Patents by Inventor Steven L. Merchant

Steven L. Merchant 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: 8274131
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device (130) on or in a semiconductor substrate (115) and a second transistor device (132) on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench (200) located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner (610) of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane (620) of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameer P. Pendharkar, John Lin, Philip L. Hower, Steven L. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20110073955
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device (130) on or in a semiconductor substrate (115) and a second transistor device (132) on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench (200) located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner (610) of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane (620) of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sameer P. Pendharkar, John Lin, Philip L. Hower, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7910417
    Abstract: A Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) can be fabricated with a well region that include a channel region having an average dopant concentration substantially less the average doping concentration of the remaining portions of the well region. The lower average doping concentration of channel region compared to the remaining portions of the well region reduces the pinch-off voltage of the JFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, David A. Walch, John Lin, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7846789
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device on or in a semiconductor substrate and a second transistor device on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameer P. Pendharkar, John Lin, Philip L. Hower, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7736961
    Abstract: A high voltage field effect transistor device is fabricated. A substrate is provided. Isolation structures and well regions are formed therein. Drain well regions are formed within the well regions. An n-type channel stop resist mask is formed. N-type channel stop regions and n-type surface channel regions are formed. A p-type channel stop resist mask is formed. P-type channel stop regions and p-type surface channel regions are then formed. A dielectric layer is formed over the surface channel regions. Source regions are formed within the well regions. Drain regions are formed within the drain well regions. Back gate regions are formed within the well regions. Top gates are formed on the dielectric layer overlying the surface channel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven L. Merchant, Philip L. Hower, Scott Paiva
  • Patent number: 7605412
    Abstract: A Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) can be fabricated with a well region that include a channel region having an average dopant concentration substantially less the average doping concentration of the remaining portions of the well region. The lower average doping concentration of channel region compared to the remaining portions of the well region reduces the pinch-off voltage of the JFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, David A. Walch, John Lin, Steven L. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20090096033
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device on or in a semiconductor substrate and a second transistor device on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameer P. Pendharkar, John Lin, Philip Hower, Steven L. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20080299716
    Abstract: A Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) can be fabricated with a well region that include a channel region having an average dopant concentration substantially less the average doping concentration of the remaining portions of the well region. The lower average doping concentration of channel region compared to the remaining portions of the well region reduces the pinch-off voltage of the JFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, David A. Walch, John Lin, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7417270
    Abstract: A Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) can be fabricated with a well region that include a channel region having an average dopant concentration substantially less the average doping concentration of the remaining portions of the well region. The lower average doping concentration of channel region compared to the remaining portions of the well region reduces the pinch-off voltage of the JFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, David A. Walch, John Lin, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7187034
    Abstract: Segmented power transistors and fabrication methods are disclosed in which transistor segments are spaced from one another to facilitate thermal diffusion, and in which other electrical devices can be formed in the spaces between transistor segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, John Lin, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Steven L. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20040256669
    Abstract: Segmented power transistors and fabrication methods are disclosed in which transistor segments are spaced from one another to facilitate thermal diffusion, and in which other electrical devices can be formed in the spaces between transistor segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, John Lin, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Steven L. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20040222485
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an elongated, blade-shaped semiconductor element isolated from a surrounding region of a semiconductor substrate by buried and side oxide layers. A polysilicon post disposed at one end of the element has a bottom portion extending through the buried oxide to contact the substrate, providing for electrical and thermal coupling between the element and the substrate and for gettering impurities during processing. A device fabrication process employs a selective silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technique including forming trenches in the substrate; passivating the upper portion of the element; and performing a long oxidation to create the buried oxide layer. A second oxidation is used to create an insulating oxide layer on the sidewalls of the semiconductor element, and polysilicon material is used to fill the trenches and to create the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Sheldon D. Haynie, Steven L. Merchant, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Vladimir Bolkhovsky
  • Patent number: 6815276
    Abstract: Segmented power transistors and fabrication methods are disclosed in which transistor segments are spaced from one another to facilitate thermal diffusion, and in which other electrical devices can be formed in the spaces between transistor segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, John Lin, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 6800917
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an elongated, blade-shaped semiconductor element isolated from a surrounding region of a semiconductor substrate by buried and side oxide layers. A polysilicon post disposed at one end of the element has a bottom portion extending through the buried oxide to contact the substrate, providing for electrical and thermal coupling between the element and the substrate and for gettering impurities during processing. A device fabrication process employs a selective silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technique including forming trenches in the substrate; passivating the upper portion of the element; and performing a long oxidation to create the buried oxide layer. A second oxidation is used to create an insulating oxide layer on the sidewalls of the semiconductor element, and polysilicon material is used to fill the trenches and to create the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheldon D. Haynie, Steven L. Merchant, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Vladimir Bolkhovsky
  • Patent number: 6797547
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an elongated, blade-shaped semiconductor element isolated from a surrounding region of a semiconductor substrate by buried and side oxide layers. A polysilicon post disposed at one end of the element has a bottom portion extending through the buried oxide to contact the substrate, providing for electrical and thermal coupling between the element and the substrate and for gettering impurities during processing. A device fabrication process employs a selective silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technique including forming trenches in the substrate; passivating the upper portion of the element; and performing a long oxidation to create the buried oxide layer. A second oxidation is used to create an insulating oxide layer on the sidewalls of the semiconductor element, and polysilicon material is used to fill the trenches and to create the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheldon D. Haynie, Steven L. Merchant, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Vladimir Bolkhovsky
  • Publication number: 20040129976
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an elongated, blade-shaped semiconductor element isolated from a surrounding region of a semiconductor substrate by buried and side oxide layers. A polysilicon post disposed at one end of the element has a bottom portion extending through the buried oxide to contact the substrate, providing for electrical and thermal coupling between the element and the substrate and for gettering impurities during processing. A device fabrication process employs a selective silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technique including forming trenches in the substrate; passivating the upper portion of the element; and performing a long oxidation to create the buried oxide layer. A second oxidation is used to create an insulating oxide layer on the sidewalls of the semiconductor element, and polysilicon material is used to fill the trenches and to create the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Sheldon D. Haynie, Steven L. Merchant, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Vladimir Bolkhovsky
  • Publication number: 20040113223
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an elongated, blade-shaped semiconductor element isolated from a surrounding region of a semiconductor substrate by buried and side oxide layers. A polysilicon post disposed at one end of the element has a bottom portion extending through the buried oxide to contact the substrate, providing for electrical and thermal coupling between the element and the substrate and for gettering impurities during processing. A device fabrication process employs a selective silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technique including forming trenches in the substrate; passivating the upper portion of the element; and performing a long oxidation to create the buried oxide layer. A second oxidation is used to create an insulating oxide layer on the sidewalls of the semiconductor element, and polysilicon material is used to fill the trenches and to create the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sheldon D. Haynie, Steven L. Merchant, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Vladimir Bolkhovsky
  • Publication number: 20040067617
    Abstract: Segmented power transistors and fabrication methods are disclosed in which transistor segments are spaced from one another to facilitate thermal diffusion, and in which other electrical devices can be formed in the spaces between transistor segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Philip L. Hower, John Lin, Sameer P. Pendharkar, Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 6700160
    Abstract: An improved DMOS power transistor (20) with a single p-body implant (12) and including an n-type channel compensating implant (NCCI) (24). The improved DMOS power transistor (20) provides a more favorable trade-off between threshold voltage (VT) and on-state resistance, while increasing the safe operating area (SOA). The NCCI (24) also improves the off-state breakdown voltage, and allows a larger fraction of the gate bias voltage to be supported on the thin gate oxide (32). The present invention can be fabricated using self-aligned fabrication techniques so that the channel length (22) is insensitive to lithography equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven L. Merchant
  • Patent number: 6603157
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (30) has an array of transistors (31) made up of bonding pads (45-47) and sub-arrays of transistors (41-43). The bonding pads (45-47) are distributed between the sub-arrays of transistors (41-43) to reduce the maximum temperature that any portion of the FET (30) is exposed to while the FET (30) is in a conducting state. A similar effect can be appreciated by adjusting the threshold voltage or pinch-off resistance of the transistors in a portion (101) of an array of transistors (95).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillipe Dupuy, Steven L. Merchant, Robert W. Baird