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, Kalipatnam Vivek Rao, Scott A. Kreps
  • Publication number: 20070020833
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming at least one metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) on a semiconductor substrate. The MOSFET may include spaced-apart source and drain regions, a channel between the source and drain regions, and a gate overlying the channel defining an interface therewith. The gate may include a gate dielectric overlying the channel and a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric. The channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor monolayers. The at least one non-semiconductor monolayer may be positioned at depth of about 4-100 monolayers relative to the interface between the channel and the gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mears, Marek Hytha, Scott Kreps
  • Publication number: 20070020860
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a superlattice layer including a plurality of stacked groups of layers, and forming a stress layer above the strained superlattice layer to induce a strain therein. Each group of layers of the superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mears, Scott Kreps
  • Publication number: 20070012912
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a strained superlattice layer including a plurality of stacked groups of layers, and a stress layer above the strained superlattice layer. Each group of layers of the strained superlattice layer may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mears, Scott Kreps
  • Publication number: 20070012910
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, and at least one metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) thereon. The MOSFET may include spaced-apart source and drain regions, a channel between the source and drain regions, and a gate overlying the channel defining an interface therewith. The gate may include a gate dielectric overlying the channel and a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric. The channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor monolayers. The at least one non-semiconductor monolayer may be positioned at depth of about 4-100 monolayers relative to the interface between the channel and the gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: RJ Mears, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Mears, Marek Hytha, Scott Kreps