Patents Issued in July 8, 2008
  • Patent number: 7397091
    Abstract: A CMOS device such as an NFET or a PFET and a method of forming a CMOS device are provided. The method begins by forming at least one patterned gate region atop a first semiconductor layer that includes silicon. Dielectric spacers are formed about exposed portions of the patterned gate region. Source-drain regions are formed in the first semiconductor layer. Recesses are formed in the first semiconductor layer that extends under the dielectric spacers. The first semiconductor layer has exposed surfaces that in part define sidewalls of the recesses. A nickel barrier layer is formed on each of the exposed surfaces of the first semiconductor layer. The nickel barrier layers are etched so that the nickel barriers remain only on portions of the exposed surfaces located under the dielectric spacers and not on remaining portions of the exposed surface. A silicon-containing layer is formed on the remaining exposed surfaces of the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Suenaga
  • Patent number: 7397092
    Abstract: A phase-changeable memory device may include a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, first and second electrodes, and a pattern of a phase-changeable material between the first and second electrodes. More particularly, the insulating layer may have a hole therein, and the first electrode may be in the hole in the insulating layer. Moreover, portions of the second electrode may extend beyond an edge of the pattern of phase-changeable material. Related methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Horii, Suk-Ho Joo, Ji-Hye Yi
  • Patent number: 7397093
    Abstract: A gate pattern is disclosed that includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower conductive pattern, an upper conductive pattern, and a sidewall conductive pattern. The lower conductive pattern is on the substrate. The insulating pattern is on the lower conductive pattern. The upper conductive pattern is on the insulating pattern opposite to the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern is on at least a portion of sidewalls of the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern electrically connects the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. An upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern may be recessed relative to a lower edge portion of the lower conductive pattern to define a ledge thereon. The sidewall conductive pattern may be directly on the ledge and sidewall of the recessed upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Sun Sel, Jung-Dal Choi, Joon-Hee Lee, Hwa-Kyung Shin
  • Patent number: 7397094
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that enables to suppress a defect density of a gate insulating film of an MISFET, gain a sufficient electric characteristic thereof, and make an Equivalent Oxide Thickness (EOT) of the gate insulating film 1.0 nm or less. The MISFETs are formed to have the gate insulating film formed on a main surface of a silicon substrate, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, wherein the gate insulating film includes a metal silicate layer formed by a metal oxide layer and a silicon oxide layer and the metal silicate layer is formed so as to have concentration gradients of metal and silicon from a silicon substrate side toward a gate electrode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Rohm Co., Ltd., Horiba., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihide Nabatame, Akira Toriumi, Tsuyoshi Horikawa, Kunihiko Iwamoto, Koji Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7397095
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a dual gate electrode and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including first and second regions. A first gate electrode formed of a first metal silicide is disposed on the substrate of the first region. A second gate electrode is disposed on the substrate of the second region. The second gate electrode is formed of a second metal silicide including a metal the same as that of the first metal silicide. A gate insulating layer is interposed between the substrate and the first gate electrode, and between the substrate and the second gate electrode. The gate insulating layer brings about a Fermi pinning effect increasing or decreasing intrinsic work functions of the first and second metal silicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7397096
    Abstract: A structure of sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip capable of resisting electrostatic discharge (ESD) includes a semiconductor substrate, and a sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip formed on the semiconductor substrate, a polymer layer and a conducting metal layer. The sweep-type fingerprint sensing chip includes a sensing array region and a peripheral circuit region. The sensing array region has an exposed area for sensing a plurality of fingerprint fragment images as a finger sweeps thereacross. The peripheral circuit region, which is formed on the substrate and located around the sensing array region, controls an operation of the sensing array region. The polymer layer is disposed on the peripheral circuit region and has a flat and smooth outer surface. The conducting metal layer is disposed on the flat and smooth outer surface of the polymer layer. The conducting metal layer discharges the approaching electrostatic charges to the ground to avoid damaging of the sensing chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: LighTuning Tech. Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Patent number: 7397097
    Abstract: A released beam structure fabricated in trench and manufacturing method thereof are provided herein. One embodiment of a released beam structure according to the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, a trench, a first conducting layer, and a beam. The trench extends into the semiconductor substrate and has walls. The first conducting layer is positioned over the walls of the trench at selected locations. The beam is positioned with the trench and is connected at a first portion thereof to the semiconductor substrate and movable at a second portion thereof. The second portion of the beam is spaced from the walls of the trench by a selected distance. Therefore, the second portion of the beam is free to move in a plane that is perpendicular or parallel to the surface of the substrate, and could be deflected to electrically contact with the walls of the trench in response to a predetermined acceleration force or a predetermined temperature variation applied on the beam structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, Joseph C. McAlexander
  • Patent number: 7397098
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an MRAM device. The MRAM device includes a plurality of magnetic memory elements, a sense line coupled to the plurality of magnetic memory elements for sensing a magnetic orientation of each of the plurality of magnetic memory elements wherein the sense line includes a first via and a second via and wherein the sense line is utilized to thermally assist in switching a magnetic orientation of at least one of the plurality of magnetic memory elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Janice H. Nickel, Manuj Bhattacharyya, Robert G. Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7397099
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a nano-sized MTJ cell in which a contact in the MTJ cell is formed without forming a contact hole. The method of forming the MTJ cell includes forming an MTJ layer on a substrate, forming an MTJ cell region by patterning the MTJ layer, sequentially depositing an insulating layer and a mask layer on the MTJ layer, exposing an upper surface of the MTJ cell region by etching the mask layer and the insulating layer at the same etching rate, and depositing a metal layer on the insulating layer and the MTJ layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-won Hwang, I-hun Song, Geun-young Yeom, Seok-jae Chung
  • Patent number: 7397100
    Abstract: An image sensor for minimizing a dark level defect is disclosed. The image sensor includes an isolation layer formed on a substrate. A field region and an active region are defined on the substrate by the isolation layer. A photodiode is formed in the image sensor in such a structure that a first region is formed below a surface of the substrate in the active region and a second region is formed under the first region. A first conductive type impurity is implanted into the first region and a second conductive type impurity is implanted into the second region. A dark current suppressor is formed on side and bottom surfaces of the isolation layer adjacent to the first region, and the dark current suppressor is doped with the second conductive type impurity. The dark current suppressor suppresses the dark current to minimize the dark level defect caused by the dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Il Jung
  • Patent number: 7397101
    Abstract: A horizontal germanium silicon heterostructure photodetector comprising a horizontal germanium p-i-n diode disposed over a horizontal parasitic silicon p-i-n diode uses silicon contacts for electrically coupling to the germanium p-i-n through the p-type doped and n-type doped regions in the silicon p-i-n without requiring direct physical contact to germanium material. The current invention may be optically coupled to on-chip and/or off-chip optical waveguide through end-fire or evanescent coupling. In some cases, the doping of the germanium p-type doped and/or n-type doped region may be accomplished based on out-diffusion of dopants in the doped silicon material of the underlying parasitic silicon p-i-n during high temperature steps in the fabrication process such as, the germanium deposition step(s), cyclic annealing, contact annealing and/or dopant activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Luxtera, Inc.
    Inventors: Gianlorenzo Masini, Lawrence C. Gunn, III, Giovanni Capellini
  • Patent number: 7397102
    Abstract: This invention discloses a junction barrier Schottky device supported on a substrate that has a first conductivity type. The Schottky device includes a first diffusion region of a first conductivity type for functioning as a forward barrier height reduction region. The Schottky device further includes a second diffusion region of a second conductivity type disposed immediately adjacent to the first diffusion region for functioning as a backward blocking enhancement region to reduce the backward leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taurus Micropower, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuw-Iuan Hshieh, Brian Pratt
  • Patent number: 7397103
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel damage detection circuitries implemented on the periphery of a semiconductor device. The circuitries disclosed herein enable the easy identification of cracks and deformation, and other types of damage that commonly occur during test and assembly processes of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance D. Archer, Daniel P. Chesire, Seung H. Kang, Taeho Kook, Sailesh M. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7397104
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided which includes an active region, a shallow groove isolation adjacent to the active region, and a semiconductor element formed in the active region and having a gate. The sum of a width of the active region and a width of the shallow groove isolation constitutes a minimum pitch in the direction of a gate width of the gate, and the width of the active region is set larger than one-half of the minimum pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Suzuki, Hiroyuki Ichizoe, Masayuki Kojima, Keiji Okamoto, Shinichi Horibe, Kozo Watanabe, Yasuko Yoshida, Shuji Ikeda, Akira Takamatsu, Norio Ishitsuka, Atsushi Ogishima, Maki Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7397105
    Abstract: A deep n-well is formed beneath the area of a capacitor structure. The use of a deep n-well lessens the parasitic capacitance by placing a diode in series with the interlayer dielectric cap. The deep n-well also reduces substrate noise. Once the n-well is implanted and annealed, a cross hatch of shallow trench isolation is patterned over the n-well. The shallow trench isolation reduces and confines the inductively and/or capacitively coupled surface currents to small areas that are then isolated from the rest of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Sean Christopher Erickson, Jason Dee Hudson
  • Patent number: 7397106
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure having an efficient thermal path and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a protection ring over a semiconductor substrate and substantially encloses a laser fuse structure. The laser fuse structure includes a laser fuse and a connection structure connecting the fuse to integrated circuits. The protection ring is thermally coupled to the semiconductor substrate by contacts. The semiconductor structure further includes a metal plate conducting heat generated by a laser beam to the protection ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-Yi Tsai, Chao-Hsiang Yang, Shang-Yun Hou, Chia-Lun Tsai, Shin-Puu Jeng
  • Patent number: 7397107
    Abstract: An integrated circuit capacitor having a bottom plate 50a, a dielectric layer 250?, and a ferromagnetic top plate 20a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Brennan, Satyavolu S. Papa Rao
  • Patent number: 7397108
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated bipolar transistor has an SOI substrate, a collector region in the SOI substrate, a base layer region on top of and in contact with the collector region, and an emitter layer region on top of and in contact with the base layer region, wherein the collector, base layer, and emitter layer regions are provided with separate contact regions. Further, a region of an insulating material, preferably an oxide or nitride, is provided in the base layer region, in the emitter layer region, or between the base and emitter layer regions, wherein the insulating region extends laterally at a fraction of a width of the base and emitter layer regions to reduce an effective width of the bipolar transistor to thereby eliminate any base push out effects that would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Torkel Arnborg
  • Patent number: 7397109
    Abstract: A method for integrating three bipolar transistors into a semiconductor body, multilayer component, and semiconductor arrangement is provided. A tendency toward thyristor-like behavior of the multilayer semiconductor arrangements with the three bipolar transistors is suppressed with the aid of a heterojunction. The high frequency characteristics and the blocking capability of the circuit of the three bipolar transistors is made more flexible, while the capability of an input signal to control an output signal is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: ATMEL Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Bromberger
  • Patent number: 7397110
    Abstract: A high-resistance silicon wafer is manufactured in which a gettering ability, mechanical strength, and economical efficiency are excellent and an oxygen thermal donor is effectively prevented from being generated in a heat treatment for forming a circuit, which is implemented on the side of a device maker. A heat treatment for forming an oxygen precipitate nucleus is performed at 500 to 900° C. for 5 hours or more in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and a heat treatment for growing an oxygen precipitate is performed at 950 to 1050° C. for 10 hours or more on a high-oxygen and carbon-doped high-resistance silicon wafer in which resistivity is 100 ?cm or more, an oxygen concentration is 14×1017 atoms/cm3 (ASTM F-121, 1979) or more and a carbon concentration is 0.5×1016 atoms/cm3 or more. By these heat treatments, a remaining oxygen concentration in the wafer is controlled to be 12×1017 atoms/cm3 (ASTM F-121, 1979) or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumitsu Takase, Hideshi Nishikawa, Makoto Ito, Koji Sueoka, Shinsuke Sadamitsu
  • Patent number: 7397111
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a semiconductor chip with a chip topside, an integrated circuit, and a chip backside. The chip backside includes a magnetic layer. The electronic component further includes a chip carrier with a magnetic layer on its carrier topside. At least one of the two magnetic layers is permanently magnetic such that the semiconductor chip is magnetically fixed on the chip carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Simon Jerebic, Jens Pohl, Horst Theuss
  • Patent number: 7397112
    Abstract: A lead frame adapted to a semiconductor package, which is enclosed in a molded resin body and is connected with a board, is formed by processing a thin metal plate so as to include a stage for mounting a semiconductor chip thereon, a plurality of leads arranged to encompass the stage, and a plurality of lead interconnecting members (or dam bars) for interconnecting the leads together. At least one recess, which is of a circular shape or a non-circular shape, is formed on the backside of the lead (or the lead interconnecting member), which is substantially arranged in the same plane with a terminal surface of the molded resin body. Due to the formation of the recess that is subjected to plating, it is possible to increase the joining strength between the lead and solder; hence, it is possible to improve reliability regarding electric connection between the semiconductor package and board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Kenichi Shirasaka
  • Patent number: 7397113
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element; a die pad with the semiconductor element mounted thereon; a plurality of electrode terminals each having a connecting portion electrically connected with the semiconductor element; and a sealing resin for sealing the semiconductor element, the die pad and the electrode terminals so that a surface of each electrode terminal on an opposite side from a surface having the connecting portion is exposed as an external terminal surface. A recess having a planar shape of a circle is formed on the surface of each electrode terminal with the connecting portion, and the recess is arranged between an end portion of the electrode terminal exposed from an outer edge side face of the sealing resin and the connecting portion. While a function of the configuration for suppressing the peeling between the electrode terminal and the sealing resin can be maintained by mitigating an external force applied to the electrode terminal, the semiconductor device can be downsized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Itou, Noboru Takeuchi, Shigetoyo Kawakami, Toshiyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7397114
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided which includes a wire having a diameter equal to or less than 30 ?m, and a connected member molded by a resin. The connected member includes a metal layer including a palladium layer provided at a portion to which said wire is connected. A solder containing Pb as a main composition metal is provided at a portion outside a portion molded by the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Miyaki, Hiromichi Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Kaneda
  • Patent number: 7397115
    Abstract: A folding chip planar stack package is realized by employing folding chips. The folding chip planar stack package includes a substrate, first and second semiconductor chips attached to an upper surface of the substrate while being folded and spaced in parallel to each other, a bonding wire for electrically connecting the first and second semiconductor chips with the substrate, a sealing material for sealing the upper surface of the substrate including the first and second semiconductor chips and the bonding wire, and solder balls attached to a lower surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ik Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 7397116
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a semiconductor module having a plurality of semiconductor elements and an external connection terminal for externally connecting electrodes of the semiconductor elements in the semiconductor module, wherein the semiconductor elements in each semiconductor module are connected in parallel and/or in series via the external connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Onishi, Toshiaki Nagase, Jun Ishikawa, Koichi Akagawa
  • Patent number: 7397117
    Abstract: A thin film semiconductor die circuit package is provided utilizing low dielectric constant (k) polymer material for the insulating layers of the metal interconnect structure. Five embodiments include utilizing glass, glass-metal composite, and glass/glass sandwiched substrates. The substrates form the base for mounting semiconductor dies and fabricating the thin film interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Megica Corporation
    Inventors: Mou-Shiung Lin, Jin-Yuan Lee, Ching-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7397118
    Abstract: A chip-type electronic component includes a ceramic chip body, an external electrode formed on the chip body, a conductive elastic resin film made of a mixture of metal powder and elastic resin and formed to cover the external electrode, and a metal plating film. The metal powder is exposed at an obverse surface of the conductive elastic resin film. The metal plating film is formed on the obverse surface of the conductive elastic resin film at which the metal powder is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7397119
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to heat spread at wafer level. A silicon wafer is thinned. A chemical vapor deposition diamond (CVDD) wafer processed. The CVDD wafer is bonded to the thinned silicon wafer to form a bonded wafer. Metallization is plated on back side of the CVDD wafer. The CVDD wafer is reflowed to flatten the back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Chrysler, Chuan Hu
  • Patent number: 7397120
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor package structure includes a plurality of upright clips having ends with mounting surfaces for vertically mounting the package to a next level of assembly. A semiconductor chip is interposed between the upright clips together with one or more spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen St. Germain, Francis J. Carney, Bruce Alan Huling
  • Patent number: 7397121
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor chip comprising an interconnecting structure over said passivation layer. The interconnecting structure comprises a first contact pad connected to a second contact pad exposed by an opening in a passivation layer. A metal bump is on the first contact pad and over multiple semiconductor devices, wherein the metal bump has more than 50 percent by weight of gold and has a height of between 8 and 50 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Megica Corporation
    Inventors: Chiu-Ming Chou, Chien-Kang Chou, Ching-San Lin, Mou-Shiung Lin, Hsin-Jung Lo
  • Patent number: 7397122
    Abstract: A metal wiring for a semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are provided. The metal wiring includes a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer; an interlayer insulating film formed between the first and second insulating layers, wherein the interlayer insulating film is provided with holes having a designated shape; a barrier metal layer, a copper seed layer, and a copper layer sequentially formed in the holes of the interlayer insulating film; and a capping layer formed between the interlayer insulating film and the second insulating layer. The capping layer formed between the interlayer insulating film and the second insulating layer may be made of a negatively charged insulating material, thereby improving electro-migration characteristics at an interface between the capping layer and the copper layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Won Han
  • Patent number: 7397123
    Abstract: A SRAM of complete CMOS type having its memory cell composed of six MISFETs, in which a pair of local wiring lines for connecting the input/output terminals of CMOS inverters are formed of a refractory metal silicide layer formed over a first conducting layer constituting the individual gate electrodes of the drive MISFETs, the transfer MISFETs and the load MISFETs of the memory cell and in which a reference voltage line formed over the local wiring lines is arranged to be superposed over the local wiring lines to form a capacity element. Moreover, the capacity element is formed between the local wiring lines and the first conducting layer by superposing the local wiring lines over the first conducting layer. Moreover, the local wiring lines are formed by using resistance lowering means such as silicification. In addition, there are made common the means for lowering the resistance of the gate electrode of the transfer MISFETs and the means for forming the local wiring lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shuji Ikeda, Toshiaki Yamanaka, Kenichi Kikushima, Shinichiro Mitani, Kazushige Sato, Akira Fukami, Masaya Iida, Akihiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7397124
    Abstract: A process of metal interconnects and a structure of metal interconnect produced therefrom are provided. An opening is formed in a dielectric layer. A metal layer is formed over the dielectric layer filling the opening. A film layer is formed on the metal layer and the dielectric layer. The film layer is reacted with the metal layer during a thermal process, and a protective layer is formed on the surface of the metal layer. The portion of the film layer not reacted with the metal layer is removed to avoid short between the metal layers. The protective layer can protect the surface of the metal layer from being oxidized and thus the stability and the reliability of the semiconductor device can be effectively promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shao-Chung Hu, Yu-Ru Yang, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 7397125
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having bonding pads on a semiconductor substrate includes: an upper copper layer that is formed on the lower surface of the bonding pads with a barrier metal interposed and that has a copper area ratio that is greater than layers in which circuit interconnects are formed; and a lower copper layer that is electrically insulated from the upper copper layer and that is formed closer to the semiconductor substrate than the upper copper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Oda
  • Patent number: 7397126
    Abstract: The present invention provides inhibiting an electrical leakage caused by anion migration. A trenched portion 15 is provided as ion migration-preventing zone between a source electrode 4 and a gate electrode 5. The trenched portion 15 is formed so as to surround a periphery of the source electrode 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoki Kato
  • Patent number: 7397127
    Abstract: A pad structure includes a first metal-containing layer formed over a substrate. A first passivation layer is formed over the first metal-containing layer. The first passivation layer has a first opening partially exposing the first metal-containing layer. A pad layer is formed over the first passivation layer, covering the first opening. The pad layer includes a probing region configured to be contacted by a probe and a bonding region configured to have a wired bonded to it. The probing region contacts the first metal-containing layer through the first opening, and the bonding region overlies a portion of the first passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang-Chen Lin, Pei-Haw Tsao
  • Patent number: 7397128
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which emitter pad electrodes connected to an active region, collector and base pad electrodes are formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate, a backside electrode is formed. Moreover, the emitter pad electrodes connected to a grounding potential are connected to the backside electrode through feedthrough electrodes penetrating the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Kanto Sanyo Semiconductors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Kubo, Yukari Shirahata, Shigehito Matsumoto, Masamichi Yamamuro, Koujiro Kameyama, Mitsuo Umemoto
  • Patent number: 7397129
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an interposer for mounting a semiconductor die, as well as methods for forming the interposer, are disclosed. The interposer includes flexible solder pad elements that are formed from a core material of the interposer, such that the interposer may absorb thermally induced stresses and conform to warped or uneven surfaces. Embodiments of electronic device packages including a semiconductor die mounted to and electrically connected to the interposer, as well as methods for forming the electronic device packages, are also disclosed. In one electronic device package, the semiconductor die is electrically connected to the interposer with wire bonds attached to a routing layer of the interposer. In another electronic device package, the semiconductor die is electrically connected to the interposer by bonding the semiconductor die to the flexible solder pad elements of the interposer in a flip-chip configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Teck Kheng Lee
  • Patent number: 7397130
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device can include forming a plurality of gate structure patterns including gates and first mask patterns stacked on a semiconductor substrate, the gate structure patterns being spaced apart from each other and extending in a first direction, forming a first interlayer insulating layer covering the gate structure patterns, forming a plurality of second mask patterns extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and spaced apart from each other, and etching the first interlayer insulating layer to form a contact hole, self-aligned to the first and second mask patterns, in at least one contact region defined by a neighboring pair of the first mask patterns and a neighboring pair of the second mask patterns. Related devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woon-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 7397131
    Abstract: A self-aligned contact structure and a method of forming the same include selected neighboring gate electrodes with adjacent sidewalls that are configured to angle toward each other. The angled surfaces of the gate electrodes can be protected using a liner layer that can extend the length of the contact window to define the sidewalls of the contact window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Ho Kim, Dong-Gun Park, Chang-Sub Lee, Jeong-Dong Choe, Sung-Min Kim, Shin-Ae Lee
  • Patent number: 7397132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device including an organic material substrate, a semiconductor chip flip chip connected to substantially a center of one surface of the organic material substrate, and a semiconductor package mounted on another surface of the organic material substrate in a manner to avoid a position opposing to the flip chip connected semiconductor chip. Additionally, disclosed is a semiconductor device including an organic material substrate, a semiconductor chip flip chip connected to substantially a center of one surface of the organic material substrate, and a semiconductor package having a connection terminal and mounted on another surface of the organic material substrate via the connection terminal in a manner that an overlap with the flip chip connected semiconductor chip occurs, at least a part of the connection terminal in the overlap being a dummy terminal not used for transmission of an electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Nobuhito Suzuya
  • Patent number: 7397133
    Abstract: A submount is used to mount a diode between two metal areas on the upper surface of a substrate. One of the areas is connected to a metal plate at the lower surface of the substrate through a via. The submount is clamped between two metal sheets. The top metal sheet has a through-hole for anchoring and self-aligning the diode. The electrodes of the diode are each coupled to one of the clamping metal sheets. Clamping metals provide pressure contact without soldering to the contact. But soldering can be alternatively used to enhance product reliability. Either the top metal sheet or the bottom metal sheet can be fully or selectively coating of solder for batch soldering at the contact point upon heating. The large metal plates and the large metal clamping sheets provide good heat sink and speedy soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Jiahn-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 7397134
    Abstract: The invention provides a package type semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof where reliability is improved without increasing a manufacturing cost. A resin layer and a supporting member are formed on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate formed with pad electrodes. Then, openings are formed penetrating the resin layer and the supporting member so as to expose the pad electrodes. Metal layers are then formed on the pad electrodes exposed in the openings, and conductive terminals are formed thereon. Finally, the semiconductor substrate is separated into semiconductor dice by dicing. When this semiconductor device is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), the conductive terminals of the semiconductor die and external electrodes of the circuit board are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Noma
  • Patent number: 7397135
    Abstract: A method of closely interconnecting integrated circuits contained within a semiconductor wafer to electrical circuits surrounding the semiconductor wafer. Electrical interconnects are held to a minimum in length by making efficient use of polyimide or polymer as an inter-metal dielectric thus enabling the integration of very small integrated circuits within a larger circuit environment at a minimum cost in electrical circuit performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Mou-Shiung Lin
  • Patent number: 7397136
    Abstract: A single-chip module is described. The module includes a first semiconductor die having a first surface and a second surface. The first semiconductor die is configured to communicate by capacitive coupling using one or more of a plurality of proximity connectors coupled to the first semiconductor die. A cable coupled to the first semiconductor die is configured to couple power signals to the first semiconductor die. A flexibility compliance of at least one section of the cable is greater than a threshold value thereby allowing the module to be positioned in a mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Zingher, Bruce M. Guenin, Edward L. Follmer
  • Patent number: 7397137
    Abstract: A source mounted semiconductor device package is described which includes a semiconductor die having first and second opposing major surfaces, first and second major electrodes disposed on respective major surfaces and a control electrode disposed on the second major surface, and a thin metal clip electrically connected to the first major electrode of the die. The thin metal clip has a relatively large surface area, and package resistance which is caused by skin effect phenomenon is reduced thereby in high frequency applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Larking
  • Patent number: 7397138
    Abstract: Input/output cells are formed so as to be peripherally arranged adjacent to a corner cell on a surface of a semiconductor chip, and electrode pads are formed on the respective input/output cells. The electrode pads are configured in a zigzag pad arrangement so as to form inner and outer pad arrays. However, of the electrode pads forming the inner pad array, those electrode pads in predetermined areas adjacent to the two sides of the corner cell are not disposed, such that an interconnect pattern of a carrier which is bump-bonded to the semiconductor chip and vias are prevented from becoming complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ohnishi, Koji Takemura, Noriyuki Nagai, Hoyeun Huh, Tomoyuki Nakayama, Atsushi Doi
  • Patent number: 7397139
    Abstract: An encapsulating epoxy resin molding material, comprising (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a curing agent, and (C) an inorganic filler, wherein the inorganic filler (C) has an average particle size of 12 ?m or less and a specific surface area of 3.0 m2/g or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Ikezawa, Naoki Nara, Hideyuki Chaki, Yoshihiro Mizukami, Yoshinori Endou, Takaki Kashihara, Fumio Furusawa, Masaki Yoshii, Shinsuke Hagiwara, Mitsuo Katayose
  • Patent number: 7397140
    Abstract: A chip module having a chip which is mounted by means of chip adhesive on a mount and is electrically connected via bonding wires to contact pads, and an encapsulation compound which surrounds the chip and the bonding wires and is bounded by a subarea of the mount. The encapsulation compound is radiation-hardened and heat-hardened in a combined form and has radiation-impermeable pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, Delo Industire Klebstoffe GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Puschner, Dietmar Dengler, Wolfgang Schindler, Thomas Spottl