Light Responsive Structure Patents (Class 257/184)
  • Patent number: 7592645
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention has a plurality of photoreceiving portions provided in a substrate, an interlayer film overlying the photoreceiving portion, a large refractive index region which is provided so as to correspond to the photoreceiving portion and has a higher refractive index than the interlayer film, and a layer which is provided in between the photoreceiving portion and the large refractive index region, and has a lower etching rate than the interlayer film, wherein the layer of the lower etching rate is formed so as to cover at least the whole surface of the photoreceiving portion. In addition, the layer of the lower etching rate has a refractive index in between the refractive indices of the large refractive index region and the substrate. Such a configuration can provide the photoelectric conversion device which inhibits the lowering of the sensitivity and the variation of the sensitivity among picture elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sakae Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7592644
    Abstract: In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein, and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer. Wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomonori Mori
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090218594
    Abstract: A semiconductor photosensitive element comprises: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a first light absorption layer, a first semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, a second light absorption layer, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, arranged in this order on the semiconductor substrate; a first electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type; a second electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate; and a third electrode electrically connecting the first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type to the first semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type. The third electrode is located outside a light detection region for detecting optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eitaro Ishimura, Masaharu Nakaji
  • Publication number: 20090211637
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a heterojunction between semiconductor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: David Eaglesham
  • Patent number: 7579633
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion layer that is stacked on a semiconductor substrate and that has first, second, and third photoelectric conversion regions, and first, second, and third dividing regions. The first dividing region is formed at a predetermined depth from a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer in the first photoelectric conversion region, and divides the first photoelectric conversion region into a first surface side region closer to the surface thereof and a first substrate side region closer to the semiconductor substrate. The first dividing region has a through hole. The second dividing region is formed at substantially the same depth as the first dividing region or at a shallower depth than the first dividing region in the second photoelectric conversion region. The third dividing region is formed at a shallower depth than the second dividing region in the third photoelectric conversion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yushi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7576369
    Abstract: This invention comprises photodiodes, optionally organized in the form of an array, including p+ deep diffused regions or p+ and n+ deep diffused regions. More specifically, the invention permits one to fabricate thin 4 inch and 6 inch wafer using the physical support provided by a n+ deep diffused layer and/or p+ deep diffused layer. Consequently, the present invention delivers high device performances, such as low crosstalk, low radiation damage, high speed, low leakage dark current, and high speed, using a thin active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: UDT Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Steven Bui, Narayan Dass Taneja
  • Patent number: 7576371
    Abstract: Structures and methods to improve the crosstalk between adjacent pixels of back-illuminated photodiode arrays on a substrate having first and second surfaces, including providing a first matrix of regions of a first conductivity type of a higher conductivity than the substrate extending into the substrate from the first surface and surrounding each photodiode of the array, and providing a second matrix of regions of a first conductivity type of a higher conductivity than the substrate extending into the substrate from the second surface, the second matrix being a mirror image of and aligned with the first matrix, the matrices extending into the substrate less than one half the thickness of the substrate so as to not touch each other. The methods and corresponding structures may be applied to p/n diodes, pin diodes, avalanche photodiodes, photoconductive cells (no p-n junction at all), or similar photosensitive device arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Array Optronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander O. Goushcha
  • Patent number: 7569868
    Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device, including a photoelectric conversion element converting light into charges, a transfer gate for transferring the converted charges to a floating node, a source follower transistor for outputting a signal based on a voltage of the floating node to a signal line, and a clip circuit clipping the signal line at a first voltage and a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Watanabe, Tetsuya Itano, Mahito Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7566942
    Abstract: A novel detection pixel micro-structure allowing the simultaneous and continuous detection of several discrete optical frequencies. A focal plane array comprises a plurality of multi-spectral detection pixels and a connecting platform to electrically connect the pixels. Each of the multi-spectral detection pixels form a resonant optical structure that comprises at least two periodic latticed dielectric reflectors, and at least one optical cavity between the said latticed dielectric reflectors. The latticed dielectric reflectors create a plurality of photonic bandgaps in the spectral response of the pixel. In addition, each optical cavity of the pixel comprises at least two optical resonant modes, corresponding to localized Bloch modes supported by the pixel dielectric structure, wherein each optical resonant mode is localized maximally at, and minimally away from, the optical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jean Francois Viens, Anuradha M. Agarwal, Lionel C. Kimerling
  • Publication number: 20090179225
    Abstract: A photo detector device comprising a first layer comprising a first material, and a second layer arranged adjacent to the first layer, the second layer comprising strained silicon, wherein the second layer further comprises a light absorption region located substantially within the strained silicon, wherein the first or the second layer is arranged on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Fertig, Thomas E. Morf, Jonas R. Weiss, Thomas Pflueger, Nikolaj Moll
  • Patent number: 7560751
    Abstract: In a semiconductor photo-detecting element (an avalanche photodiode), a high-sensitivity element is obtained by incorporating a multiplication layer having high-performance multiplication characteristics. By using a structure which reduces an electric field applied to an etching stopper layer, it is possible to use a multiplication layer having higher-performance multiplication characteristics (a multiplication layer which performs multiplication with a high electric field). The first method to realize this is to use a conductivity type multiplication layer. The second method is to use a structure in which a field buffer layer of the second conductivity type is incorporated. As a result of the use of these methods, a structure which applies an electric field lower than the multiplier electrical field to the etching stopper layer is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakata, Kikuo Makita, Atsushi Shono
  • Patent number: 7557387
    Abstract: An ultra high speed APD capable of realizing reduction in an operating voltage and quantum efficiency enhancement at the same time is provided. Under operating conditions APD, a doping concentration distribution of each light absorbing layer is determined so that a p-type light absorbing layer (16) maintains a p-type neutrality except a part thereof, and a low concentration light absorbing layer (15) is depleted. Moreover, a ratio between a layer thickness WAD of the p-type light absorbing layer (16) and a layer thickness WAD of the low concentration light absorbing layer (15) is determined so that WAD>0.3 ?m and a delay time of an element response accompanying a transit of carriers generated in the light absorbing layer by light absorption takes on a local minimum under a condition that a layer thickness WA (=WAN+WAD) of the light absorbing layer is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, NTT Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Ishibashi, Seigo Ando, Yukihiro Hirota
  • Patent number: 7557368
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector (1) for detecting short duration laser light pulses of predetermined wavelength in a light signal (2) comprises a micro-resonator (3) of vertical Fabry-Perot construction having a Bragg mirror pair, namely, a front mirror (5) and a rear mirror (6) with an active region (8) located between the front and rear mirrors (5,6). An N-type substrate (11) supports the rear mirror (6). The light signal (2) is directed into the active region (8) through the front mirror (5) while a pump beam (17) is directed into the active region (8) at an end (18) thereof. The spacing between the front and rear mirrors (5,6) is such as to cause light of the predetermined wavelength to resonate between the mirrors (5,6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: The Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin
    Inventors: John Hegarty, Liam Paul Barry, Herve Armel Francois Folliot, James Christopher O'Gorman
  • Patent number: 7556990
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same improves signal efficiency by reducing a dark signal, and includes a substrate having a first conductive type comprising an image area and a circuit area, a STI isolation layer in the substrate for electrical isolation within the circuit area, and a field oxide in the substrate for electrical isolation within the image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bum Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7557382
    Abstract: A display device according to the present invention comprises an insulating substrate; a switching thin film transistor formed on the insulating substrate for receiving a data voltage has a first semiconductor layer comprising amorphous silicon; a driving thin film transistor formed on the insulating substrate, having a control terminal connected with an output terminal of the switching thin film transistor and includes a second semiconductor layer comprising poly silicon; a light sensor formed on the insulating substrate and comprises a third semiconductor layer and a sensor input terminal and a sensor output terminal electrically connected with the third semiconductor layer; an insulating layer formed on the light sensor; a first electrode formed on the insulating layer and electrically connected with an output terminal of the driving thin film transistor; an organic layer formed on the first electrode and comprises a light emitting layer; a second electrode formed on the organic layer; and a controller whi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-sik Koh, Joon-hoo Choi, Jong-moo Huh, Joon-chul Goh, Young-soo Yoon
  • Patent number: 7550774
    Abstract: An organic EL display unit is manufactured in an efficient manner. A light emission device (1000) is manufactured by bonding together a driving circuit substrate (100) formed with driving circuit constituted by thin film transistors 11, and a light emission substrate (300) comprising a successively laminated transparent electrode layer 31, bank layer 32 made from insulating material, positive hole injection layer 33, organic EL layer 34 and cathode layer 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Inoue, Tatsuya Shimoda, Satoru Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7547927
    Abstract: In an X-Y address type solid state image pickup device represented by a CMOS image sensor, a back side light reception type pixel structure is adopted in which a wiring layer is provided on one side of a silicon layer including photo-diodes formed therein, and visible light is taken in from the other side of the silicon layer, namely, from the side (back side) opposite to the wiring layer. Wiring can be made without taking a light-receiving surface into account, and the degree of freedom in wiring for the pixels is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomonori Mori
  • Publication number: 20090146179
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light detector. The light detector includes a substrate with a planar surface and an array of photodiodes located along the planar surface. Each photodiode has a sequence of different semiconductor layers stacked vertically over the planar surface. The photodiodes are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Kai Chen, Vincent Etienne Houtsma, Andreas Bertold Leven, Nils Guenter Weimann
  • Publication number: 20090146178
    Abstract: A photodiode in which increased sensitivity and speed are balanced. The photodiode includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of active regions formed on the substrate by selective epitaxial growth; and a comb electrode provided for each of the plurality of active regions and in communication with each other to electrically connect the active regions together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: FUJIFILM CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yukiya MIYACHI, Wojciech P. GIZIEWICZ, Jurgen MICHEL, Lionel C. KIMERLING
  • Patent number: 7543565
    Abstract: Optical system for detecting the concentration of combustion products operating in situ and at high temperature based on measurement of the optical absorption of a gaseous mixture of combustion products through a photodetecting sensor based on gallium nitride (GaN), aluminium nitride (AlN), indium nitride (InN) and corresponding alloys. The operating temperature of the sensor preferably lies between 500° C. and 700° C., but the resistance of the active material permits use at even higher temperatures. This system can be used to measure the concentration of chemical species present in combustion products directly at their outlet, where the high operating temperature makes it possible to avoid fouling of the sensor caused by carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous deposits. The rate of response of the system is less than or equal to 1 millisecond and makes it possible to adjust the parameters of an associated combustion process control system in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche - INFM
    Inventors: Domenico La Forgia, Arturo Antonio De Risi, Massimo De Vittorio, Roberto Cingolani, Adriana Passaseo, Mauro Lomascolo
  • Patent number: 7544975
    Abstract: A forward light monitoring photodiode having a high reflection film with low dark current for detecting forward light emitted from a laser diode and power of the laser diode in spite of the change of temperatures or yearly degradation. The high reflection film is made by depositing an SiON layer upon an InP window layer or an InP substrate by a plasma CVD method. Al2O3/Si reciprocal layers or Al2O3/TiO2 reciprocal layers are produced upon the SiON layer. The high reflection film reflects 80%-90% of a 45 degree inclination incidence beam and allows 20%-10% of the incidence beam to pass the film and arrive at the InP window or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inada
  • Publication number: 20090140291
    Abstract: A photo-detector, in which metal wiring for connecting electrodes is arranged on a planarized surface and thus the metal wiring arrangement is simplified, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The photo-detector includes a multi-layer compound semiconductor layer formed on a compound semiconductor substrate. A number of p-n junction diodes are arranged in a regular order in a selected region of the compound semiconductor layer, and an isolation region for individually isolating the p-n junction diodes is formed by implanting impurity ions in the multi-layer compound semiconductor layer. The isolation region and the surface of the compound semiconductor layer are positioned on the same level. The isolation region may be a Fe-impurity region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Eun Soo Nam, Seon Eui Hong, Myoung Sook Oh, Yong Won Kim, Ho Young Kim, Bo Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 7538363
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of light-receiving parts arranged in an array in a substrate and performing photoelectric conversion on incident light; and a plurality of color separators each provided for adjacent four of the light-receiving parts arranged in two rows and two columns. In each of the color separators, absorption color filters and transmission color filters are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuo Nakagawa, Mamoru Honjo, Yoshiaki Nishi
  • Patent number: 7535033
    Abstract: Novel structures of the photodetector having broad spectral ranges detection capability are provided. The photodetector can offer high quantum efficiency >95% over wide spectral ranges, high frequency response >10 GHz (@3 dB). The photodiode array of N×N elements is also provided. The array can also offer wide spectral detection ranges ultraviolet to 2500 nm with high quantum efficiency >95% and high quantum efficiency of >10 GHz, cross-talk of <1%. In the array, each photodiode can be independently addressable and can be made either as top-illuminated or as bottom illuminated type detector. The photodiode and its array provided in this invention, could be used in multiple purpose applications such as telecommunication, imaging and sensing applications including surveillance, satellite tracking, advanced lidar systems, etc. The advantages of this photodetectors are that they are uncooled and performance will not be degraded under wide range of temperature variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Banpil Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Achyut Kumar Dutta
  • Patent number: 7535027
    Abstract: An amorphous-silicon thin film transistor and a shift register shift having the amorphous-silicon TFT include a first conductive region, a second conductive region and a third conductive region. The first conductive region is formed on a first plane spaced apart from a substrate by a first distance. The second conductive region is formed on a second plane spaced apart from the substrate by a second distance. The second conductive region includes a body conductive region and two hand conductive regions elongated from both ends of the body conductive region to form an LI-shape. The third conductive region is formed on the second plane. The third conductive region includes an elongated portion. The elongated portion is disposed between the two hand conductive regions of the second conductive region. The amorphous-silicon TFT and the shift register having the amorphous TFT reduce a parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hwan Moon, Back-Won Lee
  • 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: 7521737
    Abstract: A method of fabricating light-sensing devices including photodiodes monolithically integrated with CMOS devices. Several types of photodiode devices (PIN, HIP) are expitaxially grown in one single step on active areas implanted in a common semiconductor substrate, the active areas having defined polarities. The expitaxially grown layers for the photodiode devices may be either undoped or in-situ doped with profiles suitable for their respective operation. With appropriate choice of substrate materials, device layers and heterojunction engineering and process architecture, it is possible to fabricate silicon-based and germanium-based multi-spectral sensors that can deliver pixel density and cost of fabrication comparable to the state of the art CCDs and CMOS image sensors. The method can be implemented with epitaxially deposited films on the following substrates: Silicon Bulk, Thick-Film and Thin-Film Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI), Germanium Bulk, Thick-Film and Thin-Film Geranium-On-Insulator (GeOI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Quantum Semiconductor LLC
    Inventor: Carlos J. R. P. Augusto
  • Publication number: 20090095349
    Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of fence layers of a semiconductor material and a plurality of alternating layers of quantum dots of a second semiconductor material embedded between and in direct contact with a third semiconductor material disposed in a stack between a p-type and n-type semiconductor material. Each quantum dot of the second semiconductor material and the third semiconductor material form a heterojunction having a type II band alignment. A method for fabricating such a device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Guodan Wei, Kuen-Ting Shiu
  • Publication number: 20090088843
    Abstract: The invention relates to imparting photoreactivity to target cells, e.g., retinal cells, by introducing photoresponsive functional abiotic nanosystems (FANs), nanometer-scale semiconductor/metal or semiconductor/semiconductor hetero-junctions that in this case include a photovoltaic effect. The invention further provides methods of making and using FANs, where the hetero-junctions bear surface functionalization that localizes them in cell membranes. Illumination of these hetero-junctions incorporated in cell membranes generates photovoltages that depolarize the membranes, such as those of nerve cells, in which FANs photogenerate action potentials. Incorporating FANs into the cells of a retina with damaged photoreceptor cells reintroduces photoresponsiveness to the retina, so that light creates action potentials that the brain interprets as sight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Siyuan Lu, Anupam Madhukar, Mark S. Humayun
  • Patent number: 7504672
    Abstract: A photodiode for detection of preferably infrared radiation wherein photons are absorbed in one region and detected in another. In one example embodiment, an absorbing P region is abutted with an N region of lower doping such that the depletion region is substantially (preferably completely) confined to the N region. The N region is also chosen with a larger bandgap than the P region, with compositional grading of a region of the N region near the P region. This compositional grading mitigates the barrier between the respective bandgaps. Under reverse bias, the barrier is substantially reduced or disappears, allowing charge carriers to move from the absorbing P region into the N region (and beyond) where they are detected. The N region bandgap is chosen to be large enough that the dark current is limited by thermal generation from the field-free p-type absorbing volume, and also large enough to eliminate tunnel currents in the wide gap region of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Kinch
  • Publication number: 20090057537
    Abstract: An image sensor including a substrate, at least one metal layer, and a plurality of pixels arranged in array. Each pixel includes a sense element disposed in the substrate and at least one metal interconnect segment disposed in the at least one metal layer. The array includes a pair of perpendicular axes extending from an optical center, wherein for a line of pixels extending perpendicularly from one of the axes to a peripheral edge of the array a spacing between the sense elements of consecutive pairs of pixels of the line is at least equal to a spacing between the associated at least one metal interconnect segments, and wherein for at least one consecutive pair of pixels of the line the spacing between the sense elements is greater by an incremental amount than the spacing between the corresponding at least one metal interconnect segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. SILSBY, WILLIAM G. GAZELEY, MATTHEW M. BORG
  • Patent number: 7492025
    Abstract: A photo coupler includes a semiconductor laser, a semiconductor light-receiver, a resin protector, a reflective film, a light pipe, and electrodes. The light pipe is made of resin, has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided so as to surround an outer circumferential portion of the semiconductor light-receiver. On a center portion of an upper surface of the light pipe, a recessed portion shaped in a frustum of quadrangular pyramid tapered toward the semiconductor light-receiver is formed. The reflective film is shaped in a frustum surface of pyramid tapered toward the semiconductor light-receiver, and is formed on side surfaces of the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamazaki, Jun Ichihara
  • Publication number: 20090039387
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes a layered substrate made of silicon and composed of, for example, an N-type substrate, a P-type layer, and an N-type layer. In the layered substrate, an imaging region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged and a peripheral circuit region are formed. A recess reaching the reverse face of the P-type layer is formed in a reverse face portion of the layered substrate in the imaging region, and a reflective film is formed on at least the inner face of the recess. Light is reflected on the reverse face and the obverse face of the layered substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Toru Okino, Mitsuyoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 7485898
    Abstract: Subjected to obtain a crystalline TFT which simultaneously prevents increase of OFF current and deterioration of ON current. A gate electrode of a crystalline TFT is comprised of a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode formed in contact with the first gate electrode and a gate insulating film. LDD region is formed by using the first gate electrode as a mask, and a source region and a drain region are formed by using the second gate electrode as a mask. By removing a portion of the second gate electrode, a structure in which a region where LDD region and the second gate electrode overlap with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween, and a region where LDD region and the second gate electrode do not overlap, is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Setsuo Nakajima, Hisashi Ohtani, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7482195
    Abstract: A method of purifying small molecule organic material, performed as a series of operations beginning with a first sample of the organic small molecule material. The first step is to purify the organic small molecule material by thermal gradient sublimation. The second step is to test the purity of at least one sample from the purified organic small molecule material by spectroscopy. The third step is to repeat the first through third steps on the purified small molecule material if the spectroscopic testing reveals any peaks exceeding a threshold percentage of a magnitude of a characteristic peak of a target organic small molecule. The steps are performed at least twice. The threshold percentage is at most 10%. Preferably the threshold percentage is 5% and more preferably 2%. The threshold percentage may be selected based on the spectra of past samples that achieved target performance characteristics in finished devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Rhonda F. Salzman, Stephen R. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7479658
    Abstract: A technique for suppressing the bowing of an epitaxial wafer is provided. The epitaxial wafer is prepared by successively epitaxially growing a target group III-nitride layer, an interlayer and another group III-nitride layer on a substrate with a buffer layer. The interlayer is mainly composed of a mixed crystal of GaN and InN expressed in a general formula (GaxIny)N (0?x?1, 0?y?1, x+y=1) (or a crystal of GaN), and does not contain Al. The interlayer is epitaxially formed at a lower growth temperature than those of the group III-nitride layers, more specifically at a temperature in a range of at least 350° C. to not more than 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakai, Mitsuhiro Tanaka, Takashi Egawa
  • Publication number: 20090001412
    Abstract: The invention offers a photodetector that has an N-containing InGaAs-based absorption layer having a sensitivity in the near-infrared region and that suppresses the dark current and a production method thereof. The photodetector is provided with an InP substrate 1, an N-containing InGaAs-based absorption layer 3 positioned above the InP substrate 1, a window layer 5 positioned above the N-containing InGaAs-based absorption layer 3, and an InGaAs buffer layer 4 positioned between the N-containing InGaAs-based absorption layer 3 and the window layer 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Yasuhiro Iguchi, Kouhei Miura
  • Patent number: 7470940
    Abstract: An UV detector, comprising: a sapphire substrate; a high temperature AlN buffer layer grown on the sapphire substrate; an intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer grown on the high temperature AlN buffer layer; a GaN epitaxial layer deposited on the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer; a Schottky junction formed on top of the GaN epitaxial layer; and a plurality of ohmic contacts also formed on top of the GaN epitaxial layer, wherein, the high temperature AlN buffer layer and the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer together form a double buffer layer structure so as to improve the reliability and radiation hardness of the UV detector; and wherein the high temperature AlN buffer layer and the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer are formed by RF-plasma enhanced MBE growth technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Charles Surya, Patrick Wai-Keung Fong
  • Patent number: 7470069
    Abstract: A structure for electronics package for module packaging and a method of manufacturing a single chip module (SCM) or multi-chip module (MCM) for an opto-electronic package having an improved structure for heat dissipation and testing is disclosed. The optical transceivers are ideally located on a surface opposite to the electrical portion of the package. Variations on the module package include pluggable or socketed optical transceivers and card pacers that allow for the installation of multiple optical transceivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Jan Offrein, Folkert Horst, Laurent Dellmann, Casimer M DeCusatis
  • Publication number: 20080315252
    Abstract: An image sensor provides enhanced integration of transistor circuitry and photo diodes. The image sensor simultaneously improves resolution and sensitivity. An image sensor an a method for manufacturing prevents defects in a photo diode by adopting a vertical photo diode structure. An image sensor includes a substrate which may include at least one circuit element. A bottom electrode and a first conductive layer may be sequentially formed over the substrate. A strained intrinsic layer may be formed over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer may be formed over the strained intrinsic layer. An upper electrode may be formed over the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Cheon Man Shim
  • Patent number: 7462889
    Abstract: An avalanche photodiode according to this invention include a light receiving region 101 surrounded by a ring-shaped trench 13, a first electrode 11 formed on the light receiving region 101, a second electrode 12 formed on the periphery of the ring-shaped trench 13 surrounding the light receiving region, a first semiconductor layer lying just under the first electrode 11, and a second semiconductor layer lying just under the second electrode 12. Conductivity types of the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Yagyu, Nobuyuki Tomita, Eitaro Ishimura, Masaharu Nakaji
  • Publication number: 20080290368
    Abstract: A photovoltaic semiconductor apparatus for use in forming a solar cell with shallow emitter is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second adjacent oppositely doped volumes of semiconductor material forming a semiconductor heterojunction. The apparatus also includes a first passivation layer of material on the front side, the first passivation layer having a first outer surface and a plurality of openings therethrough defining corresponding unpassivated areas of the front side that are unpassivated by the first passivation layer. The apparatus further includes a first conductive anti-reflective coating on the first outer surface of the passivation layer and on the corresponding unpassivated areas of the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: DAY4 ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Leonid Rubin
  • Patent number: 7455795
    Abstract: Materials are described for producing memory cells which have a size in the nanometer range and include a CT complex located between two electrodes. The CT complex includes thiophene derivatives, pyrrole derivatives or phthalocyanines together with naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid, dianhydrides, diamides, fullerenes or perylene compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Guenter Schmid, Peter Baeuerle, Elena Mean-Osteritz, Marcus Halik, Hagen Klauk
  • Patent number: 7449727
    Abstract: An LED incorporating an overvoltage protector with a minimum of space requirement. The LED itself comprises a p-type semiconductor substrate, a light-generating semiconductor region grown epitaxially thereon, a first electrode on the light-generating semiconductor region, and a second electrode on the underside of the substrate. The standard method of LED fabrication is such that the substrate is notionally divisible into a main portion in register with the overlying light-generating semiconductor region and, surrounding the main portion, a tubular marginal portion needed for dicing the wafer into individual squares or dice. The overvoltage protector comprises an n-type semiconductor film formed on the marginal portion of the substrate and held against the side surfaces of the light-generating semiconductor region via an insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Sato, Mikio Tazima, Tetsuji Moku, Arei Niwa, Yasuhiro Kamii
  • Publication number: 20080272391
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are implemented using efficient silicon compatible integrated light communicators. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device is implemented for communicating light, such as by detecting, modulating or emitting light. The device has a silicon-seeding location, an insulator layer and a second layer on the insulator layer. The second layer includes a silicon-on-insulator region and an active region surrounded by the silicon-on-insulator region and connected to the silicon-seeding location. The active region includes a single-crystalline germanium-based material that extends from the silicon-seeding location through a passageway with a cross-sectional area that is sufficiently small to mitigate crystalline growth defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Pawan Kapur, Michael West Wiemer
  • Publication number: 20080273567
    Abstract: A III-V semiconductor waveguide is coupled with a Si waveguide to form a hybrid structure. Spatial location of the optical mode (or supermode) of the hybrid structure is controlled by controlling at least one between the geometry and the refractive index of the structure, e.g., varying width of the Si waveguide. Control of such spatial location allows location of the optical mode either almost entirely in the III-V semiconductor waveguide or almost entirely in the Si waveguide, thus allowing various optical arrangements to be obtained according to the location of the optical mode and the proprieties of the waveguides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Amnon YARIV, Xiankai SUN
  • Patent number: 7442953
    Abstract: A device comprising a number of different wavelength-selective active-layers arranged in a vertical stack, having band-alignment and work-function engineered lateral contacts to said active-layers, consisting of a contact-insulator and a conductor-insulator. Photons of different energies are selectively absorbed in or emitted by the active-layers. Contact means are arranged separately on the lateral sides of the vertical stack for injecting charge carriers into the photon-emitting layers and extracting charge carriers generated in the photon-absorbing layers. The device can be used for various applications for light emission or light absorption. The stack of active layers may also include top and bottom electrodes whereby the device can also be operated as a FET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Quantum Semiconductor LLC
    Inventor: Carlos J. R. P. Augusto
  • Publication number: 20080258174
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device including an optical member and a contact layer stacked on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the optical member. The contact layer has at least one transparent conducting oxynitride (TCON) layer. The TCON consists of at least one of indium (In), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), and palladium (Pd).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Tae-Yeon Seong
  • Patent number: 7439554
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a photoelectric conversion portion formed on a semiconductor substrate, a first transparent film provided on the photoelectric conversion portion, and an interlayer lens provided on the first transparent film at a position corresponding to the photoelectric conversion portion, in which the interlayer lens has a higher refractive index than the first transparent film, and at least one of upper and lower surfaces of a second transparent film formed with a thin film multilayer structure of two or more types of compounds is formed to have a protruded shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Nakai, Tetsuro Aoki