With Groove Or Thinned Light Sensitive Portion Patents (Class 257/118)
  • Patent number: 10103085
    Abstract: A clamping assembly includes a configuration of mechanically clamped components disposed one on top of the other to form a stack. A clamping device generates a mechanical compressive force on the configuration of the components and a pressure element transmits the mechanical compressive force from the clamping device to the configuration. The pressure element contains a metal foam for a planar, homogeneous transmission of the compressive force. A sub module of a converter having at least one series circuit of power semiconductor switching units implemented as the clamping apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Siegmund Brehm, Matthias Boehm, Daniel Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9699923
    Abstract: A shroud including a body comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) reception unit configured to receive a PCBA unit of an electronic device, wherein the PCBA unit comprises multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) units which emit multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) signals. The shroud can also include a plurality of ribs located on the body and configured to contact a cover for the electronic device, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to substantially isolate each of the multiple LED signals, and wherein the body and the plurality of ribs comprise a resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cariker, Kevin M. Takeuchi, Takashi Kono
  • Patent number: 9520511
    Abstract: An optical method of collapsing the electric field of an innovatively fabricated, reverse-biased PN junction causes a semiconductor switch to transition from a current blocking mode to a current conduction mode in a planar electron avalanche. This switch structure and the method of optically initiating the switch closure is applicable to conventional semiconductor switch configurations that employ a reverse-biased PN junction, including, but not limited to, thyristors, bipolar transistors, and insulated gate bipolar transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Physical Electronics L.C.
    Inventor: William C. Nunnally
  • Patent number: 9040345
    Abstract: A method of laser ablation for electrical contact to a buried electrically conducting layer in diamond comprising polishing a single crystal diamond substrate having a first carbon surface, implanting the diamond with a beam of 180 KeV followed by 150 KeV C+ ions at fluencies of 4×1015 ions/cm2 and 5×1015 ions/cm2 respectively, forming an electrically conducting carbon layer beneath the first carbon surface, and ablating the single crystal diamond which lies between the electrically conducting layer and the first carbon surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bradford B. Pate, Matthew P. Ray, Jeffrey W. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8735228
    Abstract: A trench isolation metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) P-N junction diode device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device is a combination of an N-channel MOS structure and a lateral P-N junction diode, wherein a polysilicon-filled trench oxide layer is buried in the P-type structure to replace the majority of the P-type structure. As a consequence, the trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device of the present invention has the benefits of the Schottky diode and the P-N junction diode. That is, the trench isolation MOS P-N junction diode device has rapid switching speed, low forward voltage drop, low reverse leakage current and short reverse recovery time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: PFC Device Corp.
    Inventors: Mei-Ling Chen, Hung-Hsin Kuo, Kuo-Liang Chao
  • Patent number: 8541811
    Abstract: There are provided a TFT, a TFT substrate using the TFT, a method of fabricating the TFT substrate, and an LCD. The TFT includes a source region, a drain region, and a gate electrode having an opening. The opening of the gate electrode is to enhance the light sensing ability of the TFT when it is used as a light sensor, since light is incident into a region where the opening is formed. The TFT including the gate having the opening can be used in a substrate of a flat display or an LCD using such a substrate. The above TFT can sense light incident from outside the display to adjust the brightness of the screen according to the external illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwan-Wook Jung, Ung-Sik Kim, Pil-Mo Choi, Seock-Cheon Song, Ho-Suk Maeng, Sang-Hoon Lee, Keun-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 8283709
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed which includes a silicide substrate, a nitride layer, two STIs, and a strain nitride. The silicide substrate has two doping areas. The nitride layer is deposited on the silicide substrate. The silicide substrate and the nitride layer have a recess running through. The two doping areas are at two sides of the recess. The end of the recess has an etching space bigger than the recess. The top of the silicide substrate has a fin-shaped structure. The two STIs are at the two opposite sides of the silicide substrate (recess). The strain nitride is spacer-formed in the recess and attached to the side wall of the silicide substrate, nitride layer, two STIs. The two doping areas cover the strain nitride. As a result, the efficiency of semiconductor is improved, and the drive current is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzung Han Lee, Chung-Lin Huang, Hsien-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 8145020
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a direct light-triggered thyristor triggered by an optical gate signal, a first optical fiber connected to the direct light-triggered thyristor and through which the optical gate signal is transmitted, a second optical fiber used to extend the first optical fiber, and a inter-optical-fiber relaying unit configured to connect the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber and to input the optical gate signal output from the second optical fiber to the first optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi—Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7964892
    Abstract: A light emitting device, comprises: a first semiconductor light emitting element; a second semiconductor light emitting element; a first metal member mounting on its top face the first semiconductor light emitting element; a second metal member mounting on its top face the second semiconductor light emitting element; and a resin package having on its top face a window through which light is taken off from the first semiconductor light emitting element and the second semiconductor light emitting element, wherein the second metal member is thinner around its peripheral edge than in its middle, and the rear face of the first metal member is facing the top face of the peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventor: Naofumi Sumitani
  • Patent number: 7911015
    Abstract: An infrared detector includes a first PN junction diode and a second PN junction diode which are formed in a silicon layer formed apart from a support substrate, the silicon layer having a P-type first region and an N-type second region, wherein the first PN junction diode is composed of the P-type first region and an N-type first region formed in the P-type first region at a position separated from the N-type second region, and the second PN junction diode is composed of the N-type second region and a P-type second region formed in the N-type second region at a position separated from the P-type first region, and wherein the first PN junction diode and the second PN junction diode are connected by a metal film formed on a surface of a concave portion spreading both of the P-type first region and the N-type second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takaki Sugino
  • Patent number: 7791161
    Abstract: Structure and method are provided for semiconductor devices. The devices include trenches filled with highly doped polycrystalline semiconductor, extending from the surface into the body of the device for, among other things: (i) reducing substrate current injection, (ii) reducing ON-resistance and/or (iii) reducing thermal impedance to the substrate. For isolated LDMOS devices, the resistance between the lateral isolation wall (tied to the source) and the buried layer is reduced, thereby reducing substrate injection current. When placed in the drain of a lateral device or in the collector of a vertical device, the poly-filled trench effectively enlarges the drain or collector region, thereby lowering the ON-resistance. For devices formed on an oxide isolation layer, the poly-filled trench desirably penetrates this isolation layer thereby improving thermal conduction from the active regions to the substrate. The poly filled trenches are conveniently formed by etch and refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronghua Zhu, Vishnu K. Khemka, Amitava Bose
  • Patent number: 7750358
    Abstract: A semiconductor device made by mounting a light emitting element in a substrate, characterized in that an optically-transparent cover with a flat plate shape is installed on the light emitting element and a fluorescent substance film is formed on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Shiraishi, Mitsutoshi Higashi
  • Patent number: 7728399
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods directed to an integrated circuit package having an optical component are disclosed. The package may include an integrated circuit die having at least one light sensitive region disposed on a first surface thereof. By way of example, the die may be a laser diode that emits light through the light sensitive region, or a photodetector that receives and detects light through the light sensitive region. An optical concentrator may be positioned adjacent the first surface of the first die. The optical concentrator includes a lens portion positioned adjacent the light sensitive region and adapted to focus light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: National Semiconductor Corporation, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Randall L. Walberg, Luu T. Nguyen, Robert Dahlgren, James B. Wieser, Kenneth Pedrotti, Jacob A. Wysocki
  • Patent number: 7715162
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing electro-static discharge (ESD) protection between a first and a second circuit node. One embodiment of the ESD protection circuit includes one or more steering diodes that generate electromagnetic radiation and couple the first circuit node to ground in response to a voltage applied to the first circuit node. The ESD protection circuit also includes a latch circuit that couples the first circuit node to ground in response to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the steering diode(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor (US) Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Krutsick
  • Patent number: 7693360
    Abstract: On the back surface of a transparent plate having a light extracting part for outputting lights to the outside, an electrode for wiring, and an electrode for an electromagnetic shield, an optical device is flip-chip mounted right under the light extracting part, an a driver IC is flip-chip mounted at a desired position with metal bumps. When currents driving the optical device flow from the driver IC according to an electric logical signal from the outside, an optical signal is emitted from the optical device, and is output to the outside through the light extracting part. The light extracting part may be provided with a light coupling material or an optical axis converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Shimizu, Takara Sugimoto, Jun-ichi Sasaki, Kazuhiko Kurata
  • Patent number: 7671441
    Abstract: A semiconductor power device includes a semiconductor body with a plurality of gate trenches formed therein. Disposed within each gate trench is a spacer gate that extends along at least a portion of the sidewalls of the gate trench but not along at least a portion of the bottom surface of the trench. The spacer gate of each gate trench may also include a layer of silicide along outer surfaces thereof. The semiconductor body may include a channel region and each gate trench may extend through the channel region and into the semiconductor body. Formed at the bottom of each gate trench within the semiconductor body may be a tip implant of the same conductivity as the semiconductor body. In addition, a deep body implant of the same conductivity as the channel region may be formed at the base of the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Henson
  • Patent number: 7615391
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a solar cell forms a large number of grooves on a first main surface of a p-type silicon single crystal substrate sliced out from a silicon single crystal ingot as described below. First an edge portion of a groove-carving blade is projected out from a flat substrate feeding surface of a working table by a predetermined height. The p-type silicon single crystal substrate is moved along the substrate feeding surface towards the rotating groove-carving blade while keeping a close contact of the first main surface thereof with the substrate feeding surface. Electrodes are then formed on the inner side face of thus-carved grooves only on one side in the width-wise direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoyuki Ojima, Hiroyuki Ohtsuka, Masatoshi Takahashi, Takenori Watabe
  • Patent number: 7605440
    Abstract: A pixel having a well-isolated charge storage region or floating diffusion region may be obtained by providing a separate P-well around the storage region or floating diffusion region. In one embodiment, a separate P-well entirely encases the storage region and is in contact with the storage region. This P-well provides an electrical barrier for preventing electrons that are generated elsewhere in the pixel from contaminating the storage region. In another embodiment, a first separate P-well encases and is in contact with the storage region and a second separate P-well encases and is in contact with the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Parker Altice
  • Patent number: 7592654
    Abstract: CMOS image sensor having high sensitivity and low crosstalk, particularly at far-red to infrared wavelengths, and a method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor. A CMOS image sensor has a substrate, an epitaxial layer above the substrate, and a plurality of pixels extending into the epitaxial layer for receiving light. The image sensor also includes at least one of a horizontal barrier layer between the substrate and the epitaxial layer for preventing carriers generated in the substrate from moving to the epitaxial layer, and a plurality of lateral barrier layers between adjacent ones of the plurality of pixels for preventing lateral diffusion of electrons in the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep R. Bahl, Fredrick P. LaMaster, David W. Bigelow
  • Patent number: 7582917
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated light-activated thyristor in an n-p-n-p-n-p sequence consists of a four-layered thyristor structure and an embedded back-biased PN junction structure as a turn-off switching diode. The turn-off switching diode is formed through structured doping processes and/or depositions on a single semiconductor wafer so that it is integrated monolithically without any external device or semiconductor materials. The thyristor can be switching on and off optically by two discrete light beams illuminated on separated openings of electrodes on the top surface of a semiconductor body. The carrier injection of the turning on process is achieved by illuminating the bulk of the thyristor with a high level light through the first aperture over the cathode to create high density charge carriers serving as the gate current injection and to electrically short the emitter and drift layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Yeuan-Ming Sheu
  • Patent number: 7528420
    Abstract: Image sensing devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An exemplary image sensing device includes a first substrate having a first side and a second side opposing each other. A plurality of image sensing elements is formed in the first substrate at the first side. A conductive via is formed through the first substrate, having a first surface exposed by the first substrate at the first side and a second surface exposed by the first substrate at the second side. A conductive pad overlies the conductive via at the first side and is electrically connecting the image sensing elements. A conductive layer overlies the conductive via at the second side and electrically connects with the conductive pad. A conductive bump is formed over a portion of the conductive layer. A second substrate is bonded with the first substrate at the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Visera Technologies Company Limited
    Inventors: Jui-Peng Weng, Tzu-Han Lin, Pai-Chun Peter Zung
  • Patent number: 7525131
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric surface including: a first group III nitride semiconductor layer that produces photoelectrons according to incidence of ultraviolet rays; and a second group III nitride semiconductor layer provided adjacent to the first group III nitride semiconductor layer and made of a thin-film crystal having c-axis orientation in a thickness direction, the second group III nitride semiconductor layer having an Al composition higher than that of the first group III nitride semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: National University Corporation Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Masatomo Sumiya, Shunro Fuke, Tokuaki Nihashi, Minoru Hagino
  • Patent number: 7494909
    Abstract: Provided are a chip, a chip stack, and a method of manufacturing the same. A plurality of chips which each include: at least one pad formed on a wafer; and a metal layer which protrudes up to a predetermined thickness from the bottom of the wafer and is formed in a via hole exposing the bottom of the pad are stacked such that the pad and the metal layer of adjacent chips are bonded. This leads to a simplified manufacturing process, high chip performance and a small footprint for a chip stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chull Won Ju, Byoung Gue Min, Seong Il Kim, Jong Min Lee, Kyung Ho Lee, Young Il Kang
  • Patent number: 7492988
    Abstract: Planar AWG circuits and systems are disclosed that use air trench bends to increase planar circuit compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory P. Nordin, Yongbin Lin, Seunghyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7423284
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a GaN substrate; a n-type AlxGa1-xN layer on a first main surface side of the GaN substrate; a p-type AlxGa1-xN layer positioned further away from the GaN substrate compared to the n-type AlxGa1-xN layer; a multi-quantum well (MQW) positioned between the n-type AlxGa1-xN layer and the p-type AlxGa1-xN layer. In this light-emitting device, the p-type AlxGa1-xN layer side is down-mounted and light is emitted from the second main surface, which is the main surface of the GaN substrate opposite from the first main surface. hemispherical projections are formed on the second main surface of the GaN substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Koji Katayama, Hiroyuki Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 7400004
    Abstract: Regions of an integrated circuit are isolated by a structure that includes at least one isolating trench on the periphery of an active area. The trench is deep, extending at least about 0.5 ?m into the substrate. The isolating structure prevents photons and electrons originating in peripheral circuitry from reaching the active area. Where the substrate has a heavily-doped lower layer and an upper layer on it, the trench can extend through the upper layer to the lower layer. A thermal oxide can be grown on the trench walls. A liner can also be deposited on the sidewalls of each trench. A fill material having a high-extinction coefficient is then deposited over the liner. The liner can also be light absorbent so that both the liner and fill material block photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan G. Cole, Troy Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7397067
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a microdisplay integrated circuit (IC), a substantially transparent protective cover coupled to the microdisplay IC, and a base coupled to the microdisplay IC. Thermal expansion characteristics of the base may be substantially similar to thermal expansion characteristics of the protective cover. According to some embodiments, at least one set of imaging elements is fabricated on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a base is affixed to a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate to generate substantially negligible mechanical stress between the semiconductor substrate and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O'Connor, Thomas W. Springett, Paul C. Ward-Dolkas
  • Patent number: 7397066
    Abstract: Microelectronic imagers with curved image sensors and methods for manufacturing curved image sensors. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager device includes an imager die having a substrate, a curved microelectronic image sensor having a face with a convex and/or concave portion at one side of the substrate, and integrated circuitry in the substrate operatively coupled to the image sensor. The imager die can further include external contacts electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry and a cover over the curved image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7253493
    Abstract: A memory device having decreased cell size and having transistors with increased channel widths. More specifically, pillars are formed in a substrate such that sidewalls are exposed. The sidewalls of the pillars and the top surface of the pillars are covered with a gate oxide and a polysilicon layer to form a channel through the pillars. The current path through the channel is approximately equal to twice the height of the pillar plus the width of the pillar. The pillars are patterned to form non-linear active area lines having angled segments. The polysilicon layer is patterned to from word lines that intersect the active area lines at the angled segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongmei Wang, Chandra Mouli, Luan Tran
  • Patent number: 7233027
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least two different electronic semiconductor circuits (HS) in which each of the semiconductor circuits (HS) is a component made of semiconductor material and which has an electrically active surface and electronic contacts, and corresponding contacts of the semiconductor circuits are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. In order to simplify production, the semiconductor circuits (HS) are produced in a common support (12) made of semiconductor material and are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner. Electrically conductive contacts (18) that are connected to the semiconductor circuits (HS) are produced on the surface of the support (12) by metallizing the support. Said support (12) has an expansion (13), which is made of the same material, forming a unit with the same, and which is provided for accommodating additional switching elements or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Merge Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Dag Neumeuer, Martin Brahms
  • Patent number: 7214971
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-receiving device has a substrate including upper, middle and lower regions in its front side. A p-type layer on the lower region has a top surface including a portion on a level with the middle region. An electrode covers at least part of the boundary between the portion of the p-type layer and the middle region. An n-type layer on the p-type layer has a top surface including a portion on a level with the upper region. Another electrode covers at least part of the boundary between the portion of the n-type layer and the upper region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Minoru Niigaki, Kazutoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7157747
    Abstract: A channel isolation region 42 is formed over the entire width of an N-type silicon substrate 41, and photothyristors, in each of which an anode diffusion region 43, a P-gate diffusion region 44, a cathode diffusion region 45 are formed parallel to the channel isolation region 42 over almost the entire width of the N-type silicon substrate 41, are formed in a left-hand portion 40a and in a right-hand portion 40b and are wired inversely parallel. Thus, the inter-channel movement of residual holes during commutation is restrained by the channel isolation region 42, by which commutation failure is suppressed to improve a commutation characteristic. Further, an operating current large enough for controlling a load current of approx. 0.2 A is obtained although a chip is divided by the channel isolation region 42. Therefore, using this bidirectional photothyristor chip makes it possible to implement an inexpensive SSR with a main thyristor eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Mariyama, Masaru Kubo
  • Patent number: 7154136
    Abstract: Regions of an integrated circuit are isolated by a structure that includes at least one isolating trench on the periphery of an active area. The trench is deep, extending at least about 0.5 ?m into the substrate. The isolating structure prevents photons and electrons originating in peripheral circuitry from reaching the active area. Where the substrate has a heavily-doped lower layer and an upper layer on it, the trench can extend through the upper layer to the lower layer. A thermal oxide can be grown on the trench walls. A liner can also be deposited on the sidewalls of each trench. A fill material having a high-extinction coefficient is then deposited over the liner. The liner can also be light absorbent so that both the liner and fill material block photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan G. Cole, Troy Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7151306
    Abstract: A surface of an external electrode 3 of an electronic part 4 is formed with a coating containing resin ingredient. Thereby, adhesion strength and reliability may be significantly improved in mounting an electronic part onto a circuit board 1 through the medium of a conductive adhesive. Further, it will be able to mount an electronic part to an element to be mounted by utilizing a conductive adhesive forming an external electrode 3 as a connecting element. Further, surface roughness (Ra) of an external electrode 3 of an electronic part is set to 0.1 ?m or more and to 10.0 ?m or less and preferably to 1.0 ?m or more and to 5.0 ?m or less. Thereby, adhesion strength with a conductive adhesive may be significantly enhanced in comparison with a conventional electronic part presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kitae, Tsutomu Mitani, Yukihiro Ishimaru, Hiroaki Takezawa
  • Patent number: 7122840
    Abstract: An image sensor device and fabrication method thereof wherein a substrate having at least one shallow trench isolation structure therein is provided. At least one photosensor and at least one light emitting element, e.g., such as MOS or LED, are formed in the substrate. The photosensor and the light emitting element are isolated by the shallow trench isolation structure. An opening is formed in the shallow trench isolation structure to expose part of the substrate. An opaque shield is formed in the opening to prevent photons from the light emitting element from striking the photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Dun-Nian Yaung, Yean-Kuen Fang
  • Patent number: 7102185
    Abstract: An interline transfer type image sensing device that can be operated at high speed and with low image smear is described. The device incorporates a refractory metal layer which is used for both a light shield over the vertical charge transfer region and as a wiring layer for low resistance strapping of poly crystalline silicon (polysilicon) gate electrodes for the vertical charge transfer region. Plugs provided by a separate metallization layer connect the refractory light shield to the polysilicon gate electrode. These plugs allow high temperature processing after refractory light shield patterning for improved sensor performance without degradation of the polysilicon gate electrode or the refractory lightshield layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David N. Nichols, David L. Losee, Christopher Parks
  • Patent number: 7057214
    Abstract: Semiconductor switches, such as thyristors, may be light activated by introducing the light into the switch via a groove having a sloped surface to receive the triggering light. The use of a sloped surface increases the surface path length between points of different electrical potential in the groove and, therefore, reduces the likelihood of electrical breakdown on the groove wall. In one particular embodiment, a light-activated thyristor includes a semiconductor anode layer, an n-base layer, a p-base layer and a semiconductor cathode layer disposed parallel to a thyristor plane. A thyristor axis lies perpendicular to the thyristor plane. A groove having a light refracting side wall extends into the thyristor from the anode layer. A portion of the light refracting side wall is disposed non-parallel to the thyristor plane and to the thyristor axis, and extends in the n-drift layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Optiswitch Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Giorgi, Tajchai Navapanich
  • Patent number: 6982432
    Abstract: A touch type liquid-crystal display device has a liquid-crystal display panel having flexibility, a touch panel provided to adhere closely to a back side, opposite to a visual side, of the liquid-crystal display panel, and electrodes disposed to be opposite to each other through a gap. The electrodes are capable of coming into partial contact with each other by a pressing force to thereby detect an input position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Umemoto, Tomonori Noguchi, Tadayuki Kameyama, Kiichi Shimodaira, Hideo Sugawara, Hidehiko Andou
  • Patent number: 6972477
    Abstract: To make thin a circuit device 10 in which are incorporated a plurality of types of circuit elements 12 that differ in thickness, first conductive patterns, onto which comparatively thin circuit elements 12A are mounted, are formed thickly, and second conductive patterns 11B, onto which comparatively thick second circuit elements 12B are mounted, are formed thinly. Also, fine wiring parts may be formed using the thinly formed second conductive patterns 12B. Thus even in the case where thick circuit elements are incorporated, by affixing such circuit elements onto the thinly formed second conductive patterns 11B, the total thickness can be made thin. Thinning of circuit device 10 as a whole can thus be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Kanto Sanyo Semiconductors Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Igarashi, Nobuhisa Takakusaki, Jun Sakano, Noriaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6828606
    Abstract: Substrates with embedded free space light guiding channels for optical interconnects, and methods for making such substrates are shown. The method comprising steps of a groove in a first generally planar body, and combining the first body with a second generally planar body to form the substrate, and providing input and output ports to enable light to travel into and out of the groove. The first and second bodies may be made of silicon, polymers or combinations of the two. Additional generally planar bodies may be incorporated to provide for complex, 3D optical signal routing within the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Alexei Glebov
  • Patent number: 6809355
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device having a gate structure including an oxide film and a nitride film includes upper layer films (for example, a planarization film, an insulating film, and a protective film) allowing ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 400 nm or less to pass therethrough; and a metal made shield film or an organic film capable of absorbing the ultraviolet rays formed in such a manner as to cover a region of the gate structure (for example, an output gate and a reset gate), excluding a light receiving portion and a transfer portion, of the solid-state imaging device. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the shift of a threshold voltage Vth, and hence to enhance the reliability of the transfer or reset of electric charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushi Wada
  • Patent number: 6809359
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device in which a N-type photoelectric conversion region is formed in a P−-type well region, a light-blocking film and a transparent conductive film are formed on the N-type photoelectric conversion region with a second interlayer insulation film interposed therebetween. By applying a negative voltage to the light-blocking film and the transparent conductive film, a P++-type inversion region is formed in a topmost part of the N-type photoelectric conversion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Yamada
  • Publication number: 20040079961
    Abstract: A photonic digital-to-analog converter employing a plurality of heterojunction thyristor devices that are configured to convert a digital word encoded by a parallel digital optical signal (e.g., a plurality of synchronous optical bits) to an output analog electrical signal whose magnitude corresponds to the digital word. Each heterojunction thyristor device is configured to convert an optical bit in the digital word to a corresponding digital electrical signal. The voltage levels (e.g., magnitudes) of the ON state of the digital electrical signals produced by the heterojunction thyristor devices may be supplied by voltage divider networks coupled between the cathode terminal of the devices and ground potential or voltage reference sources coupled to the input terminals of the heterojunction thyristor devices. In this manner, electrical signals whose magnitude corresponds to contribution of each optical bit in the digital word are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicants: The University of Connecticut, OPEL, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • Patent number: 6724016
    Abstract: A process of fabricating a molecular electronic device that preserves the integrity of the active molecular layer of the electronic device during processing is described. In one aspect, a barrier layer is provided to protect a molecular layer sandwiched between a bottom wire layer and a top wire layer from degradation during patterning of the top wire layer. A molecular electronic device structure and a memory system that are formed from this fabrication process are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Yong Chen
  • Patent number: 6717182
    Abstract: A self-scanning light-emitting element array using an end face light-emitting thyristor having improved external emission efficiency is provided. To improve the external emission efficiency of the end face light-emitting thyristor, the present invention adopts such structure that the current injected from an anode is concentrated to near the end face of the light-emitting thyristor. A self-scanning light-emitting element array is implemented by using such end face light-emitting thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tagami, Yukihisa Kusuda, Seiji Ohno, Nobuyuki Komaba
  • Publication number: 20040061127
    Abstract: There exists a need in the art for an IC package that prevents the popcorn effect through every process step in forming an electronic device, as well as during operation of the device. This need is met by an integrated circuit package and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit package which, during dispensing of an adhesive layer includes at least one via formed by dispensing the adhesive layer in a pattern such that it enables the release of vapor trapped in the integrated circuit package after the attachment of the heat spreader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Xuejun Fan
  • Patent number: 6686658
    Abstract: In accordance with a press contact type semiconductor device, a metallic body having macroscopic vacancies inside is arranged between a main electrode of the semiconductor device and a main electrode plate, or between an intermediate electrode plate arranged on a respective main plane of the semiconductor element and a main electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Kodama, Mitsuo Katou, Mamoru Sawahata
  • Patent number: 6682998
    Abstract: Methods for making a semiconductor assembly and, specifically, interconnecting a semiconductor die to a carrier substrate. The carrier substrate includes a first surface and a second surface with at least one opening therethrough. The die includes an active surface and a back surface, wherein the die is attached facedown to the first surface of the carrier substrate with conductive bumps therebetween. In addition, a plurality of bond wires is attached through the at least one opening in the carrier substrate between the active surface of the die and the second surface of the carrier substrate. With this arrangement, both the conductive bumps and the bond wires share in the electrical interconnection between the die and the carrier substrate, thereby allowing more space for bond pads to interconnect with bond wires and/or allowing for smaller die sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Kinsman
  • Patent number: 6614055
    Abstract: A surface light-emitting element having improved external light emission efficiency and a self-scanning light-emitting device using this surface light-emitting element are provided. To improve external light-emission efficiency, the light-emitting center is shifted to an area where there is no light shielding layer thereon. When the surface light-emitting element is a surface light-emitting thyristor of the PNPN structure, it is necessary to have such a construction that part of the injected current is prevented from flowing toward the gate electrode to improve external light emission efficiency. The self-scanning light-emitting device of this invention is accomplished by using this type of surface light-emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Kusuda, Seiij Ohno, Shunsuke Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 6608389
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a package size close to its chip size is, apart from a stress absorbing layer, such as to effectively absorb thermal stresses. A semiconductor device (150) has a semiconductor chip provided with electrodes (158), a resin layer (152) forming a stress relieving layer provided on the semiconductor chip, wiring (154) formed from the electrodes (158) to over the resin layer (152), and solder balls (157) formed on the wiring (154) over the resin layer (152); the resin layer (152) is formed so as to have a depression (152a) in the surface, and the wiring (154) is formed so as to pass over the depression (152a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto