Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9722048
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source including a first doped semiconductor layer arranged on a substrate, a layer of metal arranged on the first doped semiconductor layer, and a second doped semiconductor layer arranged on the layer of metal; a channel extending from the second doped semiconductor layer to a drain including an epitaxial growth; a gate disposed on sidewalls of the channel between the second doped semiconductor layer and the drain; an interlayer dielectric (ILD) disposed on the second doped semiconductor layer and the gate; and a source contact extending from a surface of the ILD to abut the layer of metal of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9722049
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide method for forming crystalline indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO). A substrate is provided. A seed layer is formed above the substrate. The seed layer has a crystalline structure that is substantially dominant along the c-axis. An IGZO layer is formed above the seed layer. The seed layer may include zinc oxide. A stack of alternating seed layers and IGZO layers may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Lee, Khaled Ahmed, Youn-Gyoung Chang, Min-Cheol Kim, Minh Huu Le, Kwon-Sik Park, Woosup Shin
  • Patent number: 9722050
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one active semiconductor fin, at least one first dummy semiconductor fin, and at least one second dummy semiconductor fin. The active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The first dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The second dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and between the active semiconductor fin and the first dummy semiconductor fin. A top surface of the first dummy semiconductor fin and a top surface of the second dummy semiconductor fin are curved in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9722051
    Abstract: A FinFET comprises an isolation region formed in a substrate, a cloak-shaped active region formed over the substrate, wherein the cloak-shaped active region has an upper portion protruding above a top surface of the isolation region. In addition, the FinFET comprises a gate electrode wrapping the channel of the cloak-shaped active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Jing Lee, You-Ru Lin, Cheng-Tien Wan, Cheng-Hsien Wu, Chih-Hsin Ko
  • Patent number: 9722052
    Abstract: A method of forming semiconductor fins is provided. Sacrificial fins are provided on a surface of substrate. A hard mask layer, formed around the sacrificial fins and the gaps therebetween, is made coplanar with a topmost surface of the sacrificial fins. A fin cut mask then covers a portion of the sacrificial fins and partly covers a sacrificial fin. Trenches are formed in the hard mask layer by removing sacrificial fins not covered by the fin cut mask and that portion of the sacrificial fin not partly covered by the fin cut mask. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the trenches and a plug is formed in the trench formed by removing that portion of the sacrificial fin not partly covered by the fin cut mask. Semiconductor fins are grown epitaxially in the trenches having the spacers from the exposed surface of the substrate upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Alexander Reznicek, Dominic J. Schepis
  • Patent number: 9722053
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system are disclosed for forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) while reducing oxidization and fin critical dimension loss. A plurality of fins of a transistor are formed. A hard mask layer is formed on top of the fins. A first liner layer is formed over the fins and the hard mask layer. A partial deposition process is performed for depositing a first insulation material in a first portion of a channel between the fins. A second liner layer is formed above the fins, the first insulation material, and the channel. A second insulation material is deposited above the second liner layer. A fin reveal process is performed for removing the second insulation material to a predetermined height. An etch process is performed for removing the hard mask layer and the first and second liner layers above the predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Ruilong Xie, Hoon Kim, Chanro Park, Sukwon Hong
  • Patent number: 9722054
    Abstract: An object is, in a thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor is used as an active layer, to prevent change in composition, film quality, an interface, or the like of an oxide semiconductor region serving as an active layer, and to stabilize electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor. In a thin film transistor in which a first oxide semiconductor region is used as an active layer, a second oxide semiconductor region having lower electrical conductivity than the first oxide semiconductor region is formed between the first oxide semiconductor region and a protective insulating layer for the thin film transistor, whereby the second oxide semiconductor region serves as a protective layer for the first oxide semiconductor region; thus, change in composition or deterioration in film quality of the first oxide semiconductor region can be prevented, and electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor can be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Akimoto, Toshinari Sasaki, Hideaki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9722055
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a structure in which an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies in an oxide semiconductor layer can be suppressed and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes an oxide insulating layer; intermediate layers apart from each other over the oxide insulating layer; a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer over the intermediate layers; an oxide semiconductor layer that is electrically connected to the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer and is in contact with the oxide insulating layer; a gate insulating film over the source electrode layer, the drain electrode layer, and the oxide semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode layer that is over the gate insulating film and overlaps with the source electrode layer, the drain electrode layer, and the oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Hanaoka, Naoto Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 9722056
    Abstract: A change in electrical characteristics is suppressed and reliability in a semiconductor device using a transistor including an oxide semiconductor is improved. Oxygen is introduced into a surface of an insulating film, and then, an oxide semiconductor, a layer which is capable of blocking oxygen, a gate insulating film, and other films which composes a transistor are formed. For at least one of the first gate insulating film and the insulating film, three signals in Electron Spin Resonance Measurement are each observed in a certain range of g-factor. Reducing the sum of the spin densities of the signals will improve reliability of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Akihisa Shimomura, Yasumasa Yamane, Yuhei Sato, Tetsuhiro Tanaka, Masashi Tsubuku, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Ryo Tokumaru, Mitsuhiro Ichijo, Satoshi Toriumi, Takashi Ohtsuki, Toshiya Endo
  • Patent number: 9722057
    Abstract: Device structure and fabrication methods for a bipolar junction transistor. A trench isolation region is formed that bounds an active device region along a sidewall. A dielectric region is formed that extends laterally from the sidewall of the active device region into the active device region. The dielectric region is located beneath a top surface of the active device region such that a section of the active device region is located between the top surface and the dielectric region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBAL FOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Vibhor Jain, Marwan H. Khater
  • Patent number: 9722058
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to bipolar transistors, such as heterojunction bipolar transistors, having at a doping spike in the collector. The doping spike can be disposed relatively near an interface between the collector and the base. For instance, the doping spike can be disposed within half of the thickness of the collector from the interface between the collector and the base. Such bipolar transistors can be implemented, for example, in power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Zampardi, Jr., Kai Hay Kwok
  • Patent number: 9722059
    Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a latch-up free power transistor. Such a device includes an insulated gate situated adjacent to a conduction channel in the power transistor, an emitter electrode in direct physical contact with the conduction channel, and a collector electrode in electrical contact with the conduction channel. The power transistor also includes an emitter layer in contact with a surface of a semiconductor substrate adjacent the conduction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alim Karmous
  • Patent number: 9722060
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, an element forming region formed with a semiconductor element for controlling a current is defined on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A termination region is defined so as to surround the element forming region. In a gate electrode, a probe-contacting region and a wire region are defined. The probe-contacting region and the wire region are separated by an insulator formed on a surface of the gate electrode. Thus, the surface of the probe-contacting region and the surface of the wire region are located at the same height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakamura, Akira Okada, Eiji Nojiri
  • Patent number: 9722061
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch is formed in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. The switch includes first and second thyristors connected in antiparallel extending vertically between front and rear surfaces of the substrate. A vertical peripheral wall of the second conductivity type connects the front surface to the rear surface and surrounds the thyristors. On the front surface, in a ring-shaped region of the substrate separating the vertical peripheral wall from the thyristors, a first region of the first conductivity type is provided having a doping level greater than the substrate and having the shape of a ring-shaped band portion partially surrounding the first thyristor and stopping at the level of the adjacent region between the first and second thyristors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Samuel Menard, Dalaf Ali
  • Patent number: 9722062
    Abstract: The characteristics of a semiconductor device are improved. A semiconductor device has a potential fixed layer containing a p type impurity, a channel layer, and a barrier layer, formed over a substrate, and a gate electrode arranged in a trench penetrating through the barrier layer, and reaching some point of the channel layer via a gate insulation film. Source and drain electrodes are formed on opposite sides of the gate electrode. The p type impurity-containing potential fixed layer has an inactivated region containing an inactivating element such as hydrogen between the gate and drain electrodes. Thus, while raising the p type impurity (acceptor) concentration of the potential fixed layer on the source electrode side, the p type impurity of the potential fixed layer is inactivated on the drain electrode side. This can improve the drain-side breakdown voltage while providing a removing effect of electric charges by the p type impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakayama, Hironobu Miyamoto, Ichiro Masumoto, Yasuhiro Okamoto, Shinichi Miyake, Hiroshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9722063
    Abstract: A high-voltage field effect transistor (HFET) includes a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material, and a heterojunction. The heterojunction is disposed between the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material. The HFET also includes a plurality of composite passivation layers, where a first composite passivation layer includes a first insulation layer and a first passivation layer, and a second composite passivation layer includes a second insulation layer and a second passivation layer. A gate dielectric is disposed between the first passivation layer and the second semiconductor material. A gate electrode is disposed between the gate dielectric and the first passivation layer. A first gate field plate is disposed between the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer. A source electrode and a drain electrode are coupled to the second semiconductor material, and a source field plate is coupled to the source electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexey Kudymov, Linlin Liu, Xiaohui Wang, Jamal Ramdani
  • Patent number: 9722064
    Abstract: An isolated gate field effect transistor and the manufacture method thereof. The isolated gate field effect transistor includes a substrate; a nitride transistor structure arranged on the substrate; a dielectric layer on the nitride transistor structure, where the dielectric layer includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer and material of the second dielectric layer includes metal; a groove formed in a gate region and at least partially through the dielectric layer; a metal gate formed in the groove; and a source electrode and a drain electrode located at two ohmic contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Dynax Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 9722065
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a semiconductor layer, an active region and a conductive layer. The active region is in the semiconductor layer. The conductive layer is configured to maintain a channel in the active region when the transistor is triggered to be conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Syuan Lin, Jiun-Lei Yu, Ming-Cheng Lin, Chun Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 9722066
    Abstract: To enhance electromigration resistance of an electrode. A drain electrode is partially formed on a side surface of a drain pad. In this case, the drain electrode is integrated with the drain pad and extends from the side surface of the drain pad in a first direction (y direction). A recessed portion is located in a region overlapping with the drain electrode in a plan view. At least a part of the drain electrode is buried in the recessed portion. A side surface of the recessed portion, which faces the drain pad, enters the drain pad in the first direction (y direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Kimura, Takashi Ide, Yorinobu Kunimune
  • Patent number: 9722067
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first nitride semiconductor layer, a source electrode on the first nitride semiconductor layer, a drain electrode on the first nitride semiconductor layer, a gate electrode on the first nitride semiconductor layer and between the source electrode and the drain electrode, a gate field plate electrode that is separated from the first nitride semiconductor layer, and includes one end in direct contact with the gate electrode, and the other end positioned between the gate electrode and the drain electrode, a first interlayer insulating film that is separated from the gate electrode and is between the gate field plate electrode and the first nitride semiconductor layer, and a second interlayer insulating film that is between the gate electrode and the first interlayer insulating film and has a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of the first interlayer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tasuku Ono, Takashi Onizawa, Yoshikazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9722068
    Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device may include a source, a drain, a semiconductor element between the source and the drain, and a graphene layer that is provided on the source and the semiconductor element and is spaced apart from the drain. Surfaces of the source and the drain are substantially co-planar with a surface of the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element may be spaced apart from the source and may contact the drain. The graphene layer may have a planar structure. A gate insulating layer and a gate may be provided on the graphene layer. The semiconductor device may be a transistor. The semiconductor device may have a barristor structure. The semiconductor device may be a planar type graphene barristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianyu Wenxu, Yongsung Kim, Changyoul Moon, Yongyoung Park, Wooyoung Yang, Jeongyub Lee, Jooho Lee
  • Patent number: 9722069
    Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor body; a body region of a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor body; a gate electrode formed partially overlapping the body region and insulated from the semiconductor body by a gate dielectric layer; a source diffusion region of a second conductivity type formed in the body region on a first side of the gate electrode; a trench formed in the semiconductor body on a second side, opposite the first side, of the gate electrode, the trench being lined with a sidewall dielectric layer; and a doped sidewall region of the second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor body along the sidewall of the trench where the doped sidewall region forms a vertical drain current path for the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideaki Tsuchiko
  • Patent number: 9722070
    Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor devices and methods of their formation include providing a semiconductor substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, an active region, and an edge region, and forming a gate structure in a first trench in the active region of the semiconductor substrate. A termination structure is formed in a second trench in the edge region of the semiconductor substrate. The termination structure has an active region facing side and a device perimeter facing side. The method further includes forming first and second source regions of the first conductivity type are formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent both sides of the gate structure. A third source region is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent the active region facing side of the termination structure. The semiconductor device may be a trench metal oxide semiconductor device, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Peilin Wang, Jingjing Chen, Edouard de Frésart
  • Patent number: 9722071
    Abstract: A trench power transistor is provided. The trench gate structure of the trench power transistor includes at least one insulting layer, a gate electrode, and a shielding electrode, which are disposed in a trench of an epitaxial layer. The insulating layer formed on an inner wall of the active trench to isolate an epitaxial layer from the gate and the shielding electrodes. The insulating layer includes a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers extend from an upper portion of the inner wall to a lower portion of the inner wall of the active trench. The third dielectric layer is formed on the second dielectric layer and located at the lower portion of the active trench. A portion of the second dielectric layer is interposed between the first and third dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SINOPOWER SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Po-Hsien Li, Guo-Liang Yang, Jia-Fu Lin, Wei-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 9722072
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a high-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor (HV MOS) transistor device is provided. The manufacturing method includes the following steps. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A patterned conductive structure is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The patterned conductive structure includes a gate structure and a first sub-gate structure. The semiconductor substrate has a first region and a second region respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the gate structure. The first sub-gate structure is disposed on the first region of the semiconductor substrate. The first sub-gate structure is separated from the gate structure. A drain region is formed in the first region of the semiconductor substrate. A first contact structure is formed on the drain region and the first sub-gate structure. The drain region is electrically connected to the first sub-gate structure via the first contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kai-Kuen Chang, Chia-Min Hung, Shih-Yin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9722073
    Abstract: A lateral superjunction MOSFET device includes a gate structure and a first column connected to the lateral superjunction structure. The lateral superjunction MOSFET device includes the first column to receive current from the channel when the MOSFET is turned on and to distribute the channel current to the lateral superjunction structure functioning as the drain drift region. In some embodiment, the MOSFET device includes a second column disposed in close proximity to the first column. The second column disposed near the first column is used to pinch off the first column when the MOSFET device is to be turned off and to block the high voltage being sustained by the MOSFET device at the drain terminal from reaching the gate structure. In some embodiments, the lateral superjunction MOSFET device further includes termination structures for the drain, source and body contact doped region fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Madhur Bobde, Lingpeng Guan, Karthik Padmanabhan, Hamza Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9722074
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method for forming the non-volatile memory device are disclosed. The memory device utilizes a local buried channel dielectric in a NAND string that reduces bulk channel leakage at the edge of the NAND string where the electric field gradient along the direction of the string pillar is at or near a maximum during programming operations. The memory device comprises a channel that is coupled at one end to a bitline and at the other end to a source. A select gate is formed at the end of the channel coupled to the bitline to selectively control conduction between the bitline and the channel. At least one non-volatile memory cell is formed along the length of the channel between the select gate and the second end of the channel. A local dielectric region is formed within the channel at the first end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Randy J. Koval, Fatma A. Simsek-Ege
  • Patent number: 9722075
    Abstract: Described herein is a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate in which an element region and a termination region surrounding the element region are provided. The element region includes: a gate trench; a gate insulating film; and a gate electrode. The termination region includes: a plurality of termination trenches provided around the element region; an inner trench insulating layer located inside of each of the plurality of termination trenches; and an upper surface insulating layer located at an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the termination region. The upper surface insulating layer includes a first portion and a second portion having a thinner thickness than the first portion and located at a location separated from the element region than the first portion, and a gate wiring is located at an upper surface of the first portion and is not located at an upper surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akitaka Soeno, Yuji Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 9722076
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two gate structures, an interlayer dielectric layer and a material layer. The substrate has at least two device regions separated by at least one isolation structure disposed in the substrate. Each device region includes two doped regions disposed in the substrate. The gate structures are respectively disposed on the device regions. In each device region, the doped regions are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the gate structure. The interlayer dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate and peripherally surrounds the gate structures. A top of the interlayer dielectric layer has at least one concave. The material layer fills the concave and has a top surface elevated at the same level with top surfaces of the gate structures. A ratio of a thickness of a thickest portion of the material layer to a pitch of the gate structures ranges from 1/30 to 1/80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURNING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ren Sun, Shiu-Ko Jangjian, Kun-Ei Chen, Chun-Che Lin
  • Patent number: 9722078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate, a fin shaped structure and a shallow trench isolation. The fin shaped structure is disposed on the silicon substrate and includes a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer extending downwardly from a top end and at least occupying 80% to 90% of the fin shaped structure. The shallow trench isolation covers a bottom portion of the fin shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chung-Yi Chiu, Shih-Fang Hong, Chao-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9722079
    Abstract: A fin-type field effect transistor comprising a substrate, a plurality of insulators, at least one gate stack and strained material portions is described. The substrate has a plurality of fins thereon and the fin comprises a stop layer embedded therein. The plurality of insulators is disposed on the substrate and between the plurality of fins. The at least one gate stack is disposed over the plurality of fins and on the plurality of insulators. The strained material portions are disposed on two opposite sides of the at least one gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 9722080
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device, including a substrate, two gate structures disposed on a channel region of the substrate, an epitaxial layer disposed in the substrate between two gate structures, a first dislocation disposed in the epitaxial layer, wherein the profile of the first dislocation has at least two non-parallel slanting lines, and a second dislocation disposed adjacent to a top surface of the epitaxial layer, and the profile of the second dislocation has at least two non-parallel slanting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: En-Chiuan Liou, Yu-Cheng Tung
  • Patent number: 9722081
    Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a FinFET device includes a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack across the at least one fin, a strained layer aside the gate stack and a silicide layer over the strained layer. The strained layer has a boron surface concentration greater than about 2E20 atom/cm3 within a depth range of about 0-5 nm from a surface of the strained layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Chien-Tai Chan, Ziwei Fang, Kei-Wei Chen, Huai-Tei Yang
  • Patent number: 9722082
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes etching a recess into a substrate and epitaxially growing a source/drain region in the recess. The source/drain region includes a first undoped layer of stressor material lining the recess, a lightly doped layer of stressor material over the first undoped layer, a second undoped layer of stressor material over the lightly doped layer, and a highly doped layer of stressor material over the second undoped layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsuing Chen, Ling-Sung Wang, Chi-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 9722083
    Abstract: An embodiment method of forming a source/drain region for a transistor includes forming a recess in a substrate, epitaxially growing a semiconductor material in the recess, amorphizing the semiconductor material, and doping the semiconductor material to form a source/drain region. In an embodiment, the doping utilizes either phosphorus or boron as the dopant. Also, the amorphizing and the doping may be performed simultaneously. The amorphizing may be performed at least in part by doping with helium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Sheng-Wen Yu, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 9722084
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for chemically treating a display glass substrate by treating at least one surface of the glass substrate with a heated solution containing HCl to form a depletion layer at the surface and under the surface of the glass substrate. The disclosure also relates to display glass substrates containing the depletion layer made by the disclosed process. In addition, the disclosure relates to methods of making thin-film transistors (“TFTs”) on these display glass substrates by depositing a Si layer directly on the chemically treated surface of the glass substrate, and annealing the Si layer to form polycrystalline silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Ta-Ko Chuang, Yunfeng Gu, Robert George Manley
  • Patent number: 9722085
    Abstract: A transistor includes a channel layer in which a plurality of graphene whose edge portions are terminated with modifying groups different from each other are bonded to each other; a gate electrode formed on the channel layer via a gate insulating film; and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shintaro Sato, Hideyuki Jippo, Mari Ohfuchi
  • Patent number: 9722086
    Abstract: In a logic circuit where clock gating is performed, the standby power is reduced or malfunction is suppressed. The logic circuit includes a transistor which is in an off state where a potential difference exists between a source terminal and a drain terminal over a period during which a clock signal is not supplied. A channel formation region of the transistor is formed using an oxide semiconductor in which the hydrogen concentration is reduced. Specifically, the hydrogen concentration of the oxide semiconductor is 5×1019 (atoms/cm3) or lower. Thus, leakage current of the transistor can be reduced. As a result, in the logic circuit, reduction in standby power and suppression of malfunction can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shionoiri, Hidetomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9722088
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device in which deterioration of electric characteristics which becomes more noticeable as the semiconductor device is miniaturized can be suppressed. The semiconductor device includes a first oxide film, an oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide film, a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a second oxide film over the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, a gate insulating film over the second oxide film, and a gate electrode in contact with the gate insulating film. A top end portion of the oxide semiconductor film is curved when seen in a channel width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Hanaoka, Daisuke Matsubayashi, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Shunpei Yamazaki, Shinpei Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9722089
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate and a gate line disposed on the substrate. The gate line includes a gate electrode. A gate insulating layer is disposed on the gate line. An oxide semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer. The oxide semiconductor layer at least partially overlaps the gate electrode. A data line is disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer. The data line includes a source electrode and a drain electrode facing the source electrode. The oxide semiconductor layer includes tungsten, indium, zinc, or tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeon Keon Moon, Sang Woo Sohn, Katsushi Kishimoto, Takayuki Fukasawa, Sang Won Shin
  • Patent number: 9722090
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with stable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor film, a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a first conductive film, and a second conductive film. The first gate electrode is electrically connected to the second gate electrode. The first conductive film and the second conductive film function as a source electrode and a drain electrode. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first region that overlaps with the first conductive film, a second region that overlaps with the second conductive film, and a third region that overlaps with a gate electrode and the third conductive film. The first region includes a first edge that is opposed to the second region. The second region includes a second edge that is opposed to the first region. The length of the first edge is shorter than the length of the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Shishido, Satoru Saito, Yukinori Shima, Daisuke Kurosaki, Junichi Koezuka, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9722091
    Abstract: Provided is a transistor containing a semiconductor with low density of defect states, a transistor having a small subthreshold swing value, a transistor having a small short-channel effect, a transistor having normally-off electrical characteristics, a transistor having a low leakage current in an off state, a transistor having excellent electrical characteristics, a transistor having high reliability, or a transistor having excellent frequency characteristics. An insulator is formed, a layer is formed over the insulator, oxygen is added to the insulator through the layer, the layer is removed, an oxide semiconductor is formed over the insulator to which the oxygen is added, and a semiconductor element is formed using the oxide semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9722092
    Abstract: To provide a transistor with favorable electrical characteristics. A semiconductor device includes a first insulator over a substrate; a first metal oxide over the first insulator; a second metal oxide over the first metal oxide; a first conductor and a second conductor over the second metal oxide; a third metal oxide over the second metal oxide, the first conductor, and the second conductor; a second insulator over the third metal oxide; and a third conductor over the second insulator. The second metal oxide includes a region in contact with a top surface of the first metal oxide and regions in contact with side surfaces of the first metal oxide. The second metal oxide includes channel formation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kosei Noda
  • Patent number: 9722093
    Abstract: An oxide semiconductor transistor includes an oxide semiconductor channel layer, a metal gate, a gate insulation layer, an internal electrode, and a ferroelectric material layer. The metal gate is disposed on the oxide semiconductor channel layer. The gate insulation layer is disposed between the metal gate and the oxide semiconductor channel layer. The internal electrode is disposed between the gate insulation layer and the metal gate. The ferroelectric material layer is disposed between the internal electrode and the metal gate. The ferroelectric material layer in the oxide semiconductor transistor of the present invention is used to enhance the electrical characteristics of the oxide semiconductor transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Su Xing, Hsueh-Wen Wang, Chien-Yu Ko, Yu-Cheng Tung, Jen-Yu Wang, Cheng-Tung Huang, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 9722094
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a TFT, an array substrate, and a method of forming a TFT. The TFT includes a substrate, a buffer layer, a patterned poly-si layer, an isolation layer, a gate layer, and a source/drain pattern layer. The poly-si layer includes a heavily doped source and a heavily doped drain, and a channel. The gate layer includes a first gate area and a second gate area. The source/drain pattern layer includes a source pattern, a drain pattern and a bridge pattern, with the source pattern electrically connecting the heavily doped source, the drain pattern electrically connecting the heavily doped drain, and one end of the bridge pattern connecting the first gate area and the second gate area. The driving ability of the present inventive TFT is enhanced without affecting the leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Mang Zhao, Gui Chen
  • Patent number: 9722095
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor is provided. In particular, a planar semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor is provided. A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor and having large on-state current is provided. The semiconductor device includes an oxide insulating film, an oxide semiconductor film over the oxide insulating film, a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode overlapping the oxide semiconductor film with the gate insulating film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first region overlapped with the gate electrode and a second region not overlapped with the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The first region and the second region have different impurity element concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Koezuka, Masami Jintyou, Yukinori Shima, Takashi Hamochi, Yasutaka Nakazawa, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9722096
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell and a field effect transistor together is improved in performance. In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a hydrogen-containing insulating film is formed before heat treatment of a semiconductor wafer, the hydrogen-containing insulating film covering a gate electrode and agate insulating film in a region that will have a memory cell therein, and exposing a region that will have therein a MISFET configuring a peripheral circuit. Consequently, hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing insulating film is diffused into an interface between the gate insulating film and the semiconductor substrate, and thereby a defect at the interface is selectively repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawashima, Shoji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9722097
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; a well region disposed in the substrate; an isolation structure surrounding an active region in the well region; a source region disposed in the well region; a drain region disposed in the well region; a second conductive type first doped region disposed in the well region and disposed along a periphery of the active region; a second conductive type second doped region disposed in the well region and under the source region, the drain region and the second conductive type first doped region, wherein the second conductive type second doped region is in direct contact with the second conductive type first doped region; a source electrode; a drain electrode and a gate electrode. The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karuna Nidhi, Federico Agustin Altolaguirre, Ming-Dou Ker, Geeng-Lih Lin
  • Patent number: 9722098
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device package includes disposing at least one die over a substrate, dispensing a liquid material on the die, and curing the liquid material so that the liquid material forms a protective layer attached to a portion of the die. The method further includes forming an encapsulant covering at least a portion of the substrate and a portion of the die, where the protective layer is exposed from the encapsulant in a cavity defined by the encapsulant. The method further includes removing the protective layer from the die, and disposing a cap over the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ASE ELECTRONICS (M) SDN BHD
    Inventors: Kam Cheong Chung, Ahmad Zulmuhtasyim, Liang Peng Cheng, Lai Theng Chan
  • Patent number: 9722099
    Abstract: A light sensing device includes a substrate, a light sensing area on the substrate, and a light shielding layer over the substrate. The light shielding layer does not cover the light sensing area. At least one outgassing hole is formed through the light shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Han Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Shiu-Ko JangJian, Chi-Cherng Jeng