Along The Length Of The Channel (e.g., Doping Variations For Transfer Directionality) Patents (Class 257/221)
  • Patent number: 11362129
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device of an embodiment includes plural first transfer gate electrodes, plural second transfer gate electrodes, and plural fixed gate electrodes. The first transfer gate electrodes are such that the respective first transfer gate electrodes are placed in a charge transfer unit to correspond to single light receiving sections, and a control signal ?1 is applied. The second transfer gate electrodes are such that the respective second transfer gate electrodes are placed in a charge transfer unit to correspond to the single light receiving sections, and a control signal ?2 that differs in phase from the control signal ?1 for transferring plural charges is applied. The respective fixed gate electrodes are such that the respective fixed gate electrodes are placed between the first and the second transfer gate electrodes corresponding to the single light receiving sections in the charge transfer unit, and a fixed voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventors: Hisayuki Taruki, Yutaka Okada
  • Patent number: 10754014
    Abstract: In order to measure distances precisely, a receiver device for determining a distance from an object is proposed, comprising: a receiver having a semiconductor structure with a photosensitive region for generating photo-induced charge carriers, which region faces the rear side, and having a transportation region, which faces the front side, wherein the photosensitive region and the transportation region are spatially separated from one another by a separation layer which has a passage between the photosensitive region and the transportation region, wherein the transportation region has an arrangement of at least two gates lying one next to the other, at least one of the gates thereof being located in the overlapping region of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: Espros Photonics AG, Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Popp, Beat De Coi, Jan Simon, Peter Horvath, Lin Lin, Thomas Schuler, Felix Mueller, Heiko Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10468413
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming memory stack structures vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers over a substrate, such that each of the memory stack structures includes a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel laterally surrounded by the memory film. The method also includes forming a stack of a first silicon nitride layer and a second silicon nitride layer over the memory stack structures, such that the first silicon nitride layer has a higher hydrogen-to-nitrogen ratio than the second silicon nitride layer, performing an anneal process at an elevated temperature to diffuse hydrogen from the first silicon nitride layer into the memory stack structures, and removing the first and second silicon nitride layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shunsuke Takuma, Seiji Shimabukuro, Hirotada Tobita
  • Patent number: 10353460
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for tracking eye and head movement comprising (1) at least one optoelectronic array sensor or optical flow sensor formed of a plurality of optoelectronic sensor cells; (2) a body configured to support the optoelectronic array sensor with focusing means along with a source of light with collimating means in front of and in proximity to an eye of a user; (3) an optical focusing means to focus an image of the ocular surface of the user on the optoelectronic array sensor; (4) a focusing lens with a source of light; (5) a means to detect blinking; (6) a driver configured to receive signals from the sensor array to generate coordinate signals corresponding to changes in the position of the ocular surface relative to the sensor array; and (7) a means to detect user's additional input and gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: Tarek A Shazly, Salwa A Abdelwahed
  • Patent number: 10062426
    Abstract: A field effect transistor construction includes a semiconductive channel core. A source/drain region is at opposite ends of the channel core. A gate is proximate a periphery of the channel core. A gate insulator is between the gate and the channel core. The gate insulator has local regions radially there-through that have different capacitance at different circumferential locations relative to the channel core periphery. Additional constructions, and methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Chandra Mouli, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, F. Daniel Gealy
  • Patent number: 9876069
    Abstract: A high-voltage semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a semiconductor substrate including a high-voltage well region. The device further includes a gate dielectric structure and a gate. The gate dielectric structure includes a first dielectric layer over the high-voltage well region and a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer has a U-shaped or ring-shaped contour as viewed from a top-view aspect, so as to form an opening exposing the first dielectric layer. The gate is disposed over the second dielectric layer and extends onto the exposed first dielectric layer via the opening. The device further includes a drift doping region in the high-voltage well region and a source/drain doping region in the drift doping region. A method for fabricating the high-voltage semiconductor device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lin, Pao-Hao Chiu, Keng-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 9193998
    Abstract: A detection apparatus that includes (a) an array of responsive pads on a substrate surface; (b) an array of pixels, wherein each pixel in the array has a detection zone on the surface that includes a subset of at least two of the pads; and (c) an activation circuit to apply a force at a first and second pad in the subset, wherein the activation circuit is configured to apply a different force at the first pad compared to the second pad, and wherein the activation circuit has a switch to selectively alter the force at the first pad and the second pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarun Khurana, Kevin L. Gunderson, Yir-Shyuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9130082
    Abstract: Provided is a terahertz wave generating/detecting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same. The terahertz wave generating/detecting apparatus includes; a substrate having an active region and a transmitting region; a lower metal layer extending in a first direction on the active region and the transmitting region of the substrate; a graphene layer disposed on the lower metal layer on the active region; and upper metal layers extending in the first direction on the graphene layer of the active region and the substrate in the transmission region, wherein a terahertz wave is generated or amplified by a surface plasmon polariton that is induced on a boundary surface between the graphene layer and the lower metal layer by beated laser light applied to the graphene layer and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyung Hyun Park, Sang-Pil Han, Jeong Woo Park, Han-Cheol Ryu, Kiwon Moon, Namje Kim, Hyunsung Ko
  • Patent number: 9018751
    Abstract: A semiconductor module system includes a module substrate and a semiconductor substrate having a through wire interconnect bonded to an electrode on the module substrate. The through wire interconnect includes a via, a wire in the via having a first end bonded to a substrate contact on the semiconductor substrate and a polymer layer at least partially encapsulating the wire. The semiconductor module system can also include a second substrate stacked on the semiconductor substrate having a second through wire interconnect in electrical contact with the through wire interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8896734
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type that is arranged to contact a lower face of the first semiconductor region and functions as a charge accumulation region, a third semiconductor region including side faces surrounded by the second semiconductor region, a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type that is arranged apart from the second semiconductor region, and a transfer gate that forms a channel to transfer charges accumulated in the second semiconductor region to the fourth semiconductor region. The third semiconductor region is one of a semiconductor region of the first conductivity type and a semiconductor region of the second conductivity type whose impurity concentration is lower than that in the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mahito Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8741667
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a through wire interconnect for a semiconductor substrate having a substrate contact includes the steps of: forming a via through the semiconductor substrate from a first side to a second side thereof; placing a wire in the via having a first end with a bonded connection to the substrate contact and a second end proximate to the second side; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side; forming a second contact on the second end of the wire; and forming a polymer layer on the first side at least partially encapsulating the wire while leaving the first contact exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8643100
    Abstract: A FET includes a gate dielectric structure associated with a single gate electrode, the gate dielectric structure having at least two regions, each of those regions having a different effective oxide thickness, the FET further having a channel region with at least two portions each having a different doping profile. A semiconductor manufacturing process produces a FET including a gate dielectric structure associated with a single gate electrode, the gate dielectric structure having at least two regions, each of those regions having a different effective oxide thickness, the FET further having a channel region with at least two portions each having a different doping profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 8581387
    Abstract: A through wire interconnect for a semiconductor substrate includes a via extending through the semiconductor substrate from a first side to a second side thereof, and a wire in the via electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate having a first end with a bonded connection to the substrate contact and a second end proximate to the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The through wire interconnect also includes a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a second contact on the second end of the wire, and a polymer layer on the first side at least partially encapsulating the wire while leaving the first contact exposed. The through wire interconnect can also include a bonding member bonded to the first end of the wire and to the substrate contact having a tip portion forming the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8426279
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, an asymmetric transistor includes a channel region having a drain-side channel portion and a source-side channel portion. The asymmetric transistor can be an asymmetric MOSFET. The source-side channel portion can comprise silicon, for example. The drain-side channel portion can comprise germanium, for example. The asymmetric transistor comprises a vertical heterojunction situated between the drain-side channel portion and the source-side channel portion. According to this exemplary embodiment, the bandgap of the source-side channel portion is higher than the bandgap of the drain-side channel portion and the carrier mobility of the drain-side channel portion is higher than the carrier mobility of the source-side channel portion. The transistor can further include a gate oxide layer situated over the drain-side channel portion and the source-side channel portion, and can also include a gate situated over the gate oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Qiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8404523
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a stacked semiconductor system with encapsulated through wire interconnects includes providing a substrate having a first side, a second side and a substrate contact; forming a via in the substrate contact and the substrate to the second side; placing a wire in the via; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side; and forming a polymer layer on the first side leaving the first contact exposed. The method also includes stacking two or more substrates and electrically connecting the through wire interconnects on the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technoloy, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8217510
    Abstract: A semiconductor module system includes a module substrate and first and second semiconductor components stacked on the module substrate. The stacked semiconductor components include through wire interconnects that form an internal signal transmission system for the module system. Each through wire interconnect includes a via, a wire in the via and first and second contacts on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8212906
    Abstract: An imaging device having pixels that store charge from a photosensor under at least one storage gate during a sampling period. A driver used to operate the at least one storage gate, estimates how much charge in the pixel exceeds a predetermined limit during a non-destructive pixel sensing operation. A specific voltage is stored on the pixel's floating diffusion region to flag how many times the pixel exceeded the limit. The final pixel signal and the stored information is readout at the end of integration period to create a sum that represents the pixel's final signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Panicacci
  • Patent number: 8203151
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a SiC film, forming trenches at a surface of the SiC film, heat-treating the SiC film with silicon supplied to the surface of the SiC film, and obtaining a plurality of macrosteps to constitute channels, at the surface of the SiC film by the step of heat-treating. Taking the length of one cycle of the trenches as L and the height of the trenches as h, a relation L=h(cot ?+cot ?) (where ? and ? are variables that satisfy the relations 0.5??, ??45) holds between the length L and the height h. Consequently, the semiconductor device can be improved in property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 8164121
    Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Imagerlabs
    Inventor: Mark Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 8124979
    Abstract: Provided are a thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the same. The thin film transistor includes: a lower structure; a semiconductor layer formed on the lower structure and including a plurality of doping regions; a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer formed on the semiconductor layer and separated from each other; a third insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer; and a gate electrode layer formed between regions of the third insulating layer respectively corresponding to the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Ji-sim Jung, Myung-kwan Ryu, Jang-yeon Kwon, Kyung-bae Park, Min-koo Han, Sang-yoon Lee, Joong-hyun Park, Sang-myeon Han, Sun-jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8120167
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor component with an encapsulated through wire interconnect includes the steps of providing a substrate having a first side, a second side and a substrate contact; forming a via in the substrate contact and the substrate to the second side; placing a wire in the via; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side; and forming a polymer layer on the first side leaving the first contact exposed. The polymer layer can be formed using a film assisted molding process including the steps of: forming a mold film on tip portions of the bonding members, molding the polymer layer, and then removing the mold film to expose the tip portions of the bonding members. The through wire interconnect provides a multi level interconnect having contacts on opposing sides of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8013365
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor (CIS) includes a semiconductor substrate including a photodiode therein as a light sensing unit. A floating diffusion region of a first conductivity type is provided in the semiconductor substrate, and is configured to receive charges generated in the photodiode. A power supply voltage region of the first conductivity type is also provided in the semiconductor substrate. A reset transistor including a reset gate electrode on a surface of the substrate between the floating diffusion region and a power supply voltage region is configured to discharge charges stored in the floating diffusion region in response to a reset control signal. The reset transistor includes a channel region in the substrate extending between the floating diffusion region and the power supply voltage region such that the floating diffusion region and the power supply voltage regions define source/drain regions for the reset transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-hyun Ko, Jong-jin Lee, Jung-chak Ahn
  • Patent number: 7999290
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device includes first and second substrates facing each other and spaced apart from each other; a gate line on an inner surface of the first substrate; a data line and a power line crossing the gate line and spaced apart from each other; a switching thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a driving thin film transistor connected to the switching thin film transistor and the power line, the driving thin film transistor including a channel region having a ring shape; an electric connection pattern connected to the driving thin film transistor, the connection pattern being disposed over the driving thin film transistor; and an organic electroluminescent diode on an inner surface of the second substrate, the organic electroluminescent diode being connected to the electric connection pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 7910964
    Abstract: A part of a semiconductor layer directly under a light-receiving gate electrode functions as a charge generation region, and electrons generated in the charge generation region are injected into a part of a surface buried region directly above the charge generation region. The surface buried region directly under a first transfer gate electrode functions as a first transfer channel, and the surface buried region directly under a second transfer gate electrode functions as a second transfer channel. Signal charges are alternately transferred to an n-type first floating drain region and a second floating drain region through the first and second floating transfer channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: National University Corporation Shizuoka University, Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Kawahito, Mitsuru Homma
  • Patent number: 7883908
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor component with an encapsulated through wire interconnect includes the steps of providing a substrate having a first side, a second side and a substrate contact; forming a via in the substrate contact and the substrate to the second side; placing a wire in the via; forming a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side; and forming a polymer layer on the first side leaving the first contact exposed. The polymer layer can be formed using a film assisted molding process including the steps of: forming a mold film on tip portions of the bonding members, molding the polymer layer, and then removing the mold film to expose the tip portions of the bonding members. The through wire interconnect provides a multi level interconnect having contacts on opposing sides of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 7875979
    Abstract: A metal line of a semiconductor device having a diffusion barrier including CrxBy and a method for forming the same is described. The metal line of a semiconductor device includes an insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. The insulation layer is formed having a metal line forming region. A diffusion barrier including a CrxBy layer is subsequently formed on the surface of the metal line forming region and the insulation layer. A metal line is finally formed to fill the metal line forming region of the insulation layer on the diffusion barrier including a CrxBy layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Ha Jung, Seung Jin Yeom, Baek Mann Kim, Young Jin Lee, Jeong Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20100258847
    Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: IMAGERLABS INC.
    Inventor: Mark Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 7804151
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor structure, a design structure for the semiconductor structure and a method of forming the semiconductor structure. The embodiments reduce harmonics and improve isolation between the active semiconductor layer and the substrate of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Specifically, the embodiments incorporate a trench isolation region extending to a fully or partially amorphized region of the wafer substrate. The trench isolation region is positioned outside lateral boundaries of at least one integrated circuit device located at or above the active semiconductor layer of the SOI wafer and, thereby improves isolation. The fully or partially amorphized region of the substrate reduces substrate mobility, which reduces the charge layer at the substrate/BOX interface and, thereby reduces harmonics. Optionally, the embodiments can incorporate an air gap between the wafer substrate and integrated circuit device(s) in order to further improve isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brennan J. Brown, James R. Elliott, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak
  • Patent number: 7791161
    Abstract: Structure and method are provided for semiconductor devices. The devices include trenches filled with highly doped polycrystalline semiconductor, extending from the surface into the body of the device for, among other things: (i) reducing substrate current injection, (ii) reducing ON-resistance and/or (iii) reducing thermal impedance to the substrate. For isolated LDMOS devices, the resistance between the lateral isolation wall (tied to the source) and the buried layer is reduced, thereby reducing substrate injection current. When placed in the drain of a lateral device or in the collector of a vertical device, the poly-filled trench effectively enlarges the drain or collector region, thereby lowering the ON-resistance. For devices formed on an oxide isolation layer, the poly-filled trench desirably penetrates this isolation layer thereby improving thermal conduction from the active regions to the substrate. The poly filled trenches are conveniently formed by etch and refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronghua Zhu, Vishnu K. Khemka, Amitava Bose
  • Patent number: 7754603
    Abstract: Multi-functional electronic switching and current control device comprising a chalcogenide material. The devices include a load terminal, a reference terminal and a control terminal. Application of a control signal to the control terminal permits the device to function in one or more of the following modes reversibly: (1) a gain mode in which gain is induced in the current passing between the load and reference terminals; (2) a conductivity modulation mode in which the conductivity of the chalcogenide material between the load and reference terminals is modulated; (3) a current modulation mode in which the current or current density between the load and reference terminals is modulated; and/or (4) a threshold modulation mode in which the voltage required to switch the chalcogenide material between the load and reference terminals from a resistive state to a conductive state is modulated. The devices may be used as interconnection devices or signal providing devices in circuits and networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 7719036
    Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ImagerLabs, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 7659612
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate contact, and a through wire interconnect (TWI) attached to the substrate contact. The through wire interconnect provides a multi level interconnect having contacts on opposing first and second sides of the semiconductor substrate. The through wire interconnect (TWI) includes a via through the substrate contact and the substrate, a wire in the via having a bonded connection with the substrate contact, a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side, and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side. The through wire interconnect (TWI) also includes a polymer layer which partially encapsulates the through wire interconnect (TWI) while leaving the first contact exposed. The semiconductor component can be used to fabricate stacked systems, module systems and test systems. A method for fabricating the semiconductor component can include a film assisted molding process for forming the polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 7586137
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device having an asymmetric channel structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-chul Kim, Geum-jong Bae, In-wook Cho, Byoung-jin Lee, Sang-su Kim, Jin-hee Kim, Byou-ree Lim
  • Patent number: 7479669
    Abstract: Transistors and/or methods of fabricating transistors that include a source contact, drain contact and gate contact are provided. In some embodiments, a channel region is provided between the source and drain contacts and at least a portion of the channel regions includes a hybrid layer comprising semiconductor material. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the transistor is a current aperture transistor. The channel region may include pendeo-epitaxial layers or epitaxial laterally overgrown layers. Transistors and methods of fabricating current aperture transistors that include a trench that extends through the channel and barrier layers and includes semiconductor material therein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam William Saxler
  • Patent number: 7387908
    Abstract: A dopant gradient region of a first conductivity type and a corresponding channel impurity gradient below a transfer gate and adjacent a charge collection region of a CMOS imager photodiode are disclosed. The channel impurity gradient in the transfer gate provides a complete charge transfer between the charge collection region of the photodiode and a floating diffusion node. The dopant gradient region is formed by doping a region at one end of the channel with a low enhancement dopant and another region at the other end of the channel with a high enhancement dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Inna Patrick
  • Patent number: 7378714
    Abstract: In a complete depletion type SOI transistor, the roll-off of a threshold value is suppressed, independently from the formation of an SOI film to be thinner. As for a semiconductor device (1), the impurity concentration in a channel formation portion (10) is implanted not uniformly along the length direction of a gate (2) in the complete depletion type silicon on insulation (SOI) transistor. In other words, high concentration regions (11) where impurity concentrations are higher than that at a central portion in the end parts of the channel formation portion (10) on the side of a source (4) and a drain (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7329926
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a gate located over a semiconductor substrate and a source/drain region located adjacent the gate. The source/drain region is bounded by an isolation structure that includes a constricted current passage between the gate and the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Yehuda Smooha
  • Patent number: 7157754
    Abstract: A high-performance solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel cells; and a driving unit. Each of the plurality of pixel cells includes: a photodiode that converts incident light into a signal charge and stores the signal charge; a MOS transistor that is provided for reading out the signal charge stored in the photodiode; an element isolation portion that is formed of a STI that is a grooved portion of the semiconductor substrate so that the photodiode and the MOS transistor are isolated from each other; and a deep-portion isolation implantation layer that is formed under the element isolation portion for preventing a flow of a charge from the photodiode to the MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nagasaki, Syouji Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 7119379
    Abstract: A semiconductor device disclosed herein comprises: a first base region which is of a first conductivity type; a second base region which is of a second conductivity type and which is selectively formed on a major surface of the first base region; a stopper region which is of a first conductivity type and which is formed on the major surface of the first base region, the stopper region being a predetermined distance away from the second base region and surrounding the second base region; and a ring region which is of a second conductivity type which is formed on the major surface of the first base region between the second base region and the stopper region, the ring region being spirally around the second base region and electrically connected to the second base region and the stopper region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Ninomiya, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 7078745
    Abstract: A dopant gradient region of a first conductivity type and a corresponding channel impurity gradient below a transfer gate and adjacent a charge collection region of a CMOS imager photodiode are disclosed. The channel impurity gradient in the transfer gate provides a complete charge transfer between the charge collection region of the photodiode and a floating diffusion node. The dopant gradient region is formed by doping a region at one end of the channel with a low enhancement dopant and another region at the other end of the channel with a high enhancement dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Inna Patrick
  • Patent number: 7075128
    Abstract: A charge transfer element comprising a reverse conductive type well formed on the surface of one conductive type semiconductor substrate, the one conductive type channel region extending in one direction relative to the well, a transfer electrode formed intersecting the channel region, a floating diffusion region formed continuous from the channel region, and an output transistor having a gate connected to the floating diffusion region. In a region where the output transistor is formed, the dopant density profile in the depth direction of the semiconductor substrate exhibits the maximum value relative to a middle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 6949777
    Abstract: An insulated gate transistor is comprised of a semiconductor thin film, a first gate insulating film formed on a main surface of the semiconductor thin film, a first conductive gate formed on the first gate insulating film, first and second confronting semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type insulated from the first conductive gate and disposed in contact with the semiconductor thin film, and a third semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type and disposed in contact with the semiconductor thin film. The insulated gate transistor is controlled by injecting carriers of the second conductivity type into the semiconductor thin film from the third semiconductor region, and thereafter applying a first electric potential to the first conductive gate to form a channel of the first conductivity type on a portion of the semiconductor thin film disposed between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Hisashi Hasegawa, Yoshifumi Yoshida, Jun Osanai
  • Patent number: 6909126
    Abstract: An imager cell includes a photoreceptor, a sense node, and a pinned transfer gate. The pinned transfer gate is tied to the same potential of a substrate of the imager cell and is disposed between the photoreceptor and the sense node in order to transfer charge between the photoreceptor and the sense node. The imager further includes a reset transistor disposed to reset the sense node, and an output amplifier coupled to the sense node. Control circuitry supplies a photoreceptor readout clock to the photoreceptor. The readout clock includes an integration period and a transfer period. According to various embodiments of the invention, the imager cell provides improved noise performance, selective charge capacities, and improved blue light response beyond that of conventional imager cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: ESS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Janesick
  • Patent number: 6867438
    Abstract: There is a demand of a solid-state imaging device capable of being driven at a high speed and in which the shading of sensitivity and illuminance defect can be prevented from being caused. A solid-state imaging device (20) comprises a light-receiving sensor section disposed on the surface layer portion of a substrate (21) for performing a photoelectric conversion, a charge transfer section for transferring a signal charge read out from the light-receiving sensor section, a transfer electrode (27) (28) made of polysilicon formed on a substrate (21) at a position approximately above the charge transfer section through an insulating film (26), and an interconnection made of polysilicon and interconnected to the transfer electrode (27) (28). At least one of the polysilicon transfer electrode (27)(28) and the interconnection is formed on a polysilicon layer (27a) (28a) by selectively depositing a high-melting point metal having a resistance value lower than that of polysilicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Maruyama, Hideshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6847065
    Abstract: An NMOS field effect transistor (1) is made radiation hard by a pair of guard band implants (115) of limited horizontal extent, extending between the source (30A) and drain (30B) along the edge of the transistor body, and extending only to a limited extent into the field insulator and into the interior of the transistor, leaving an unimplanted area in the center of the body that retains the transistor design threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Wing Y. Lum
  • Publication number: 20040245550
    Abstract: An organic field-effect transistor and a method of making the same include a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of bifunctional molecules disposed between a pair of electrodes as a channel material. The pair of electrodes and the SAM of bifunctional molecules are formed above an insulating layer, in which each of the bifunctional molecules comprises a functionality at a first end that covalently bonds to the insulating layer, and an end-cap functionality at a second end that includes a conjugated bond. The SAM of bifunctional molecules may be polymerized SAM to form a conjugated polymer strand extending between the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Afzali-Ardakani, Christos D. Dimitrakopoulos
  • Patent number: 6787829
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel of the invention is such that, in a pixel region defined by a region of the array substrate surrounded by a pair of image signal lines and a pair of scanning signal lines, of a line-shaped pixel electrode and a common electrode, the electrode that is disposed adjacent to and parallel to a signal line is made of an opaque conductor and at least one of the other electrodes is made of a transparent conductor. Adverse effects of the electric field formed between a signal line and an adjacent electrode thereto are suppressed and a sufficient aperture ratio is ensured by using a transparent conductor for the electrode contributing good display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukami, Katsuhiko Kumagawa, Hiroyuki Yamakita, Masanori Kimura, Michiko Okafuji, Satoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 6762441
    Abstract: An imager cell includes a photoreceptor, a sense node, and a pinned transfer gate. The pinned transfer gate is disposed to transfer charge between the photoreceptor and the sense node. The imager further includes a reset transistor disposed to reset the sense node, and an output amplifier coupled to the sense node. Control circuitry supplies a photoreceptor readout clock to the photoreceptor. The readout clock includes an integration period and a transfer period. During the integration period, the readout clock is at an integration voltage V+ which may be varied to setup a desired charge capacity in the photoreceptor. A thin gate structure or light aperture may be included to enhance blue light response of the photoreceptor. Thus, the imager cell provides improved noise performance, selective charge capacities, and improved blue light response beyond that of conventional imager cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: ESS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Janesick
  • Patent number: 6744083
    Abstract: A MOSFET semiconductor device having an asymmetric channel region between the source region and the drain region. In one embodiment, the device comprises a mesa structure on a silicon substrate with the source region being in the substrate and the mesa structure extending from the source region and substrate. The asymmetric channel region can include silicon abutting the source region and a heterostructure material such as Si1-xGex extending to and abutting the drain region. The mole fraction of Ge can increase towards the drain region either uniformly or in steps. In one embodiment, the doping profile of the channel region is non-uniform with higher doping near the source region and lower doping near the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Sanjay Kumar Banerjee
  • Patent number: 6657243
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having an SRAM section in which a p-well, a first n-well, and a second n-well are formed in a semiconductor substrate. Two n-type access transistors and two n-type driver transistors are formed in the p-well. Two p-type load transistors are formed in the first n-well. The second n-well is located under the p-well and the first n-well and also is connected to the first n-well. The potential of the first n-well is supplied from the second n-well. According to the present invention, the SRAM section can be reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kumagai, Masahiro Takeuchi, Satoru Kodaira, Takafumi Noda