Patents Issued in July 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 10032851
    Abstract: A method for fabricating high-resolution features in a deep recess includes etching a cavity in a substrate, fabricating at least one focusing pattern on a bottom of the cavity, wherein fabricating the focusing pattern comprises coating a first photoresist on the bottom of the cavity, patterning the first photoresist to define a focusing etch area using contact lithography, and etching the focusing etch area, coating a second photoresist on the bottom of the cavity, using the focusing pattern to focus a high resolution lithography tool at the bottom of the cavity to pattern the second photoresist to define a microfabrication feature area; and forming a microfabrication feature in the microfabrication feature area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Florian G. Herrault, Melanie S. Yajima
  • Patent number: 10032852
    Abstract: A single-poly nonvolatile memory cell includes a coupling capacitor, a cell transistor and a selection transistor. The cell transistor has a floating gate, a first source, and a first drain. The floating gate is coupled to an array control gate/source line through the coupling capacitor. The first source is coupled to the array control gate/source line. The selection transistor has a selection gate, a second source, and a second drain. The selection gate is coupled to a word line. The second source is coupled to the first drain. The second drain is coupled to a bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang Il Choi, Sung Kun Park, Nam Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10032853
    Abstract: An integrated non-linear complex oxide thin film heterostructure with a tailored microstructure architecture design and a method of fabrication thereof, inclusive, is provided. The tailored microstructure architecture design mitigates the undesirable effects of thermal strain, hence provides strain relief, which enables the desirable simultaneously achievement of a high permittivity and high dielectric Q/low dielectric loss in concert with one another. The material design and fabrication method thereof; enables enhanced performance, low cost NLCO-based tunable devices which possess desirable attributes including, but are not limited to, tunable device miniaturization, wide tunability, minimization of signal attenuation, reduced device operational power and enhanced operational range. Furthermore, the materials and related process science protocols are complementary metal oxide semiconductor compatible, scalable and affordable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel Shreiber, Melanie Will-Cole
  • Patent number: 10032854
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device may include a cell capacitor connected with any one of a first electrode and a second electrode of an access device. The cell capacitor may include a first cell cap array and a second cell cap array separated from the first cell cap array. A voltage terminal for driving the cell capacitor may be connected to a connection node between the first cell cap array and the second cell cap array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Su Kim, Dong Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 10032855
    Abstract: A pattern is defined in a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a low-k dielectric region and a high-k dielectric region. The high-k dielectric region includes a phase change material which is an alloy of tantalum and nitrogen and is a high-k insulator in a deposited state. The pattern includes a first set of features in the low-k dielectric region and a second set of features in the high-k dielectric region. A surface treatment process is performed on the phase change layer to produce a top surface layer having electrically conductive properties. A metal layer is deposited in the first and second set of features. Thus, a set of conductive lines is formed in the low-k dielectric region and a metal insulator metal capacitor in the high-k dielectric region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 10032856
    Abstract: A capacitive device includes a first electrode comprising a nanosheet stack, and a second electrode comprising a nanosheet stack, the second electrode arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode. A first conductive contact is arranged on a basal end of the first electrode, and a second conductive contact arranged on a basal end of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruqiang Bao, Zhenxing Bi, Kangguo Cheng, Zheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10032857
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Patent number: 10032858
    Abstract: A capacitive device includes a first electrode comprising a nanosheet stack and a second electrode comprising a nanosheet stack, the second electrode arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode. A first conductive contact is arranged on a basal end of the first electrode, and a second conductive contact is arranged on a basal end of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Kangguo Cheng, Dongbing Shao, Zheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10032859
    Abstract: A structure, such as an integrated circuit device, is described that includes a line of material with critical dimensions which vary within a distribution substantially less than that of a mask element, such as a patterned resist element, used in etching the line. Techniques are described for processing a line of crystalline phase material which has already been etched using the mask element, in a manner which straightens an etched sidewall surface of the line. The straightened sidewall surface does not carry the sidewall surface variations introduced by photolithographic processes, or other patterning processes, involved in forming the mask element and etching the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Moroz, Lars Bomholt
  • Patent number: 10032860
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a fabrication method are provided. The semiconductor device is fabricated by providing a substrate with a device area surrounded by a seal ring area, forming a buried deep-well layer in the substrate of the seal ring area, forming a first well region and a second well region in the substrate above the buried deep-well layer with the first well region surrounding the device area and the second well region surrounding the first well region, forming a heavily doped region in the substrate above the buried deep-well layer and between the first well region and the second well region, and forming a seal ring structure connecting to the heavily doped region. The buried deep-well layer, the first well region, and the second well region all have a first doping type while the heavily doped region and the substrate have a second doping type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jizhe Zhong, Zhihua Wu
  • Patent number: 10032861
    Abstract: This invention discloses a semiconductor power device disposed in a semiconductor substrate comprising a lightly doped layer formed on a heavily doped layer and having an active cell area and an edge termination area. The edge termination area comprises a plurality P-channel MOSFETs. By connecting the gate to the drain electrode, the P-channel MOSFET transistors formed on the edge termination are sequentially turned on when the applied voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold voltage Vt of the P-channel MOSFET transistors, thereby optimizing the voltage blocked by each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Hamza Yilmaz, Madhur Bobde
  • Patent number: 10032862
    Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) with integrated passive structures and methods of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The method includes forming a stacked structure in an active region and at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) structure adjacent to the stacked structure. The method further includes forming a semiconductor layer directly in contact with the at least one STI structure and the stacked structure. The method further includes patterning the semiconductor layer and the stacked structure to form an active device in the active region and a passive structure of the semiconductor layer directly on the at least one STI structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony I. Chou, Arvind Kumar, Renee T. Mo, Shreesh Narasimha
  • Patent number: 10032863
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may be formed by forming a buried isolation layer in an isolation recess in a single-crystal silicon-based substrate. Exposed lateral surfaces of the substrate at the buried isolation layer are covered with a dielectric sidewall. A seed trench is formed through the buried isolation layer to expose the substrate. A single-crystal silicon-based seed layer is formed through the seed trench, extending above the top surface of the buried isolation layer. A silicon-based non-crystalline layer is formed contacting the seed layer. A cap layer is formed over the non-crystalline layer. A radiant-induced recrystallization process converts the non-crystalline layer to a single-crystal layer aligned with the seed layer. The cap layer is removed and the single-crystal layer is planarized, leaving an isolated semiconductor layer over the buried isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Nelson Carothers, Jeffrey R. Debord
  • Patent number: 10032864
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first fin and a second fin on a substrate and a field insulation layer between the first fin and the second fin. The field insulation layer include a first insulation layer and a second insulation layer on the first insulation layer and connected to the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is wider than the first insulation layer. A ratio of a top width to a bottom width of each of the first fin and the second fin exceeds 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Seok Min, Mi Gyeong Gwon, Seong Jin Nam, Sug Hyun Sung, Young Hoon Song, Young Mook Oh
  • Patent number: 10032865
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device is provided. The power semiconductor device includes a substrate having a device region and a surrounding termination region; and at least a power device formed in the device region of the substrate. The power semiconductor substrate also includes a termination structure having a plurality of semiconductor plugs formed in a first surface of the termination region of the substrate. Wherein the plurality of the semiconductor plugs are formed in a plurality of ring trenches formed in the first surface of the substrate in the termination regions, with a semiconductor plug formed in each of the plurality of ring trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dae Sub Jung, Bo Liu, Roger To-Hoi Szeto
  • Patent number: 10032866
    Abstract: In an active region, a contact trench in which a source electrode is embedded is provided. In a boundary region between the active region and the edge termination region, a tapered trench is provided. A second p-type base region is provided along an inner wall of the contact trench and extends to the boundary region to be provided along a base front surface and an inner wall of the tapered trench. An angle ?3 of the side walls of the tapered trench with respect to a substrate front surface is smaller than an angle ?1 of the side walls of the contact trench with respect to the substrate front surface. At a second mesa portion between the tapered trench and a step of the edge termination region, a gate runner is arranged on the base front surface, via a field oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kobayashi, Manabu Takei, Shinsuke Harada
  • Patent number: 10032867
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure has a substrate and two or more nanosheet layers formed above the substrate. The method also includes forming a bottom isolation layer between the substrate and the two or more nanosheet layers. The method further includes performing a fin reveal in the multi-layer structure after formation of the bottom isolation layer to form a fin. The two or more nanosheet layers provide a channel stack for a nanosheet field-effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chun W. Yeung, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10032868
    Abstract: A method for making a super ? NPN (SBNPN) transistor includes depositing a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) layer on a P type epitaxial layer; depositing a nitride layer on the TEOS layer; patterning an emitter region of the SBNPN transistor by selectively etching away portions of the nitride layer and the TEOS layer; depositing a second TEOS layer on top of the nitride layer, along sides of the nitride layer and the TEOS layer, and on top of the P type epitaxial layer; and implanting the P type epitaxial layer through the second TEOS layer with N type ions to form the emitter region of the SBNPN transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bernhard Benna, Wolfgang Schwartz, Berthold Georg Staufer
  • Patent number: 10032869
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus including a substrate having a substrate major surface, a dielectric material on the substrate major surface and having a second major surface distanced from the substrate major surface, and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate major surface through the dielectric material where the plurality of fins includes a first subset of fins and a second subset of fins, the first subset of fins located closer to a center of the plurality of fins than the second subset of fins, and an amount of heat generated during operation of the semiconductor device by each fin of the first subset of fins is less than an amount of heat generated by each fin of the second subset of fins during operation of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jhong-Sheng Wang, Jiaw-Ren Shih, Chun-Wei Chang, Sheng-Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 10032870
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor on a porous semiconductor structure. The method may include forming a stack, the stack includes (from bottom to top) a substrate, a base silicon layer, a thick silicon layer, and a thin silicon layer, where the thin silicon layer and the thick silicon layer are relaxed; converting the thick silicon layer into a porous silicon layer using a porousification process; and forming a III-V layer on the thin silicon layer, where the III-V layer is relaxed, the thin silicon layer is strained, and the porous silicon layer is partially strained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, Keith E. Fogel, Alexander Reznicek, Dominic J. Schepis
  • Patent number: 10032871
    Abstract: A MOSFET using a SiC substrate has a problem that a carbon-excess layer is formed on a surface by the application of mechanical stress due to thermal oxidation and the carbon-excess layer degrades mobility of channel carriers. In the invention, (1) a layer containing carbon-carbon bonds is removed; (2) a gate insulating film is formed by a deposition method; and (3) an interface between a crystal surface and the insulating film is subjected to an interface treatment at a low temperature for a short time. Due to this, the carbon-excess layer causing characteristic degradation is effectively eliminated, and at the same time, dangling bonds can be effectively eliminated by subjecting an oxide film and an oxynitride film to an interface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Digh Hisamoto, Keisuke Kobayashi, Naoki Tega, Toshiyuki Ohno, Hirotaka Hamamura, Mieko Matsumura
  • Patent number: 10032872
    Abstract: To manufacture a semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor with high reliability and less variation in electrical characteristics, objects are to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with which an oxide semiconductor film with a fairly uniform thickness is formed, a manufacturing apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with the manufacturing apparatus. In order to form an oxide semiconductor film with a fairly uniform thickness with use of a sputtering apparatus, an oxide semiconductor film the thickness uniformity of which is less than ±3%, preferably less than or equal to ±2% is formed by using a manufacturing apparatus in which a deposition chamber is set to have a reduced pressure atmosphere, preferably, to have a high degree of vacuum and power is adjusted to be applied uniformly to the entire surface of a substrate during film deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10032873
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Chang, Chi-Wen Liu, Cheng-Chien Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 10032874
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a first direction, a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type between the first and second electrodes, first and second conductive regions between the first semiconductor region and the second electrode and electrically connected to the second electrode, a third electrode between the first and second conductive regions, second and third semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type respectively between the first and second conductive regions and the third electrode, and fourth and fifth semiconductor regions of the first conductivity type respectively between the second and third semiconductor regions and the second electrode. The third electrode extends in the first direction toward the first electrode farther than portions of the second and third semiconductor regions that are alongside the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ogura, Tomoko Matsudai
  • Patent number: 10032875
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer formed over the substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed over the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer formed over the second semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode that are formed over the third semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes a first nitride semiconductor. The second semiconductor includes a second nitride semiconductor. The third semiconductor layer includes a third nitride semiconductor. The concentration of oxygen included in the second semiconductor layer is less than 5.0×1018 cm?3. The concentration of oxygen included in the third semiconductor layer is greater than or equal to 5.0×1018 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10032876
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor having a source/drain region. A conductive contact is disposed over the source/drain region. A silicide element is disposed below the conductive contact. The silicide element has a non-angular cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the silicide element may have an approximately curved cross-sectional profile, for example an ellipse-like profile. The silicide element is formed at least in part by forming an amorphous region in the source/drain region via an implantation process. The implantation process may be a cold implantation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Wen Chen, Shih Yu-Shen, Chia Ping Lo, Yan-Hua Lin, Lun-Kuang Tan, Yu-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 10032877
    Abstract: A FinFET device and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a patterned mask stack over a substrate, features of the patterned mask stack protecting the substrate having a uniform width. Unprotected portions of the substrate exposed by the patterned mask stack are removed to form a plurality of recesses in the substrate, unremoved portions of the substrate interposed between adjacent recesses forming a plurality of fins. Portions of the plurality of fins are removed, a width of a first fin of the plurality of fins being less than a width of a second fin of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 10032878
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a first surface and a second surface, at least one electrode arranged in at least one trench extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body, and a semiconductor via extending in a vertical direction of the semiconductor body within the semiconductor body to the second surface. The semiconductor via is electrically insulated from the semiconductor body by a via insulation layer. The at least one electrode extends in a first lateral direction of the semiconductor body through the via insulation layer and is electrically connected to the semiconductor via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Peter Meiser, Markus Zundel
  • Patent number: 10032879
    Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate includes an insulating layer, an electrode on the insulating layer, and a main buffering layer connecting a side surface of the electrode to an upper surface of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyuneok Shin
  • Patent number: 10032880
    Abstract: Implementations of an ohmic contact for a gallium nitride (GaN) device may include: a first layer including aluminum coupled directly with the GaN device; the GaN having a heterostructure with an undoped GaN channel and a semi-insulating aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) barrier, all the foregoing operatively coupled with a substrate; a second layer including titanium coupled over the first layer; and a third layer including an anti-diffusion material coupled with the second layer. The passivation layer may be coupled between the AlGaN barrier and the first layer of the ohmic contact. The passivation layer may surround the ohmic contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aurore Constant, Peter Coppens
  • Patent number: 10032881
    Abstract: A mask, including a transparent substrate and mask patterns formed on a surface of the transparent substrate, wherein the mask patterns include a first area for forming film patterns in a display area and a second area for forming film patterns in a non-display area; both the first area and the second area are provided with a plurality of patterned sub-masks; a distribution density of the patterned sub-masks in the first area is less than a distribution density of the patterned sub-masks in the second area; each patterned sub-mask includes a first pattern for forming a source electrode of a transistor, a second pattern for forming a drain electrode of the transistor, and a slit interposed between the first pattern and the second pattern; and a width of the slit in the first area is greater than a width of the slit in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liping Luo, Huishuang Liu, Haichen Hu, Zengbiao Sun, Tao Wang, Kiyong Kim
  • Patent number: 10032882
    Abstract: A recombination center is formed within the bandgap of at least a silicon carbide material used to form an n? drift layer in a SiC-MOSFET. This recombination center is an impurity level formed by doping the n? drift layer with boron (B) or the like and/or a defect level constituted by defects formed by irradiating the n? drift layer with an electron beam. Due to the presence of this recombination center, the effective bandgap Eg1 of the silicon carbide material of the n? drift layer is set to be narrower than the original bandgap Eg0 and less than the valence band offset ?EV0 of a silicon carbide/insulating film interface. As a result, the photon energy created by recombination of electrons and holes while a body diode of the SiC-MOSFET is conducting current in a forward direction is less than the valence band offset ?EV0 of the silicon carbide/insulating film interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeharu Koga
  • Patent number: 10032883
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved semiconductor structure (e.g., a silicon germanium (SiGe) hetero-junction bipolar transistor) having a narrow essentially interstitial-free SIC pedestal with minimal overlap of the extrinsic base. Also, disclosed is a method of forming the transistor which uses laser annealing, as opposed to rapid thermal annealing, of the SIC pedestal to produce both a narrow SIC pedestal and an essentially interstitial-free collector. Thus, the resulting SiGe HBT transistor can be produced with narrower base and collector space-charge regions than can be achieved with conventional technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Rajendran Krishnasamy, Kathryn T. Schonenberg
  • Patent number: 10032884
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for making the same includes conformally forming a first spacer on a plurality of fins. A second spacer is conformally formed on the first spacer, the second spacer being formed from a different material from the first spacer. The plurality of fins are etched below a bottom level of the first spacer to form a fin cavity. Material from the first spacer is removed to expand the fin cavity. Fin material is grown directly on the etched plurality of fins to fill the fin cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10032885
    Abstract: A method includes removing a top portion of a substrate after implantation of a punch through stopper into the substrate; epitaxially growing undoped material on the substrate, thereby forming a channel; filling a top portion of the channel with an intermediate implant forming a vertically bi-modal dopant distribution, with one doping concentration peak in the top portion of the channel and another doping concentration peak in the punch through stopper; and patterning fins into the channel and the punch though stopper to form a finFET structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gauri Karve, Robert R. Robison, Reinaldo A. Vega
  • Patent number: 10032886
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin-type pattern including a first short side and a second short side opposed to each other, a first trench in contact with the first short side, a second trench in contact with the second short side, a first field insulating film in the first trench, the first field insulating film including a first portion and a second portion arranged sequentially from the first short side, and a height of the first portion being different from a height of the second portion, a second field insulating film in the second trench, and a first dummy gate on the first portion of the first field insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Yup Chung, Hyun-Jo Kim, Seong-Yul Park, Se-Wan Park, Jong-Mil Youn, Jeong-Hyo Lee, Hwa-Sung Rhee, Hee-Don Jeong, Ji-Yong Ha
  • Patent number: 10032887
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate structure in a dielectric layer over a substrate, wherein the first gate structure includes a first gate stack and spacers along sidewalls of the first gate stack; recessing the first gate stack to form a first trench defined by the spacers, wherein upper portions of the spacers are exposed within the first trench; forming a first capping layer in the first trench, wherein the first capping layer has a first portion disposed along sidewalls of the upper portions of the spacers and a second portion disposed over the recessed first gate stack; applying a first implantation to convert the second portion of the first capping layer into a second capping layer; selectively removing the first portion of the capping layer to expose the upper portions of the spacers; and selectively removing the upper portions of the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Li-Te Lin, Yuan-Hung Chiu, Han-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 10032888
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor layer with high and stable electrical characteristics, the semiconductor device is manufactured by forming a first insulating layer, forming oxide over the first insulating layer and then removing the oxide n times (n is a natural number), forming an oxide semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer, forming a second insulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, and forming a conductive layer over the second insulating layer. Alternatively, the semiconductor device is manufactured by forming the oxide semiconductor layer over the first insulating layer, forming the second insulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, forming the oxide over the second insulating layer and then removing the oxide n times (n is a natural number), and forming the conductive layer over the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Tanaka, Ryo Tokumaru, Yasumasa Yamane, Akihisa Shimomura, Naoki Okuno
  • Patent number: 10032889
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin, performing a first passivation step on a top surface of the semiconductor fin using a first passivation species, and performing a second passivation step on sidewalls of the semiconductor fin using a second passivation species different from the first passivation species. A gate stack is formed on a middle portion of the semiconductor fin. A source or a drain region is formed on a side of the gate stack, wherein the source or drain region and the gate stack form a Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Clement Hsingjen Wann, Ling-Yen Yeh, Chi-Yuan Shih, Wei-Chun Tsai
  • Patent number: 10032890
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices. A gate trench and an insulation pattern defined by the gate trench are formed on a substrate and the protection pattern is formed on the insulation pattern. A gate dielectric layer, a work function metal layer and a sacrificial layer are sequentially formed the substrate along a surface profile of the gate trench. A sacrificial pattern is formed by a CMP while not exposing the insulation pattern. A residual sacrificial pattern is formed at a lower portion of the gate trench and the gate dielectric layer and the work function metal layer is etched into a gate dielectric pattern and a work function metal pattern using the residual sacrificial pattern as an etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Hwan Yim, Yeon-Tack Ryu, Joo-Cheol Han, Ja-Eung Koo, No-Ul Kim, Ho-Young Kim, Bo-Un Yoon
  • Patent number: 10032891
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory cell is provided including forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on a semiconductor substrate, forming floating gates for a sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins and forming a first insulating layer between the plurality of semiconductor fins. The first insulating layer is recessed to a height less than the height of the plurality of semiconductor fins and sacrificial gates are formed over the sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins. A second insulating layer is formed between the sacrificial gates and, after that, the sacrificial gates are removed. Recesses are formed in the first insulating layer and sense gates and control gates are formed in the recesses for the sub-set of the plurality of semiconductor fins. The first and second insulating layers may be oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Baars, Juergen Faul
  • Patent number: 10032892
    Abstract: This semiconductor device comprises an active layer that is formed of an oxide magnetic material and a porous dielectric body that contains water and is provided on the active layer. By using hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions which are formed by electrolysis of water, the crystal structure of the active layer is changed between a ferromagnetic metal and an antiferromagnetic insulating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: National University Corporation Hokkaido University
    Inventors: Hiromichi Ohta, Takayoshi Katase, Yuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10032893
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor comprises a semiconductor body including a collector region and a base region arranged on top of the collector region. The base region has a first crystalline structure and is at least partly doped with dopants of a first doping type. The collector region is laterally enclosed by a trench isolation and is doped with dopants of a second doping type. The transistor further comprises a conductive base contact layer laterally enclosing the base region which is doped with dopants of the first doping type. The base contact layer comprises a part with the first crystalline structure and a part with a second crystalline structure, wherein the part with the second crystalline structure laterally encloses the part with the first crystalline structure. The transistor further comprises an emitter region arranged on the base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Armin Tilke, Claus Dahl, Dmitri A. Tschumakow
  • Patent number: 10032894
    Abstract: After a titanium nitride film is formed to cover an interlayer insulating film, a first nickel film is formed on a front surface of a silicon carbide base exposed in a contact hole, so as to extend on the titanium nitride film. Next, the silicon carbide base and the first nickel film are reacted by rapid thermal annealing at a temperature of 800 to 1100 degrees C. to form a nickel silicide film that forms an ohmic contact. Grains of the titanium nitride film are enlarged by the rapid thermal annealing, making a grain size of the titanium nitride film 20 nm to 50 nm. Thus, interstices of the grains of the titanium nitride film become smaller than before the rapid thermal annealing or are eliminated, enabling the intrusion of nickel from the first nickel film into the interstices of the columnar grains of the titanium nitride film to be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Komatsu, Fumikazu Imai
  • Patent number: 10032895
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes trench gate electrodes, an emitter coupling section that couples them with each other, an interlayer insulating film arranged in a hybrid sub-cell region and an inactive cell region, and a contact trench penetrating it. Also, the contact trench is divided in a crossing region of extending directions of the hybrid sub-cell region and the emitter coupling section. Further, an n+-type emitter region is disposed so as to be apart from an end of the divided contact trench. With such configuration of not forming the contact trench in the crossing region, the working failure of the contact trench can be reduced. Also, because the n+-type emitter region is disposed so as to be apart from the end of the contact trench, the breakdown resistance of the semiconductor device can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10032896
    Abstract: The surface of an interlayer insulating film formed over an emitter coupling portion and the surface of an emitter electrode formed over the interlayer insulating film are caused to have a gentle shape, in particular, at the end of the emitter coupling portion, by forming the emitter coupling portion over a main surface of a semiconductor substrate and integrally with trench gate electrodes in order to form a spacer over the sidewall of the emitter coupling portion. Thereby, stress is dispersed, not concentrated in an acute angle portion of the emitter coupling portion when an emitter wire is coupled to the emitter electrode (emitter pad), and hence occurrence of a crack can be suppressed. Further, by forming the spacer, the concavities and convexities to be formed in the surface of the emitter electrode can be reduced, whereby the adhesiveness between the emitter electrode and the emitter wire can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS COPRORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10032897
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making the same include forming a gate structure on a thin semiconductor layer. Additional semiconductor material is formed on the thin semiconductor layer. The thin semiconductor layer is etched back and the additional semiconductor material to form source and drain regions and a channel region, with notches separating the source and drain region from the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Kangguo Cheng, Zhengwen Li, Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10032898
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a HEMT transistor comprising the steps of: providing a wafer comprising a semiconductor body including a heterojunction structure formed by semiconductor materials that include elements of Groups III-V of the Periodic Table, and a dielectric layer on the semiconductor body; etching selective portions of the wafer, thus exposing a portion of the heterojunction structure; forming an interface layer by a surface reconstruction process, of a semiconductor compound formed by elements of Groups III-V of the Periodic Table, in the exposed portion of the heterojunction structure; and forming a gate electrode, including a gate dielectric and a gate conductive region, on said interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Iucolano, Andrea Severino, Maria Concetta Nicotra, Alfonso Patti
  • Patent number: 10032899
    Abstract: A semiconductor crystal substrate includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer including a nitride semiconductor and formed over the substrate, a second semiconductor layer including a nitride semiconductor and formed over the first semiconductor layer, a first cap layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, and a second cap layer formed on the first cap layer. Each of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer has a single-crystal structure, the first cap layer has one of a single-crystal structure and a polycrystalline structure, and the second cap layer has an amorphous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Junji Kotani, Norikazu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10032900
    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 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 of the gate electrode, the trench being lined with a sidewall dielectric layer and filled with a bottom dielectric layer and a conductive layer above the bottom dielectric layer, the conductive layer being electrically connected to the gate electrode; 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: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideaki Tsuchiko