Patents by Inventor Wen-Chau Liu
Wen-Chau Liu 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).
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Patent number: 8330169Abstract: The present invention is a multi-gas sensor and a method for fabricating the multi-gas sensor. The multi-gas sensor comprises a substrate, an epitaxial layer, a metal oxide layer, a first metal layer, a second metal layer and multiple third metal layers. The method for fabricating the multi-gas sensor comprises steps of forming an epitaxial layer on a substrate; etching the epitaxial layer to form a first epitaxial structure and a second epitaxial structure a fixed distance from the first epitaxial structure; forming a metal oxide layer on the first epitaxial structure; forming a first metal layer that has at least two metal layers on the second epitaxial structure; forming a second metal layer a fixed distance from the first metal layer on the second epitaxial structure; forming third metal layers respectively on the metal oxide layer, the first metal layer and the second metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Tsung-Han Tsai, Tai-You Chen, Chung-Fu Chang, Chi-Hsiang Hsu
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Publication number: 20120007099Abstract: The present invention is a multi-gas sensor and a method for fabricating the multi-gas sensor. The multi-gas sensor comprises a substrate, an epitaxial layer, a metal oxide layer, a first metal layer, a second metal layer and multiple third metal layers. The method for fabricating the multi-gas sensor comprises steps of forming an epitaxial layer on a substrate; etching the epitaxial layer to form a first epitaxial structure and a second epitaxial structure a fixed distance from the first epitaxial structure; forming a metal oxide layer on the first epitaxial structure; forming a first metal layer that has at least two metal layers on the second epitaxial structure; forming a second metal layer a fixed distance from the first metal layer on the second epitaxial structure; forming third metal layers respectively on the metal oxide layer, the first metal layer and the second metal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Tsung-Han Tsai, Tai-You Chen, Chung-Fu Chang, Chi-Hsiang Hsu
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Publication number: 20110290003Abstract: A gas sensor includes a substrate; a seed layer positioned on the substrate; a zinc-oxide nanostructure formed on the seed layer; a metal nanoparticle formed on the zinc-oxide nanostructure; a first electrode positioned on the zinc-oxide nanostructure; and a second electrode positioned on the zinc-oxide nanostructure apart from the first electrode to electrically connect to the first electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITYInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Tai-You Chen, Tsung-Han Tsai, I-Ping Liu, Chi-Hsiang Hsu
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Publication number: 20110284931Abstract: A transistor device sequentially comprises a semiconductor substrate, a drain, a source, a gate metal seed layer and a gate Schottky contact. The gate metal seed layer comprises a gelatinous substance layer and multiple metal seed crystals. A manufacture method comprises steps of providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a drain and a source; forming a patterned photoresist layer with a photolithography to define a gate area on the semiconductor substrate; forming a gate metal seed layer on the semiconductor substrate with a sensitization process and an activation process; and forming a gate Schottky contact on the gate metal seed layer with an electroless plating approach.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITYInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Li-Yang Chen, Chien-Chang Huang
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Patent number: 6969900Abstract: A semiconductor diode with hydrogen detection capability includes a semiconductor substrate, a doped semiconductor active layer formed on the substrate and made from a compound having the formula XYZ, in which X is a Group III element, Y is another Group III element different from X, and Z is a Group V element, a semiconductor contact-enhancing layer formed on the active layer and made from a compound having the formula MN, in which M is a Group III element, and N is a Group V element, an ohmic contact layer formed on the semiconductor contact-enhancing layer, and a Schottky barrier contact layer formed on the active layer. The Schottky barrier contact layer is made from a metal that is capable of dissociating a hydrogen molecule into hydrogen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Kun-Wei Lin, Chun-Tsen Lu
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Patent number: 6800499Abstract: A high-sensitivity Pd/InP hydrogen sensor was made by a) forming an n-type or p-type semiconductor film on a semiconductor substrate; b) forming a patterned first metal electrode on the semiconductor film, wherein the first metal electrode forms an Ohmic contact with the semiconductor film; and c) forming a second metal electrode on the semiconductor film, the second metal electrode being isolated from the first metal electrode, wherein the second metal electrode forms a Schottky contact with the semiconductor film, wherein a thickness of the second metal electrode and a material of which the second metal electrode is made enable a Schottky barrier height of the Schottky contact to decrease when hydrogen contacts the second metal electrode. The second metal electrode can be physical vapor deposited or electroless plated.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Huey-Ing Chen, Wen-Chau Liu, Yen-I Chou, Chin-Yi Chu, Hsi-Jen Pan
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Publication number: 20040183153Abstract: A semiconductor diode with hydrogen detection capability includes a semiconductor substrate, a doped semiconductor active layer formed on the substrate and made from a compound having the formula XYZ, in which X is a Group III element, Y is another Group III element different from X, and Z is a Group V element, a semiconductor contact-enhancing layer formed on the active layer and made from a compound having the formula MN, in which M is a Group III element, and N is a Group V element, an ohmic contact layer formed on the semiconductor contact-enhancing layer, and a Schottky barrier contact layer formed on the active layer. The Schottky barrier contact layer is made from a metal that is capable of dissociating a hydrogen molecule into hydrogen atoms.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Kun-Wei Lin, Chun-Tsen Lu
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Patent number: 6791126Abstract: A bipolar heterojunction transistor (HBT) includes a collector layer, a base layer formed on the collector layer, a first transition layer formed on the base layer, an emitter layer formed on the first transition layer, a second transition layer formed on the emitter layer, and an emitter cap layer formed on the second transition layer. Each of the first and second transition layers is formed of a composition that contains an element, the mole fraction of which is graded in such a manner that the conduction band of the HBT is continuous through the base layer, the first and second transition layers, the emitter layer and the emitter cap layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Shiou-Ying Cheng
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Publication number: 20040113216Abstract: A semiconductor diode with hydrogen detection capability includes a semiconductor substrate, a doped semiconductor active layer formed on the substrate and made from a compound having the formula XYZ, in which X is a Group III element, Y is another Group III element different from X, and Z is a Group V element, an ohmic contact layer formed on the active layer, and a Schottky barrier contact layer formed on the active layer so as to provide a Schottky barrier therebetween. The Schottky barrier contact layer is made from a metal that is capable of dissociating a hydrogen molecule into hydrogen atoms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITYInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Kun-Wei Lin
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Publication number: 20030222278Abstract: A bipolar heterojunction transistor (HBT) includes a collector layer, a base layer formed on the collector layer, a first transition layer formed on the base layer, an emitter layer formed on the first transition layer, a second transition layer formed on the emitter layer, and an emitter cap layer formed on the second transition layer. Each of the first and second transition layers is formed of a composition that contains an element, the mole fraction of which is graded in such a manner that the conduction band of the HBT is continuous through the base layer, the first and second transition layers, the emitter layer and the emitter cap layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITYInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Shiou-Ying Cheng
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Publication number: 20020182767Abstract: A high-sensitivity Pd/InP hydrogen sensor was made by a) forming an n-type or p-type semiconductor film on a semiconductor substrate; b) forming a patterned first metal electrode on said semiconductor film, wherein said first metal electrode forms an Ohmic contact with said semiconductor film; and c) forming a second metal electrode on said semiconductor film, said second metal electrode being isolated from said first metal electrode, wherein said second metal electrode forms a Schottky contact with said semiconductor film, wherein a thickness of said second metal electrode and a material of which said second metal electrode is made enable a Schottky barrier height of said Schottky contact to decrease when hydrogen contacts said second metal electrode. The second metal electrode can be physical vapor deposited or electroless plated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: National Science Council, a Taiwan corporationInventors: Huey-Ing Chen, Wen-Chau Liu, Yen-I Chou, Chin-Yi Chu, Hsi-Jen Pan
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Patent number: 6465815Abstract: The invention relates to a high-breakdown voltage heterostructure field-effect transistor (FET), which can be used under a high temperature condition. The FET device from bottom upward in succession includes a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer, a delta-doped sheet, an undoped layer, a sub-channel layer, an active channel layer, a gate layer, and an ohmic contact layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Jung-Hui Tsai, Wen-Lung Chang, Kuo-Hui Yu, Kun-Wei Lin
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Patent number: 6459103Abstract: An InP/InGaAlAs heterojunction bipolar transistor with the characteristics of amplification and negative-differential-resistance phenomenon is presented in the invention. The 3-terminal current-voltage characteristics of the heterojunction bipolar transistor can be controlled by the applied base current. In the large collector current regime, the heterojunction bipolar transistor has the characteristics as similar to conventional bipolar junction transistors. However, in a small collector current regime, both the transistor active region and negative-differential-resistance loci are observed. The negative-differential-resistance phenomenon is caused by the insertion of a thin base layer and a &dgr;-doped sheet. Moreover, the use of a setback layer with a thickness of 50 Å added at the emitter-base junction can suppress the diffusion of doping impurity in the base and reduce the potential spike at emitter-base heterojunction so as to improve the confinement of holes injected from base to emitter.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Wei-Chou Wang, Shiou-Ying Cheng
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Publication number: 20020030202Abstract: The invention relates to a high-breakdown voltage heterostructure field-effect transistor (FET), which can be used under a high temperature condition. The FET device from bottom upward in succession includes a semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer, a delta-doped sheet, an undoped layer, a sub-channel layer, an active channel layer, a gate layer, and an ohmic contact layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Jung-Hui Tsai, Wen-Lung Chang, Kuo-Hui Yu, Kun-Wei Lin
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Publication number: 20010049184Abstract: A high-sensitivity Pd/InP hydrogen sensor was made by a) forming an n-type or p-type semiconductor film on a semiconductor substrate; b) forming a patterned first metal electrode on said semiconductor film, wherein said first metal electrode forms an Ohmic contact with said semiconductor film; and c) forming a second metal electrode on said semiconductor film, said second metal electrode being isolated from said first metal electrode, wherein said second metal electrode forms a Schottky contact with said semiconductor film, wherein a thickness of said second metal electrode and a material of which said second metal electrode is made enable a Schottky barrier height of said Schottky contact to decrease when hydrogen contacts said second metal electrode. The second metal electrode can be physical vapor deposited or electroless plated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2000Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Huey-Ing Chen, Wen-Chau Liu, Yen-I Chou, Chin-Yi Chu, Hsi-Jen Pan
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Patent number: 6293137Abstract: In this invention, we propose a high-sensitivity Pd/InP hydrogen sensor. First, a n-type InP semiconductor membrane is grown on a semi-insulating InP substrate. The concentration and thickness of this membrane are 2×1017cm−3 and 3000 Å, respectively. Then, Pd metal and AuGe alloy are evaporated on the surface of the membrane as the anode and cathode electrodes, respectively. Due to the catalytic performance of Pd metal, the adsorbed hydrogen molecules on the surface of the Pd metal are dissociated into hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen atoms diffuse and pass through the Pd metal and form a dipole layer at the interface between the Pd metal and the n-type InP membrane. This dipole layer will decrease the depletion width of the n-type InP membrane and further lower the metal-semiconductor Schottky barrier height. Therefore, the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics will be modulated after the introduction of hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-lng Chen, Hsi-Jen Pan
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Patent number: 6197622Abstract: The present invention provides a structure of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS)-like multiple-negative-differential-resistance (MNDR) device and the fabrication method thereof. The device of the present invention has the characteristics of dual-route and MNDR at low temperatures. These characteristics result from the successive barrier-lowering and potential-redistribution effect when conducting carriers fall into a quantum well. MNDR devices have excellent potential in multiple-value logic circuitry applications and are capable of reducing circuitry complexity.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1998Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Lih-Wen Laih
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Patent number: 6188081Abstract: The present invention is a fabrication process and structure of a negative-differential-resistance device characterized by triple negative-differential-resistance at room temperature and hexad negative-differential-resistance at a low temperature (−105° C.). The component parts are, from bottom upward, a substrate made of GaAs material, a first layer made of GaAs material, a second layer made of InGaAs (InxGa1−xAs) material, a third layer made of AlGaAs material, and a metallic coating by vaporization on the third layer. Of the three layers, the second one is a varied layer composed of our successively varied laminates. The device, by utilizing the successive carriers accumulations of step-graded InGaAs subwells and the barrier lowering effect, provides MNDR properties and good potential for multiple-valued logic circuit applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Inventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Lih-Wen Laih
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Patent number: 6160278Abstract: In this invention, a new, simple and small-size hydrogen-sensitive palladium (Pd) membrane/semiconductor Schottky diode sensor has been developed and fabricated. First, a high quality undoped GaAs buffer layer and an n-type GaAs epitaxial layer with the carrier concentration of 2.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.31 3 is grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on a semi-insulated GaAs substrate. Then a thin Pd membrane is evaporated on the surface of the n-type GaAs epitaxial layer by the vacuum evaporation technique. It is well-known that palladium metal has excellent selectivity and sensitivity on hydrogen gas. When hydrogen gas diffuses to the Pd membrane surface, the hydrogen molecules will dissociate into hydrogen atoms. Some of the hydrogen atoms diffuse through the thin metal layer and form the palladium hydride near the metal-semiconductor interface. The hydride may effectively lower the work function of Pd metal.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: National Science CouncilInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Huey-Ing Chen, Shiou-Ying Cheng
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Patent number: 6118136Abstract: The invention is to develop a high-speed low power consumption resonant tunneling element--a superlatticed negative-differential-resistance (NDR) functional transistor. The proposed element exhibits amplification and obvious NDR phenomena simultaneously. In this element, the emitter region includes 5-period GaInAs/AlInAs super lattice resonant tunneling and emitter layers. Since the emitter--base interface is of homojunction, the collector--emitter offset voltage (V.sub.CE, offset) may be lowered down significantly. In addition, the produced infinitesimal potential (.DELTA.Ev) at GaInAs/AlInAs interface due to heterojunction in discrete valence bands may be applied as barriers to prohibit holes flow from base towards emitter. By doing so, the base current is remarkably depressed so as to elevate efficiency of emitter injection as well as current gain.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: National Science Council of Republic of ChinaInventors: Wen-Chau Liu, Shiou-Ying Cheng