Patents by Inventor Thoralf Kautzsch

Thoralf Kautzsch 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: 10681777
    Abstract: A light emitter device contains a heater structure configured to emit light if a predefined current flows through the heater structure. The heater structure is arranged at a heater carrier structure. The light emitter device contains an upper portion of a cavity located vertically between the heater carrier structure and a cover structure. The light emitter device contains a lower portion of the cavity located vertically between the heater carrier structure and at least a portion of a carrier substrate. The heater carrier structure contains a plurality of holes connecting the upper portion of the cavity and the lower portion of the cavity. A pressure within the cavity is less than 100 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Heiko Froehlich, Uwe Rudolph, Alessia Scire, Maik Stegemann, Mirko Vogt
  • Publication number: 20200166471
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing a moisture sensor includes providing a substrate arrangement, applying a sensor structure, applying a first cover layer on the sensor structure, locally removing the planar cover layer arrangement to expose portions of an insulation layer, applying a third cover layer on the exposed portions of the insulation layer, exposing the planar cover layer arrangement covering the sensor structure, and applying a moisture-absorbing layer element on the planar cover layer arrangement covering the sensor structure to obtain the moisture sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Marco Haubold, Heiko Froehlich, Thoralf Kautzsch, Olga Khvostikova, Marten Oldsen, Bernhard Straub
  • Publication number: 20200105945
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pressure sensitive transistor includes forming a channel region between first and second contact regions in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first isolation layer on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a sacrificial structure on the first isolation layer and above the channel region, forming a semiconductor layer on the sacrificial structure and on the first isolation layer, wherein the semiconductor layer covers the sacrificial structure, removing the sacrificial structure for providing a cavity between the substrate and the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer forms a membrane structure and forms a control electrode of the pressure sensitive transistor, forming a second isolation layer on the membrane structure and on the exposed portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and forming contacting structures for the first contact region, the second contact region and the membrane structure of the pressure sensitive transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Vladislav Komenko, Heiko Froehlich, Thoralf Kautzsch, Andrey Kravchenko, Bernhard Winkler
  • Patent number: 10604405
    Abstract: A method for forming a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device may include performing a first silicon-on-nothing process to form a first cavity in a substrate. The method may include depositing an epitaxial layer on a surface of the substrate. The method may include performing a second silicon-on-nothing process to form a second cavity in the epitaxial layer. The method may include exposing the first cavity and the second cavity by removing a portion of the substrate and the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10580663
    Abstract: A method for forming a microelectromechanical device is shown. The method comprises forming a cavity in a semiconductor substrate material, wherein the semiconductor substrate material comprises an opening for providing access to the cavity through a main surface area of the semiconductor substrate material. In a further step, the method comprises forming a support structure having a support structure material different from the semiconductor substrate material to close the opening at least partially by mechanically connecting the main surface area of the semiconductor substrate material with the bottom of the cavity. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of forming a lamella structure in the main surface area above the cavity such that the lamella structure is held spaced apart from the bottom of the cavity by the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Steffen Bieselt, Alessia Scire
  • Patent number: 10544037
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated semiconductor device, comprising a semiconductor substrate; a cavity formed into the semiconductor substrate; a sensor portion of the semiconductor substrate deflectably suspended in the cavity at one side of the cavity via a suspension portion of the semiconductor substrate interconnecting the semiconductor substrate and the sensor portion thereof, wherein an extension of the suspension portion along the side of the cavity is smaller than an extension of said side of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Heiko Froehlich, Alessia Scire, Maik Stegemann, Bernhard Winkler, Andre Roeth, Steffen Bieselt, Mirko Vogt
  • Patent number: 10539587
    Abstract: An accelerometer may include a seismic mass to flex based on acceleration components perpendicular to a surface of a substrate. The seismic mass may include a first electrode and a portion of the substrate. A first surface of the seismic mass may be adjacent to a first cavity in the substrate, and a second surface of the seismic mass being adjacent to a second cavity. The first surface of the seismic mass and the second surface of the seismic mass may be on opposite sides of the seismic mass. The accelerometer may include a second electrode separated from the second surface of the seismic mass by at least the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Steffen Bieselt
  • Publication number: 20200002159
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a stress decoupling structure to at least partially decouple a first region of the semiconductor device and a second region of the semiconductor device. The stress decoupling structure may include a set of trenches that are substantially perpendicular to a main surface of the semiconductor device. The first region may include a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) structure. The semiconductor device may include a sealing element to at least partially seal openings of the stress decoupling structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Horst THEUSS, Bernhard Knott, Thoralf Kautzsch, Mirko Vogt, Maik Stegemann, Andre Roeth, Marco Haubold, Heiko Froehlich, Wolfram Langheinrich, Steffen Bieselt
  • Patent number: 10483426
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to photo cell devices. In one embodiment, a trench-based photo cells provides very fast capture of photo-generated charge carriers, particularly when compared with conventional approaches, as the trenches of the photo cells create depleted regions deep within the bulk of the substrate that avoid the time-consuming diffusion of carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10453985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated light emitting device. The integrated light emitting device comprises a substrate of semiconductor material, a light emitting unit integrated into the semiconductor material, and at least one cavity formed into the semiconductor material between the substrate and the light emitting unit. At least portions of the at least one cavity may be formed by Silicon-On-Nothing (SON) process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10386255
    Abstract: A manufacturing method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a pressure sensor structure; and forming, during a BEOL process (BEOL=back-end-of-line), a metal-insulator-stack arrangement on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the metal-insulator-stack arrangement is formed to comprise (1) a cavity adjacent to the pressure sensor structure and extending over the pressure sensor structure, and (2) a pressure port through the metal-insulator-stack arrangement for providing a fluidic connection between the cavity and an environmental atmosphere, wherein the pressure port has a cross-sectional area, which is smaller than 10% of a footprint area of the pressure sensor structure within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Heiko Froehlich, Marco Haubold, Andre Roeth, Maik Stegemann, Mirko Vogt
  • Patent number: 10354911
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first cavity within a substrate. The first cavity is disposed under a portion of the substrate. The method further includes forming a first pillar within the first cavity to support the portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES DRESDEN GMBH
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Alessia Scire, Steffen Bieselt
  • Patent number: 10347778
    Abstract: An optical system and photo sensor pixel are provided. The photo sensor pixel includes a substrate including an active region and a peripheral region that is peripheral to the active region, an optical sensor disposed at the active region of the substrate and configured to receive light and output a measurement signal based on the received light, and an encapsulation layer disposed over the active region and the first peripheral region of the substrate. The encapsulation layer includes at least one subwavelength-based graded index structure provided over the peripheral region of the substrate, and the subwavelength-based graded index structure is configured to redirect the light from a region over the peripheral region onto the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Heiko Froehlich, Maik Stegemann, Mirko Vogt
  • Publication number: 20190162600
    Abstract: An infrared radiation sensor comprises a substrate, a membrane formed in or at the substrate, a first counter electrode, a second counter electrode, and a composite comprising at least two layers of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. At least a portion of the membrane forms a deflectable electrode and the deflectable electrode is electrically floating. A first capacitance is formed between the deflectable electrode and the first counter electrode, and a second capacitance is formed between the deflectable electrode and the second counter electrode. The membrane comprises the composite or is supported at the substrate by the composite. The membrane comprises an absorption region configured to cause deformation of the composite by absorbing infrared radiation, the deformation resulting in a deflection of the deflectable electrode, which causes a change of the first and second capacitances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Vladislav KOMENKO, Heiko FROEHLICH, Thoralf KAUTZSCH, Andrey KRAVCHENKO
  • Patent number: 10290805
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an emitter comprises providing a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, the semiconductor substrate comprising a cavity adjacent to the main surface. A portion of the semiconductor substrate arranged between the cavity and the main surface of the semiconductor substrate forms a support structure. The method comprises arranging an emitting element at the support structure, the emitting element being configured to emit a thermal radiation of the emitter, wherein the cavity provides a reduction of a thermal coupling between the emitting element and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Bieselt, Heiko Froehlich, Thoralf Kautzsch, Maik Stegemann, Mirko Vogt
  • Patent number: 10270002
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated light emitting device. The integrated light emitting device comprises a substrate of semiconductor material, a light emitting unit integrated into the semiconductor material, and at least one cavity formed into the semiconductor material between the substrate and the light emitting unit. At least portions of the at least one cavity may be formed by Silicon-On-Nothing (SON) process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10205032
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an opening within the substrate; forming a conductive layer within the opening; and forming a semiconductor layer over the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10205932
    Abstract: An imaging circuit includes a first vertical trench gate and a neighboring second vertical trench gate. The imaging circuit includes a gate control circuit. The gate control circuit operates in a first operating mode to generate a first space charge region accelerating photogenerated charge carriers of a first charge-carrier type to a first collection contact in and in a second operating mode to generate a second space charge region accelerating photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge-carrier type to the first collection contact. The imaging circuit further includes an image processing circuit which determines distance information of an object based on photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge carrier type collected at the first collection contact in the first operating mode and color information of the object based on photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge carrier type collected at the first collection contact in the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Thoralf Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 10170497
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an electronic device may include a carrier including at least a first region and a second region being laterally adjacent to each other; an electrically insulating structure arranged in the first region of the carrier, wherein the second region of the carrier is free of the electrically insulating structure; a first electronic component arranged in the first region of the carrier over the electrically insulating structure; a second electronic component arranged in the second region of the carrier; wherein the electrically insulating structure includes one or more hollow chambers, wherein the sidewalls of the one or more hollow chambers are covered with an electrically insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Alessia Scire, Steffen Bieselt, Franz Hirler, Anton Mauder, Wolfgang Scholz, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Francisco Javier Santos Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20180358483
    Abstract: An optical system and photo sensor pixel are provided. The photo sensor pixel includes a substrate including an active region and a peripheral region that is peripheral to the active region, an optical sensor disposed at the active region of the substrate and configured to receive light and output a measurement signal based on the received light, and an encapsulation layer disposed over the active region and the first peripheral region of the substrate. The encapsulation layer includes at least one subwavelength-based graded index structure provided over the peripheral region of the substrate, and the subwavelength-based graded index structure is configured to redirect the light from a region over the peripheral region onto the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf KAUTZSCH, Heiko FROEHLICH, Maik STEGEMANN, Mirko VOGT