Si X Ge 1-x Patents (Class 257/19)
  • Patent number: 10481090
    Abstract: Differential, plasmonic, non-dispersive infrared gas sensors are provided. In one aspect, a gas sensor includes: a plasmonic resonance detector including a differential plasmon resonator array that is resonant at different wavelengths of light; and a light source incident on the plasmonic resonance detector. The differential plasmon resonator array can include: at least one first set of plasmonic resonators interwoven with at least one second set of plasmonic resonators, wherein the at least one first set of plasmonic resonators is configured to be resonant with light at a first wavelength, and wherein the at least one second set of plasmonic resonators is configured to be resonant with light at a second wavelength. A method for analyzing a target gas and a method for forming a plasmonic resonance detector are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Abram L. Falk, Damon B. Farmer, Shu-Jen Han
  • Patent number: 10461203
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of quantum structures comprising predominantly germanium. The plurality of quantum structures are formed on a first semiconductor layer structure. The quantum structures of the plurality of quantum structures have a lateral dimension of less than 15 nm and an area density of at least 8×1011 quantum structures per cm2. The plurality of quantum structures are configured to emit light with a light emission maximum at a wavelength of between 2 ?m and 10 ?m or to absorb light with a light absorption maximum at a wavelength of between 2 ?m and 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologie AG
    Inventors: Stefan Clara, Thomas Grille, Ursula Hedenig, Peter Irsigler, Bernhard Jakoby, Ventsislav M. Lavchiev, Thomas Ostermann, Thomas Popp
  • Patent number: 10453945
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include at least one double-barrier resonant tunneling diode (DBRTD). The at least one DBRTD may include a first doped semiconductor layer and a first barrier layer on the first doped semiconductor layer and including a superlattice. The superlattice may include stacked groups of layers, each group of layers including a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The at least one DBRTD may further include an intrinsic semiconductor layer on the first barrier layer, a second barrier layer on the intrinsic semiconductor layer, and a second doped semiconductor layer on the second superlattice layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Hideki Takeuchi, Marek Hytha
  • Patent number: 10453960
    Abstract: Field-effect transistor, the source and drain regions whereof are formed from a crystalline structure comprising: a first layer comprising two main faces parallel to one another and two lateral faces parallel to one another, the main faces being perpendicular to the lateral faces, a second layer overlapping the first layer, the second layer comprising a first main face and a second main face parallel to one another and two lateral faces, the first main face being in contact with the first layer, the lateral faces forming an angle ? in the range 50° to 59°, and preferably a 53° angle, with the first main face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Vincent Mazzocchi, Laurent Grenouillet
  • Patent number: 10446392
    Abstract: A method of forming a 3D NAND structure having self-aligned nanodots includes depositing alternating layers of an oxide and a nitride on a substrate; at least partially recessing the nitride layers; and forming SiGe nanodots on the nitride layers. A method of forming a 3D NAND structure having self-aligned nanodots includes depositing alternating layers of an oxide and a nitride on a substrate; at least partially recessing the nitride layers; and forming SiGe nanodots on the nitride layers by a process including maintaining a temperature of the substrate below about 560° C.; flowing a silicon epitaxy precursor into the chamber; forming a silicon epitaxial layer on the substrate at the nitride layers; flowing germanium gas into the chamber with the silicon epitaxy precursor; and forming a silicon germanium epitaxial layer on the substrate at the nitride layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sungwon Jun, Saurabh Chopra, Thomas Jongwan Kwon, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Patent number: 10396165
    Abstract: A strain relaxed silicon germanium layer that has a low defect density is formed on a surface of a silicon substrate without causing wafer bowing. The strain relaxed silicon germanium layer is formed using multiple epitaxial growing, bonding and transferring steps. In the present application, a thick silicon germanium layer having a low defect density is grown on a transferred portion of a topmost silicon germanium sub-layer of an initial strain relaxed silicon germanium graded buffer layer and then bonded to a silicon substrate. A portion of the thick silicon germanium layer is then transferred to the silicon substrate. Additional steps of growing a thick silicon germanium layer having a low defect density, bonding and layer transfer may be performed as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Praneet Adusumilli, Keith E. Fogel, Alexander Reznicek, Oscar van der Straten
  • Patent number: 10373752
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are magnetic materials comprising rare earth nitrides and, more particularly, magnetic materials comprising multilayer-structured materials comprising one relatively soft and one relatively hard magnetic layer. The magnetic materials comprise a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a blocking layer between and in contact with each of the first 5 and second ferromagnetic layers. The first and second ferromagnetic layers have different coercive fields. The first ferromagnetic layer comprises a first rare earth nitride material and the second ferromagnetic layer comprises a second rare earth nitride material. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the materials. The materials are useful in the fabrication of devices, such as GMR magnetic field sensors, MRAM devices, TMR magnetic field sensors, and magnetic 10 tunnel junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventors: Franck Natali, Benjamin John Ruck, Harry Joseph Trodahl, Eva-maria Johanna Anton, James Francis McNulty, Simon Edward Granville
  • Patent number: 10355043
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to integrated vertical transistors and light emitting diodes and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a vertically oriented stack of material having a light emitting diode (LED) integrated with a source region and a drain region of a vertically oriented active device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ajey P. Jacob, Deepak K. Nayak, Srinivasa R. Banna
  • Patent number: 10347764
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a gate structure over a first side of the substrate, forming a recess adjacent to the gate structure, and forming in the recess a first semiconductor layer having a dopant, the first semiconductor layer being non-conformal, the first semiconductor layer lining the recess and extending from a bottom of the recess to a top of the recess. The method further includes forming a second semiconductor layer having the dopant in the recess and over the first semiconductor layer, a second concentration of the dopant in the second semiconductor layer being higher than a first concentration of the dopant in the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Ma, Zheng-Yang Pan, Shahaji B. More, Shih-Chieh Chang, Cheng-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 10332979
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including semiconductor junctions and semiconductor field effect transistors that exploit the straining of semiconductor materials to improve device performance are provided. Also described are methods for making semiconductor structures. Dislocation defect-free epitaxial grown structures that are embedded into a semiconductor base are provided. The epitaxial structures can extend beyond the surface of the semiconductor base and terminate at a faceted structure. The epitaxial structures are formed using a multilayer growth process that provides for continuous transitions between adjacent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI HUALI MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Runling Li, Haifeng Zhou
  • Patent number: 10332981
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first gate structure on a substrate; performing a first etching process to form a recess adjacent to the first gate structure; performing an ion implantation process to form an amorphous layer directly under the recess; performing a second etching process to remove the amorphous layer; and forming an epitaxial layer in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yu-Ying Lin, Yi-Liang Ye, Sung-Yuan Tsai, Chun-Wei Yu, Yu-Ren Wang, Zhen Wu, Tai-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 10319736
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device including a stress control insulating layer or a stress control pattern to control a stress applied to an interlayer insulating layer or a stacked body in a desirable direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Seob Oh, Dong Hyoub Kim
  • Patent number: 10297670
    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: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Anand S. Murthy, Tahir Ghani
  • Patent number: 10276695
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a stacked configuration of first and second semiconductor layers on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the stacked configuration comprises a repeating arrangement of a second semiconductor layer stacked on a first semiconductor layer, forming a plurality of dummy gates spaced apart from each other on the stacked configuration, wherein the plurality of dummy gates cover a portion of the stacked configuration in a channel region, performing an implantation of a semiconductor material on exposed portions of the stacked configuration in a source/drain region, wherein the implantation increases a concentration of the semiconductor material in the exposed portions of the stacked configuration, and selectively removing first semiconductor layers having an increased concentration of the semiconductor material from the source/drain region, wherein the removed first semiconductor layers correspond in position to the first semiconductor layers in the cha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Hsin-Kuo Chao, Michael A. Guillorn, Chi-Chun Liu, Shogo Mochizuki, Chun W. Yeung
  • Patent number: 10233387
    Abstract: Described is a quantum dot film article comprising a quantum dot of a cured thiol-alkene-epoxy matrix. The matrix formulations resist ingress from water and/or oxygen, while also providing acceptable color stability upon aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zai-Ming Qiu, Joseph M. Pieper
  • Patent number: 10192739
    Abstract: A layered semiconductor substrate has a monocrystalline first layer based on silicon, having a first thickness and a first lattice constant a1 determined by a first dopant element and a first dopant concentration, and in direct contact therewith, a monocrystalline second layer based on silicon, having a second thickness and a second lattice constant a2, determined by a second dopant element and a second dopant concentration, and a monocrystalline third layer comprising a group III nitride, the second layer located between the first layer and the third layer, wherein a2>a1, wherein the crystal lattice of the first layer and the second layer are lattice-matched, and wherein the bow of the layered semiconductor substrate is in the range from ?50 ?m to 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SILTRONIC AG
    Inventors: Peter Storck, Guenter Sachs, Ute Rothammer, Sarad Bahadur Thapa, Helmut Schwenk, Peter Dreier, Frank Muemmler, Rudolf Mayrhuber
  • Patent number: 10177236
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: setting a plurality of main semiconductor wafers and a plurality of sub semiconductor wafers in a load lock chamber of an electrode forming equipment; repeating a wafer-transfer and electrode-formation process of transferring at least one of the main semiconductor wafers from the load lock chamber to the film formation chamber in a state where the load lock chamber and the film formation chamber are decompressed and then forming a surface electrode on a surface of the at least one main semiconductor wafer transferred in the film formation chamber; removing the main semiconductor wafers on which the surface electrodes have been formed and the sub semiconductor wafers from the electrode forming equipment without forming an electrode on the sub semiconductor wafers by the electrode forming equipment; and making the surface electrodes Schottky-contact the main semiconductor wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruaki Kumazawa, Narumasa Soejima, Yuichi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10170636
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a sacrificial layer of a first semiconductor material on a substrate, a layer of a second semiconductor material on the sacrificial layer, and a layer of a third semiconductor material on the layer of the second semiconductor material. Portions of the layer of the deposited material are removed to form a first nanowire arranged on the sacrificial fin and a second nanowire arranged on the first nanowire. An oxidizing process is performed that forms a first layer of oxide material on exposed portions of the second nanowire and a second layer of oxide material on exposed portions of the sacrificial fin, the first layer of oxide material having a first thickness and the second layer of oxide material having a second thickness, where the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Michael A. Guillorn, Isaac Lauer, Xin Miao
  • Patent number: 10164013
    Abstract: Formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and forming a source/drain structure adjacent to the gate stack. The method also includes forming a cap element over the source/drain structure. The cap element has a top surface and a side surface, and a width ratio of the top surface to the side surface of the cap element is in a range from about 0.125 to about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shing-Huang Wu, Jian-Shian Chen
  • Patent number: 10158036
    Abstract: There is to provide a semiconductor device including a light receiving element capable of reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the optical performance of the light receiving element. For example, a p type germanium layer, an intrinsic germanium layer, and an n type germanium layer forming the structure body of a Ge photodiode are formed according to a continuous selective epitaxial growth. An insulating film having an opening portion is formed on the silicon layer of a SOI substrate, and an intrinsic germanium layer is formed bulging from the opening portion to above the insulating film. In short, by using the insulating film having the opening portion, the cross section of the intrinsic germanium layer is formed into a mushroom shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Usami
  • Patent number: 10109479
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming a superlattice on a semiconductor substrate including a respective plurality of stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. Further, at least some semiconductor atoms from opposing base semiconductor portions may be chemically bound together through the at least one non-semiconductor monolayer therebetween. The method may further include epitaxially forming a semiconductor layer on the superlattice, and annealing the superlattice to form a buried insulating layer in which the at least some semiconductor atoms are no longer chemically bound together through the at least one non-semiconductor monolayer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert J. Mears, Robert John Stephenson, Keith Doran Weeks, Nyles Wynn Cody, Marek Hytha
  • Patent number: 10084091
    Abstract: An SOI wafer contains a compressively stressed buried insulator structure. In one example, the stressed buried insulator (BOX) may be formed on a host wafer by forming silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide layers so that the silicon nitride layer is compressively stressed. Wafer bonding provides the surface silicon layer over the stressed insulator layer. Preferred implementations of the invention form MOS transistors by etching isolation trenches into a preferred SOI substrate having a stressed BOX structure to define transistor active areas on the surface of the SOI substrate. Most preferably the trenches are formed deep enough to penetrate through the stressed BOX structure and some distance into the underlying silicon portion of the substrate. The overlying silicon active regions will have tensile stress induced due to elastic edge relaxation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Clifton, R. Stockton Gaines
  • Patent number: 9978836
    Abstract: Structures and fabrication methods for vertical-transport field-effect transistors. A nanostructure, a gate structure coupled with the nanostructure, and a source/drain region coupled with an end of the nanostructure are formed. The source/drain region is comprised of a first layer of a first semiconductor material having a first electronic band gap and a second layer of a second semiconductor material having a second electronic band gap that is wider than the first electronic band gap of the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Bartlomiej J. Pawlak
  • Patent number: 9972685
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate, and a plurality of fins spaced apart on the substrate. Each of the fins may include a lower semiconductor fin portion extending vertically upward from the substrate, and at least one superlattice punch-through layer on the lower fin portion. The superlattice punch-through layer may include a plurality of stacked groups of layers, with each group of layers of the superlattice punch-through layer comprising a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. Each fin may also include an upper semiconductor fin portion on the at least one superlattice punch-through layer and extending vertically upward therefrom. The semiconductor device may also include source and drain regions at opposing ends of the fins, and a gate overlying the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert Mears, Hideki Takeuchi, Erwin Trautmann
  • Patent number: 9911807
    Abstract: Transistor structures having channel regions comprising alternating layers of compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial materials are provided. The alternating epitaxial layers can form channel regions in single and multigate transistor structures. In alternate embodiments, one of the two alternating layers is selectively etched away to form nanoribbons or nanowires of the remaining material. The resulting strained nanoribbons or nanowires form the channel regions of transistor structures. Also provided are computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of alternating compressively and tensilely strained epitaxial layers and computing devices comprising transistors comprising channel regions comprised of strained nanoribbons or nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Van H. Le, Benjamin Chu-Kung, Harold Hal W. Kennel, Willy Rachmady, Ravi Pillarisetty, Jack T. Kavalieros
  • Patent number: 9893185
    Abstract: A FinFET including a substrate, a plurality of isolation structures, a plurality of blocking layers, and a gate stack is provided. The substrate has a plurality of semiconductor fins. The isolation structures are located on the substrate to isolate the semiconductor fins. In addition, the semiconductor fins protrude from the isolation structures. The blocking layers are located between the isolation structures and the semiconductor fins. The material of the blocking layers is different from the material of the isolation structures. The gate stack is disposed across portions of the semiconductor fins, portions of the blocking layers and portions of the isolation structures. In addition, a method for fabricating the FinFET is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Yu-Ting Lin, Po-Kai Hsiao, Po-Kang Ho, Ting-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9865520
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a mesa structure having vertical sidewalls, the mesa structure including an active area comprising a portion of its height. A stressed passivation liner is formed on the vertical sidewalls of the mesa structure and over the portion of the active area. The stressed passivation liner induces strain in the active area to permit tuning of performance parameters of the mesa structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Heidelberger, Jeehwan Kim, Ning Li, Wencong Liu, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 9865681
    Abstract: Multi-threshold voltage (Vt) nanowire devices are fabricated using a self-aligned methodology where gate cavities having a predetermined geometry are formed proximate to channel regions of respective devices. The gate cavities are then backfilled with a gate conductor. By locally defining the cavity geometry, the thickness of the gate conductor is constrained and hence the threshold voltage for each device can be defined using a single deposition process for the gate conductor layer. The self-aligned nature of the method obviates the need to control gate conductor layer thicknesses using deposition and/or etch processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, John Zhang, Jiehui Shu
  • Patent number: 9859325
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor with silicon and silicon germanium is provided. A silicon germanium layer abuts a silicon layer. A photodetector is arranged in the silicon germanium layer. A transistor is arranged on the silicon layer with a source/drain region that is buried in a surface of the silicon layer and that is electrically coupled to the photodetector. A method for manufacturing the CMOS image sensor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yueh-Chuan Lee, Chia-Chan Chen, Jhy-Jyi Sze
  • Patent number: 9852938
    Abstract: After forming an epitaxial germanium layer over a germanium-on-insulator substrate including an insulator layer and a doped germanium layer overlying the insulator layer, the doped germanium layer is selectively removed and a passivation layer is formed within a space between the epitaxial germanium layer and the insulator layer that is formed by removal of the doped germanium layer. A lateral bipolar transistor is subsequently formed in the epitaxial germanium layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Tak H. Ning, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Patent number: 9831372
    Abstract: Barrier infrared detectors configured to operate in the long-wave (LW) infrared regime are provided. The barrier infrared detector systems may be configured as pin, pbp, barrier and double heterostructrure infrared detectors incorporating optimized p-doped absorbers capable of taking advantage of high mobility (electron) minority carriers. The absorber may be a p-doped Ga-free InAs/InAsSb material. The p-doping may be accomplished by optimizing the Be doping levels used in the absorber material. The barrier infrared detectors may incorporate individual superlattice layers having narrower periodicity and optimization of Sb composition to achieve cutoff wavelengths of ˜10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Arezou Khoshakhlagh, David Z. Ting, Sarath D. Gunapala
  • Patent number: 9831251
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming recesses in a semiconductor substrate; epitaxial growing a first SiGe seed layer with constant Ge content in the recesses; epitaxial growing a second SiGe layer with a constant Ge content higher than the Ge content of first SiGe seed layer on the first SiGe seed layer; epitaxial growing a third SiGe layer with a constant Ge content lower than the Ge content of the second SiGe layer; and forming a cap layer on the third SiGe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHANGHAI HUALI MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qiuming Huang, Jun Tan, Jianqin Gao, Jian Zhong
  • Patent number: 9825151
    Abstract: The present invention suggests a substrate manufacturing method and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising: providing a SOI structure having an insulation layer and a silicon layer laminated on a substrate; laminating to form a silicon germanium layer and a capping silicon layer on the SOI structure; implementing oxidation process at two or more temperatures and heat treatment process at least once during the oxidation process to form a germanium cohesion layer and a silicon dioxide layer; and removing the silicon dioxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU
    Inventors: Jea Gun Park, Tea Hun Shim, Seung Hyun Song, Du Yeong Lee
  • Patent number: 9818874
    Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor structure include providing a multi-layer substrate having an epitaxial base layer overlying a strained primary semiconductor layer above a buried oxide layer. Elements within the epitaxial base layer are used to alter a strain state in the primary semiconductor layer within a first region of the multi-layer substrate without altering a strain state in the primary semiconductor layer within a second region of the multi-layer substrate. A first plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the primary semiconductor layer within the first region of the multi-layer substrate, and a second plurality of transistor channel structures are formed that each comprise a portion of the primary semiconductor layer within the second region of the multi-layer substrate. Semiconductor structures fabricated by such methods may include transistor channel structures having differing strain states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Bich-Yen Nguyen, Mariam Sadaka, Christophe Maleville
  • Patent number: 9799689
    Abstract: A light absorption apparatus includes a substrate, a light absorption layer above the substrate on a first selected area, a silicon layer above the light absorption layer, a spacer surrounding at least part of the sidewall of the light absorption layer, an isolation layer surrounding at least part of the spacer, wherein the light absorption apparatus can achieve high bandwidth and low dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Artilux Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Lin Cheng, Shu-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 9799756
    Abstract: Semiconductor structure including germanium-on-insulator lateral bipolar junction transistors and methods of fabricating the same generally include formation of a silicon passivation layer at an interface between the insulator layer and a germanium layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Tak H. Ning, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Patent number: 9773871
    Abstract: A FinFET includes a substrate, a plurality of insulators disposed on the substrate, a gate stack and a strained material. The substrate includes at least one semiconductor fin and the semiconductor fin includes at least one modulation portion distributed therein. The semiconductor fin is sandwiched by the insulators. The gate stack is disposed over portions of the semiconductor fin and over portions of the insulators. The strained material covers portions of the semiconductor fin that are revealed by the gate stack. In addition, a method for fabricating the FinFET is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 9768302
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the semiconductor structure are disclosed herein. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a strain-inducing layer and an epitaxy structure. The strain-inducing layer is disposed on the substrate, and the epitaxy structure is embedded in the strain-inducing layer and not in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Chih-Chiang Chang, Kun-Mu Li
  • Patent number: 9761719
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include: a semiconductor substrate, a device isolating layer embedded within the semiconductor substrate and defining an active region, a channel region formed in the active region, a gate electrode disposed above the channel region, a gate insulating layer provided between the channel region and the gate electrode, and a silicon germanium epitaxial layer adjacent to the channel region within the active region and including a first epitaxial layer containing a first concentration of germanium, a second epitaxial layer containing a second concentration of germanium, higher than the first concentration, and a third epitaxial layer containing a third concentration of germanium, lower than the second concentration, the first to third epitaxial layers being sequentially stacked on one another in that order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Kyu Kim, Dong Chan Suh, Kwan Heum Lee, Byeong Chan Lee, Cho Eun Lee, Su Jin Jung, Gyeom Kim, Ji Eon Yoon
  • Patent number: 9761610
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes providing a strained silicon on insulator (SSOI) structure, the SSOI structure comprises, a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, a silicon germanium layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a strained semiconductor material layer disposed directly on the silicon germanium layer, forming a plurality of fins on the SSOI structure, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a nFET region, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a pFET region, removing the gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, removing the silicon germanium layer exposed by the removing, and forming a new gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, such that the new gate structure surrounds the portion on all four sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Darsen D. Lu, Alexander Reznicek, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9748369
    Abstract: A bipolar transistor is supported by a substrate including a semiconductor layer overlying an insulating layer. A transistor base is formed by a base region in the semiconductor layer that is doped with a first conductivity type dopant at a first dopant concentration. The transistor emitter and collector are formed by regions doped with a second conductivity type dopant and located adjacent opposite sides of the base region. An extrinsic base includes an epitaxial semiconductor layer in contact with a top surface of the base region. The epitaxial semiconductor layer is doped with the first conductivity type dopant at a second dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration. Sidewall spacers on each side of the extrinsic base include an oxide liner on a side of the epitaxial semiconductor layer and the top surface of the base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Qing Liu
  • Patent number: 9716172
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same are described. A semiconductor device includes an active area adjacent a channel in a semiconductor composite. The active area includes a first active area layer having a first dopant concentration, a second active area layer having a second dopant concentration over the first active area layer, and a third active area layer having a third dopant concentration, over the second active area. The third dopant concentration is greater than the second dopant concentration, and the second dopant concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The channel includes a second channel layer comprising carbon over a first channel layer and a third channel layer over the second channel layer. The active area configuration improves drive current and reduces contact resistance, and the channel configuration increases short channel control, as compared to a semiconductor device without the active area and channel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsing Yu, Chia-Wen Liu, Yeh Hsu, Ken-Ichi Goto
  • Patent number: 9711598
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling multi-sided condensation of semiconductor fins The techniques can be employed, for instance, in fabricating fin-based transistors. In one example case, a strain layer is provided on a bulk substrate. The strain layer is associated with a critical thickness that is dependent on a component of the strain layer, and the strain layer has a thickness lower than or equal to the critical thickness. A fin is formed in the substrate and strain layer, such that the fin includes a substrate portion and a strain layer portion. The fin is oxidized to condense the strain layer portion of the fin, so that a concentration of the component in the strain layer changes from a pre-condensation concentration to a higher post-condensation concentration, thereby causing the critical thickness to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jack T. Kavalieros, Nancy Zelick, Been-Yih Jin, Markus Kuhn, Stephen M. Cea
  • Patent number: 9673327
    Abstract: An SOI wafer contains a compressively stressed buried insulator structure. In one example, the stressed buried insulator (BOX) may be formed on a host wafer by forming silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon oxide layers so that the silicon nitride layer is compressively stressed. Wafer bonding provides the surface silicon layer over the stressed insulator layer. Preferred implementations of the invention form MOS transistors by etching isolation trenches into a preferred SOI substrate having a stressed BOX structure to define transistor active areas on the surface of the SOI substrate. Most preferably the trenches are formed deep enough to penetrate through the stressed BOX structure and some distance into the underlying silicon portion of the substrate. The overlying silicon active regions will have tensile stress induced due to elastic edge relaxation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Acorn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Clifton, R Stockton Gaines
  • Patent number: 9659960
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a strained silicon germanium layer on top of a substrate. At least one patterned hard mask layer is formed on and in contact with at least a first portion of the strained silicon germanium layer. At least a first exposed portion and a second exposed portion of the strained silicon germanium layer are oxidized. The oxidizing process forms a first oxide region and a second oxide region within the first and second exposed portions, respectively, of the strained silicon germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li, Zuoguang Liu, Xin Miao
  • Patent number: 9659828
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate dielectric layer over a substrate, a metal layer over the gate dielectric layer, a capping layer over the metal layer, wherein the capping layer includes a plurality of dipole forming elements concentrated at the interface between the metal layer and the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Hyuck Ji, Beom-Yong Kim, Seung-Mi Lee
  • Patent number: 9647073
    Abstract: Transistor structures and methods of fabricating transistor structures are provided. The methods include: fabricating a transistor structure at least partially within a substrate, the fabricating including: providing a cavity within the substrate; and forming a first portion and a second portion of the transistor structure at least partially within the cavity, the first portion being disposed at least partially between the substrate and the second portion, where the first portion inhibits diffusion of material from the second portion into the substrate. In one embodiment, the transistor structure is a field-effect transistor structure, and the first portion and the second portion include one of a source region or a drain region of the field-effect transistor structure. In another embodiment, the transistor structure is a bipolar junction transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Jin Ping Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9634094
    Abstract: A transistor may include a semiconductor region such as a rectangular doped silicon well. Gate fingers may overlap the silicon well. The gate fingers may be formed from polysilicon and may be spaced apart from each other along the length of the well by a fixed gate-to-gate spacing. The edges of the well may be surrounded by field oxide. Epitaxial regions may be formed in the well to produce compressive or tensile stress in channel regions that lie under the gate fingers. The epitaxial regions may form source-drain terminals. The edges of the field oxide may be separated from the nearest gate finger edges by a distance that is adjusted automatically with a computer-aided-design tool and that may be larger than the gate-to-gate spacing. Dummy gate finger structures may be provided to ensure desired levels of stress are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Girish Venkitachalam, Che Ta Hsu, Fangyun Richter, Peter J. McElheny
  • Patent number: 9634027
    Abstract: A method of forming fins in a complimentary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device that includes a p-type field effect transistor device (pFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) device and a CMOS device are described. The method includes forming a strained silicon-on-insulator (SSOI) layer in both a pFET region and an nFET region, etching the strained silicon layer, the insulator, and a portion of the bulk substrate in only the pFET region to expose the bulk substrate, epitaxially growing silicon (Si) from the bulk substrate in only the pFET region, and epitaxially growing additional semiconductor material on the Si in only the pFET region. The method also includes forming fins from the additional semiconductor material and a portion of the Si grown on the bulk substrate in the pFET region, and forming fins from the strained silicon layer and the insulator in the nFET region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Hong He, Ali Khakifirooz, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 9627381
    Abstract: Techniques for effectively confining n-well dopants during fabrication of relaxed SiGe on SRB devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a SiGe stress relief buffer layer on a substrate; growing a bottom confinement layer on the stress relief buffer layer; growing a SiGe layer on the bottom confinement layer; growing a top confinement layer on the SiGe layer; forming STI regions extending through the top confinement layer, through the SiGe layer, and at least down to the bottom confinement layer, wherein the STI regions define at least one active area in the SiGe layer; and implanting at least one well dopant into the at least one active area which is confined to the at least one active area by the top confinement layer, the bottom confinement layer, and the STI regions. A semiconductor device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Alexander Reznicek