Patents Issued in January 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7646044
    Abstract: A thin film transistor is provided, which includes: a semiconductor layer including an intrinsic portion; a gate electrode overlapping the intrinsic portion; a gate insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode; and source and drain electrodes that have edges opposing each other with respect to the intrinsic portion of the semiconductor layer and are connected to the semiconductor layer, wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved surface contacting the gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Moo Huh, Joon-Hak Oh, Joon-Hoo Choi, In-Su Joo, Beohm-Rock Choi
  • Patent number: 7646045
    Abstract: A nanoelement field effect transistor includes a nanotube disposed on the substrate. A first source/drain region is coupled to a first end portion of the nanoelement and a second source/drain region is coupled to a second end portion of the nanoelement. A recess in a surface region of the substrate is arranged in such a manner that a region of the nanoelement arranged between the first and second end portions is taken out over the entire periphery of the nanoelement. A gate-insulating structure covers the periphery of the nanoelement and a gate structure covers the periphery of the gate-insulating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Franz Kreupl, Robert Seidel
  • Patent number: 7646046
    Abstract: A field effect transistor with a fin structure having a first and a second source/drain region; a body region formed within the fin structure and between the first and the second source/drain region; a metallically conductive region formed within a part of the first source/drain region, the metallically conductive region being adjacent to the body region or to a lightly doped region disposed between the body region and the first source/drain region; and a current ballasting region formed within a part of the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Russ, Harald Gossner, Thomas Schulz
  • Patent number: 7646047
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes at least a silicon layer formed with a photo sensor portion and a wiring layer formed on the front-surface side of the silicon layer. Light enters from the rear-surface side opposite to the front-surface side of the silicon layer and the thickness of the silicon layer 4 is 10 ?m or less. The photo sensor portion includes sensors configured to convert the light into signals representing an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Maruyama, Hideshi Abe, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 7646048
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a photo-transistor capable of performing photo-sensing and active amplification. The photo-transistor is installed to improve low illustration characteristics while maintaining an existing pixel operation. The CMOS image sensor also includes a reset transistor connected to the photo-transistor and adapted to perform a reset function, a drive transistor for acting as a source follower buffer amplifier in response to an output signal from the photo-transistor, and a switching transistor connected to the drive transistor and adapted to perform an addressing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bum Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7646049
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a photo diode formed over a semiconductor substrate. At least one IMD layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric medium fills a through-hole formed in the IMD layer over the photo diode. The dielectric medium may be made with materials with a higher refractive index than the materials forming the IMD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheon-Man Shim
  • Patent number: 7646050
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode that is formed over said semiconductor substrate, a capacitive insulating film that is formed on the first electrode and is made of a metal oxide ferroelectric, a second electrode that is formed on the capacitive insulating film, an insulating film that has a first opening exposing a portion of an upper side of the second electrode and is formed so that it covers the first electrode, the capacitive insulating film, and the second electrode, a first barrier film having an amorphous structure which is formed inside the first opening and on the insulating film, and a wiring film that is formed over the first barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Abe
  • Patent number: 7646051
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a storage pad and a bit line pad on the semiconductor substrate, a first interlayer insulating layer covering the bit line pad and including a bit line contact hole having a width greater than a width of the bit line pad, a barrier insulating layer on sidewalls of the first interlayer insulating layer and upper portions of sidewalls of the bit line pad that are exposed by the bit line contact hole, a bit line plug in the bit line contact hole and on the barrier insulating layer; and a storage plug penetrating the first interlayer insulating layer and contacting the storage pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Hoon Ko
  • Patent number: 7646052
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in which a DRAM and a SRAM are mixedly mounted is provided. The DRAM and the SRAM have a stack-type structure in which a bitline is formed below a capacitive element. A cross couple connection of the SRAM is formed in a layer or below the layer in which a capacitive lower electrode of the DRAM is formed and in a layer or above the layer in which the bitline is formed. For example, the cross couple connection of the SRAM is formed in a same layer as a capacitive contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takami Nagata, Masaru Ushiroda
  • Patent number: 7646053
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory cell are provided. One embodiment includes a memory cell with a storage node separated from a body region by a first dielectric, wherein the body region includes a channel separating a source and a drain region, and wherein a length of the storage node is less than a length of the channel. The embodiment further includes a memory cell with a gate separated from the storage node by a second dielectric, wherein a length of the gate is greater than a length of the storage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hussein I. Hanafi
  • Patent number: 7646054
    Abstract: In order to reduce the integrated circuit area that is occupied by an array of a given number of flash memory cells, floating gate charge storage elements are positioned along sidewalls of substrate trenches, preferably being formed of doped polysilicon spacers. An array of dual floating gate memory cells includes cells with this structure, as an example. A NAND array of memory cells is another example of an application of this cell structure. The memory cell and array structures have wide application to various specific NOR and NAND memory cell array architectures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Nima Mokhlesi
  • Patent number: 7646055
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of: introducing insulation film into a trench to provide a trench isolation; planarizing the trench isolation to expose a passivation film; and removing the passivation film and depositing a second silicon layer on a first silicon layer and the trench isolation; and in the step of depositing the first silicon layer the first silicon layer is an undoped silicon layer and in the step of depositing the second silicon layer the second silicon layer is a doped silicon layer or an undoped silicon layer subsequently having an impurity introduced thereinto or the like and thermally diffused through subsequent thermal hysteresis into the first silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yasuki Morino, Yoshihiko Kusakabe, Ryuichi Wakahara
  • Patent number: 7646056
    Abstract: In a gate structure of a non-volatile memory device is formed, a tunnel insulating layer and a charge trapping layer are formed on a substrate. A composite dielectric layer is formed on the charge trapping layer and has a laminate structure in which first material layers including aluminum oxide and second material layers including hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide are alternately stacked. A conductive layer is formed on the composite dielectric layer and then a gate structure is formed by patterning the conductive layer, the composite dielectric layer, the charge trapping layer, and the tunnel insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Mei Choi, Kyoung-Ryul Yoon, Seung-Hwan Lee, Ki-Yeon Park, Young-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 7646057
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first gate formed in a trench of a semiconductor substrate, a first gate oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate including the first gate, a first epitaxial layer on the first gate oxide layer, first source and drain regions in the first epitaxial layer at sides of the first gate, an insulating layer on the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer on the insulating layer, a second gate oxide layer on the second epitaxial layer, a second gate on the second gate oxide layer, and second source and drain regions in the second epitaxial layer below sides of the second gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji Houn Jung
  • Patent number: 7646058
    Abstract: A vertical semiconductor power device includes a plurality of semiconductor power cells connected to a bottom electric terminal disposed on a bottom surface of a semiconductor substrate and at least a top electrical terminal disposed on a top surface of the substrate and connected to the semiconductor power cells. The top electrical terminal further includes a solderable front metal for soldering to a conductor for providing an electric connection therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the conductor soldering to the solderable front metal includes a conductor of a high-heat-conductivity metal plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the conductor soldering to the solderable front metal includes a copper plate. In another exemplary embodiment, the solderable front metal includes a Ti/Ni/Au front metal. In another exemplary embodiment, the solderable front metal includes a Ti/Ni/Ag front metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Force-MOS Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Fwu-Iuan Hshieh
  • Patent number: 7646059
    Abstract: A body layer of a first conductivity type is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a source layer of a second conductivity type is formed in a surface region of the body layer. An offset layer of the second conductivity type is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a drain layer of the second conductivity type is formed in a surface region of the offset layer. An insulating film is embedded in a trench formed in the surface region of the offset layer between the source layer and the drain layer. A gate insulating film is formed on the body layer and the offset layer between the source layer and the insulating film. A gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film. A first peak of an impurity concentration profile in the offset layer is formed at a position deeper than the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusuke Kawaguchi, Norio Yasuhara, Tomoko Matsudai, Kenichi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7646060
    Abstract: Method for producing a field effect transistor having a source region (9), a drain region and a channel layer (11) interconnecting the source and drain regions, and including the step of providing a sacrificial layer (4) on part of a semiconductor material (1) whose edge is used to define the edge of an implant, such as the source region (9), in the semiconductor material (1), where the edge (4c) of the sacrificial layer (4) is subsequently used to define the edge of a gate (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cree Sweden AB
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Andrei Konstantinov
  • Patent number: 7646061
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device with charge compensation structure and a method for producing the same is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power semiconductor device has in a semiconductor body a drift path between a body zone and a substrate region. The drift path is divided into drift zones of a first conduction type. A field stop zone is provided having the first conduction type, which is arranged on the substrate region, wherein the net dopant concentration of the field stop zone is lower than that of the substrate region and higher than that of the drift zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 7646062
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that suppresses partial discharging to a semiconductor substrate caused by local concentration of current. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode buried in the semiconductor substrate, a conductor buried in the semiconductor substrate further inward from the gate electrode, a wiring layer formed in the semiconductor substrate in connection with the conductor, and an insulation film arranged between the gate electrode and the conductor. The conductor is higher than the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamaoka, Satoru Shimada
  • Patent number: 7646063
    Abstract: Transistor structures for relatively even current balancing within a device and methods for fabricating the same are disclosed. These devices can be used in relatively compact MOSFET Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection structures, such as in snapback devices. One embodiment utilizes a salisided exclusion layer for segmentation of the source and/or drain diffusion areas, while the others utilize poly for segmentation of the source and/or drain area. Also, diffusion is used generically herein and, for example, includes implants. These techniques provide relatively good ESD tolerance while consuming a relatively small amount of area, and provide significant area and parasitic capacitance reduction over the state of the art without sacrificing ESD performance. These techniques are also applicable to current balancing within relatively high current devices, such as drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme B. Boyd, William M. Lye, Xun Cheng
  • Patent number: 7646064
    Abstract: A low thermal pathway is provided from the top surface of a silicon substrate to the bottom surface of the silicon substrate by first forming aluminum plugs in the bottom surface of the silicon substrate that contact the silicon substrate and extend up towards the top surface, and then heating the aluminum plugs to a temperature for a period of time sufficient to cause spikes to grow from the sides of the aluminum plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Visvamohan Yegnashankaran
  • Patent number: 7646065
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: an isolation region formed in a semiconductor substrate; an active region surrounded by the isolation region in the semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film formed on the active region; and a gate electrode formed across the boundary between the active region and the isolation region adjacent to the active region. The gate electrode includes a first portion which is located above the active region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween and is entirely made of a silicide in a thickness direction and a second portion which is located above the isolation region and is made of a silicon region and the silicide region covering the silicon region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kotani, Gen Okazaki, Shinji Takeoka, Junji Hirase, Akio Sebe, Kazuhiko Aida
  • Patent number: 7646066
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a double gate FET on a silicon substrate includes the steps of sequentially epitaxially growing a lower gate layer of crystalline rare earth silicide material on the substrate, a lower gate insulating layer of crystalline rare earth insulating material, an active layer of crystalline semiconductor material, an upper gate insulating layer of crystalline rare earth insulating material, and an upper gate layer of crystalline rare earth conductive material. The upper gate layer and the upper gate electrically insulating layer are etched and a contact is deposited on the upper gate layer to define an upper gate structure. An impurity is implanted into the lower gate layer to define a lower gate area aligned with the upper gate structure. A source and drain are formed in the active layer and contacts are deposited on the source and drain, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Translucent, Inc.
    Inventor: Petar B. Atanakovic
  • Patent number: 7646067
    Abstract: A CMOS transistor and a method of manufacturing the CMOS transistor are disclosed. An NMOS transistor is formed on a first region of a semiconductor substrate. A PMOS transistor is formed on a second region of a semiconductor substrate. The NMOS transistor includes a first gate conductive layer. The PMOS transistor includes a second gate conductive layer. The first gate conductive layer includes a metal having a nitrogen concentration increasing in a direction from a lower portion toward an upper portion. In addition, the metal has a work function of about 4.0 eV to about 4.3 eV. The third gate conductive layer includes a metal having a nitrogen concentration increasing in a direction from a lower portion toward an upper portion. In addition, the metal has a work function of about 4.7 eV to about 5.0 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gab-Jin Nam, Myoung-Bum Lee
  • Patent number: 7646068
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate 126, in which first and second active regions are disposed. A resistor 124 is formed in the first active region and the resistor 124 includes a doped region 128 formed between two terminals 136. A strained channel transistor 132 is formed in the second active region. The transistor includes a first and second stressor 141, formed in the substrate oppositely adjacent a strained channel region 143.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Ko, Wen-Chin Lee, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chun-Chieh Lin, Chenming Hu
  • Patent number: 7646069
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory of the read-only memory type includes at least one memory cell. Each memory cell includes a storage transistor realized in a semiconductor substrate and presenting a source connected to a reference potential, a gate connected to an electrically conductive word line, and a drain connected to an electrically conductive bit line by an optional connection depending on whether the memory cell is assigned the value 0 or 1. The storage transistor of each memory cell includes a gate formed on the substrate, in the form of a window whose inner contour delimits a central drain region in the substrate, and whose outer contour delimits at least one source region in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Schoellkopf, Bertrand Borot
  • Patent number: 7646070
    Abstract: A spacer structure for FinFETs. The structure includes (a) a substrate, (b) a semiconductor fin region on top of the substrate, (c) a gate dielectric region on side walls of the semiconductor fin region, and (d) a gate electrode region on top and on side walls of the semiconductor fin region. The gate dielectric region (i) is sandwiched between and (ii) electrically insulates the gate electrode region and the semiconductor fin region. The structure further includes a first spacer region on a first side wall of the gate electrode region. A first side wall of the semiconductor fin region is exposed to a surrounding ambient. A top surface of the first spacer region is coplanar with a top surface of the gate electrode region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Alan Anderson, Edward Joseph Nowak, Kathryn Turner Schoenenberg
  • Patent number: 7646071
    Abstract: An improved dynamic memory cell using a semiconductor fin or body is described. Asymmetrical doping is used in the channel region, with more dopant under the back gate to improve retention without significantly increasing read voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ibrahim Ban, Avci E. Uygar, David L. Kencke
  • Patent number: 7646072
    Abstract: It is possible to prevent the deterioration of device characteristic as much as possible. A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a gate insulating film provided above the semiconductor substrate and containing a metal, oxygen and an additive element; a gate electrode provided above the gate insulating film; and source/drain regions provided in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode. The additive element is at least one element selected from elements of Group 5, 6, 15, and 16 at a concentration of 0.003 atomic % or more but 3 atomic % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kamimuta, Akira Nishiyama, Yasushi Nakasaki, Tsunehiro Ino, Masato Koyama
  • Patent number: 7646073
    Abstract: A ferroelectric capacitor includes: a base substrate; a buffer layer formed above the base substrate; a lower electrode formed above the buffer layer; a ferroelectric layer formed above the lower electrode; and an upper electrode formed above the ferroelectric layer, wherein the buffer layer includes titanium (Ti) and cobalt (Co) as metal elements, and a metal element ratio x is 0.05?x<1, when Ti:Co=1?x:x.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuaki Hamada
  • Patent number: 7646074
    Abstract: An image sensor that includes a contact plug formed in the substrate; a lower electrode formed on the contact plug; a photo diode formed on the lower electrode, the photo diode having a carbon nanotube provided therein; and an upper electrode formed on the photo diode. The photo diode can function as a color photo diode 160 that can transfer electrons or holes using the carbon nanotube while also functioning as a color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheon-Man Shim
  • Patent number: 7646075
    Abstract: Microelectronic imager assemblies with front side contacts and methods for fabricating such microelectronic imager assemblies are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager assembly comprises a workpiece including a substrate having a front side and a backside. The assembly further includes a plurality of imaging dies on and/or in the substrate. The imaging dies include image sensors at the front side of the substrate, integrated circuitry operatively coupled to the image sensors, and bond-pads at the front side of the substrate electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry. The assembly also includes a plurality of stand-offs at the front side of the substrate. The stand-offs have apertures aligned with corresponding image sensors. The assembly further includes a plurality of external contacts electrically coupled to corresponding bond-pads and projecting away from the dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 7646076
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a CMOS image sensor is provided, in which a trapezoidal microlens pattern profile is formed to facilitate reflowing the microlens pattern and by which a curvature of the microlens may be enhanced to raise its light-condensing efficiency. The method includes forming a plurality of photodiodes on a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating interlayer on the semiconductor substrate including the photodiodes; forming a protective layer on the insulating interlayer; forming a plurality of color filters corresponding to the photodiodes; forming a top coating layer on the color filters; forming a microlens pattern on the top coating layer; and forming a plurality of microlenses by reflowing the microlens pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 7646077
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved dielectric copper barrier layer and related interconnect structures. One structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a copper line. An insulating layer formed of at least one of silicon and carbon is formed on the underlying copper line. An opening is formed in the insulating layer to expose a portion of the copper line. The inner surface of the opening in the insulating layer has a dielectric barrier layer formed thereon to prevent the diffusion of copper into the insulating layer. A copper plug is formed to fill the opening and make electrical contact with the underlying copper interconnect structure. Aspects of the invention also include methods for forming the dielectric copper barrier layers and associate copper interconnects to the underlying copper lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Qiang Lu, Peter A. Burke, Wilbur G. Catabay
  • Patent number: 7646078
    Abstract: A novel die saw crack stopper that consists of placing formations into the scribe line of multiple metal layers of a die. These formations comprise multiple right angle shapes that are interconnected at right angles. In an embodiment the formations have an overall shape that has a special meaning, such as a single right angle “z” shape along with a discontinuous cross piece, two interlocking right angle “z” shapes, “t”, multiple sets of parallel lines perpendicular to each other, with one set having a line that only intersects a single line from the other set, or the like. The formations in a single layer can be placed such that they are located adjacent to each other along an axis that runs substantially parallel with the scribe line. These formations can also be connected to other formations in other metal layers located either above or below the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Puu Jeng, Shih-Hsun Hsu
  • Patent number: 7646079
    Abstract: In the semiconductor device of the present invention, an active region is formed in an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, and is surrounded by a trench filled with an oxide. A through-hole electrode electrically connected to the active region extends from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to a lower surface thereof. A bottom end of the through-hole electrode juts out of an insulating film covering the lower surface of the semiconductor substrate. Accordingly, a jutting portion of the through-hole electrode is embedded in the bonding material when the semiconductor device is mounted on a mounting board, and thus the connection reliability therebetween is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Umemoto
  • Patent number: 7646080
    Abstract: A protective film structure (100) includes a base (110) and a resistive film (120) formed on a surface of the base. The base is comprised of amorphous boron nitride or amorphous boron carbide, and is formed on a surface of a substrate (10) to be protected. The resistive film includes an adhesive layer (121), an intermediate layer (122) and an outermost layer (123), which are formed on a surface of the base one on top of the other in that order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 7646081
    Abstract: Method for forming a low dielectric constant structure on a semiconductor substrate by CVD processing. The method comprises using a precursor containing chemical compound having the formula of (R1-R2)n-Si—(X1)4-n, wherein X1 is hydrogen, halogen, acyloxy, alkoxy or OH group, R2 is an optional group and comprises an aromatic group having 6 carbon atoms and R1 is a substituent at position 4 of R2 selected from an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, Cl or F; n is an integer 1-3. The present precursors allow for a lowering of the electronic dielectric constant compared to conventional dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide or phenyl modified organo-containing silicon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Silecs Oy
    Inventor: Juha T. Rantala
  • Patent number: 7646082
    Abstract: A multi-layer circuit substrate and method having improved transmission line integrity and increased routing density uses a selectively applied transmission line reference plane metal layer to achieve signal path shielding and isolation, while avoiding drops in impedance due to capacitance between large diameter vias and the transmission line reference plane metal layer. The transmission line reference plane defines voids above (or below) the signal-bearing plated-through holes (PTHs) that pass through a rigid substrate core, so that the signals are not degraded by an impedance mismatch that would otherwise be caused by shunt capacitance from the top (or bottom) of the signal-bearing PTHs to the transmission line reference plane. For voltage-plane bearing PTHs, no voids are introduced, so that signal path conductors can be routed above or adjacent to the voltage-plane bearing PTHs, with the transmission line reference plane preventing shunt capacitance between the signal path conductors and the PTHs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sungjun Chun, Anand Haridass, Roger D. Weekly
  • Patent number: 7646083
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for integrated circuit packages and lead frames are provided. A quad flat no-lead (QFN) package includes a plurality of peripherally positioned pins, a die-attach paddle, an integrated circuit die, and an encapsulating material. The die-attach paddle is positioned within a periphery formed by the pins. The die is attached to the die-attach paddle. The encapsulating material encapsulates the die on the die-attach paddle, encapsulates bond wires connected between the die and the pins, and fills a space between the pins and the die-attach paddle. One or more of the pins are extended. An extended pin may be elongated, L shaped, T shaped, or “wishbone” shaped. The extended pin(s) enable wire bonding of additional ground, power, and I/O (input/output) pads of the die in a manner that does not significantly increase QFN package cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Fan Yeung, Sam Ziqun Zhao, Nir Matalon, Victor Fong
  • Patent number: 7646084
    Abstract: A method and deposition system for increasing deposition rates of metal layers from metal-carbonyl precursors using CO gas and a dilution gas. The method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber of a processing system, forming a process gas containing a metal-carbonyl precursor vapor and a CO gas, diluting the process gas in the process chamber, and exposing the substrate to the diluted process gas to deposit a metal layer on the substrate by a thermal chemical vapor deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7646085
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes external interface terminals and processing circuits, and it is fed with an operating power source when detachably set in a host equipment. Power source feeding terminals (VCC, VSS) among the external interface terminals are long enough to keep touching the corresponding terminals of the host equipment for, at least, a predetermined time period since the separation of an extraction detecting terminal among the external interface terminals, from the corresponding terminal of the host equipment, and they are formed to be longer in the extraction direction of the semiconductor device than the extraction detecting terminal. Thus, a time period till the cutoff of the power source is easily made comparatively long. The power source feeding terminals should preferably be extended onto the insertion side of the semiconductor device, but an extendible distance is sometimes liable to be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Kenji Osawa, Hideo Koike, Junichiro Osako, Tamaki Wada
  • Patent number: 7646086
    Abstract: A semiconductor package according to the present invention includes a substrate; first and second semiconductor chips mounted on a first surface of the substrate; and a heat-radiation sheet. The heat-radiation sheet includes a heat-transferable conductive layer and first and second insulating layers formed on top and bottom surfaces of the heat-transferable conductive layer, respectively. The heat-radiation sheet includes a first portion arranged between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip; and a second portion extending at least a side of the first portion. The second portion is connected to the substrate. The second insulating layer of the second portion is formed to expose a part of the heat-transferable conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimi Egawa
  • Patent number: 7646087
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor includes a plurality of first bond pads formed on a peripheral region of the first semiconductor die, a plurality of re-distributed layer (RDL) pads formed on a center region of the first semiconductor die, and a plurality of wire routes interconnecting the first bond pads and the RDL pads. The second semiconductor die is disposed over the first semiconductor die, wherein the second semiconductor die has a plurality of second bond pads electrically connecting to the RDL pads via bonding wires; wherein the RDL pad is supported by at least a layer of stress-releasing metal disposed directly underneath the RDL pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Tu, Yang-Hui Fang
  • Patent number: 7646088
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an adhesive sheet which is used for a light-emitting diode device, and which is free from cracks and peeling off of the adhered portions. [Means for Solving the Problem] An adhesive sheet for a light-emitting diode device, which comprises a thermoplastic polymer containing epoxy groups and a compound containing functional groups which are addition reactive with the epoxy groups or a polymerization catalyst which can effect a ring opening polymerization of the epoxy groups, and in which said thermoplastic polymer is cross-linked so that its flowability is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Koji Itoh, Shigeyoshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7646089
    Abstract: A semiconductor package including a substrate with a semiconductor device mounted on the substrate and a resin member sealing the substrate and semiconductor device. The resin member includes a first surface and a second surface located on the other side of the first surface and a plurality of leads electrically connected with the semiconductor device. The leads project from the resin member and extend to the second surface side; wherein the second surface of the resin member includes a first area having a first concave portion and a second area having a second concave portion which is different from the first area, and the second concave portion is deeper than the first concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Futoshi Fukaya, Yuichi Asano, Yoshinori Niwa
  • Patent number: 7646090
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor module having: a semiconductor device (10) having a contact device (11) for making electrical contact with a connection device (17; 20) via a rewiring device (15, 15?, 15?); and a carrier device (12, 13, 14) for mechanically coupling the semiconductor device (10) to a connection device (17), the carrier device (12, 13, 14) having a gradient between a first modulus of elasticity at the semiconductor device (10) and a second, higher modulus of elasticity at the connection device (17; 20). The present invention likewise provides a method for producing a semiconductor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Harry Hedler, Roland Irsigler, Thorsten Meyer
  • Patent number: 7646091
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor integrated circuit package that includes a substrate which can have an integrated circuit die attached thereto. The package includes a dedicated high-speed ground plane that is electrically isolated from the ground plane used to ground the low speed circuitry of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice O. Othieno, Chok J. Chia, Amar J. Amin
  • Patent number: 7646092
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of the invention includes: a substrate having a hollowed hollow section on a top surface; a semiconductor chip mounted in the hollow section of the substrate; and a lid having a substantially plate-shaped top plate section that opposes the substrate and covers the hollow section, and having at least one pair of side wall sections that project from a circumference of the top plate section towards the substrate and that engage with a side surface of the substrate. The substrate and the lid can be accurately positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saitoh, Toshihisa Suzuki, Shingo Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 7646093
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first die mounted on a primary side of an electronic package and a second die mounted on a secondary side of the electronic package between the electronic package and a printed circuit board. The apparatus further comprising a thermal component thermally connected to the second die and mounted on the printed circuit board, the thermal component comprising a set of pins extending from a heat sink through a set of through-holes in the printed circuit board. A method including positioning a set of thermal connectors through a printed circuit board, the thermal connectors extending from a primary side of the printed circuit board to a secondary side of the printed circuit board opposite the primary side. The method further including thermally connecting the thermal connectors to a die positioned between an electronic package and the primary side of the printed circuit board to transfer heat from the die to the secondary side of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Henning Braunisch, Chuan Hu, Gloria Alejandra Camacho Bragado