Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8618590
    Abstract: A spin transistor includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a semiconductor layer between the first and second ferromagnetic layers, and a gate electrode on or above a surface of the semiconductor layer, the surface being between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The first ferromagnetic layer comprises a ferromagnet which has a first minority spin band located at a high energy side and a second minority spin band located at a low energy side, and has a Fermi level in an area of the high energy side higher than a middle of a gap between the first and second minority spin bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoaki Inokuchi, Takao Marukame, Mizue Ishikawa, Hideyuki Sugiyama, Yoshiaki Saito
  • Patent number: 8618591
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a base and a pillar array including a plurality of pillars; a plurality of bit lines, each of which is disposed between two adjacent ones of the columns of the pillar array; a plurality of word lines, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the rows of the pillar array; and a contact array including a plurality of bit line contacts arranged in rows and columns. The bit line contacts of each column of the contact array are embedded in the base and are electrically connected to a respective one of the bit lines. Each bit line contact intersects the respective one of the bit lines and extends between and is electrically connected to two adjacent ones of the pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rexchip Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8618592
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell is provided that includes a trench capacitor and an access transistor. The access transistor comprises a source region, a drain region, a gate structure overlying the trench capacitor, and an active body region that couples the drain region to the source region. The active body region directly contacts the trench capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jin Cho, Sang H. Dhong, Jung-Suk Goo, Gurupada Mandal
  • Patent number: 8618593
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include thin film capacitors formed on a package substrate of an integrated circuit package. At least one of the film capacitors includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrode layers. Each of the first and second electrode layers and the dielectric layer is formed individually and directly on the package substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Islam A. Salama, Yongki Min
  • Patent number: 8618594
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of attaining an improvement in current detection accuracy in a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a current detection circuit. Inactive cells are disposed so as to surround the periphery of a sense cell. That is, the inactive cell is provided between the sense cell and an active cell. All of the sense cell, active cell and inactive cells are respectively formed of a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a dummy gate electrode. At this time, the depth of each trench extends through a channel forming region and is formed up to the deep inside (the neighborhood of a boundary with a semiconductor substrate) of an n-type epitaxial layer. Further, a p-type semiconductor region is provided at a lower portion of each trench. The p-type semiconductor region is formed so as to contact the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Shinbori, Yoshito Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8618595
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston, Katherine Brosh, Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 8618596
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device including forming sequentially a gate insulating layer and a first conductive pattern on a semiconductor substrate; forming a protective layer on surfaces of the first conductive pattern and the gate insulating layer; performing an etching process to form a trench, the etching process being performed such that the protective layer remains on side walls of the first conductive pattern to form a protective pattern; forming an isolation layer in the trench; etching the isolation layer; removing the protective pattern above a surface of the isolation layer; and forming sequentially a dielectric layer and a second conductive layer on surfaces of the isolation layer, the protective pattern and the first conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Un Youn
  • Patent number: 8618597
    Abstract: A transistor construction includes a first floating gate having a first conductive or semiconductive surface and a second floating gate having a second conductive or semiconductive surface. A dielectric region is circumferentially surrounded by the first surface. The region is configured to reduce capacitive coupling between the first and second surfaces. Another transistor construction includes a floating gate having a cavity extending completely through the floating gate from a first surface of the floating gate to an opposing second surface of the floating gate. The floating gate otherwise encloses the cavity, which is filled with at least one dielectric. A method includes closing an upper portion of an opening in insulator material with a gate material during the deposition before filling a lower portion with the gate material. The depositing and closing provide an enclosed cavity within the lower portion of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi Aritome
  • Patent number: 8618598
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source metallization, a source region of a first conductivity type in contact with the source metallization, a body region of a second conductivity type which is adjacent to the source region. The semiconductor device further includes a first field-effect structure including a first insulated gate electrode and a second field-effect structure including a second insulated gate electrode which is electrically connected to the source metallization. The capacitance per unit area between the second insulated gate electrode and the body region is larger than the capacitance per unit area between the first insulated gate electrode and the body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Oliver Haeberlen, Joachim Krumrey, Franz Hirler, Walter Rieger
  • Patent number: 8618599
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and forming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type thereon. The method also includes forming an insulator layer on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, etching a trench into at least the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, and forming a thermal oxide layer in the trench and on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type. The method further includes implanting ions into the thermal oxide layer, forming a second insulator layer, removing the second insulator layer from a portion of the trench, and forming an oxide layer in the trench and on the epitaxial layer. Moreover, the method includes forming a material in the trench, forming a second gate oxide layer over the material, and patterning the second gate oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed N. Darwish
  • Patent number: 8618600
    Abstract: Integrated circuits including a buried wiring lien. One embodiment provides a field effect transistor including a first active area and a gate electrode buried below a main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A gate wiring line may be buried below the main surface and a section of the gate wiring line may form the gate electrode. Above the gate wiring line, a buried contact structure is formed that is adjacent to and in direct contact with the first or a second active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventor: Stafan Slesazeck
  • Patent number: 8618601
    Abstract: A semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate having a substrate top surface, includes: a gate trench extending from the substrate top surface into the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode in the gate trench; a dielectric material disposed over the gate electrode; a body region adjacent to the gate trench; a source region embedded in the body region, at least a portion of the source region extending above the dielectric material; a contact trench that allows contact such as electrical contact between the source region and the body region; and a metal layer disposed over at least a portion of a gate trench opening, at least a portion of the source region, and at least a portion of the contact trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventor: John Chen
  • Patent number: 8618602
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to, a semiconductor substrate, a word line, and an isolation region. The semiconductor substrate has an active region and first and second grooves. Each of the first and second grooves extends across the active region. The first groove is wider in width than the second groove. The word line is disposed in the first groove. The isolation region is disposed in the second groove. The isolation region is narrower in width than the word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyonori Oyu
  • Patent number: 8618603
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor member; a memory film provided on a surface of the semiconductor member and being capable of storing charge; and a plurality of control gate electrodes provided on the memory film, spaced from each other, and arranged along a direction parallel to the surface. Average dielectric constant of a material interposed between one of the control gate electrodes and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the control gate electrode adjacent to the one control gate electrode is lower than average dielectric constant of a material interposed between the one control gate electrode and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the one control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozawa, Fumiki Aiso
  • Patent number: 8618604
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has a main surface. A main chip region is formed on the main surface. A sub-chip region is smaller in area than the main chip region, and positioned on an edge side of the semiconductor wafer relative to the main chip region. The sub-chip region is identical to the main chip region in design pattern. Accordingly, a semiconductor device in which occurrence of a pattern failure at the edge of the wafer can be prevented when chips are arranged in the surface of the semiconductor wafer and a method of manufacturing the same can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Narazaki
  • Patent number: 8618605
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode buried within a semiconductor substrate, a second gate electrode buried within a silicon growth layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and a bit line disposed on an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate between the first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. Therefore, the number of gates disposed in an active region is increased so that a total memory capacity of the semiconductor device, thereby reducing fabrication cost and improving productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Won Seo
  • Patent number: 8618606
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device comprising: a PW layer formed at a surface of a semiconductor substrate; an NW layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to be in contact with the PW layer; a p+ base layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the PW layer; an n+ collector layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the NW layer; an n+ emitter layer located between the p+ base layer and the n+ collector layer and formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the PW layer; and an n± layer formed between the n+ collector layer and the PW layer to be in contact with the n+ collector layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Tomomitsu Risaki, Shoji Nakanishi, Koichi Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 8618607
    Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a continuous active region defined in a semiconducting substrate, first and second transistors formed in and above the continuous active region, each of the first and second transistors comprising a plurality of doped regions formed in the continuous active region, a conductive isolating electrode positioned above the continuous active region between the first and second transistors and a power rail conductively coupled to the conductive isolating electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Mahbub Rashed, David Doman, Marc Tarabbia, Irene Lin, Jeff Kim, Chinh Nguyen, Steve Soss, Scott Johnson, Subramani Kengeri, Suresh Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 8618608
    Abstract: A lateral silicon controlled rectifier structure includes a P-type substrate; an N-well region in the P-type substrate; a first P+ doped region in the N-well region and being connected to an anode; a P-well region in the P-type substrate and bordering upon the N-well region; a first N+ doped region formed in the P-well region and separated from the first P+ doped region by a spacing distance, the first N+ doped region being connected to a cathode; and a gate structure overlying a portion of the P-type substrate between the first P+ doped region and the first N+ doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Cheng Lin, Te-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 8618609
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for improving multi-gate device performance are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Doyle, Titash Rakshit, Jack Kavalieros
  • Patent number: 8618610
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a device region and a dummy region adjacent the device region; a plurality of active regions in the device region; and a plurality of dummy active regions in the dummy region, where each of the active regions has a first dimension in a first direction and a second dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the first dimension is substantially greater than the second dimension; and each of the dummy active regions has a third dimension in the first direction and a fourth dimension in the second direction, and the third dimension is substantially greater than the fourth dimension. The plurality of dummy active regions are configured such that thermal annealing effect in the dummy region is substantially equal to that of the device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Ting Wang, Jiunn-Ren Hwang
  • Patent number: 8618611
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention integrate carbon nanotubes on a CMOS substrate using localized heating. An embodiment can allow the CMOS substrate to be in a room-temperature environment during the carbon nanotube growth process. Specific embodiments utilize a maskless post-CMOS microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) process. The post-CMOS MEMS process according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a carbon nanotube growth process that is foundry CMOS compatible. The maskless process, according to an embodiment, eliminates the need for photomasks after the CMOS fabrication and can preserve whatever feature sizes are available in the foundry CMOS process. Embodiments integrate single-walled carbon nanotube devices into a CMOS platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Huikai Xie, Ant Ural
  • Patent number: 8618612
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for wafer-scale processing of aligned nanotube devices and integrated circuits. In one aspect, a method can include growing aligned nanotubes on at least one of a wafer-scale quartz substrate or a wafer-scale sapphire substrate. The method can include transferring the grown aligned nanotubes onto a target substrate. Also, the method can include fabricating at least one device based on the transferred nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Chongwu Zhou, Koungmin Ryu, Alexander Badmaev, Chuan Wang
  • Patent number: 8618613
    Abstract: Methods of forming and using a microelectronic structure are described. Embodiments include forming a diode between a metal fuse gate and a PMOS device, wherein the diode is disposed between a contact of the metal fuse gate and a contact of the PMOS device, and wherein the diode couples the contact of the metal fuse gate to the contact of the PMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Xianghong Tong, Zhanping Chen, Walid M. Hafez, Zhiyong Ma, Sarvesh H. Kulkarni, Kevin X. Zhang, Matthew B. Pedersen, Kevin D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8618614
    Abstract: A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. Scheuerlein
  • Patent number: 8618615
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fabrication method of a semiconductor device to order to increase an operation liability of the semiconductor device. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a recess in a semiconductor substrate, forming a word line in a lower part of the recess, oxidizing a top portion of the word line, and depositing an insulating material in a remained part of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Se hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8618616
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a FinFET structure includes fabricating a plurality of parallel fins overlying a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of parallel fins having sidewalls and forming an electrode over the semiconductor substrate and between the parallel fins. The electrode is configured to direct an electrical field into the fins, thereby affecting the threshold voltage of the FinFET structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Globalfoundries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Thanh Khac Pham
  • Patent number: 8618617
    Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor device includes forming a gate stack portion on a substrate, forming a spacer portion on the gates stack portion and a portion of the substrate, removing an exposed portion of the substrate, epitaxially growing a first silicon material on the exposed portion of the substrate, removing a portion of the epitaxially grown first silicon material to expose a second portion of the substrate, and epitaxially growing a second silicon material on the exposed second portion of the substrate and the first silicon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, GlobalFoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Abhishek Dube, Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Viorel C. Ontalus, Kathryn T. Schonenberg, Matthew W. Stoker, Keith H. Tabakman, Linda R. Black
  • Patent number: 8618618
    Abstract: A seal ring structure is formed through a multilayer structure of a plurality of dielectric films in a peripheral part of a chip region to surround the chip region. A dual damascene interconnect in which an interconnect and a plug connected to the interconnect are integrated is formed in at least one of the dielectric films in the chip region. Part of the seal ring structure formed in the dielectric film in which the dual damascene interconnect is formed is continuous. A protection film formed on the multilayer structure has an opening on the seal ring. A cap layer connected to the seal ring is formed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Tsutsue, Masaki Utsumi
  • Patent number: 8618619
    Abstract: A top port MEMS package includes a substrate and an interposer mounted to the substrate. The interposer includes an interposer aperture and an interposer channel fluidly coupled to the interposer aperture. A MEMS electronic component is mounted to the interposer above the interposer aperture. A top port lid includes a top port and a chimney structure fluidly coupling to the top port to the interposer channel. A front volume including the top port, the flue, the interposer channel, and the interposer aperture is acoustically sealed from a relatively large back volume defined by a lid cavity of the top port lid. By acoustically sealing the front volume from the back volume and further by maximizing the back volume, the noise to signal ratio is minimized thus maximizing the sensitivity of top port MEMS microphone package as well as the range of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Miks, Louis B. Troche, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8618620
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to integrated circuit (IC) sensors and sensing systems and methods. In an embodiment, an IC sensor device includes at least one sensing element; a framing element disposed around the at least one sensing element at a wafer-level; and a package having at least one port predefined at the wafer-level by the framing element, the at least one port configured to expose at least a portion of the at least one sensing element to an ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Winkler, Rainer Leuschner, Horst Theuss
  • Patent number: 8618621
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a device layer structure, a device integrated into the device layer structure, an insulating carrier substrate and an insulating layer being continuously positioned between the device layer structure and the insulating carrier substrate, the insulating layer having a thickness which is less than 1/10 of a thickness of the insulating carrier substrate. An apparatus further comprises a device integrated into a device layer structure disposed on an insulating layer, a housing layer disposed on the device layer structure and housing the device, a contact providing an electrical connection between the device and a surface of the housing layer opposed to the device layer structure and a molding material surrounding the housing layer and the insulating layer, the molding material directly abutting on a surface of the insulating layer being opposed to the device layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Guenter Oppermann, Martin Franosch, Martin Handtmann
  • Patent number: 8618622
    Abstract: Backlit detector for the detection of electromagnetic radiation around a predetermined wavelength, including a semiconductor absorption layer, formed above a transparent medium, capable of transmitting at least some of said radiation, and a mirror above the semiconductor layer, and placed between the mirror and the semiconductor layer, a periodic grating of metallic patterns, the mirror and the grating being included in a layer of material transparent to said radiation and formed on the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Roch Espiau De Lamaestre, Salim Boutami, Olivier Gravrand, Jérôme Le Perchec
  • Patent number: 8618623
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device of a type wherein a pixel is configured to include a sensor unit capable of photoelectric conversion, the image pickup device including: a semiconductor substrate; a charge storage region of a first conduction type, which is formed in the semiconductor substrate and constitutes a sensor unit; a charge storage sub-region made of an impurity region of the first conduction type, which is formed, in plural layers, in the semiconductor substrate below the charge storage region serving as a main charge storage region and wherein at least one or more of the plural layers are formed entirely across a pixel; and a device isolation region that is formed in the semiconductor substrate, isolates pixels from one another, and is made of an impurity region of a second conduction type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Kubo, Hiroaki Ishiwata, Sanghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 8618624
    Abstract: The present invention relates to UV curable encapsulant compositions based on acrylic and/or methacrylic block copolymers, to structures containing these compositions especially photovoltaic cells and to the use of these compositions in photovoltaic cells. The liquid encapsulant composition according to the invention comprises: an acrylic or methacrylic block copolymer, at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer and/or oligomer, and at least one photo initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Arkema France, Pythagoras Solar Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Gerard, Izhar Halahmi, Pasha Solel
  • Patent number: 8618625
    Abstract: A planar, waveguide-based silicon Schottky barrier photodetector includes a third terminal in the form of a field plate to improve the responsivity of the detector. Preferably, a silicide used for the detection region is formed during a processing step where other silicide contact regions are being formed. The field plate is preferably formed as part of the first or second layer of CMOS metallization and is controlled by an applied voltage to modify the electric field in the vicinity of the detector's silicide layer. By modifying the electric field, the responsivity of the device is “tuned” so as to adjust the momentum of “hot” carriers (electrons or holes, depending on the conductivity of the silicon) with respect to the Schottky barrier of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vipulkumar Patel, Prakash Gothoskar, Mark Webster, Christopher J. Lang
  • Patent number: 8618626
    Abstract: A trench Schottky rectifier device includes a substrate having a first conductivity type, a plurality of trenches formed in the substrate, and an insulating layer formed on sidewalls of the trenches. The trenches are filled with conductive structure. There is an electrode overlying the conductive structure and the substrate, and thus a Schottky contact forms between the electrode and the substrate. A plurality of embedded doped regions having a second conductivity type are formed in the substrate and located under the trenches. Each doped region and the substrate form a PN junction to pinch off current flowing toward the Schottky contact so as to suppress current leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PFC Device Corporation
    Inventors: Kou-Liang Chao, Mei-Ling Chen, Tse-Chuan Su, Hung-Hsin Kuo
  • Patent number: 8618627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device can include a transistor and an isolation region. The transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type. The transistor includes a drift region extending from a drain region toward a source region and having a second conductivity type. The drift region includes a first resurf region near a working top surface and having the first conductivity type. The high voltage isolation island region includes a first well region laterally offset from the drift region. The first well region has the second conductivity type. An isolation region is located laterally between the drain region and the first well region. The isolation region comprises a portion of the semiconductor substrate extending to the top working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sunglyong Kim, Jongjib Kim
  • Patent number: 8618628
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A dummy pattern is formed between a fuse pattern and a semiconductor substrate so as to prevent the semiconductor substrate from being damaged, and a buffer pattern is formed between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, so that a dummy metal pattern primarily absorbs or reflects laser energy transferred to the semiconductor substrate during the blowing of the fuse pattern, and the buffer pattern secondarily reduces stress generated between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, resulting in the prevention of a defect such as a crack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Soo Choi, Do Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8618629
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for matching impedances in a flip-chip circuit assembly are presented. An apparatus for matching impedances in a flip-chip circuit assembly may include a first circuit associated with a first die and a through silicon via (TSV) coupling the first circuit to a second circuit. The apparatus may further include a first impedance matching inductor interposed between the TSV and the second circuit. A method for matching impedances in a flip-chip circuit assembly may include providing a die having a first circuit, and forming a TSV over the die. The method may further include providing a second circuit and forming a first impedance matching inductor interposed between the TSV and second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonghae Kim, Jeong Hwan Yang, Matthew M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 8618630
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a first semiconductor substrate CHP1 including a control circuit that generates a control signal for a control target circuit, and a transmission circuit Tx that modulates the control signal to generate a transmission signal; a second semiconductor substrate CHP2 including a reception circuit Rx that demodulates the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission circuit to reproduce the control signal, and a drive circuit Drv that drives the control target circuit based on the control signal output from the reception circuit, the second semiconductor substrate CHP2 being electrically insulated from the first semiconductor substrate CHP1; an AC coupling element that is formed on a semiconductor substrate and couples the first semiconductor substrate CHP1 and the second semiconductor substrate CHP2 in an alternating manner; and a semiconductor package 20 including the first semiconductor substrate CHP1, the second semiconductor substrate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Kaeriyama
  • Patent number: 8618631
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure having an in situ chip-level ferrite bead inductor and method for forming the same. Embodiments include a substrate, a first dielectric layer formed on the substrate, a lower ferrite layer formed on the first dielectric layer, and an upper ferrite layer spaced apart from the lower ferrite layer in the structure. A first metal layer may be formed above the lower ferrite layer and a second metal layer formed below the upper ferrite layer, wherein at least the first or second metal layer has a coil configuration including multiple turns. At least one second dielectric layer may be disposed between the first and second metal layers. The ferrite bead inductor has a small form factor and is amenable to formation using BEOL processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-De Jin, Tzu-Jin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8618632
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device in which a wiring inductance of a DC/DC converter formed on a multi-layered wiring substrate can be reduced and the characteristics can be improved. In the semiconductor device, in an input-side capacitor, one capacitor electrode is electrically connected to a power-supply pattern between a control power MOSFET and a synchronous power MOSFET, and the other capacitor electrode is electrically connected to a ground pattern therebetween. The multi-layered wiring substrate includes: a via conductor arranged at a position of the one capacitor electrode for electrically connecting among a plurality of power-supply patterns in a thickness direction; and a via conductor arranged at a position of the other capacitor electrode for electrically connecting among a plurality of ground patterns in a thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawashima, Takayuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8618633
    Abstract: A buried decoupling capacitor apparatus and method are provided. According to various embodiments, a buried decoupling capacitor apparatus includes a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate having a buried insulator region and top semiconductor region on the buried insulator region. The apparatus embodiment also includes a first capacitor plate having a doped region in the top semiconductor region in the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The apparatus embodiment further includes a dielectric material on the first capacitor plate, and a second capacitor plate on the dielectric material. According to various embodiments, the first capacitor plate, the dielectric material and the second capacitor plate form a decoupling capacitor for use in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Badih El-Kareh
  • Patent number: 8618634
    Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes forming a first capacitance film formed on the lower electrode; forming an intermediate electrode in a first region on the first capacitance film, wherein the first capacitance is interposed between the intermediate electrode and the lower electrode; forming a second capacitance film on the intermediate electrode to be interposed between the first capacitance film and the second capacitance film; and forming an upper electrode, wherein at least a portion of the second capacitance film is interposed between the upper electrode and the intermediate electrode; the upper electrode extending to a second region outside the first region, and having at least the first capacitance film interposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 8618635
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a capacitor includes a first via level having first metal bars and first vias, such that the first metal bars are coupled to a first potential node. The first metal bars are longer than the first vias. Second metal bars and second vias are disposed in a second via level, the second metal bars are coupled to the first potential node. The second metal bars are longer than the second vias. The second via level is above the first via level and the first metal bars are parallel to the second metal bars. Each of the first metal bars has a first end, an opposite second end, and a middle portion between the first and the second ends. Each of the middle portions of the first metal bars and the second ends of the first metal bars do not contact any metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Sunoo Kim, Moosung Chae, Bum Ki Moon
  • Patent number: 8618636
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a bipolar transistor device. The method includes the steps of: providing a SOI substrate having a silicon layer thereon; patterning lithographically a fin hardmask on the silicon layer; placing a dummy contact line over a central portion of patterned fin hardmask; doping the collector/emitter regions; depositing a filler layer over the collector region and the emitter region; removing the dummy contact line to reveal a trench and the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask; forming fin-shaped base regions by removing, within the trench, a portion of the silicon layer not covered by the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask after the step of removing the dummy contact line; doping the fin-shaped base region; and forming a contact line by filling the trench with a contact line material over the fin-shaped base regions, where the collector/emitter regions are self-aligned with the contact line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B Chang, Gen Pei Lauer, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W Sleight
  • Patent number: 8618637
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having a plurality of bonding pads. Through-electrodes are formed in the semiconductor chip and are electrically connected to the bonding pads. The through electrodes comprise a plurality of conductors and a plurality of voids that are defined by the conductors. Each conductor may include a plurality of nanowires grouped into a spherical shape having a plurality of voids, a plurality of nanowires grouped into a polygonal shape having a plurality of voids, or the conductors may include a plurality of micro solder balls. The voids of the through electrode absorb stress caused when head is generated during the driving of the semiconductor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Han Jun Bae, Woong Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 8618638
    Abstract: A process to manufacture a semiconductor optical modulator is disclosed, in which the process easily forms a metal film including AuZn for the p-ohmic metal even a contact hole has an enhanced aspect ration. The process forms a mesa including semiconductor layers first, then, buries the mesa by a resin layer sandwiched by insulating films. The resin layer provides an opening reaching the top of the mesa, into which the p-ohmic metal is formed. Another metal film including Ti is formed on the upper insulating film along the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yoneda, Kenji Koyama, Hirohiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8618639
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a first monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a first lattice constant in a reference direction; a second monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a second lattice constant in the reference direction, which is different to the first lattice constant, on the first monocrystalline semiconductor portion; and a metal layer formed on and in contact with the second monocrystalline semiconductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Mathias Plappert, Hans-Joachim Schulze