Patents Issued in December 19, 2017
  • Patent number: 9847311
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor elements and first and second conductive members. A first electrode on the first semiconductor element is bonded to a first stack part of the first conductive member by a first bonding layer. A second electrode on the second semiconductor element is bonded to a second stack part of the second conductive member by a second bonding layer. A first joint part of the first conductive member is bonded to a second joint part of the second conductive member by an intermediate bonding layer. A first surface of the first joint part facing the second joint part, a side surface of the first joint part continuous from the first surface, a second surface of the second joint part facing the first joint part, and a side surface of the second joint part continuous from the second surface are covered by nickel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kadoguchi
  • Patent number: 9847312
    Abstract: A package structure includes an encapsulant, an active component, a first lead frame segment, and a second lead frame segment. The active component is encapsulated within the encapsulant and includes first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are respectively disposed on and electrically connected to the first and second lead frame segments. The first and second lead frame segments respectively have first and second exposed surfaces. The first exposed surface and the first electrode are respectively located on opposite sides of the first lead frame segment. The second exposed surface and the second electrode are respectively located on opposite sides of the second lead frame segment. The first and second exposed surfaces are exposed outside the encapsulant. A minimal distance from the first electrode to the second electrode is less than a minimal distance from the first exposed surface to the second exposed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Tsai, Peng-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9847313
    Abstract: A method of operating a thermocompression bonding system is provided. The method includes the steps of: bringing first conductive structures of a semiconductor element into contact with second conductive structures of a substrate in connection with a thermocompression bonding operation; and moving the semiconductor element relative to the substrate along at least one substantially horizontal direction using a motion system of at least one of the semiconductor element and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Clauberg, Thomas J. Colosimo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9847314
    Abstract: A bond head for a thermocompression bonder is provided. The bond head includes a tool configured to hold a workpiece to be bonded, a heater configured to heat the workpiece to be bonded, and a chamber proximate the heater. The chamber is configured to receive a cooling fluid for cooling the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Wasserman, Michael P. Schmidt-Lange
  • Patent number: 9847315
    Abstract: Packages, packaging methods, and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a package for a semiconductor device includes a redistribution layer (RDL) and a plurality of through package vias (TPV's) coupled to the RDL. Each of the plurality of TPV's comprises a first region proximate the RDL and a second region opposite the first region. The first region comprises a first width, and the second region comprises a second width. The second width is greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih Ting Lin, Szu Wei Lu, Jui-Pin Hung, Jing-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9847316
    Abstract: A method of producing optoelectronic components includes providing an auxiliary carrier, forming separate connection elements on the auxiliary carrier, forming a molded body on the auxiliary carrier with recesses, arranging optoelectronic semiconductor chips on connection elements in the recesses of the molded body, removing the auxiliary carrier, and severing the molded body to form singulated optoelectronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Brandl, Tobias Gebuhr
  • Patent number: 9847317
    Abstract: Methods of packaging semiconductor devices and packaged semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of packaging a semiconductor device includes forming a dam structure on dies proximate edge regions of the dies. A molding material is disposed around the dies, and a top portion of the molding material and a top portion of the dam structure are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Chung-Shi Liu, Meng-Tse Chen, Hui-Min Huang, Chih-Fan Huang, Ming-Da Cheng
  • Patent number: 9847318
    Abstract: Provided is a monolithic stacked integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a first layer over a substrate and a second layer over the first layer. The first layer includes first circuit elements where a first portion of the first circuit elements has a defect. The second layer includes second circuit elements. The IC further includes interconnect elements coupling the first portion to a second portion of the second circuit elements for mitigating the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Lin, Chin-Her Chien, Ji-Jan Chen, Jung-Rung Jiang, Wei-Pin Changchien
  • Patent number: 9847319
    Abstract: A solid state drive (SSD) package type has a lower package including a lower package substrate, a controller chip mounted on the lower package substrate, and a plurality of upper packages disposed on the lower package as spaced apart from each other. The plurality of upper packages includes at least one non-volatile memory and at least one first individual electronic component. The upper packages are electrically connected to the lower package such that the package type is a package-on-package (PoP) type. The height of the first individual electronic component is greater than the spacing between the lower package and each of the upper packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Sub Song, Sung-Wook Hwang, Yeoung-Jun Cho, Ki-Hong Jeong, Tae-Heum Kim
  • Patent number: 9847320
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a first die including a signal pad region and a power pad region; a redistribution layer (RDL) over the first die; a plurality of first connectors over the RDL and at a side of the RDL opposite to the first die; a plurality of second connectors over the RDL and at the side opposite to the first die; a second die including a signal pad region and a power pad region, wherein the second die is face-to-face and electrically connected to the first die through the first connectors and the RDL, wherein a center of the second die is laterally shifted with respect to a center of the first die so as to correspond the signal pad region of the first die to the signal pad region of the second die. An associated method for fabricating the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chien Hsun Chen, William Wu Shen, Jiun Yi Wu, Chien Hsun Lee
  • Patent number: 9847321
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor chip including a first terminal at a first face side, a first load whose one end is connected to the first terminal, another end of the first load being to be connected to a power source potential, a second terminal at a second face side, a second load whose one end is connected to the second terminal, another end of the second load being to be connected to a ground potential, a first detection circuit that detects generation of potential difference at the first load, and a second detection circuit that detects generation of potential difference at the second load; and a second semiconductor chip including a connection terminal disposed at a face facing the first semiconductor chip; wherein the power source potential or the ground potential is to be connected through the connection terminal to the first or second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yusuke Hamada
  • Patent number: 9847322
    Abstract: There is provided a structure and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor package. The method includes disposing a first semiconductor device and through mold ball connectors (TMBCs) on a first surface of an interconnection structure layer, recessing a molding layer on the first surface of the interconnection structure layer to expose a portion of each of the TMBCs, attaching outer connectors to the exposed portions of the TMBCs, and mounting a second semiconductor device on a second surface of the interconnection structure layer opposite to the molding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Jun Sung, Jong Hoon Kim, Yeon Seung Jung, Hyeong Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 9847323
    Abstract: In an example, an IC package includes a package substrate including a plurality of bumps configured for coupling to a printed circuit board, the package substrate including a core disposed between a plurality of top-side conductive layers and a plurality of bottom-side conductive layers. The IC package further includes an IC die coupled to the package substrate and disposed on top of the plurality of top-side conductive layers. The IC die further includes a voltage regulator IC die disposed on the package substrate adjacent to the IC die, the voltage regulator IC die being coupled to the IC die using two of four top-most layers of the plurality of top-side conductive layers nearest the IC die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventor: Austin H. Lesea
  • Patent number: 9847324
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a temporary carrier. A semiconductor die is oriented with an active surface toward, and mounted to, the temporary carrier. An encapsulant is deposited with a first surface over the temporary carrier and a second surface, opposite the first surface, is deposited over a backside of the semiconductor die. The temporary carrier is removed. A portion of the encapsulant in a periphery of the semiconductor die is removed to form an opening in the first surface of the encapsulant. An interconnect structure is formed over the active surface of the semiconductor die and extends into the opening in the encapsulant layer. A via is formed and extends from the second surface of the encapsulant to the opening. A first bump is formed in the via and electrically connects to the interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaojian Lin, Kang Chen
  • Patent number: 9847325
    Abstract: In a conventional electronic device and a method of manufacturing the same, reduction in cost of the electronic device is hindered because resin used in an interconnect layer on the solder ball side is limited. The electronic device includes an interconnect layer (a first interconnect layer) and an interconnect layer (a second interconnect layer). The second interconnect layer is formed on the undersurface of the first interconnect layer. The second interconnect layer is larger in area seen from the top than the first interconnect layer and is extended to the outside from the first interconnect layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Kurita, Masaya Kawano, Koji Soejima
  • Patent number: 9847326
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an electronic structure may be provided, the electronic structure may include: a semiconductor carrier, and a battery structure monolithically integrated with the semiconductor carrier, the battery structure including a plurality of thin film batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Tegen, Marko Lemke
  • Patent number: 9847327
    Abstract: A switched-capacitor DC-to-DC converter includes a first P-channel MOS transistor, a first N-channel MOS transistor, a second P-channel MOS transistor, and a second N-channel MOS transistor which are connected in series. Drain terminals of the first P-channel MOS transistor and the first N-channel MOS transistor are connected to each other through a first node, and drain terminals of the second P-channel MOS transistor and the second N-channel MOS transistor are connected to each other through a second node. A capacitor is coupled between the first and second nodes. The capacitor includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor which are coupled in parallel between the first and second nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 9847328
    Abstract: The improvement of the reliability of a semiconductor device having a split gate type MONOS memory is implemented. An ONO film and a second polysilicon film are sequentially formed so as to fill between a first polysilicon film and a dummy gate electrode. Then, the dummy gate electrode is removed. Then, the top surfaces of the first and second polysilicon films are polished, thereby to form a memory gate electrode formed of the second polysilicon film at the sidewall of a control gate electrode formed of the first polysilicon film via the ONO film. As a result, the memory gate electrode high in perpendicularity of the sidewall, and uniform in film thickness is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuyoshi Mihara
  • Patent number: 9847329
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin feature embedded within an isolation structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate, the first fin structure having a first sidewall and a second opposing sidewall and a top surface extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The device also includes a second fin feature disposed over the isolation structure and having a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall. The third sidewall is aligned with the first sidewall of the first fin structure. The device also includes a gate dielectric layer disposed directly on the top surface of the first fin structure, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall of the second fin feature and a gate electrode disposed over the gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yao Wen, Bo-Yu Lai
  • Patent number: 9847330
    Abstract: Fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. One of the FinFETs includes a substrate, an insulator, first and second gates, an opening, first and second dielectric layers. The substrate includes first and second semiconductor fins and a trench therebetween. The insulator is disposed in the trench. The first and second gates are respectively disposed on the first and second semiconductor fins. The opening is disposed between the first gate and the second gate. The first dielectric layer is disposed in the opening to electrically insulate the first and second gates and includes a slit. The second dielectric layer is filled in the slit, wherein the opening has a first width in a direction along which the first and second gates extend, the slit has a second width in the direction, and a ratio of the first width to the second width is larger than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 9847331
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a substrate, a multi-gate transistor device positioned on the substrate, and an LDMOS device positioned on the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of first isolation structures and a plurality of second isolation structures. A depth of the first isolation structures is smaller than a depth of the second isolation structures. The multi-gate transistor device includes a plurality of first fin structures and a first gate electrode. The first fin structures are parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other by the first isolation structures. The first gate electrode is intersectionally arranged with the first fin structures, and covers a portion of each first fin structure. The LDMOS device includes a second gate electrode covering on the substrate. The LDMOS device is electrically isolated from the multi-gate transistor device by another second isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9847332
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating an integrated circuit device. The method includes providing a precursor including a substrate having first and second metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) regions. The first and second MOS regions include first and second gate regions, semiconductor layer stacks, and source/drain regions respectively. The method further includes laterally exposing and oxidizing the semiconductor layer stack in the first gate region to form first outer oxide layer and inner nanowire set, and exposing the first inner nanowire set. A first high-k/metal gate (HK/MG) stack wraps around the first inner nanowire set. The method further includes laterally exposing and oxidizing the semiconductor layer stack in the second gate region to form second outer oxide layer and inner nanowire set, and exposing the second inner nanowire set. A second HK/MG stack wraps around the second inner nanowire set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ting-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 9847333
    Abstract: Reducing a chance of punch-through in a FinFET structure includes providing a substrate, creating a blanket layer of semiconductor material with impurities therein over the substrate, masking a portion of the blanket layer, creating epitaxial semiconductor material on an unmasked portion of the structure, removing the mask, and etching the structure to create n-type raised structure(s) and p-type raised structure(s), a bottom portion of the raised structure(s) being surrounded by isolation material. A middle portion of the raised structure(s) includes a semiconductor material with impurities therein, the middle portion extending across the raised structure(s), and a top portion including a semiconductor material lacking added impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kwanyong Lim, Murat Kerem Akarvardar
  • Patent number: 9847334
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a first lattice constant and having a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The semiconductor device further includes first and second fin structures over the PMOS region and NMOS region respectively. The first fin structure includes a buffer layer with a second lattice constant and a first channel layer. The lattice constant difference between the first channel layer and the buffer layer is smaller than that between the first channel layer and the semiconductor layer. The first channel layer has a third lattice constant, which is greater than the second lattice constant. The first lattice constant is greater than the second lattice constant. The second fin structure includes a second channel layer. The second channel layer has a fourth lattice constant which is less than the first lattice constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Zheng-Yang Pan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Shih-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 9847335
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed. One such apparatus includes a well having a first type of conductivity formed within a semiconductor structure having a second type of conductivity. A boundary of the well intersects an active area of a tap to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 9847336
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to semiconductors, and more particularly to a junction field effect transistor (JFET). In one aspect, a method of fabricating a JFET includes forming a well of a first dopant type in a substrate, wherein the well is isolated from the substrate by an isolation region of a second dopant type. The method additionally includes implanting a dopant of the second dopant type at a surface of the well to form a source, a drain and a channel of the JFET, and implanting a dopant of the first dopant type at the surface of the well to form a gate of the JFET. The method additionally includes, prior to implanting the dopant of the first type and the dopant of the second type, forming a pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer on the well and forming contact openings in the PMD layer above the source, the drain and the gate. The PMD layer has a thickness such that the channel is formed by implanting the dopant of the first type and the dopant of the second type through the PMD layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Geert Hellings, Geert Van der Plas, Mirko Scholz
  • Patent number: 9847337
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has rows of fins. Each fin has a first pedestal, a second pedestal and a trough between the first and second pedestals. A first source/drain region is within the first pedestal, a second source/drain region is within the second pedestal, and a channel region is along the trough between the first and second pedestals. Digit lines are electrically coupled with the first source/drain regions. Ferroelectric capacitors are electrically coupled with the second source/drain regions. Wordlines are along the rows of fins and overlap the channel regions. Conductive isolation lines are under the wordlines along the rows of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Patent number: 9847338
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes an insulating layer. A ferroelectric capacitor is on the insulating layer and includes a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode. An interlayer insulating film is formed on the insulating layer, and has an opening where the ferroelectric capacitor is disposed. A first metal plug is formed in the insulating layer and connected to the lower electrode via the opening. A second metal plug is embedded in the insulating layer outside the ferroelectric capacitor. A hydrogen barrier film covers the ferroelectric capacitor and the interlayer insulating film. An upper surface of the interlayer insulating film is higher than an upper surface of the first metal plug so that a step is therebetween. The lower electrode is formed on the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film, the upper surface of the first metal plug and the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 9847339
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a self-merged profile (SMP) method for fabricating a semiconductor device and a device fabricated using an SMP method. In an example embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The example semiconductor device comprises (a) a plurality of conductive lines; (b) a plurality of conductive pads; (c) a plurality of dummy tails; and (d) a plurality of closed loops. Each of the plurality of conductive pads is associated with one of the plurality of conductive lines, one of the plurality of dummy tails, and one of the plurality of closed loops. In example embodiments, the plurality of dummy tails and the plurality of closed loops are formed as residuals of the process used to create the plurality of conductive lines and the plurality of conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Min Hung, Chien-Ying Lee, Tzung-Ting Han
  • Patent number: 9847340
    Abstract: 3D NAND memory structures and related method are provided. In some embodiments such structures can include a control gate material and a floating gate material disposed between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, an interpoly dielectric (IPD) layer disposed between the floating gate material and control gate material such that the IPD layer electrically isolates the control gate material from the floating gate material, and a tunnel dielectric material deposited on the floating gate material opposite the control gate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Darwin Fan, Sateesh Koka, Gordon Haller, John Hopkins, Shyam Surthi, Anish Khandekar
  • Patent number: 9847341
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes stacked structures, vertical semiconductor patterns, common source regions, and well pickup regions. The stacked structures are disposed on a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type. Each stacked structure includes electrodes vertically stacked on each other and is extended in a first direction. The vertical semiconductor patterns penetrate the stacked structures. The common source regions of a second conductivity type are disposed in the semiconductor layer. At least one common source region is disposed between two adjacent stacked structures. The at least one common source region is extended in the first direction. The well pickup regions of the first conductivity type are disposed in the semiconductor layer. At least one well pickup region is adjacent to both ends of at least one stacked structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoocheol Shin, Hongsoo Kim, Jaesung Sim
  • Patent number: 9847342
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first structural body, a second structural body and interconnections. The first and the second structural bodies are separated in a first direction and extend in a second direction. The interconnections are provided between the first structural body and the second structural body, extend in the second direction, and are separated from each other along a third direction. The first and the second structural bodies each includes an insulating member, a column-shaped body and an insulating film. The insulating member and the column-shaped body are disposed in an alternating manner along the second direction and extend in the third direction. The insulating members of the first and second structural bodies make contact with the interconnections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Nagashima, Katsumi Yamamoto, Kohei Sakaike, Tatsuya Kato, Keisuke Kikutani, Fumitaka Arai, Atsushi Murakoshi, Shunichi Takeuchi, Katsuyuki Sekine
  • Patent number: 9847343
    Abstract: A charge trapping nonvolatile memory device includes a source region and a drain region disposed in an upper portion of a substrate and spaced apart from each other by a first trapping region, a channel region, and a second trapping region. A gate stack structure is disposed over the channel region. A first stack including a tunnel insulation layer, a first charge trap layer, and a first blocking insulation layer are disposed over the first trapping region. A second stack including a tunnel insulation layer, a second charge trap layer, and a second blocking insulation layer are disposed over the second trapping region. An interlayer insulation layer is disposed over the substrate and covers the gate stack structure. A first contact plug and a second contact plug penetrate the interlayer insulation layer and respectively contact the source region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Joon Kwon
  • Patent number: 9847344
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include first conductive patterns and first interlayer insulating layers. Each of the first conductive patterns may include a first pad pattern extending in a first direction and first line patterns extending from the first pad pattern in a second direction crossing the first direction, widths of the first line patterns increasing as a distance from the first pad pattern decreases. The first conductive patterns and the first interlayer insulating layers may be stacked on top of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 9847345
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises: a stacked body that includes a plurality of control gate electrodes stacked above a substrate; a memory columnar body that extends in a first direction above the substrate and configures a memory string along with the stacked body; and a source contact that extends in the first direction and is electrically connected to one end of the memory string. Moreover, this source contact is adjacent to the stacked body via a spacer insulating layer. Furthermore, a spacer protective layer including a nitride or a metal oxide is provided between these source contact and spacer insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeo Mori
  • Patent number: 9847346
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a stack on a substrate including electrodes vertically stacked on a substrate, lower insulating patterns disposed between the stack and the substrate, the lower insulating patterns being adjacent to both sidewalls of the stack and being spaced apart from each other, a plurality of vertical structures penetrating the stack and being connected to the substrate, and a data storing pattern between the stack and the vertical structures, the data storing pattern including a portion disposed between the lowermost one of the electrodes and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changhyun Lee, Heonkyu Lee, Shinhwan Kang, Youngwoo Park
  • Patent number: 9847347
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first transistor and a second transistor. The substrate includes a semiconductor-on-insulator region and a bulk region. The first transistor is provided at the semiconductor-on-insulator region and includes a first gate structure and a first channel region provided in a layer of semiconductor material over a layer of electrically insulating material. The second transistor is provided at the bulk region and includes a second gate structure and a second channel region provided in a bulk semiconductor material. A plane of an interface between the second channel region and the second gate structure is not above a plane of an interface between the bulk semiconductor material and the layer of electrically insulating material in the semiconductor-on-insulator region. A height of the second gate structure is greater than a height of the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot John Smith, Nilesh Kenkare, Nigel Chan
  • Patent number: 9847348
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for coexistence of high voltage and low voltage devices and circuits on a same integrated circuit fabricated in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology are described. In particular, techniques for mitigating back gate effects are described, including using of resistive and/or capacitive couplings to control surface potentials at regions of a substrate used for the SOI fabrication proximate the high voltage and low voltage devices and circuits. In one case, an N-type implant is used to provide a high potential differential with respect to a substrate potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Buddhika Abesingha, Simon Edward Willard, Alain Duvallet, Merlin Green, Sivakumar Kumarasamy
  • Patent number: 9847349
    Abstract: An integrated electronic device is supported by a substrate of a silicon on insulator type. At least one transistor is formed in and on a semiconductor film of the substrate. The transistor includes a drain region and a source region of a first conductivity type and a substrate (body) region of a second conductivity type lying under a gate region. An extension region laterally continues the substrate (body) region beyond the source and drain regions and borders, in contact with, the source region through a border region having the first conductivity type. This supports formation of an electrical connection of the source region and the substrate (body) region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Augustin Monroy Aguirre, Guillaume Bertrand, Philippe Cathelin, Raphael Paulin
  • Patent number: 9847350
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device, including: an array substrate; a plurality of pixels sectioned by video signal lines and scanning signal lines formed on the array substrate; a TFT arranged for each of the plurality of pixels; and a pixel electrode arranged inside each of the plurality of pixels. The TFT includes a channel semiconductor layer and the pixel electrode that are formed of a seamless layer made of an oxide semiconductor. The pixel electrode has an electrical conductivity larger than an electrical conductivity of the channel semiconductor layer under a state in which a gate voltage is not applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Genshiro Kawachi
  • Patent number: 9847351
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region and a second region; forming a gate layer on the substrate; forming a first gate dielectric layer on the gate layer; forming a first channel layer on the first region and a second channel layer on the second region; and forming a first source/drain on the first channel layer and a second source/drain on the second channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Lanxiang Wang, Hong Liao, Chao Jiang
  • Patent number: 9847352
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a circuit which does not easily deteriorate is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. A first terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first wiring. A second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a second wiring. A gate and a first terminal of the second transistor are connected to the first wiring. A second terminal of the second transistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor. The first switch is connected between the second wiring and a third wiring. The second switch is connected between the second wiring and the third wiring. The third switch is connected between the gate of the first transistor and the third wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Atsushi Umezaki
  • Patent number: 9847353
    Abstract: A method of making a display device includes, providing a substrate having a display area and a pad area in a periphery of the display area, the display area including a plurality of pixel regions; forming a thin film transistor having a channel layer on the substrate; arranging a gate link line and a first common voltage line to cross each other, and having a first insulation film be interposed therebetween; arranging a second common voltage line and a data link line to cross each other, and having second insulation film be interposed therebetween; disposing a first pattern on the first insulation film; and disposing a second pattern on the second insulation film, wherein the channel layer, the first pattern and the second pattern are formed of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Kug Ko, Jong Sang Pyo, Ji Yong Lim
  • Patent number: 9847354
    Abstract: A thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) array substrate is provided, including a base substrate; a first transparent conductive film formed on the base substrate; for each pixel unit of the array substrate the first transparent conductive film comprises at least a first part and a second part that do not contact with each other, and the first part is located under an area of the data line, without contacting the gate line and the common electrode line. When a data line in the array substrate has an open failure, this part of the transparent conductive film can be welded together with the data line using laser welding so as to repair the data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Baoquan Zhou
  • Patent number: 9847355
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to apply an insulating film of cure and high quality that is suitably applicable as gate insulating film and protective film to a technique that the insulating film is formed on the glass substrate under a temperature of strain point or lower, and to a semiconductor device realizing high efficiency and high reliability by using it. In a semiconductor device of the present invention, a gate insulating film of a field effect type transistor with channel length of from 0.35 to 2.5 ?m in which a silicon nitride film is formed over a crystalline semiconductor film through a silicon oxide film, wherein the silicon nitride film contains hydrogen with the concentration of 1×1021/cm3 or less and has characteristic of an etching rate of 10 nm/min or less with respect to mixed solution containing an ammonium hydrogen fluoride (NH4HF2) of 7.13% and an ammonium fluoride (NH4F) of 15.4%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takayama, Shunpei Yamazaki, Kengo Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9847356
    Abstract: An array substrate, a display apparatus applying the same and the assembly method thereof are provided, wherein the array substrate includes a substrate having a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels at least includes a thin film transistor (TFT) device, a first electrode, a second electrode separated from the first electrode all of which are disposed on the substrate. at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is electrically contacted to the TFT device, and either the first electrode or the second electrode has a magnetic force generator used to generate a magnetic force substantially ranging from 10 gauss to 1000 gauss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jen-Chien Peng, Chia-Hao Tsai, Tsau-Hua Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9847357
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the field of display technology and provides a thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate and a display device. The thin film transistor comprises a gate, a source, a drain and a plurality of insulating layers, wherein at least one insulating layer comprises a Group VB metal oxide. Since the insulting layer is formed by using the Group VB metal oxide which has high dielectric constant, the thickness of the insulating layer can be reduced and the thin film transistor can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yucheng Chan, Chienhung Liu
  • Patent number: 9847358
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor in which on-state current is high is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor provided in a driver circuit portion and a second transistor provided in a pixel portion; the first transistor and the second transistor have different structures. Furthermore, the first transistor and the second transistor are transistors having a top-gate structure. In an oxide semiconductor film of each of the transistors, an impurity element is contained in regions which do not overlap with a gate electrode. The regions of the oxide semiconductor film which contain the impurity element function as low-resistance regions. Furthermore, the regions of the oxide semiconductor film which contain the impurity element are in contact with a film containing hydrogen. The first transistor provided in the driver circuit portion includes two gate electrodes between which the oxide semiconductor film is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Koezuka, Masami Jintyou, Yukinori Shima, Daisuke Kurosaki, Masataka Nakada, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9847359
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor with an array of pixels formed in a substrate is provided. To improve surface planarity, bond pads formed at the periphery of the array of pixels may be recessed into a back surface of the substrate. The bond pads may be recessed into a semiconductor layer of the substrate, may be recessed into a window in the semiconductor layer, or may be recessed in a passivation layer and covered with non-conductive material such as resin. In order to further improve surface planarity, a window may be formed in the semiconductor layer at the periphery of the array of pixels, or scribe region, over alignment structures. By providing an image sensor with improved surface planarity, device yield and time-to-market may be improved, and window framing defects and microlens/color filter non-uniformity may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Belsher, Richard Mauritzson, Swarnal Borthakur, Ulrich Boettiger
  • Patent number: 9847360
    Abstract: A two-side illuminated image sensor includes: a first optical sensor layer and a second optical sensor layer each including a plurality of optical sensing cells, and a signal wiring layer disposed between the first and second optical sensor layers. The first and second optical sensor layers may include a first color filter layer and a second color filter layer each including a plurality of color filters corresponding to the plurality of optical sensing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jesada Ungnapatanin, Seokho Yun, Doyoon Kim