Patents Issued in July 1, 2014
  • Patent number: 8766326
    Abstract: A field-effect transistor or a single electron transistor is used as sensors for detecting a detection target such as a biological compound. A substrate has a first side and a second side, the second side being opposed to the first side. A source electrode is disposed on the first side of the substrate and a drain electrode disposed on the first side of the substrate, and a channel forms a current path between the source electrode and the drain electrode. An interaction-sensing gate is disposed on the second side of the substrate, the interaction-sensing gate having a specific substance that is capable of selectively interacting with the detection target. A gate for applying a gate voltage adjusts a characteristic of the transistor as the detection target changes the characteristic of the transistor when interacting with the specific substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Matsumoto, Atsuhiko Kojima, Satoru Nagao, Masanori Katou, Yutaka Yamada, Kazuhiro Nagaike, Yasuo Ifuku, Hiroshi Mitani
  • Patent number: 8766327
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to FET arrays for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions such as nucleic acid sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to improving signal (and also signal to noise ratio) from released hydrogen ions during nucleic acid sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Milgrew
  • Patent number: 8766328
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Wolfgang Hinz, Kim L. Johnson, James Bustillo
  • Patent number: 8766329
    Abstract: A transistor in which an electron state at an interface between an oxide semiconductor film and an underlayer film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film is favorable is provided. A value obtained by dividing a difference between nearest neighbor interatomic distance of the underlayer film within the interface and a lattice constant of the semiconductor film by the nearest neighbor interatomic distance of the underlayer film within the interface is less than or equal to 0.15. For example, an oxide semiconductor film is deposited over an underlayer film which contains stabilized zirconia which has a cubic crystal structure and has the (111) plane orientation, whereby the oxide semiconductor film including a crystal region having a high degree of crystallization can be provided directly on the underlayer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Endo, Yuki Imoto, Yuko Takabayashi, Yasumasa Yamane
  • Patent number: 8766330
    Abstract: Devices incorporating a single to a few-layer MoS2 channels in combination with optimized substrate, dielectric, contact and electrode materials and configurations thereof, exhibit light emission, photoelectric effect, and superconductivity, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Georgetown University
    Inventors: Makarand Paranjape, Paola Barbara, Amy Liu, Marcio Fontana
  • Patent number: 8766331
    Abstract: In a semiconductor module according to certain aspects the invention, a U-terminal and an M-terminal overlap each other in a manner to reduce inductance and to further to reduce the size of snubber capacitor. In certain aspects of the invention, a P-terminal, M-terminal, N-terminal, and U-terminal are arranged such that the U-terminal, through which currents flow in and out, is arranged farthest away from control electrodes to reduce the noises superposed to control electrodes, and the P-terminal, M-terminal, N-terminal, and U-terminal are aligned to facilitate attaching external connection bars thereto. A power semiconductor module according to aspects of the invention can facilitate reducing the wiring inductance inside and outside the module, reducing the electromagnetic noises introduced into the control terminals, and attaching the external wirings to the terminals thereof simply and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Souichi Okita
  • Patent number: 8766332
    Abstract: A die is formed with different and optimized critical dimensions in different device levels and areas of those device levels using photolithography and etch techniques. One aspect of the invention provides for a memory array formed above a substrate, with driver circuitry formed in the substrate. A level of the memory array consists of, for example, parallel rails and a fan-out region. It is desirable to maximize density of the rails and minimize cost of lithography for the entire memory array. This can be achieved by forming the rails at a tighter pitch than the CMOS circuitry beneath it, allowing cheaper lithography tools to be used when forming the CMOS, and similarly by optimizing lithography and etch techniques for a device level to produce a tight pitch in the rails, and a more relaxed pitch in the less-critical fan-out region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Roy E. Scheuerlein
  • Patent number: 8766333
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first buried bit line (120a) provided between lower and upper substrates (100b, 100a), first and second pillar patterns (105a, 105b) extending from the upper substrate (100a) and coupled to the first buried bit line (120a) through first and second gate patterns (140a), respectively. A first body contact pattern (160a) coupled to the first and/or the second pillar patterns (105a, 105b) through the upper substrate (100a) prevents the first and the second pillar patterns from floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Min Chul Sung
  • Patent number: 8766334
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a substrate formed of a single-crystal first semiconductor; a gate insulating film on the substrate; a gate electrode including a layered structure of a semiconductor layer formed of a polycrystalline second semiconductor and a metal semiconductor compound layer formed of a first metal semiconductor compound that is a reaction product of a metal and the second semiconductor; and electrodes formed of a second metal semiconductor compound that is a reaction product of the metal and the first semiconductor, and formed on the substrate with the gate electrode interposed therebetween, and an aggregation temperature of the first metal semiconductor compound on the polycrystalline second semiconductor is lower than an aggregation temperature of the second metal semiconductor compound on the single-crystal first semiconductor, and a cluster-state high carbon concentration region is included in an interface between the semiconductor layer and the metal semiconductor co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8766335
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a MIS transistor. The MIS transistor includes an active region surrounded by an isolation region in a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film formed on the active region and the isolation region, and having a high dielectric constant film, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film. A nitrided region is formed in at least part of a portion of the gate insulating film that is located on the isolation region. A concentration of nitrogen contained in the nitrided region is nx, and a concentration of nitrogen contained in a portion of the gate insulating film that is located on the active region is n, wherein a relationship of nx>n is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiya Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8766336
    Abstract: An electrical device in which an interface layer comprising arsenic is disposed between and in contact with a conductor and a semiconductor. In some cases, the interface layer may be a monolayer of arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Grupp, Daniel J. Connelly
  • Patent number: 8766337
    Abstract: A first thin film diode (100A) has a first semiconductor layer (10A) and a first light blocking layer (12A) disposed on the substrate side of the first semiconductor layer. A second thin film diode (100B) has a second semiconductor layer (10B) and a second light blocking layer (12B) disposed on the substrate side of the second semiconductor layer. An insulating film (14) is formed between the first semiconductor layer (10A) and the first light blocking layer (12A) and between the second semiconductor layer (10B) and the second light blocking layer (12B). A thickness D1 of a portion of the insulating film (14) positioned between the first semiconductor layer (10A) and the first light blocking layer (12A) is different from a thickness D2 of a portion of the insulating film (14) positioned between the second semiconductor layer (10B) and the second light blocking layer (12B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Aichi
  • Patent number: 8766338
    Abstract: An object is to achieve low-power consumption by reducing the off-state current of a transistor in a photosensor. A semiconductor device including a photosensor having a photodiode, a first transistor, and a second transistor; and a read control circuit including a read control transistor, in which the photodiode has a function of supplying charge based on incident light to a gate of the first transistor; the first transistor has a function of storing charge supplied to its gate and converting the charge stored into an output signal; the second transistor has a function of controlling reading of the output signal; the read control transistor functions as a resistor converting the output signal into a voltage signal; and semiconductor layers of the first transistor, the second transistor, and the read control transistor are formed using an oxide semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda, Hikaru Tamura, Munehiro Kozuma
  • Patent number: 8766339
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to photodetectors with high efficiency of light detection, and may be used in a wide field of applications, which employ the detection of very weak and fast optical signals, such as industrial and medical tomography, life science, nuclear, particle, and/or astroparticle physics etc. A highly efficient CMOS-technology compatible Silicon Photoelectric Multiplier may comprise a substrate and a buried layer applied within the substrate. The multiplier may comprise cells with silicon strip-like quenching resistors, made by CMOS-technology, located on top of the substrate and under an insulating layer for respective cells, and separating elements may be disposed between the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V. Hofgartenstr. 8
    Inventors: Masahiro Teshima, Razmik Mirzoyan, Anatoly Pleshko, Ljudmila Aseeva
  • Patent number: 8766340
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus and a manufacturing method of a solid-state imaging apparatus are provided. Metal wirings 102 and 103 are formed in an effective pixel region A and out-of effective pixel region B of a semiconductor substrate 100, and an etch stop layer 118 is formed over the metal wirings 102 and 103. Moreover, an insulating film 119 is formed on the etch stop layer 118, and another metal wiring 104 is formed on the insulating film 119 in the out-of effective pixel region B. Next, the insulating film 119 in the effective pixel region A is removed by using the etch stop layer 118, and interlayer lenses 105 are formed in the step in the effective pixel region A where the insulating film 119 is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8766341
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to growth of magnesium-oxide on a single crystalline substrate of germanium. The embodiments further describes a method of manufacturing and crystalline structure of a FM/MgO/Ge(001) heterostructure. The embodiments further related to method of manufacturing and a crystalline structure for a high-k dielectric//MgO [100](001)//Ge[110](001) heterostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wei Han, Yi Zhou, Kang-Lung Wang, Roland K. Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8766342
    Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are described for an integrated circuit within which an electroless Cu plated layer having an oxygen content is formed on the top of a seed layer comprising Cu and Mn. The integrated circuit is then exposed to a sufficient high temperature to cause the self-formation of a MnSiOx barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Rohan N. Akolkar
  • Patent number: 8766343
    Abstract: In a method of forming a capacitor, a first mold layer pattern including a first insulating material may be formed on a substrate. The first mold layer pattern may have a trench. A supporting layer including a second insulating material may be formed in the trench. The second insulating material may have an etching selectivity with respect to the first insulating material. A second mold layer may be formed on the first mold layer pattern and the supporting layer pattern. A lower electrode may be formed through the second mold layer and the first mold layer pattern. The lower electrode may make contact with a sidewall of the supporting layer pattern. The first mold layer pattern and the second mold layer may be removed. A dielectric layer and an upper electrode may be formed on the lower electrode and the supporting layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hyuk Kang, Bo-Un Yoon, Kun-Tack Lee, Woo-Gwan Shim, Ji-Hoon Cha, Im-Soo Park, Hyo-San Lee, Young-Hoo Kim, Jung-Min Oh
  • Patent number: 8766344
    Abstract: A vertical MOSFET transistor is formed in a body of semiconductor material having a surface. The transistor includes a buried conductive region of a first conductivity type; a channel region of a second conductivity type, arranged on top of the buried conductive region; a surface conductive region of the first conductivity type, arranged on top of the channel region and the buried conductive region; a gate insulation region, extending at the sides of and contiguous to the channel region; and a gate region extending at the sides of and contiguous to the gate insulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Agostino Pirovano
  • Patent number: 8766345
    Abstract: An on-chip decoupling capacitor is disclosed. One or more carbon nanotubes are coupled to a first electrode of the capacitor. A dielectric skin is formed on the one or more carbon nanotubes. A metal coating is formed on the dielectric skin. The dielectric skin is configured to electrically isolate the one or more carbon nanotubes from the metal coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Damon B. Farmer, Aaron D. Franklin, Shu-Jen Han, George S. Tulevski
  • Patent number: 8766346
    Abstract: A method for reducing the leakage current in DRAM Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors includes forming a capacitor stack including an oxygen donor layer inserted between the dielectric layer and at least one of the two electrode layers. In some embodiments, the dielectric layer may be doped with an oxygen donor dopant. The oxygen donor materials provide oxygen to the dielectric layer and reduce the concentration of oxygen vacancies, thus reducing the leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangxin Rui, Sergey Barabash
  • Patent number: 8766347
    Abstract: Some embodiments include capacitors. The capacitors may include container-shaped storage node structures that have, along a cross-section, a pair of upwardly-extending sidewalls. Individual sidewalls may have a narrower segment over a wider segment. Capacitor dielectric material and capacitor electrode material may be along the narrower and wider segments of the sidewalls. Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors in which an initial container-shaped storage node structure is formed to have a pair of upwardly-extending sidewalls along a cross-section, with the sidewalls being of thickness that is substantially constant or increasing from a base to a top of the initial structure. The initial structure is then converted into a modified storage node structure by reducing thicknesses of upper segments of the sidewalls while leaving thicknesses of lower segments of the sidewalls substantially unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane M. Goodner, Sanjeev Sapra, Darwin Franseda Fan
  • Patent number: 8766348
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of gate structures formed on a cell region of the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of gate structures include a first select-gate and a second select-gate disposed on the cell region, the first select-gate and the second select-gate spaced apart from each other. A plurality of cell gate structures are disposed between the first select-gate and the second select-gate. The first select-gate and an adjacent cell gate structure have no air gap defined therebetween. At least a pair of adjacent cell gate structures have an air gap defined therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Kyung Kim, Woosung Choi
  • Patent number: 8766349
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, a memory array and a fabrication method thereof, and more particularly to a semiconductor device having a stacked array structure (referred to as a STAR structure: a STacked ARray structure) applicable to not only a switch device but also a memory device, a NAND flash memory array using the same as a memory device and a fabrication method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Byung Gook Park, Jang Gn Yun, Il Han Park
  • Patent number: 8766350
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a plurality of gate structures; a first dielectric film; and a second dielectric film. The first dielectric film crosslinks adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures so as to form a cavity each above and below in a position between the adjacent gate structures. The second dielectric film is formed as if to cover the cavity above the first dielectric film between the adjacent gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Osamu Arisumi, Toshihiko Iinuma
  • Patent number: 8766351
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a columnar semiconductor, a floating gate electrode formed on a side surface of the columnar semiconductor via a tunnel dielectric film, and a control gate electrode formed to surround the floating gate electrode via a block dielectric film are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Imamura, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Masaru Kito, Tomoko Fujiwara, Kaori Kawasaki, Ryouhei Kirisawa
  • Patent number: 8766352
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pipe channel layer formed over a substrate, a first vertical channel layer formed over the pipe channel layer to couple the pipe channel layer to a bit line, a second vertical channel layer formed over the pipe channel layer to couple the pipe channel layer to a source line, a multi-layer comprising a charge trap layer and formed to surround the first vertical channel layer, the second vertical channel layer, and the pipe channel layer, an insulating barrier layer formed to surround the multi-layer, a plurality of first conductive layers formed between the pipe channel layer and the bit line, wherein the first vertical channel layer passes through the first conductive layers, and a plurality of second conductive layers formed between the pipe channel layer and the source line, wherein the second vertical layer passes through the second conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Young Kyun Jung
  • Patent number: 8766353
    Abstract: An FET device characterized as being an asymmetrical tunnel FET (TFET) is disclosed. The TFET includes a gate-stack, a channel region underneath the gate-stack, a first and a second junction adjoining the gate-stack and being capable for electrical continuity with the channel. The first junction and the second junction are of different conductivity types. The TFET also includes spacer formations in a manner that the spacer formation on one side of the gate-stack is thinner than on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Kangguo Cheng, Wilfried E. Haensch, Ali Khakifirooz, Isaac Lauer, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8766354
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of buried word lines extending in a first direction and a plurality of buried bit lines extending in a second direction. Upper surfaces of the plurality of buried word lines and the plurality of buried bit lines are lower than an upper surface of a substrate. The distance between two active regions that constitute a pair of first active regions from among a plurality of first active regions included in a first group of active regions is less than the distance between two adjacent active regions having the plurality of buried bit lines therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-woo Chung, Hyeong-sun Hong, Yong-chul Oh, Yoo-sang Hwang, Cheol-ho Baek, Kang-uk Kim
  • Patent number: 8766355
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device isolation pattern in which a polysilicon layer pattern doped with oxygen, carbon or nitrogen is interposed between an inner wall of a trench and a nitride liner. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a trench, a polysilicon layer pattern on a surface of the trench, a nitride layer pattern on the polysilicon layer pattern, and an insulation layer pattern on the nitride layer pattern and filling the trench. The polysilicon layer pattern may be doped with oxygen, carbon and/or nitrogen. Related manufacturing methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-kak Lee, Hee-don Hwang
  • Patent number: 8766356
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of reducing a thickness, an electronic product employing the same, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having first and second active regions. A first transistor in the first active region includes a first gate pattern and first impurity regions. A second transistor the second active region includes a second gate pattern and second impurity regions. A first conductive pattern is on the first transistor, wherein at least a part of the first conductive pattern is disposed at a same distance from an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate as at least a part of the second gate pattern. The first conductive pattern may be formed on the first transistor while the second transistor is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-lk Kim, Yong-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 8766357
    Abstract: A high voltage MOS transistor comprises a first drain/source region formed over a substrate, a second drain/source region formed over the substrate and a first metal layer formed over the substrate. The first metal layer comprises a first conductor coupled to the first drain/source region through a first metal plug, a second conductor coupled to the second drain/source region through a second metal plug and a plurality of floating metal rings formed between the first conductor and the second conductor. The floating metal rings help to improve the breakdown voltage of the high voltage MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Wei Tseng, Kun-Ming Huang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Fu-Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 8766358
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a substrate having a first conductive type; a deep well having a second conductive type formed in the substrate and extending down from a surface of the substrate; a first well having the first conductive type and a second well having the second conductive type both formed in the deep well and extending down from the surface of the substrate, and the second well spaced apart from the first well; a gate electrode formed on the substrate and disposed between the first and second wells; an isolation extending down from the surface of the substrate and disposed between the gate electrode and the second well; a conductive plug including a first portion and a second portion electrically connected to each other, and the first portion electrically connected to the gate electrode, and the second portion penetrating into the isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chiu-Te Lee, Ke-Feng Lin, Shu-Wen Lin, Kun-Huang Yu, Chih-Chung Wang, Te-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8766359
    Abstract: An integrated circuit containing an extended drain MOS transistor with deep semiconductor (SC) RESURF trenches in the drift region, in which each deep SC RESURF trench has a semiconductor RESURF layer at a sidewall of the trench contacting the drift region. The semiconductor RESURF layer has an opposite conductivity type from the drift region. The deep SC RESURF trenches have depth:width ratios of at least 5:1, and do not extend through a bottom surface of the drift region. A process of forming an integrated circuit with deep SC RESURF trenches in the drift region by etching undersized trenches and counterdoping the sidewall region to form the semiconductor RESURF layer. A process of forming an integrated circuit with deep SC RESURF trenches in the drift region by etching trenches and growing an epitaxial layer on the sidewall region to form the semiconductor RESURF layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Marie Denison, Sameer Pendharkar
  • Patent number: 8766360
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a semiconductor device on a base substrate, the semiconductor device having a core metal positioned proximate a source and a drain in the base substrate; a work function metal on a portion of the core metal; a dielectric liner on a portion of the work function metal; a metal gate in electrical communication with one of the source and the drain; and an insulator film implanted into the core metal, the insulator film forming an insulative barrier across the metal gate and between the core metal and the source or the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Junli Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 8766361
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a single crystal semiconductor layer formed over an insulating surface and having a source region, a drain region, and a channel formation region, a gate insulating film covering the single crystal semiconductor layer and a gate electrode overlapping with the channel formation region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween. In the semiconductor device, at least the drain region of the source and drain regions includes a first impurity region adjacent to the channel formation region and a second impurity region adjacent to the first impurity region. A maximum of an impurity concentration distribution in the first impurity region in a depth direction is closer to the insulating surface than a maximum of an impurity concentration distribution in the second impurity region in a depth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Koezuka, Satoshi Shinohara, Miki Suzuki, Hideto Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 8766362
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device is provided which includes (a) providing a layer stack comprising a semiconductor layer (211) and a dielectric layer (209) disposed between the substrate and the semiconductor layer, (b) creating a trench (210) which extends through the semiconductor layer and which exposes a portion of the dielectric layer, the trench having a sidewall, (c) creating a spacer structure (221) which comprises a first material and which is adjacent to the sidewall of the trench, and (d) forming a stressor layer (223) which comprises a second material and which is disposed on the bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantin V. Loiko, Toni D. Van Gompel, Rode R. Mora, Michael D. Turner, Brian A. Winstead, Mark D. Hall
  • Patent number: 8766363
    Abstract: Methods and structures for forming a localized silicon-on-insulator (SOI) finFET are disclosed. Fins are formed on a bulk substrate. Nitride spacers protect the fin sidewalls. A shallow trench isolation region is deposited over the fins. An oxidation process causes oxygen to diffuse through the shallow trench isolation region and into the underlying silicon. The oxygen reacts with the silicon to form oxide, which provides electrical isolation for the fins. The shallow trench isolation region is in direct physical contact with the fins and/or the nitride spacers that are disposed on the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 8766364
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a layout for stress optimization. The layout includes a substrate, at least two fin field effect transistors (FinFET) cells formed in the substrate, a FinFET fin designed to cross the two FinFET cells, a plurality of gates formed on the substrate, and an isolation unit formed between the first FinFET cell and the second FinFET cell. The two FinFET cells include a first FinFET cell and a second FinFET cell. The FinFET fin includes a positive charge FinFET (Fin PFET) fin and a negative charge FinFET (Fin NFET) fin. The isolation unit isolates the first FinFET cell from the second FinFET cell without breaking the FinFET fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerben Doornbos, Mark van Dal
  • Patent number: 8766365
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit-protection device has first and second circuit-protection units, each comprising first and second nodes. A gate is between the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units. The first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units are on a common active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Smith
  • Patent number: 8766366
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric on a substrate, the interlayer dielectric including first and second openings respectively disposed in first and second regions formed separately in the substrate; forming a first conductive layer filling the first and second openings; etching the first conductive layer such that a bottom surface of the first opening is exposed and a portion of the first conductive layer in the second opening remains; and forming a second conductive layer filling the first opening and a portion of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoonjoo Na, Sangjin Hyun, Yugyun Shin, Hongbae Park, Sughun Hong, Hye-Lan Lee, Hyung-seok Hong
  • Patent number: 8766367
    Abstract: A textured thin film transistor is comprised of an insulator sandwiched between a textured gate electrode and a semi-conductor. A source electrode and drain electrode are fabricated on a surface of the semi-conductor. The textured gate electrode is fabricated such that a surface is modified in its texture and/or geometry, such modifications affecting the transistor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Sambandan, Robert A. Street
  • Patent number: 8766368
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Soo Kang, Sang Jin Oh
  • Patent number: 8766369
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first impurity layer containing boron or phosphorus, a first epitaxial layer formed above the first impurity layer, a first gate electrode formed above the first epitaxial layer with a first gate insulating film formed therebetween and first source/drain regions, and a second transistor including a second impurity layer containing boron and carbon, or arsenic or antimony, a second epitaxial layer formed above the second impurity layer, a second gate electrode formed above the second epitaxial layer with a second gate insulating film thinner than the first gate insulating film formed therebetween, and second source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Taiji Ema, Kazushi Fujita, Junji Oh
  • Patent number: 8766370
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, a pMOS transistor formed over the first region and an nMOS formed over the second region. The pMOS transistor has a gate structure that includes: an interfacial layer formed over the substrate; a AlOx layer formed over the interfacial layer; and a metal layer including Mo or W formed over the AlOx layer. The nMOS transistor has a gate structure that includes: the interfacial layer formed over the substrate; a DyOx layer formed over the interfacial layer; and the metal layer including Mo or W formed over the DyOx layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacob Christopher Hooker, Raghunath Singanamalla, Jasmine Petry
  • Patent number: 8766371
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor structure according to the present invention comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a channel region formed on the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack formed on the channel region; and source/drain regions formed on both sides of the channel region and embedded in the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack comprises: a gate dielectric layer formed on the channel region; and a conductive layer positioned on the gate dielectric layer. For an nMOSFET, the conductive layer has a compressive stress to apply a tensile stress to the channel region; and for a pMOSFET, the conductive layer has a tensile stress to apply a compressive stress to the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Qingqing Liang, Zhijiong Luo, Haizhou Yin
  • Patent number: 8766372
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a first contact to a semiconductor device, which fundamentally comprises providing a semiconductor device formed on a substrate. The substrate further includes a conductive surface. A dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and has an opening exposing the conductive surface. The opening extends an entire length of the semiconductor device, partway down the entire length of the device, extending from the device onto adjacent field of the device, or and a combination thereof. A barrier layer is formed within the opening. A copper containing material fills the opening to form a first contact to the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kelin J. Kuhn, Kaizad Mistry, Mark Bohr, Chris Auth
  • Patent number: 8766373
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of stripe-like active areas formed by stacking, in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of layers extending parallel to the substrate, a first gate electrode formed on first side surfaces of the active areas, the first side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate, a second gate electrode formed on second side surfaces of the active areas, the second side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate. The layers are patterned in self-alignment with each other, intersections of the active areas and the first gate electrode form a plurality of memory cells, and the plurality of memory cells in an intersecting plane share the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyotoshi, Akihito Yamamoto, Yoshio Ozawa, Fumitaka Arai, Riichiro Shirota
  • Patent number: 8766374
    Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, an integrated one-time programmable (OTP) semiconductor device pair includes a split-thickness dielectric under an electrode and over an isolation region formed in a doped semiconductor substrate, where a reduced-thickness center portion of the dielectric forms, in conjunction with the isolation region, programming regions of the OTP semiconductor device pair, and where the thicker, outer portions of the dielectric form dielectrics for transistor structures. In one embodiment, the split-thickness dielectric comprises a gate dielectric. In one embodiment, multiple OTP semiconductor device pairs are formed in an array that minimizes the number of connections required to program and sense states of specific OTP cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 8766375
    Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of composite semiconductor devices with active oscillation control. In one exemplary implementation, a normally OFF composite semiconductor device comprises a normally ON III-nitride power transistor and a low voltage (LV) device cascoded with the normally ON III-nitride power transistor to form the normally OFF composite semiconductor device. The LV device may be configured to include one or both of a reduced output resistance due to, for example, a modified body implant and a reduced transconductance due to, for example, a modified oxide thickness to cause a gain of the composite semiconductor device to be less than approximately 10,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Bramian, Jason Zhang