Patents by Inventor Sharon Levin

Sharon Levin 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: 20150123194
    Abstract: A vertical DMOS device implements one or more deep silicon via (DSV) plugs, thereby significantly reducing the layout area and on-resistance (RDSON) of the device. The DSV plugs extend through a semiconductor substrate to contact a conductively doped buried diffusion region, which forms the drain of the vertical DMOS device. Methods for fabricating the vertical DMOS device are compatible with conventional sub-micron VLSI processes, such that the vertical DMOS device can be readily fabricated on the same integrated circuit as CMOS devices and analog devices, such as lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Zachary K. Lee, Shye Shapira
  • Patent number: 8921173
    Abstract: A vertical DMOS device implements one or more deep silicon via (DSV) plugs, thereby significantly reducing the layout area and on-resistance (RDSON) of the device. The DSV plugs extend through a semiconductor substrate to contact a conductively doped buried diffusion region, which forms the drain of the vertical DMOS device. Methods for fabricating the vertical DMOS device are compatible with conventional sub-micron VLSI processes, such that the vertical DMOS device can be readily fabricated on the same integrated circuit as CMOS devices and analog devices, such as lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Zachary K. Lee, Shye Shapira
  • Publication number: 20140070315
    Abstract: A double-RESURF LDMOS transistor has a gate dielectric structure including a shallow field “bump” oxide region and an optional raised dielectric structure that provides a raised support for the LDMOS transistor's polysilicon gate electrode. Fabrication of the shallow field oxide region is performed through a hard “bump” mask and controlled such that the bump oxide extends a minimal depth into the LDMOS transistor's drift (channel) region. The hard “bump” mask is also utilized to produce an N-type drift (N-drift) implant region and a P-type surface effect (P-surf) implant region, whereby these implants are “self-aligned” to the gate dielectric structure. The N-drift implant is maintained at Vdd by connection to the LDMOS transistor's drain diffusion. An additional Boron implant is utilized to form a P-type buried layer that connects the P-surf implant to the P-body region of the LDMOS transistor, whereby the P-surf implant is maintained at 0V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sagy Levy, Sharon Levin, Noel Berkovitch
  • Publication number: 20130320443
    Abstract: A vertical DMOS device implements one or more deep silicon via (DSV) plugs, thereby significantly reducing the layout area and on-resistance (RDSON) of the device. The DSV plugs extend through a semiconductor substrate to contact a conductively doped buried diffusion region, which forms the drain of the vertical DMOS device. Methods for fabricating the vertical DMOS device are compatible with conventional sub-micron VLSI processes, such that the vertical DMOS device can be readily fabricated on the same integrated circuit as CMOS devices and analog devices, such as lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Zachary K. Lee, Shye Shapira
  • Publication number: 20100102388
    Abstract: A low Rdson LDMOS transistor having a shallow field oxide region that separates a gate electrode of the transistor from a drain diffusion region of the transistor. The shallow field oxide region is formed separate from the field isolation regions (e.g., STI regions) used to isolate circuit elements on the substrate. Fabrication of the shallow field oxide region is controlled such that this region extends below the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to a depth that is much shallower than the depth of field isolation regions. For example, the shallow field oxide region may extend below the upper surface of the substrate by only Angstroms or less. As a result, the current path through the resulting LDMOS transistor is substantially unimpeded by the shallow field oxide region, resulting in a low on-resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Alexey Heiman, Zohar Kuritsky, Gal Fleishon
  • Patent number: 7575977
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes both LDMOS devices and one or more low-power CMOS devices that are concurrently formed on a substrate using a deep sub-micron VLSI fabrication process. The LDMOS polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) gate structure is patterned using a two-mask etching process. The first etch mask is used to define a first edge of the gate structure located away from the deep body/drain implant. The second etch mask is then used to define a second edge of the gate structure, and the second etch mask is then retained on the gate structure during subsequent formation of the deep body/drain implant. After the deep implant, shallow implants and metallization are formed to complete the LDMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Ira Naot, Alexei Heiman
  • Patent number: 7544557
    Abstract: A Schottky diode exhibiting low series resistance is efficiently fabricated using a substantially standard CMOS process flow by forming the Schottky diode using substantially the same structures and processes that are used to form a field effect transistor (FET) of a CMOS IC device. Polycrystalline silicon, which is used to form the gate structure of the FET, is utilized to form an isolation structure between the Schottky barrier and backside structure of the Schottky diode. Silicide (e.g., cobalt silicide (CoSi2)) structures, which are utilized to form source and drain metal-to-silicon contacts in the FET, are used to form the Schottky barrier and backside Ohmic contact of the Schottky diode. Heavily doped drain (HDD) diffusions and lightly doped drain (LDD) diffusions, which are used to form source and drain diffusions of the FET, are utilized to form a suitable contact diffusion under the backside contact silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Naot, Robert J. Strain, Yossi Netzer
  • Patent number: 7485941
    Abstract: A Schottky diode is formed on an isolated well (e.g., a P-well formed in a buried N-well), and utilizes cobalt silicide (CoSi2) structures respectively formed on heavily doped and lightly doped regions of the isolated well to provide the Schottky barrier and backside (ohmic) contact structures of the Schottky diode. The surrounding buried N-well is coupled to a bias voltage. The Schottky barrier and backside contact structures are separated by isolation structures formed using polycrystalline silicon, which is used to form the gate structure of CMOS FETs, in order to minimize forward resistance. Heavily doped drain (HDD) diffusions and lightly doped drain (LDD) diffusions, which are used to form source and drain diffusions of the FET, are utilized to form a suitable contact diffusion under the backside contact silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Naot, Robert J. Strain, Yossi Netzer
  • Publication number: 20080242033
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes both LDMOS devices and one or more low-power CMOS devices that are concurrently formed on a substrate using a deep sub-micron VLSI fabrication process. The LDMOS polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) gate structure is patterned using a two-mask etching process. The first etch mask is used to define a first edge of the gate structure located away from the deep body/drain implant. The second etch mask is then used to define a second edge of the gate structure, and the second etch mask is then retained on the gate structure during subsequent formation of the deep body/drain implant. After the deep implant, shallow implants and metallization are formed to complete the LDMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Ira Naot, Alexei Heiman
  • Patent number: 7368760
    Abstract: A low parasitic capacitance Schottky diode including a lightly doped polycrystalline silicon island that is formed on a shallow trench isolation (STI) pad such that the polycrystalline silicon island is entirely isolated from an underlying silicon substrate by the STI pad. The resulting structure reduces leakage and capacitive coupling to the substrate. Silicide contact structures are attached to lightly-doped and heavily-doped regions of the polycrystalline silicon island to form the Schottky junction and Ohmic contact, respectively, and are connected by metal structures to other components formed on the silicon substrate. The STI pad, polycrystalline silicon island, and silicide/metal contacts are formed using a standard CMOS process flow to minimize cost. A bolometer detector is provided by measuring current through the diode in reverse bias. An array of such detectors comprises an infrared or optical image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Noat
  • Publication number: 20060125039
    Abstract: A low parasitic capacitance Schottky diode including a lightly doped polycrystalline silicon island that is formed on a shallow trench isolation (STI) pad such that the polycrystalline silicon island is entirely isolated from an underlying silicon substrate by the STI pad. The resulting structure reduces leakage and capacitive coupling to the substrate. Silicide contact structures are attached to lightly-doped and heavily-doped regions of the polycrystalline silicon island to form the Schottky junction and Ohmic contact, respectively, and are connected by metal structures to other components formed on the silicon substrate. The STI pad, polycrystalline silicon island, and silicide/metal contacts are formed using a standard CMOS process flow to minimize cost. A bolometer detector is provided by measuring current through the diode in reverse bias. An array of such detectors comprises an infrared or optical image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Naot
  • Publication number: 20060125040
    Abstract: A Schottky diode is formed on an isolated well (e.g., a P-well formed in a buried N-well), and utilizes cobalt silicide (CoSi2) structures respectively formed on heavily doped and lightly doped regions of the isolated well to provide the Schottky barrier and backside (ohmic) contact structures of the Schottky diode. The surrounding buried N-well is coupled to a bias voltage. The Schottky barrier and backside contact structures are separated by isolation structures formed using polycrystalline silicon, which is used to form the gate structure of CMOS FETs, in order to minimize forward resistance. Heavily doped drain (HDD) diffusions and lightly doped drain (LDD) diffusions, which are used to form source and drain diffusions of the FET, are utilized to form a suitable contact diffusion under the backside contact silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Naot, Robert Strain, Yossi Netzer
  • Publication number: 20060125019
    Abstract: A Schottky diode exhibiting low series resistance is efficiently fabricated using a substantially standard CMOS process flow by forming the Schottky diode using substantially the same structures and processes that are used to form a field effect transistor (FET) of a CMOS IC device. Polycrystalline silicon, which is used to form the gate structure of the FET, is utilized to form an isolation structure between the Schottky barrier and backside structure of the Schottky diode. Silicide (e.g., cobalt silicide (CoSi2)) structures, which are utilized to form source and drain metal-to-silicon contacts in the FET, are used to form the Schottky barrier and backside Ohmic contact of the Schottky diode. Heavily doped drain (HDD) diffusions and lightly doped drain (LDD) diffusions, which are used to form source and drain diffusions of the FET, are utilized to form a suitable contact diffusion under the backside contact silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sharon Levin, Shye Shapira, Ira Naot, Robert Strain, Yossi Netzer