Patents by Inventor Zihao M. Gao

Zihao M. Gao 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: 20230378165
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a deep well having a first conductivity type, a well having the first conductivity type disposed in at least a portion of the deep well, proximate an upper surface of the deep well, and a drain region having a second conductivity type disposed in a portion of the deep well, proximate the upper surface of the deep well. A source structure is disposed in a portion of the well, proximate an upper surface of the well and spaced laterally from the drain region. The source structure includes multiple pairs of stripe regions, each of the stripe regions including a doped region of the first conductivity type and a doped region of the second conductivity type disposed laterally adjacent to one another. A gate is disposed over the well, between the drain region and the source structure, the gate being electrically isolated from the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, Xiaowei Ren
  • Patent number: 10892361
    Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed at a top surface of the substrate. A first region of the first conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer. A second region of a second conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer adjacent to the first region and the second conductivity type is opposite of the first conductivity type. A third region of the second conductivity type is formed in the first region and a portion of the first region forms a channel region between the third region and the second region. An emitter region of the first conductivity type is formed in the second region. A gate dielectric is formed over the channel region, and a gate electrode is formed on gate dielectric with the gate electrode overlapping at least a portion of second region and the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, Christopher Paul Dragon, Walter Sherrard Wright
  • Publication number: 20200152787
    Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed at a top surface of the substrate. A first region of the first conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer. A second region of a second conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer adjacent to the first region and the second conductivity type is opposite of the first conductivity type. A third region of the second conductivity type is formed in the first region and a portion of the first region forms a channel region between the third region and the second region. An emitter region of the first conductivity type is formed in the second region. A gate dielectric is formed over the channel region, and a gate electrode is formed on gate dielectric with the gate electrode overlapping at least a portion of second region and the third region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: ZIHAO M. GAO, CHRISTOPHER PAUL DRAGON, WALTER SHERRARD WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 10593796
    Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed at a top surface of the substrate. A first region of the first conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer. A second region of a second conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer adjacent to the first region and the second conductivity type is opposite of the first conductivity type. A third region of the second conductivity type is formed in the first region and a portion of the first region forms a channel region between the third region and the second region. An emitter region of the first conductivity type is formed in the second region. A gate dielectric is formed over the channel region, and a gate electrode is formed on gate dielectric with the gate electrode overlapping at least a portion of second region and the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, Christopher Paul Dragon, Walter Sherrard Wright
  • Publication number: 20190181262
    Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is formed at a top surface of the substrate. A first region of the first conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer. A second region of a second conductivity type is formed as a well in the epitaxial layer adjacent to the first region and the second conductivity type is opposite of the first conductivity type. A third region of the second conductivity type is formed in the first region and a portion of the first region forms a channel region between the third region and the second region. An emitter region of the first conductivity type is formed in the second region. A gate dielectric is formed over the channel region, and a gate electrode is formed on gate dielectric with the gate electrode overlapping at least a portion of second region and the third region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, Christopher Paul Dragon, Walter Sherrard Wright
  • Patent number: 10312368
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a semiconductor substrate containing a source region and a drain region, a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate between the source region and the drain region, a composite drift region in the semiconductor substrate, the composite drift region extending laterally from the drain region to at least an edge of the gate structure, the composite drift region including dopant having a first conductivity type, wherein at least a portion of the dopant is buried beneath the drain region at a depth exceeding an ion implantation range, and a well region in the semiconductor substrate. The well region has a second conductivity type and is configured to form a channel therein under the gate structure during operation. Methods for the fabrication of semiconductor devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Renaud, Zihao M. Gao
  • Patent number: 10069006
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. A gate structure is supported by a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a current carrying region (e.g., a drain region of an LDMOS transistor) is disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The device further includes a drift region of a second, opposite conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The drift region extends laterally from the current carrying region to the gate structure. The device further includes a buried region of the second conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the current carrying region. The buried region is vertically aligned with the current carrying region, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate with the first conductivity type is present between the buried region and the current carrying region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux
  • Patent number: 9818862
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a current terminal region located in a device active area of a substrate of the device. A guard region is located in a termination area of the device. A plurality of floating field plates are located in the termination area and are ohmically coupled to the guard region. The floating field plates and guard region act in some embodiments to “smooth” the electrical field distribution along the termination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Wayne Robert Burger, Christopher P. Dragon, Hernan A. Rueda
  • Publication number: 20170250276
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. A gate structure is supported by a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a current carrying region (e.g., a drain region of an LDMOS transistor) is disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The device further includes a drift region of a second, opposite conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The drift region extends laterally from the current carrying region to the gate structure. The device further includes a buried region of the second conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the current carrying region. The buried region is vertically aligned with the current carrying region, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate with the first conductivity type is present between the buried region and the current carrying region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux
  • Publication number: 20170194420
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices include a semiconductor substrate containing a source region and a drain region, a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate between the source region and the drain region, a composite drift region in the semiconductor substrate, the composite drift region extending laterally from the drain region to at least an edge of the gate structure, the composite drift region including dopant having a first conductivity type, wherein at least a portion of the dopant is buried beneath the drain region at a depth exceeding an ion implantation range, and a well region in the semiconductor substrate. The well region has a second conductivity type and is configured to form a channel therein under the gate structure during operation. Methods for the fabrication of semiconductor devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Philippe Renaud, Zihao M. Gao
  • Publication number: 20170194488
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a current terminal region located in a device active area of a substrate of the device. A guard region is located in a termination area of the device. A plurality of floating field plates are located in the termination area and are ohmically coupled to the guard region. The floating field plates and guard region act in some embodiments to “smooth” the electrical field distribution along the termination area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: ZIHAO M. GAO, DAVID C. BURDEAUX, WAYNE ROBERT BURGER, CHRISTOPHER P. DRAGON, HERNAN A. RUEDA
  • Patent number: 9666710
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. A gate structure is supported by a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a current carrying region (e.g., a drain region of an LDMOS transistor) is disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The device further includes a drift region of a second, opposite conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The drift region extends laterally from the current carrying region to the gate structure. The device further includes a buried region of the second conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the current carrying region. The buried region is vertically aligned with the current carrying region, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate with the first conductivity type is present between the buried region and the current carrying region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux
  • Patent number: 9520367
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface with a trench, first and second conduction terminals supported by the semiconductor substrate, a control electrode supported by the semiconductor substrate between the first and second conduction terminals and configured to control flow of charge carriers during operation between the first and second conduction terminals, and a Faraday shield supported by the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the control electrode and the second conduction terminal. At least a portion of the Faraday shield is disposed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Wayne R. Burger, Robert A. Pryor, Philippe Renaud
  • Publication number: 20160343851
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. A gate structure is supported by a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a current carrying region (e.g., a drain region of an LDMOS transistor) is disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The device further includes a drift region of a second, opposite conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate at the surface. The drift region extends laterally from the current carrying region to the gate structure. The device further includes a buried region of the second conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the current carrying region. The buried region is vertically aligned with the current carrying region, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate with the first conductivity type is present between the buried region and the current carrying region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: ZIHAO M. GAO, David C. Burdeaux
  • Patent number: 9443975
    Abstract: Forming a transistor transistor includes forming a surface region, a gate, a source dopant region, a drain dopant region, a drift dopant region, a set of electrically conductive shield plates, and a shield plate dopant region. A sidewall of the gate aligns with a drain side boundary of the surface region. The drain dopant region is formed within the surface region on the drain side. The drift dopant region is formed within the surface region between the drain side boundary and the drain dopant region. The set of electrically conductive shield plates includes a first shield plate overlying the drift dopant region. The shield plate dopant region is formed within the drift dopant region and underlies the set of shield plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Agni Mitra
  • Patent number: 9437693
    Abstract: A transistor includes a surface region, a gate, a source dopant region, a drain dopant region, a drift dopant region, a set of electrically conductive shield plates, and a shield plate dopant region. A sidewall of the gate aligns with a drain side boundary of the surface region. The drain dopant region is within the surface region on the drain side. The drift dopant region is within the surface region between the drain side boundary and the drain dopant region. The set of electrically conductive shield plates includes a first shield plate overlying the drift dopant region. The shield plate dopant region is within the drift dopant region and underlies the set of shield plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Agni Mitra
  • Publication number: 20160254380
    Abstract: Forming a transistor transistor includes forming a surface region, a gate, a source dopant region, a drain dopant region, a drift dopant region, a set of electrically conductive shield plates, and a shield plate dopant region. A sidewall of the gate aligns with a drain side boundary of the surface region. The drain dopant region is formed within the surface region on the drain side. The drift dopant region is formed within the surface region between the drain side boundary and the drain dopant region. The set of electrically conductive shield plates includes a first shield plate overlying the drift dopant region. The shield plate dopant region is formed within the drift dopant region and underlies the set of shield plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Agni Mitra
  • Publication number: 20160181378
    Abstract: A transistor includes a surface region, a gate, a source dopant region, a drain dopant region, a drift dopant region, a set of electrically conductive shield plates, and a shield plate dopant region. A sidewall of the gate aligns with a drain side boundary of the surface region. The drain dopant region is within the surface region on the drain side. The drift dopant region is within the surface region between the drain side boundary and the drain dopant region. The set of electrically conductive shield plates includes a first shield plate overlying the drift dopant region. The shield plate dopant region is within the drift dopant region and underlies the set of shield plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Agni Mitra
  • Publication number: 20160056114
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface with a trench, first and second conduction terminals supported by the semiconductor substrate, a control electrode supported by the semiconductor substrate between the first and second conduction terminals and configured to control flow of charge carriers during operation between the first and second conduction terminals, and a Faraday shield supported by the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the control electrode and the second conduction terminal. At least a portion of the Faraday shield is disposed in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Zihao M. Gao, David C. Burdeaux, Wayne R. Burger, Robert A. Pryor, Philippe Renaud
  • Publication number: 20160035822
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices include: (a) a semiconductor substrate containing a source region and a drain region; (b) a gate structure supported by the semiconductor substrate between the source region and the drain region; (c) a composite drift region in the semiconductor substrate, the composite drift region extending laterally from the drain region to at least an edge of the gate structure, the composite drift region including dopant having a first conductivity type, wherein at least a portion of the dopant is buried beneath the drain region at a depth exceeding an ion implantation range; and (d) a well region in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the well region has a second conductivity type and wherein the well region is configured to form a channel therein under the gate structure during operation of the semiconductor device. Methods for the fabrication of semiconductor devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Philippe Renaud, Zihao M. Gao