Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9601469
    Abstract: Package-on-package (PoP) modules are provided. The PoP module includes a lower package and an upper package disposed over the lower package. The lower package includes a lower substrate and a lower chip disposed over a top surface of the lower substrate. The upper package includes an upper substrate, a plurality of upper chips disposed over a top surface of the upper substrate, and an upper molding member disposed over the plurality of upper chips. The upper molding member is divided into at least two parts which are separated from each other by a trench. Related memory cards and related electronic systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Jung Tae Jeong
  • Patent number: 9601470
    Abstract: A stacked semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor package and a second semiconductor package stacked thereon, and further includes a plate member interposed between the first semiconductor package and the second semiconductor package. The plate member has a plate body, protruding strips protruding toward its edges from the plate body, and leg portions respectively provided on the protruding strips. Each of the leg portions is disposed on a surface, which opposes one surface of a wiring substrate, of the protruding strip, and contacts the one surface of the wiring substrate. Thus, defective connection of connecting terminals due to warping of the wiring substrate and loading inclination of the first semiconductor package is reduced, resulting in an improved yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuya Okada
  • Patent number: 9601471
    Abstract: Vertically stacked system in package structures are described. In an embodiment, a package includes a first level molding and fan out structure, a third level molding and fan out structure, and a second level molding and fan out structure between the first and third levels. The second level molding and fan out structure includes back-to-back facing die, with a front surface of each die bonded to a redistribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zhai, Kunzhong Hu
  • Patent number: 9601472
    Abstract: Some features pertain to a package on package (PoP) device that includes a first package, a first solder interconnect coupled to the first integrated circuit package, and a second package coupled to the first package through the first solder interconnect. The second package includes a first die, a package interconnect comprising a first pad, where the first solder interconnect is coupled to the first pad of the package interconnect. The second package also includes a redistribution portion coupled to the first die and the package interconnect, an encapsulation layer at least partially encapsulating the first die and the package interconnect. The first pad may include a surface that has low roughness. The encapsulation layer may encapsulate the package interconnect such that the encapsulation layer encapsulates at least a portion of the first solder interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lizabeth Ann Keser, David Fraser Rae
  • Patent number: 9601473
    Abstract: A press pack module includes a collector module terminal, an emitter module terminal, a gate module terminal, and an auxiliary module terminal. Each IGBT cassette within the module includes a set of shims, two contact pins, and an IGBT die. The first contact pin provides part of a first electrical connection between the gate module terminal and the IGBT gate pad. The second contact pin provides part of a second electrical connection between the auxiliary module terminal and a shim that in turn contacts the IGBT emitter pad. The electrical connection between the auxiliary emitter terminal and each emitter pad of the many IGBTs is a balanced impedance network. The balanced network is not part of the high current path through the module. By supplying a gate drive signal between the gate and auxiliary emitter terminals, simultaneous IGBT turn off in high speed and high current switching conditions is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley Golland, Franklin J. Wakeman, Howard D. Neal
  • Patent number: 9601474
    Abstract: A wafer-leveled chip packaging method, comprising the steps of: providing a wafer; attaching at least one first chip to the wafer; forming a first insulating layer on the wafer; forming a plurality of first conductive vias penetrating the first insulating layer, wherein parts of the first conductive vias are electrically connected with the first chip; forming a conductive pattern layer on the surface of the first insulating layer wherein the conductive pattern layer is electrically connected with the first conductive vias; forming a plurality of through holes penetrating the wafer; filling a second insulating layer in the through holes; and forming a plurality of second conductive vias in the second insulating layer, wherein the second conductive vias are electrically connected with the first conductive vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Invensas Corporation
    Inventors: Shou-Lung Chen, Ching-Wen Hsaio, Yu-Hua Chen, Jeng-Dar Ko, Chih-Ming Tzeng, Jyh-Rong Lin, Shan-Pu Yu
  • Patent number: 9601475
    Abstract: A workpiece has at least two semiconductor chips, each semiconductor chip having a first main surface, which is at least partially exposed, and a second main surface. The workpiece also comprises an electrically conducting layer, arranged on the at least two semiconductor chips, the electrically conducting layer being arranged at least on regions of the second main surface, and a molding compound, arranged on the electrically conducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Brunnbauer, Thorsten Meyer, Stephan Bradl, Ralf Plieninger, Jens Pohl, Klaus Pressel, Recai Sezi
  • Patent number: 9601476
    Abstract: A method of forming an optoelectronic device and a silicon device on a single chip. The method may include; forming a stack of layers on a substrate in a first and second region, the stack of layers include a semiconductor layer, a first insulator layer, a waveguide, a second insulator layer, and a device base layer; forming the device on the device base layer in the second region; forming a device insulator layer on the device and on the device base layer in the second region; and forming the optoelectronic device in the first region, the optoelectronic device has a bottom cladding layer, an active region, and a top cladding layer, wherein the bottom cladding layer is on the semiconductor layer, the active region is on the bottom cladding layer, and the top cladding layer is on the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Effendi Leobandung, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 9601477
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include an integrated circuit that includes a plurality of functional circuit cells and a plurality of inactive spare functional circuit cells. Ones of the functional circuit cells respectively includes a set of first electrically interconnected transistors that define a first logic component and a first power rail configured to carry a first supply voltage. Ones of the inactive spare functional circuit cells respectively includes a set of second electrically interconnected transistors configured to define a second logic component and a second power rail configured to carry the first supply voltage. The set of electrically interconnected transistors is interconnected through a second set of conductive lines formed in the first conductive layer. The set of second electrically interconnected transistors is electrically disconnected from the second power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Carol Pincu, Rami Rozenzvaig
  • Patent number: 9601478
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor device has a high oxide definition (OD) density region, a low OD density region adjacent to the high OD density region, and dummy cells in the high OD density region and the low OD density region to smooth a density gradient between the high OD density region and the low OD density region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Lin Chuang, Chun-Cheng Ku, Chin-Her Chien, Wei-Pin Changchien
  • Patent number: 9601479
    Abstract: A buffer or voltage protection circuit, a circuit including same, and an associated method of operation are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a first input terminal, a first circuit portion having a second input terminal, and a second circuit portion. The second circuit portion includes a transistor device having first, second, and third ports, where the first and second ports are respectively electrically coupled to the first input terminal and second input terminal, respectively. Additionally, the second circuit portion also includes a diode-type device that is electrically coupled between the third port and either a power source or a power input terminal, and a buffer/driver circuit and a capacitor coupled in series between the third and second ports. The second circuit portion operates to prevent the second input terminal from being exposed to an undesirably-high voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Edwards, John M. Pigott
  • Patent number: 9601480
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an ESD protection circuit may include a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and a diode sharing a PN junction and forming a bi-directional ESD circuit. The single PN junction may reduce the capacitive load on the pin, which may allow the high speed circuit to meet its performance goals. In an embodiment, a floating P-well contact may be placed between two neighboring SCRs, to control triggering of the SCRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Junjun Li, Xin Yi Zhang, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9601481
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer of a first dopant type on the first electrode. A first region of the semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor layer of the second dopant type on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer of the first dopant type on the second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode extending though the second and third semiconductor layers and inwardly of the first semiconductor layer. A second region of the semiconductor device includes an insulating layer over the first semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor layer of the first or second dopant type on the insulating layer, a fifth semiconductor layer of a different dopant type on the insulating layer and surrounding the fourth semiconductor layer, and a sixth semiconductor layer of the same dopant type on the insulation layer and surrounding the fifth semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toru Shono
  • Patent number: 9601482
    Abstract: Compound semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating compound semiconductor devices (e.g., III-V devices) based on aspect ratio trapping are provided in which economical and environmentally friendly chemical mechanical polishing techniques are implemented to minimize waste of, e.g., III-V precursor material, minimize production costs, and minimize environmental impact from toxic waste generated from chemical mechanical polishing of III-V films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Fogel, Alexander Reznicek, Devendra K. Sadana, Charan V. Surisetty
  • Patent number: 9601483
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a normally-off transistor having a first drain, a first source electrically connected to a source terminal, and a first gate electrically connected to a gate terminal, a normally-on transistor having a second gate, a second source electrically connected to the first drain, and a second drain electrically connected to a voltage terminal, a first capacitor provided between the gate terminal and the second gate, a first diode having a first anode electrically connected to the first capacitor and the second gate, and a first cathode electrically connected to the first source, a coil component provided between the voltage terminal and the second drain, and a second diode having a second anode electrically connected to the first drain and the second source, and a second cathode electrically connected to the coil component and the voltage terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kentaro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9601484
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for an integrated laminated magnetic device. A substrate and a multilayer stack structure form the device. The multilayer stack structure includes alternating magnetic layers and diode structures formed on the substrate. Each magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure is separated from another magnetic layer in the multilayer stack structure by a diode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philipp Herget, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Lubomyr T. Romankiw, Naigang Wang, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 9601485
    Abstract: In the reverse-conducting IGBT according to the present invention, an n-type buffer layer surrounds a p-type collector layer. A p-type separation layer surrounds an n-type cathode layer. The n-type buffer layer separates the p-type collector layer and the p-type separation layer from each other. The p-type separation layer separates the n-type cathode layer and the n-type buffer layer from each other. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to reduce snapback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9601486
    Abstract: There is set forth herein a field effect transistor (FET) configured as an ESD protection device. In one embodiment, the FET can be configured to operate in a snapback operating mode. The FET can include a semiconductor substrate, a gate formed on the substrate and a dummy gate formed on the substrate spaced apart from the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Jagar Singh, Andy Wei, Mahadeva Iyer Natarajan, Manjunatha Prabhu, Anil Kumar
  • Patent number: 9601487
    Abstract: A power transistor includes a number of transistor cells. Each transistor cell includes a source region, a drain region, a body region and a gate electrode. Each source region is arranged in a first semiconductor fin of a semiconductor body. Each drain region is at least partially arranged in a second semiconductor fin of the semiconductor body. The second semiconductor fin is spaced from the first semiconductor fin in a first horizontal direction of the semiconductor body. Each gate electrode is arranged in a trench adjacent the first semiconductor fin, is adjacent the body region, and is dielectrically insulated from the body region by a gate dielectric. Each of the first and second semiconductor fins has a width in the first horizontal direction and a length in a second horizontal direction, wherein the length is larger than the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Tegen
  • Patent number: 9601488
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate-all-around semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method comprises providing on a semiconductor substrate between STI regions at least one suspended nanostructure anchored by a source region and a drain region. The suspended nanostructure is formed of a crystalline semiconductor material that is different from a crystalline semiconductor material of the semiconductor substrate. A gate stack surrounds the at least one suspended nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Niamh Waldron, Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 9601489
    Abstract: The described embodiments of mechanisms for placing dummy gate structures next to and/or near a number of wide gate structures reduce dishing effect for gate structures during chemical-mechanical polishing of gate layers. The arrangements of dummy gate structures and the ranges of metal pattern density have been described. Wide gate structures, such as analog devices, can greatly benefit from the reduction of dishing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Hong Chern, Chih-Chang Lin, Julie Tran, Jacklyn Chang
  • Patent number: 9601490
    Abstract: An improved method and structure for fabrication of replacement metal gate (RMG) field effect transistors is disclosed. P-type field effect transistor (PFET) gate cavities are protected while N work function metals are deposited in N-type field effect transistor (NFET) gate cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9601491
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a vertical field effect transistor comprising that includes forming openings through a spacer material to provide fin structure openings to a first semiconductor material, and forming an inner spacer liner on sidewalls of the fin structure openings. A channel semiconductor material is epitaxially formed on a surface of the first semiconductor material filling at least a portion of the fin structure openings. The spacer material is recessed with an etch that is selective to the inner spacer liner to form a first spacer. The inner spacer liner is removed selectively to the channel semiconductor material. A gate structure on the channel semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material is formed in contact with the channel semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hari V. Mallela, Reinaldo A. Vega, Rajasekhar Venigalla
  • Patent number: 9601492
    Abstract: FinFET devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed. One of the FinFET devices includes a substrate, multiple gates and an insulating wall. The substrate is provided with multiple fins extending in a first direction. The multiple gates extending in a second direction different from the first direction are provided respectively across the fins. Two of the adjacent gates are arranged end to end. The insulating wall extending in the first direction is located between the facing ends of the adjacent gates and is in physical contact with a gate dielectric material of each of the adjacent gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jie-Cheng Deng, Yi-Jen Chen, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 9601493
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a link or string of semiconductor memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a floating body region for storing data. The link or siring includes at least one contact configured to electrically connect the memory cells to at least one control line, and the number of contacts in the string or link is the same as or less than the number of memory cells in the string or link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9601494
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same. The semiconductor devices include an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, contact pads on the semiconductor substrate and penetrating the interlayer insulating layer, a stopping insulating layer on the interlayer insulating layer, storage electrodes on the contact pads, upper supporters between upper parts of the storage electrodes, side supporters between the storage electrodes and the upper supporters, a capacitor dielectric layer on the storage electrodes, the side supporters, and the upper supporters, and a plate electrode on the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Eun Kim, Dae-Ik Kim, Seung-Jun Lee, Young-Seung Cho
  • Patent number: 9601495
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, fin(s) coupled to the substrate and surrounded at a bottom portion thereof by isolation material, each fin including a source region, a drain region and a channel region therebetween, a first gate and spacers over a portion of each fin, and a second gate and spacers, the second gate encompassing a common end portion of each fin. The first gate and corresponding source and drain regions act as an access transistor, and the second gate and common end portion(s) of the fin(s) act as a storage capacitor, and a top surface of the second gate acts as a plate for the storage capacitor, when multiple cells are arranged in an array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9601496
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, sacrificial layer patterns are formed by leaving portions of sacrificial layers, instead of completely removing the sacrificial layers. Thus, the reliability of the semiconductor device may be increased, and the process of manufacturing the same may be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sanghoon Lee, Hyunyong Go, Sunggil Kim, Kyong-Won An, Woosung Lee, Yongseok Cho
  • Patent number: 9601497
    Abstract: A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell includes a first pull-up transistor and a first pull-down transistor, a second pull-up transistor and a second pull-down transistor, and first and second pass-gate transistors. A first buried contact electrically connects a drain region of the first pull-up transistor and gate electrodes of the second pull-up transistor and the second pull-down transistor, and includes a first metal layer formed in a region confined by spacers of a first gate layer and a first electrically conductive path formed at a level below the spacers. A second buried contact electrically connects a drain region of the second pull-up transistor and gate electrodes of the first pull-up transistor and the first pull-down transistor, and includes a second metal layer formed in a region confined by spacers of a second gate layer and a second electrically conductive path formed at the level below the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Yan Chen, Jui-Yao Lai, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9601498
    Abstract: A two terminal memory device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes stimulus circuitry in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nantero Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Mitchell Meinhold, Steven L. Konsek, Thomas Rueckes, Max Strasburg, Frank Guo, X. M. Henry Huang, Ramesh Sivarajan
  • Patent number: 9601499
    Abstract: A one time programmable (OTP) memory cell includes a select gate transistor, a following gate transistor, and an antifuse varactor. The select gate transistor has a first gate terminal, a first drain terminal and a first source terminal. The following gate transistor has a second gate terminal, a second drain terminal and a second source terminal coupled to the first drain terminal. The antifuse varactor has a third gate terminal, a third drain terminal, and a third source terminal coupled to the second drain terminal. The select gate transistor, the following gate transistor, and the antifuse varactor are formed on a substrate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Meng-Yi Wu, Wei-Zhe Wong, Hsin-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9601500
    Abstract: A memory device that includes a plurality of ROM cells each having spaced apart source and drain regions formed in a substrate with a channel region therebetween, a first gate disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the channel region, a second gate disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region, and a conductive line extending over the plurality of ROM cells. The conductive line is electrically coupled to the drain regions of a first subgroup of the ROM cells, and is not electrically coupled to the drain regions of a second subgroup of the ROM cells. Alternately, a first subgroup of the ROM cells each includes a higher voltage threshold implant region in the channel region, whereas a second subgroup of the ROM cells each lack any higher voltage threshold implant region in the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinho Kim, Vipin Tiwari, Nhan Do, Xian Liu, Xiaozhou Qian, Ning Bai, Kai Man Yue
  • Patent number: 9601501
    Abstract: An NVM array includes a plurality of NVM cells, a plurality of word lines extending along a first direction, a plurality of bit lines extending along a second direction, and a plurality of source lines. Each of the NVM cells includes a PMOS select transistor and a PMOS floating gate transistor serially connected to the PMOS select transistor. Each word line is electrically connected to the select gate of the PMOS select transistor. Each bit line is electrically connected to a doping region of the PMOS floating gate transistor of each of the plurality of NVM cells. Each source line is electrically connected to a doping region of the PMOS select transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mu-Ying Tsao, Wei-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 9601502
    Abstract: A recessed region can be formed on a semiconductor substrate, and peripheral semiconductor devices can be formed on a recessed horizontal surface of the semiconductor substrate. An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers are formed over the semiconductor substrate, and memory stack structures are formed therethrough. Contact openings extending to sacrificial material layers located at different depths can be formed by sequentially exposing a greater number of openings in a mask layer by iterative alternation of trimming of a slimming layer over the mask layer and an anisotropic etch that recesses pre-existing contact openings by one level. Electrically conductive via structures extending to electrically conductive electrodes located at different level can be provided with self-aligned insulating liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michiaki Sano, Keisuke Izumi
  • Patent number: 9601503
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, includes: a stacked structural unit including a plurality of insulating films alternately stacked with a plurality of electrode films in a first direction; a selection gate electrode stacked on the stacked structural unit in the first direction; an insulating layer stacked on the selection gate electrode in the first direction; a first semiconductor pillar piercing the stacked structural unit, the selection gate electrode, and the insulating layer in the first direction, a first cross section of the first semiconductor pillar having an annular configuration, the first cross section being cut in a plane orthogonal to the first direction; a first core unit buried in an inner side of the first semiconductor pillar, the first core unit being recessed from an upper face of the insulating layer; and a first conducting layer of the first semiconductor pillar provided on the first core unit to contact the first core unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Junya Matsunami, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hideaki Aochi, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Yoshimasa Mikajiri, Shigeto Oota
  • Patent number: 9601504
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a pipe channel layer including a first portion and a second portion protruding from the first portion, first channel pillars protruding from the second portion of the pipe channel layer, and second channel pillars protruding from the first portion of the pipe channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Ho Lee, Ji Hye Shin
  • Patent number: 9601505
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first selection gate insulating film surrounding a first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first selection gate surrounding the first selection gate insulating film, a first bit line connected to the first pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a layer including a first charge storage layer which surrounds a second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a first control gate surrounding the layer, a layer including a second charge storage layer which surrounds the second pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, a second control gate surrounding the layer, a first lower-portion internal line connecting the first and second pillar-shaped semiconductor layers, a layer including a third charge storage layer, a third control gate, a layer including a fourth charge storage layer, a fourth control gate, a second selection gate insulating film, a second selection gate, a first source line, and a second lower-portion internal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Hiroki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9601506
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, stacks, a blocking layer-trapping layer-tunneling layer structure, channel layers, a first insulating material and a dielectric layer. The stacks are formed on the substrate. Each stack comprises a group of alternating conductive strips and insulating strips as well as a first string select line formed on the group. The blocking layer-trapping layer-tunneling layer structure and the channel layers are formed conformally with the stacks. The first insulating material is formed between the stacks and covers portions of the channel layers. The dielectric layer is formed on portions of the channel layers that are not covered by the first insulating material. The semiconductor structure further comprises second string select lines formed between the stacks on the first insulating material, wherein the second string select lines are separated from the channel layers by the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Erh-Kun Lai
  • Patent number: 9601507
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an insulating layer provided on a semiconductor substrate, an opening provided on the insulating layer, a spacer film provided in a side wall of the opening in a stepped shape, and configured to have an etching resistance lower than that of the insulating layer, and a conductive body provided in the opening to be configured to cover the spacer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Munio Ishimura
  • Patent number: 9601508
    Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. After formation of a memory opening, all surfaces of the memory opening are provided as silicon oxide surfaces by formation of at least one silicon oxide portion. A silicon nitride layer is formed in the memory opening. After formation of a memory stack structure, backside recesses can be formed employing the silicon oxide portions as an etch stop. The silicon oxide portions can be subsequently removed employing the silicon nitride layer as an etch stop. Physically exposed portions of the silicon nitride layer can be removed selective to the memory stack structure. Damage to the outer layer of the memory stack structure can be minimized or eliminated by successive use of etch stop structures. Electrically conductive layers can be subsequently formed in the backside recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jongsun Sel, Chan Park, Atsushi Suyama, Frank Yu, Hiroyuki Ogawa, Ryoichi Honma, Kensuke Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Iuchi, Naoki Takeguchi, Tuan Pham, Kiyohiko Sakakibara, Jiao Chen
  • Patent number: 9601509
    Abstract: The present disclosure may provide a semiconductor device having a three-dimensional memory device with improved performance and reliability. The device may include a pipe gate having a pipe channel film embedded in the pipe gate. The device may include source-side channel and drain-side channel films coupled respectively to both ends of the pipe channel film. The device may include interlayer insulation films and conductive patterns alternately stacked and disposed over the pipe gate, the alternately stacked interlayer insulation films and conductive patterns surrounding the source-side channel film and the drain-side channel film. The device may include a slit disposed between the drain-side channel film and the source-side channel film and dividing the alternately stacked interlayer insulation films and conductive patterns into a source-side stack and a drain-side stack, the slit having a round shape at a bottom of the slit adjacent to the pipe gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Wan Cheul Shin
  • Patent number: 9601510
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a small area and constitutes a CMOS 3-input NAND circuit by using surrounding gate transistors (SGTs) that are vertical transistors. In a 3-input NAND circuit including six MOS transistors arranged in a line, the MOS transistors constituting the NAND circuit have the following configuration. Planar silicon layers are disposed on a substrate. The drain, gate, and source of the MOS transistors are arranged in a vertical direction, and the gate surrounds a silicon pillar. The planer silicon layers include a first active region having a first conductivity type and a second active region having a second conductivity type. The first and second active regions are connected to each other via a silicide layer disposed on surfaces of the planar silicon layers. In this way, a semiconductor device constituting a NAND circuit with a small area is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Masamichi Asano
  • Patent number: 9601511
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, including: a UTBOX layer; a first cell, including: FDSOI transistors; a first STI separating the transistors; a first ground plane located beneath one of the transistors and beneath the UTBOX layer; a first well; a second cell, including: FDSOI transistors; a second STI separating the transistors; a second ground plane located beneath one of the transistors and beneath the UTBOX layer; a second well; a third STI separating the cells, reaching the bottom of the first and second wells; a deep well extending continuously beneath the first and second wells, having a portion beneath the third STI whose doping density is at least 50% higher than the doping density of the deep well beneath the first and second STIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Maud Vinet, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce Doris, Laurent Grenouillet, Ali Khakifirooz, Yannick Le Tiec, Qing Liu
  • Patent number: 9601512
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer on a top surface of the substrate, and a first semiconductor transistor on the insulating layer, the transistor including an active region with a source region, a drain region, a channel region between the source and drain regions and a gate structure over the channel region, the gate structure extending beyond the transistor to an adjacent area. An outer well is included in the substrate, an inner well of an opposite type as the outer well situated within the outer well and under the active region and adjacent area, and a contact for the inner well in the adjacent area, the contact surrounding the gate structure. Operating the device includes applying a variable voltage at the contact for the inner well, a threshold voltage for the first transistor being altered by the variable voltage. The inner well and gate may be exposed and contacts created therefor together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Manfred Eller
  • Patent number: 9601513
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and integrated circuit structures. One method includes masking a structure with a mask to cover at least a portion of the structure under the mask, selectively implanting a material through a semiconductor layer and into a buried insulator layer forming an implant region. The implant region is substantially parallel to and below an upper surface of the structure. The method may also include masking an additional portion of the structure; etching a set of access ports though the semiconductor layer and partially through the insulator layer into the implant region; etching at least one tunnel below the upper surface of the structure in the implant region using the set of access; and depositing a conductor into the at least one tunnel and the set of access ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Terence B. Hook, Andreas Scholze, Lars W. Liebmann, Roger A. Quon, Andrew H. Simon
  • Patent number: 9601514
    Abstract: Described herein is a FinFET device in which epitaxial layers of semiconductor material are formed in the source/drain regions on dielectrically isolated fin portions. The fin portions are located within a dielectric layer that is deposited on a semiconductor substrate. Surfaces of the fin portions are oriented in the {100} lattice plane of the crystalline material of the fin portions, providing for good epitaxial growth. Further described are methods for forming the FinFET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 9601515
    Abstract: A high reliability semiconductor display device is provided. A semiconductor layer in the semiconductor display device has a channel forming region, an LDD region, a source region, and a drain region, and the LDD region overlaps a first gate electrode, sandwiching a gate insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Hideomi Suzawa, Koji Ono, Tatsuya Arao
  • Patent number: 9601516
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit portion including a driver circuit and a pixel portion including a pixel. The pixel includes a gate electrode layer having a light-transmitting property, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer each having a light-transmitting property provided over the gate insulating layer, an oxide semiconductor layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer and provided over the gate electrode layer with the gate insulating layer therebetween, a conductive layer provided over part of the oxide semiconductor layer and having a lower resistance than the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer, and an oxide insulating layer in contact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Sakakura, Yoshiaki Oikawa, Shunpei Yamazaki, Junichiro Sakata, Masashi Tsubuku, Kengo Akimoto, Miyuki Hosoba
  • Patent number: 9601517
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display may be formed by an array of light-emitting diodes mounted to the surface of a substrate. The light-emitting diodes may be inorganic light-emitting diodes formed from separate crystalline semiconductor structures. An array of pixel control circuits may be used to control light emission from the light-emitting diodes. Each pixel control circuit may be used to supply drive signals to a respective set of the light-emitting diodes. The pixel control circuits may each have a silicon integrated circuit that includes transistors such as emission enable transistors and drive transistors for supplying the drive signals and may each have thin-film semiconducting oxide transistors that are coupled to the integrated circuit and that serve as switching transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Wei Lin, Shih Chang Chang, Vasudha Gupta
  • Patent number: 9601518
    Abstract: A thin film transistor display panel including: a first insulating substrate; a first semiconductor disposed between the first insulating substrate and a first gate insulating layer; a gate electrode disposed on the first gate insulating layer, the gate electrode overlapping the first semiconductor; a second gate insulating layer disposed on the gate electrode; a second semiconductor disposed on the second gate insulating layer, the second semiconductor overlapping the gate electrode; an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the second semiconductor; and a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed on the interlayer insulating layer spaced apart from each other, the source electrode and the drain electrode connected to the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeon Keon Moon, Masataka Kano, So Young Koo, Myoung Hwa Kim, Jun Hyung Lim