Field Effect Transistor Patents (Class 257/192)
  • Patent number: 9595594
    Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor region having a surface in which a step is formed; a first electrode formed so as to overlie the upper surface of the step, the upper surface being a non-polar face; and a second electrode formed along a side surface of the step so as to be spaced apart from the first electrode in a vertical direction, the side surface being a polar face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Lei Zhu
  • Patent number: 9595633
    Abstract: On the well layer, a first InGaN protective layer is formed at the same temperature employed for the well layer through MOCVD. TMI is pulse supplied. A TMI supply amount is kept constant at a predetermined value of more than 0 ?mol/min and not more than 2 ?mol/min. Moreover, a duty ratio is kept constant at a predetermined value of more than 0 and not more than 0.95. The In composition ratio of the first protective layer is almost directly proportional to the duty ratio. The In composition ratio of the first protective layer can be easily and accurately controlled by controlling the duty ratio so as to have an In composition ratio within a range of more than 0 at % and not more than 3 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Nakamura, Misato Boyama
  • Patent number: 9590048
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic device includes a semiconductor layer having a surface, a gate and a first current electrode on the surface and a dielectric layer extending between the gate and the first current electrode and including charged ions having a predetermined charge profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Prechtl, Clemens Ostermaier, Oliver Häberlen
  • Patent number: 9589951
    Abstract: Performance of a semiconductor device is improved. The semiconductor device includes a substrate composed of silicon, a semiconductor layer composed of p-type nitride semiconductor provided on the substrate, and a transistor including a channel layer provided on the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device further includes an n-type source region provided in the channel layer, and an n-type drain region provided in the channel layer separately from the source region in a plan view. Each of the source region and the drain region is in contact with the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Nagumo, Takashi Hase, Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Ippei Kume
  • Patent number: 9590085
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a fin in a layer of III-V compound semiconductor material on a silicon-on-insulator substrate; forming a semiconductor extension on the fin, the semiconductor extension comprising a III-V compound semiconductor material that is different from a material forming the fin in the III-V compound semiconductor layer; forming a dummy gate structure and a spacer across and perpendicular to the fin; forming a source/drain layer on a top surface of the substrate adjacent to the dummy gate structure; planarizing the source/drain layer; removing the dummy gate structure to expose a portion of the semiconductor extension on the fin; removing the exposed portion of the semiconductor extension; etching the semiconductor extension to undercut the spacer; and forming a replacement gate structure in place of the removed dummy gate structure and removed exposed portion of the semiconductor extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 9590068
    Abstract: A multi-gate transistor includes a semiconductor fin over a substrate. The semiconductor fin includes a central fin formed of a first semiconductor material; and a semiconductor layer having a first portion and a second portion on opposite sidewalls of the central fin. The semiconductor layer includes a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The multi-gate transistor further includes a gate electrode wrapping around sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; and a source region and a drain region on opposite ends of the semiconductor fin. Each of the central fin and the semiconductor layer extends from the source region to the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Ko, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 9590040
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming a sacrificial fin structure above a semiconductor substrate, forming a layer of insulating material around the sacrificial fin structure, removing the sacrificial fin structure so as to define a replacement fin cavity in the layer of insulating material that exposes an upper surface of the substrate, forming a replacement fin in the replacement fin cavity on the exposed upper surface of the substrate, recessing the layer of insulating material, and forming a gate structure around at least a portion of the replacement fin exposed above the recessed layer of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Murat Kerem Akarvardar, Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob
  • Patent number: 9583607
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure forming a carrier channel, a barrier layer arranged in proximity with the semiconductor structure, and a set of electrodes for providing and controlling carrier charge in the carrier channel. The barrier layer is at least partially doped by impurities having a conductivity type opposite to a conductivity type of the carrier channel. The material of the barrier layer has a bandgap and thermal conductivity larger than a bandgap and thermal conductivity of material in the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Koon Hoo Teo, Yuhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9577084
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer stacked body, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer stacked body. The semiconductor layer stacked body includes a first nitride semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a second nitride semiconductor layer formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device further includes a third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the second nitride semiconductor layer and disposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode formed on the third nitride semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device includes a first magnesium-containing region having a magnesium concentration of 1×1018 cm?3 or more that is provided right under the third nitride semiconductor layer, from an upper surface of the second nitride semiconductor layer to a position lower than an interface between the first nitride semiconductor layer and the second nitride semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hikita, Hideyuki Okita
  • Patent number: 9576950
    Abstract: A device includes a transition metal dichalcogenide layer having a first edge with a zigzag atomic configuration. A metallic material has a portion overlapping the transition metal dichalcogenide layer. The metallic material has a second edge contacting the first edge of the transition metal dichalcogenide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yee-Chia Yeo, Ling-Yen Yeh
  • Patent number: 9570614
    Abstract: Ge and III-V channel semiconductor devices having maximized compliance and free surface relaxation and methods of fabricating such Ge and III-V channel semiconductor devices are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor fin has a central protruding or recessed segment spaced apart from a pair of protruding outer segments along a length of the semiconductor fin. A cladding layer region is disposed on the central protruding or recessed segment of the semiconductor fin. A gate stack is disposed on the cladding layer region. Source/drain regions are disposed in the pair of protruding outer segments of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Pillarisetty, Sansaptak Dasgupta, Niti Goel, Van H. Le, Marko Radosavljevic, Gilbert Dewey, Niloy Mukherjee, Matthew V. Metz, Willy Rachmady, Jack T. Kavalieros, Benjamin Chu-Kung, Harold W. Kennel, Stephen M. Cea, Robert S. Chau
  • Patent number: 9570598
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first layer. The first layer comprises a first III-V semiconductor material. The semiconductor structure also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a second III-V semiconductor material different from the first III-V semiconductor material. The semiconductor structure further comprises an insulating layer over the second layer. The insulating layer is patterned to expose a portion of the first layer. The exposed portion of the first layer comprises electrons of the second layer. The semiconductor structure additionally comprises an intermetallic compound over the exposed portion of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chih Chen, Chun-Wei Hsu, Fu-Chih Yang, Fu-Wei Yao, Chun Lin Tsai, Jiun-Lei Jerry Yu
  • Patent number: 9570597
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a channel supply layer that induces a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a channel layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode that are at sides of the channel supply layer, a depletion-forming layer that is on the channel supply layer and contacts the source electrode, a gate insulating layer on the depletion-forming layer, and a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer. The depletion-forming layer forms a depletion region in the 2DEG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-chul Jeon, Jong-seob Kim, Ki-yeol Park, Young-hwan Park, Jai-kwang Shin, Jae-joon Oh, Jong-bong Ha, Sun-kyu Hwang
  • Patent number: 9564606
    Abstract: A nanotube assembly including a nanotube layer, a first layer and a second layer. The nanotube layer comprises a vertically aligned nanotube array. The nanotube array includes a plurality of nanotubes. The first layer of a first conductive material is disposed on one surface of the nanotube layer. The second layer of a second conductive material is disposed on an opposite surface of the nanotube layer. The nanotube of the nanotube layer includes a first end against the first layer and a second end against the second layer. The resistance from the first end to the first layer is lower than a resistance from the second end to the second layer. One or more nano-particles are placed within the nanotube. At least one of the nano-particles is electrically charged, and can move along the nanotube under influence of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Tomanek, Wei Han
  • Patent number: 9564525
    Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes: a substrate; and a buffer layer, a first carrier supply layer, a first spacer layer, a channel layer, a second spacer layer, a second carrier supply layer, and a contact layer provided in order on the substrate, wherein the first carrier supply layer is a uniformly doped layer in which an impurity is uniformly doped, the second carrier supply layer is a planar doped layer in which an impurity is locally doped, and no Al mixed crystal layer having higher resistance values than the first and second spacer layers is provided between the buffer layer and the first spacer layer and between the second spacer layer and the contact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Hatakenaka, Harunaka Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9559173
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes: a channel layer, a barrier layer, a first insulating film, and a second insulating film, each of which is formed above a substrate; a trench that penetrates the second insulating film, the first insulating film, and the barrier layer to reach the middle of the channel layer; and a gate electrode arranged in the trench and over the second insulating film via a gate insulating film. The bandgap of the second insulating film is smaller than that of the first insulating film, and the bandgap of the second insulating film is smaller than that of the gate insulating film GI. Accordingly, a charge (electron) can be accumulated in the second (upper) insulating film, thereby allowing the electric field strength at a corner of the trench to be improved. As a result, a channel is fully formed even at a corner of the trench, thereby allowing an ON-resistance to be reduced and an ON-current to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9559209
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A first source/drain layer is formed over a substrate. A channel layer is formed over the first source/drain layer. A second source/drain layer is formed over the channel layer. The first source/drain layer, the channel layer, and the second source/drain layer are patterned to form a fin-shaped structure. A gate stack is formed on a sidewall of the fin-shaped structure. The fin-shaped structure is patterned to expose a top surface of the first source/drain layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chee Wee Liu, Samuel C. Pan, I-Hsieh Wong, Hung-Yu Yeh
  • Patent number: 9553152
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer which is formed over a substrate and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a second semiconductor layer which is formed over the first semiconductor layer and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a third semiconductor layer which is formed over the second semiconductor layer and is formed from a nitride semiconductor; a source electrode and a drain electrode which are formed over the third semiconductor layer; an opening which is formed in the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode; an insulating layer which is formed on a side surface and a bottom surface of the opening; and a gate electrode which is formed in the opening through the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ohki, Lei Zhu, Naoya Okamoto, Yuichi Minoura, Shirou Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9548381
    Abstract: A heterojunction tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) has a channel region that includes a first portion of a nanowire, a source region and a drain region that respectively include a second portion and a third portion of a nanowire, and a gate that surrounds the channel region, where the first portion of the nanowire comprises an intrinsic, epitaxial III-V semiconductor. The TFET can be made by selectively etching the epitaxial underlayer to define a tethered (suspended) nanowire that forms a channel region of the device. Source and drain regions can be formed from regrown p-type and n-type epitaxial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Siddarth A. Krishnan, Unoh Kwon, Vijay Narayanan, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 9548343
    Abstract: A flexible display includes: a first flexible substrate; an intermediate barrier layer positioned on the first flexible substrate and comprising silicon oxide; an adhesive layer positioned on the intermediate barrier layer and comprising at least one of amorphous silicon on which a P-type or N-type conductive impurity is doped, or hydrogenated amorphous silicon; a second flexible substrate positioned on the adhesive layer; a first barrier layer positioned on the second flexible substrate and comprising silicon oxide; a second barrier layer positioned on the first barrier layer and comprising silicon nitride; a buffer layer positioned on the second barrier layer and comprising silicon oxide; a thin film transistor positioned on the buffer layer; and an organic light emitting element connected to the thin film transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 9548204
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor layer that is made of a gallium-containing group III-V compound; and a first insulating film that is in contact with the semiconductor layer and contains silicon. An average density of gallium in the first insulating film between an interface of the first insulating film and the semiconductor layer and a plane away from the interface by 30 nm is less than 1.0×1018 cm?3. This configuration suppresses a decrease in flat band voltage and a decrease in threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junya Nishii, Tohru Oka
  • Patent number: 9543402
    Abstract: A diode includes a two-dimensional electron gas formed in a heterojunction defined between first and second semiconductor material layers. First and second layers of insulating material are disposed on the second semiconductor layer. First and second electrodes are disposed in the second layer of insulating material. The first electrode is coupled to the second semiconductor material layer. The second electrode is coupled to the heterojunction. Third and fourth layers of insulating material are disposed on the second insulating layer. A first via is disposed in the fourth layer of insulating material and coupled to the second electrode. A first field plate is disposed in the fourth layer of insulating material. An edge of the first field plate laterally extends towards first via. The first via is separated from an edge of the first via. The first field plate is coupled to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexey Kudymov, Jamal Ramdani
  • Patent number: 9530877
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a III-nitride transistor includes a conduction channel formed between first and second III-nitride bodies, the conduction channel including a two-dimensional electron gas. The transistor also includes at least one gate dielectric layer having a charge confined within to cause an interrupted region of the conduction channel and a gate electrode operable to restore the interrupted region of the conduction channel. The transistor can be an enhancement mode transistor. In one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is a silicon nitride layer. In another embodiment, the at least one gate dielectric layer is a silicon oxide layer. The charge can be ion implanted into the at least one gate dielectric layer. The at least one gate dielectric layer can also be grown with the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventor: Michael A. Briere
  • Patent number: 9530686
    Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a semiconductor layer resting on an insulator and having a substantially planar upper surface. The semiconductor layer extends down to a first depth in the channel region, and down to a second depth, greater than the first depth, in the source and drain regions. In the channel region, the semiconductor layer is formed from a portion of an upper semiconductor layer of a silicon on insulator substrate. In the source and drain regions, the semiconductor layer is formed by epitaxially grown semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Gregory Bidal
  • Patent number: 9530845
    Abstract: A frequency multiplier based on a low dimensional semiconductor structure, including an insulating substrate layer, a semiconductor conducting layer arranged on the surface of the insulating substrate layer, an insulating protective layer arranged on the surface of the semiconductor conducting layer, an insulating carving groove penetrating the semiconductor conducting layer, an inlet electrode arranged on the side surface of the semiconductor conducting layer, and an outlet electrode arranged on the side surface corresponding to the access electrode is provided. The semiconductor conducting layer comprises two two-dimensional, quasi-one-dimensional, or one-dimensional current carrying channels near to and parallel to each other. The frequency multiplier has advantages that the structure is simple, the process is easy to implement, no extra filter circuit needs to be added, dependence on material characteristics is little, and the selection range of materials is wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kunyuan Xu
  • Patent number: 9530879
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a field effect transistor including a substrate, a lower barrier layer provided on the substrate, a channel layer provided on the lower barrier layer, an electron supplying layer provided on the channel layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode provided on the electron layer, and a gate electrode provided between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The lower barrier layer includes a composition of In1-zAlzN (0?z?1). The channel layer includes a composition of AlxGa1-xN (0?x?1). A recess is provided in a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode, wherein the recess goes through the electron supplying layer to a depth that exposes the channel layer, and the gate electrode is disposed on a gate insulating film that covers a bottom surface and an inner wall surface of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Okamoto, Yuji Ando, Tatsuo Nakayama, Takashi Inoue, Kazuki Ota
  • Patent number: 9524910
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. An example method may include: forming a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer sequentially on a substrate; patterning the second and first semiconductor layers to form an initial fin; forming an isolation layer on the substrate, wherein the isolation layer exposes partially the first semiconductor layer, and thus defines a fin above the isolation layer; and forming a gate stack intersecting the fin on the isolation layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer comprises a compound semiconductor, with at least one component whose concentration has a graded distribution in a stack direction of the first and second semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Huilong Zhu
  • Patent number: 9520489
    Abstract: Characteristics of a semiconductor device are improved. The semiconductor device is configured to provide a trench that penetrates a barrier layer, and reaches a middle portion of a channel layer among an n+ layer, an n-type layer, a p-type layer, the channel layer, and the barrier layer which are formed above a substrate, a gate electrode arranged within the groove through a gate insulating film, and a source electrode and a drain electrode which are formed above the barrier layer on both sides of the gate electrode. The n-type layer and the drain electrode are electrically coupled to each other by a connection portion that reaches the n+ layer. The p-type layer and the source electrode are electrically coupled to each other by a connection portion that reaches the p-type layer. A diode including a p-type layer and an n-type layer is provided between the source electrode and the drain electrode, to thereby prevent the breaking of an element caused by an avalanche breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakayama, Hironobu Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Okamoto, Yoshinao Miura, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9515093
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array panel is provided as follows. A gate electrode is disposed on a substrate. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate electrode. A gate insulating layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. A source electrode is disposed on a first side of the semiconductor layer, having a first lateral surface. A drain electrode is disposed on a second side of the semiconductor layer, having a second lateral surface. The first and second lateral surfaces define a spacing which overlaps the gate electrode. A metal silicide layer is disposed on the first and second lateral surfaces. A passivation layer is disposed on the metal silicide layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode. The passivation layer is not in contact with the first and second lateral surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhu Xun, Jae Woo Park, Jae Won Song, Keum Hee Lee, June Whan Choi
  • Patent number: 9508794
    Abstract: A non-planar semiconductor structure includes mixed n-and-p type raised semiconductor structures, e.g., fins, having epitaxial structures grown on top surfaces thereof, for example, epitaxial silicon and silicon germanium, naturally growing into a diamond shape. The surface area of the epitaxial structures is increased by removing portion(s) thereof, masking each type as the other type is grown and then subsequently modified by the removal. The removal may create multi-head (e.g., dual-head) epitaxial structures, together with the neck of the respective raised structure resembling a Y-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Changyong Xiao, Xiang Hu, Wanxun He
  • Patent number: 9502312
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor transistor is presented. The semiconductor structure has a gate region forming a channel with repetitive patterns in the direction perpendicular to the current flow, so that the portion of its channel that is not strictly planar contributes to a significant reduction of the silicon area occupied by the device. It offers the advantage of lower on-resistance for the same silicon area while improving on its dynamic performances. The additional cost to shape the channel region of the device in periodic repetitive patterns is minimum, which makes the present invention easy to implement in any conventional CMOS process technology and very cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Fabio Alessio Marino, Paolo Menegoli
  • Patent number: 9502420
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a material stack of, from bottom to top, a relaxed and n-type doped silicon germanium alloy layer and a relaxed silicon germanium alloy layer, each layer having a uniform germanium content, on a surface of a relaxed and graded silicon germanium alloy buffer layer that is located within a pFET device region of a semiconductor substrate. Next, the relaxed silicon germanium alloy layer is patterned to provide at least one relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin having the uniform germanium content on the relaxed and n-type doped silicon germanium alloy layer. A strained germanium layer is then formed surrounding the at least one relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin. A portion of the strained germanium layer and the at least one relaxed silicon germanium alloy fin can be used as composited channel material for fabricating a pFinFET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Lisa F. Edge, Pranita Kerber, Qiqing C. Ouyang, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9496137
    Abstract: Group III-nitride devices are described that include a stack of III-nitride layers, passivation layers, and conductive contacts. The stack includes a channel layer with a 2DEG channel, a barrier layer and a spacer layer. One passivation layer directly contacts a surface of the spacer layer on a side opposite to the channel layer and is an electrical insulator. The stack of III-nitride layers and the first passivation layer form a structure with a reverse side proximate to the first passivation layer and an obverse side proximate to the barrier layer. Another passivation layer is on the obverse side of the structure. Defected nucleation and stress management layers that form a buffer layer during the formation process can be partially or entirely removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal
  • Patent number: 9496401
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure containing a multiple threshold voltage III-V device is provided. The III-V device includes a III-V compound semiconductor core portion and a III-V compound semiconductor shell portion. The III-V compound semiconductor core and shell portions are virtually defect-free. The III-V compound semiconductor core portion of the III-V device is used for back-gating to achieve multiple threshold voltages. The III-V compound semiconductor shell portion of the III-V device is used as a channel material for a field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corpoartion
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Keith E. Fogel, Pouya Hashemi, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9490356
    Abstract: Methods for forming a high-quality III-nitride passivation layer on an AlGaN/GaN HEMT. A III-nitride passivation layer is formed on the surface of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT by means of atomic layer epitaxy (ALE), either before or after deposition of a gate metal electrode on the AlGaN barrier layer. Depending on the gate metal and/or the passivation material used, the III-nitride passivation layer can be formed by ALE at temperatures between about 300° C. and about 85020 C. In a specific embodiment, the III-nitride passivation layer can be an AlN layer formed by ALE at about 550° C. after deposition of a Schottky metal gate electrode. The III-nitride passivation layer can be grown so as to conformally cover the entire device, providing a hermetic seal that protects the against environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Andrew D. Koehler, Travis J. Anderson, Karl D. Hobart, Francis J. Kub
  • Patent number: 9484421
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a nitride semiconductor layer, a plurality of source electrodes provided on the nitride semiconductor layer, a plurality of drain electrodes, a plurality of gate electrodes, a first interconnection having a first distance from the nitride semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the source electrodes, a second interconnection electrically connecting the gate electrodes, and a third interconnection having a third distance from the nitride semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the drain electrodes. Each of the drain electrodes are provided between the source electrodes. Each of the gate electrodes are provided between each of the source electrodes and each of the drain electrodes. The third distance is larger than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yosuke Kajiwara, Kentaro Ikeda, Hisashi Saito, Masahiko Kuraguchi
  • Patent number: 9484432
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming transistor devices having reduced parasitic contact resistance relative to conventional devices. The techniques can be implemented, for example, using a standard contact stack such as a series of metals on, for example, silicon or silicon germanium (SiGe) source/drain regions. In accordance with one example such embodiment, an intermediate boron doped germanium layer is provided between the source/drain and contact metals to significantly reduce contact resistance. Numerous transistor configurations and suitable fabrication processes will be apparent in light of this disclosure, including both planar and non-planar transistor structures (e.g., FinFETs), as well as strained and unstrained channel structures. Graded buffering can be used to reduce misfit dislocation. The techniques are particularly well-suited for implementing p-type devices, but can be used for n-type devices if so desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Anand S. Murthy, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 9484499
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes an active structure formed of at least p-type and n-type epitaxial layers of Group III nitride on a conductive carrier substrate. A conductive bonding system joins the active structure to the conductive carrier substrate. A first transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure adjacent the conductive carrier substrate, a second transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure opposite the conductive carrier substrate, and a third ohmic contact is on the conductive carrier substrate opposite from the active structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Michael J. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9484265
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having first and second device regions. The first device region includes a first source/drain (S/D) region and the second device region includes a plurality of second S/D regions. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of first recesses in the first S/D region and a plurality of second recesses, one in each of the second S/D regions. The semiconductor device further includes a first epitaxial feature having bottom portions and a top portion, wherein each of the bottom portions is in one of the first recesses and the top portion is over the first S/D region. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of second epitaxial features each having a bottom portion in one of the second recesses. The second epitaxial features separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Jing Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 9484434
    Abstract: Strain is induced in a semiconductor layer. Embodiments include inducing strain by, for example, creation of free surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: James Fiorenza, Mark Carroll, Anthony J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 9478617
    Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes providing a substrate and forming an isolation structure in the substrate. The method also includes forming a gate stack structure on the substrate and etching a portion of the substrate to form a recess in the substrate, and the recess is adjacent to the gate stack structure. The method includes forming a stressor layer in the recess, and a portion of the stressor layer is grown along the (311) and (111) crystal orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Yeh Huang, Kai-Hsiang Chang, Chih-Chen Jiang, Yi-Wei Peng, Kuan-Yu Lin, Ming-Shan Tsai, Ching-Lun Lai
  • Patent number: 9472460
    Abstract: Methods for forming substantially uniform depth trenches and/or semiconductor fins from the trenches are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include depositing a germanium including layer over a substrate, the substrate including a plurality of sacrificial semiconductor fins, each pair of sacrificial semiconductor fins separated by a sacrificial pillar. Germanium is diffused from the germanium including layer into the plurality of sacrificial semiconductor fins to a defined uniform depth. The germanium including layer is removed, and the plurality of sacrificial semiconductor fins are etched to the defined uniform depth and selective to the substrate, creating a plurality of trenches having a substantially uniform depth. The trenches can be used to epitaxial grow semiconductor fins having substantially uniform height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Reznicek, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Dominic J. Schepis, Pouya Hashemi
  • Patent number: 9466691
    Abstract: A fin shaped structure and a method of forming the same, wherein the method includes forming a fin structure on a substrate. Next, an insulation layer is formed on the substrate and surrounds the fin structure, wherein the insulation layer covers a bottom portion of the fin structure to expose an exposed portion of the fin structure protruded from the insulation layer. Then, a buffer layer is formed on the fin structure. Following this, a threshold voltage implantation process is performed to penetrate through the buffer layer after forming the insulation layer, to form a first doped region on the exposed portion of the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: I-Ming Tseng, Rai-Min Huang, Tong-Jyun Huang, Kuan-Hsien Li, Chen-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 9466616
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices and more particularly, to a structure and method of forming an abrupt junction in the channel regions of high density technologies, such as tight pitch FinFET devices, using recessed source-drain (S-D) regions and annealing techniques. In an embodiment, a faceted buffer layer, deposited before the S-D region is formed, may be used to control the profile and dopant concentration of the junction under the channel. In another embodiment, the profile and dopant concentration of the junction may be controlled via a dopant concentration gradient in the S-D region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Eric C. T. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Timothy J. McArdle, Shogo Mochizuki, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9461158
    Abstract: A heterojunction field effect transistor includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion. A length of the first contact portion in a longitudinal direction is smaller than a length of source electrodes in the longitudinal direction, and a length of the second contact portion in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a length of drain electrodes in the longitudinal direction. For each drain electrode, a distance from ends of the second contact portion to ends of the drain electrode, the ends being outside of the second contact portion, is greater than a distance from ends of the first contact portion to ends of the source electrode, the ends being outside of the first contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa Fujii, Tetsuzo Nagahisa, Masaru Kubo
  • Patent number: 9461159
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) device including a GaAs substrate, an AlGaAs buffer layer provided on the substrate, an InGaAs channel layer provided on the buffer layer, an AlGaAs barrier layer provided on the channel layer, a GaAs undoped etch stop layer provided on the barrier layer where the undoped layer defines a depth of a gate recess in the FET device, and a heavily doped GaAs cap layer provided on the etch stop layer. The cap layer has a predetermined thickness and the thickness of the combination of the barrier layer and the undoped layer has the predetermined thickness, where the thickness of the undoped layer and the thickness of the barrier layer are selectively provided relative to each other so as to define the depth of the gate recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yeong-Chang Chou, Sujane C. Wang, Hsu-Hwei Chen
  • Patent number: 9455342
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first active layer, a second active layer, at least first and second electrodes, an E-field management layer, and at least one injection electrode. The first active layer is disposed over the substrate. The second active layer is disposed on the first active layer such that a laterally extending conductive channel arises which extends in a lateral direction. The laterally extending conductive channel is located between the first active layer and the second active layer. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first active layer. The E-field management layer, which reduces the electric-field gradients arising in the first and second active layers, is disposed over the second active layer. The injection electrode is electrically connected to the E-field management layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bin Lu, Tomas Palacios, Ling Xia, Mohamed Azize
  • Patent number: 9455347
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is disclosed comprising removing mandrel elements, the side walls of which support semiconductor fin structures, which mandrel elements are formed by removing portions of each of a plurality of elongated mandrels outside sacrificial gate structures, wherein the mandrel elements are removed after removing the sacrificial gate structure. Also disclosed is an intermediate semiconductor structure, obtained during some embodiments of the method, comprising a plurality of mandrel elements, a plurality of fin channel structures, source regions and drain regions on opposing sides of the fin channel structures wherein the bottom most surface of the fin channel structures and the source and drain regions are in direct physical contact with a common dielectric layer on a silicon-containing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 9450069
    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: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Gluschenkov, Rajendran Krishnasamy, Kathryn T. Schonenberg
  • Patent number: 9443941
    Abstract: A transistor device includes a compound semiconductor body having a first surface and a two-dimensional charge carrier gas disposed below the first surface in the compound semiconductor body. The transistor device further includes a source in contact with the two-dimensional charge carrier gas and a drain spaced apart from the source and in contact with the two-dimensional charge carrier gas. A first passivation layer is in contact with the first surface of the compound semiconductor body, and a second passivation layer is disposed on the first passivation layer. The second passivation layer has a different etch rate selectivity than the first passivation layer. A gate extends through the second passivation layer into the first passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Oliver Häberlen, Gilberto Curatola