Light Patents (Class 257/431)
  • Patent number: 9437756
    Abstract: A solar cell structure includes P-type and N-type doped regions. A dielectric spacer is formed on a surface of the solar cell structure. A metal layer is formed on the dielectric spacer and on the surface of the solar cell structure that is exposed by the dielectric spacer. A metal foil is placed on the metal layer. A laser beam is used to weld the metal foil to the metal layer. A laser beam is also used to pattern the metal foil. The laser beam ablates portions of the metal foil and the metal layer that are over the dielectric spacer. The laser ablation of the metal foil cuts the metal foil into separate P-type and N-type metal fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Pass
  • Patent number: 9417344
    Abstract: Wirebond protection is provided for imaging tiles in which the imaging sensor and PCB are mounted side-by-side on a tile carrier for use in X or Gamma Ray indirect imaging detectors without use of a “glob top” encapsulant. A glass cap comprising a bead of adhesive material and a lid is formed to provide an enclosed open-air cavity around the wire bonds. As such, any expansion of the bead material does not produce mechanical stress on the wire bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Teledyne Dalsa, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Petrus Maria van Arendonk
  • Patent number: 9401381
    Abstract: A portion on the light exit end surface side of a fiber optic plate includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion corresponds to a peripheral portion of a semiconductor photodetecting element. The second portion corresponds to a thin portion of the semiconductor photodetecting element and projects more toward the semiconductor photodetecting element than the first portion. A height of a step made between the first portion and the second portion of the fiber optic plate is lower than a height of a step made between the thin portion and the peripheral portion of the semiconductor photodetecting element. The semiconductor photodetecting element and the fiber optic plate are fixed by a resin, in a state in which the first portion and the peripheral portion are in contact and in which the second portion and the thin portion are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroya Kobayashi, Masaharu Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9385155
    Abstract: A light receiving region includes a plurality of light detecting sections 10. The light detecting sections 10 has a second contact electrode 4A. The second contact electrode 4A is arranged at a position overlapping a first contact electrode 3A, so as to contact the first contact electrode. Further, a resistive layer 4B is continued to the second contact electrode 4A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Koei Yamamoto, Terumasa Nagano, Kazuhisa Yamamura, Kenichi Sato, Ryutaro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9379196
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a trench in a semiconductor material includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate. The first dielectric layer includes first openings. An epitaxial layer is grown on the semiconductor substrate by an epitaxial lateral overgrowth process. The first openings are filled by the epitaxial layer and the epitaxial layer is grown onto adjacent portions of the first dielectric layer so that part of the first dielectric layer is uncovered by the epitaxial layer and a gap forms between opposing sidewalls of the epitaxial layer over the part of the first dielectric layer that is uncovered by the epitaxial layer. The gap defines a first trench in the epitaxial layer that extends to the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Ravi Joshi, Johannes Baumgartl, Martin Poelzl, Matthias Kuenle, Juergen Steinbrenner, Andreas Haghofer, Christoph Gruber, Georg Ehrentraut
  • Patent number: 9377887
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising: forming a concavo-convex area comprising a first concavo-convex pattern on one surface of a carrier substrate; forming a flexible substrate on the one surface of the carrier substrate; forming a display element configured to display an image on the flexible substrate; and separating the flexible substrate from the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 9368536
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device having a light sensing section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light includes: an insulating layer formed on a light receiving surface of the light sensing section; a layer having negative electric charges formed on the insulating layer; and a hole accumulation layer formed on the light receiving surface of the light sensing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Itaru Oshiyama, Takashi Ando, Susumu Hiyama, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Yuko Ohgishi, Harumi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9368545
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of isolation spacers, and a plurality of bottom electrodes, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of bottom electrodes are insulated from each other by respective ones of the plurality of isolation spacers. A plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions overlaps the plurality of bottom electrodes, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions are insulated from each other by respective ones of the plurality of isolation spacers. A top electrode overlies the plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions and the plurality of isolation spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Shin Chu, Cheng-Tao Lin, Meng-Hsun Wan, Szu-Ying Chen, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 9337226
    Abstract: An image pickup element includes: a semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion section for each pixel; a pixel separation groove provided in the semiconductor substrate; and a fixed charge film provided on a light-receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the fixed charge film includes a first insulating film and a second insulating film, the first insulating film being provided contiguously from the light-receiving surface to a wall surface and a bottom surface of the pixel separation groove, and the second insulating film being provided on a part of the first insulating film, the part corresponding to at least the light-receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Manda, Susumu Hiyama, Yasuyuki Shiga
  • Patent number: 9263420
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for forming a device include performing an oxidation inhibiting treatment to exposed ends of first and second device-to-edge conductors, and forming a package surface conductor to electrically couple the exposed ends of the first and second device-to-edge conductors. Performing the oxidation inhibiting treatment may include applying an organic solderability protectant coating to the exposed ends, or plating the exposed ends with a conductive plating material. The method may further include applying a conformal protective coating over the package surface conductor. An embodiment of a device formed using such a method includes a package body, the first and second device-to-edge conductors, the package surface conductor on a surface of the package body and extending between the first and second device-to-edge conductors, and the conformal protective coating over the package surface conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Michael B. Vincent, Scott M. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9263482
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus having a plurality of pixels, comprising: a substrate; a wiring layer formed on the substrate and including an insulating film and a plurality of wires; a plurality of lower electrodes formed on the wiring layer in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of pixels; a photoelectric conversion film formed covering the plurality of lower electrodes; a light-transmissive upper electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; and a shield electrode extending through a gap between each pair of adjacent lower electrodes among the plurality of lower electrodes, the shield electrode having a fixed potential and being electrically insulated from the plurality of lower electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Doi, Mitsuo Yasuhira, Ryohei Miyagawa, Yoshiyuki Ohmori
  • Patent number: 9240512
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a semiconductor substrate having a trench and having a first conductivity type, a photoelectric conversion layer formed in the semiconductor substrate below the trench to have a second conductivity type, first and second transfer gate electrodes provided in the trench covered with a gate insulating layer, a first charge-detection layer formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first transfer gate electrode, and a second charge-detection layer formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the second transfer gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungchul Kim, Hyoungsoo Ko, Wonjoo Kim, Jung Bin Yun, Kwang-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9229566
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a flexible display device, comprising: forming a concavo-convex area comprising a first concavo-convex pattern on one surface of a carrier substrate; forming a flexible substrate on the one surface of the carrier substrate; forming a display element configured to display an image on the flexible substrate; and separating the flexible substrate from the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 9202992
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a p-side and an n-side interconnect portions, a fluorescent substance layer and a transparent layer. The semiconductor layer has a first major surface, a second major surface, and a first side surface, the semiconductor layer including a light emitting layer. The p-side and n-side interconnect portions are electrically connected to the semiconductor layer. The fluorescent substance layer is provided on the first major surface side. The transparent layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and the fluorescent substance layer, and has a second side surface. The device further includes an insulating film covering the first side surface and the second side surface, and a reflecting member covering the first side surface and the second side surface via the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tomizawa, Akihiro Kojima, Miyoko Shimada, Yosuke Akimoto, Hideto Furuyama, Yoshiaki Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 9202840
    Abstract: Photodetecting device comprising: a semiconductor layer doped according to a first type of conductivity; two first semiconductor portions doped according to a second type of conductivity opposed to the first type of conductivity, distinct and separated from one another, and arranged in the semiconductor layer next to one another; a second semiconductor portion doped according to the first type of conductivity with a level of doping greater than that of the semiconductor layer and delimiting, with the semiconductor layer, the first portions by forming p-n junctions, wherein a part of the semiconductor layer separates the first portions such that the depletion zones between the first portions form a potential barrier of which the level is less than the potential of the second portion and of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Pierre Gidon, Norbert Moussy
  • Patent number: 9171914
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having small leakage current and high breakdown voltage during reverse blocking, small on-state resistance and large output current at forward conduction, short reverse recovery time at shutoff, and high peak surge current value is provided. An n-type layer is made of a group-III nitride, and a p-type layer is made of a group-IV semiconductor material having a smaller band gap than the group-III nitride. The energy level at the top of the valence band of the n-type layer is lower than the energy level at the top of the valence band of the p-type layer, so that a P-N junction semiconductor device satisfying the above requirements is obtained. Further, a combined structure of P-N junction and Schottky junction by additionally providing an anode electrode to be in Schottky contact with the n-type layer also achieves the effect of decreasing voltage at the rising edge of current resulting from the Schottky junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyoshi, Yoshitaka Kuraoka
  • Patent number: 9153490
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has a sensor substrate having a pixel region on which photoelectric converters are arrayed; a driving circuit provided on a front face side that is opposite from a light receiving face as to the photoelectric converters on the sensor substrate; an insulation layer, provided on the light receiving face, and having a stepped construction wherein the film thickness of the pixel region is thinner than the film thickness in a periphery region provided on the outside of the pixel region; a wiring provided to the periphery region on the light receiving face side; and on-chip lenses provided to positions corresponding to the photoelectric converters on the insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikue Mitsuhashi, Kentaro Akiyama, Koji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9143236
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that identifies and localizes fiber breaks or faults automatically, utilizing a fiber optic data transceiver that has ?OTDR functionality. The transceiver of the present invention is a single wavelength bi-directional transceiver that during normal operation sends and receives optical data streams in the same wavelength window using any protocol and reports the distance to the fault or multiple faults nearly instantaneously when the transfer of data is disrupted, without the need to have fiber lines dedicated for this purpose or physically connect and reconnect each fiber line to check for faults and eliminates the need to map out the distance to the remote transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Optical Zonu Corporation
    Inventors: Meir Bartur, Jim Stephenson, Farzad Ghadooshahy
  • Patent number: 9134542
    Abstract: A light source device which can prevent deterioration of a polarization rotation element and an adhesive for bonding the polarization rotation element is to be provided. A light source device includes a polarization separation element obtaining first polarization and second polarization by separation and a polarization rotation element converting a polarization component aligned in a second polarization direction into a polarization component aligned in a first polarization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yanai
  • Patent number: 9129876
    Abstract: An image sensor including a microlens, a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a color filter is provided. The microlens receives light; the substrate includes a light sensing element in a light sensing area for receiving light incident to the microlens. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are stacked on the substrate from bottom to top, wherein the second dielectric layer has a recess on the first dielectric layer and in an optical path between the microlens and the light sensing element. The color filter is disposed in the recess. Moreover, the present invention also provides an image sensing process for forming said image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chun-Hong Peng
  • Patent number: 9121949
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method and an electronic circuit for reading the signals generated by one or more pixelated sensors in a gamma radiation detection system, which makes it possible to substantially reduce the number of electronic channels to be digitized. The electronic circuit in the invention is analog and can also be coupled to other similar circuits in order to acquire the signals from larger sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Oncovision, General Equipment for Medical Imaging, S.A.
    Inventors: Christoph Werner Lerche, Vicente Herrero Bosch, Angel Sebastiá Cortés, José María Benlloch Baviera, Filomeno Sánchez Martínez
  • Patent number: 9123609
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a photoelectric conversion device; a wire grid polarizer provided on the photoelectric conversion device; and a conductive film electrically connecting conductive layers provided in the photoelectric conversion device to the wire grid polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9123843
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer laminate in which a plurality of semiconductor layers are laminated, the semiconductor layer laminate including a light receiving layer, the light receiving layer being grown by a metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy method, the light receiving layer having a cutoff wavelength of more than or equal to 3 ?m and less than or equal to 8 ?m, the semiconductor device having a dark current density of less than or equal to 1×10?1 A/cm2 when a reverse bias voltage of 60 mV is applied at a temperature of ?140° C. Thereby, a semiconductor device which can receive light in a mid-infrared range and has a low dark current is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kyono, Katsushi Akita, Kaoru Shibata, Koji Nishizuka, Kei Fujii
  • Patent number: 9117723
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a high concentration well region in contact with a device isolation layer extending along a periphery of a photoelectric converting part, which can improve dark current properties of the image sensor. The image sensor also includes a low concentration well region in contact with a sidewall of the device isolation layer overlapped with a transfer gate, which can improve image lag properties of the image sensor. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungchak Ahn, Yitae Kim
  • Patent number: 9054247
    Abstract: Single-photon detectors, arrays of single-photon detectors, methods of using the single-photon detectors and methods of fabricating the single-photon detectors are provided. The single-photon detectors combine the efficiency of a large absorbing volume with the sensitivity of nanometer-scale carrier injectors, called “nanoinjectors”. The photon detectors are able to achieve single-photon counting with extremely high quantum efficiency, low dark count rates, and high bandwidths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Hooman Mohseni, Omer G. Memis
  • Patent number: 9053994
    Abstract: A device for image sensing includes a photoelectric conversion unit and at least one transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit is configured to convert incident electromagnetic radiation into an electric signal. The at least one transistor includes a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode. The first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other within a non-overlapping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamada, Makoto Takatoku
  • Patent number: 9048156
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor image pickup device includes a pixel area and a non-pixel area. The device includes a first photoelectric conversion element formed in the pixel area, a first transistor formed in the pixel area and connected to the first photoelectric conversion element, a second photoelectric conversion element formed in the non-pixel area, a second transistor formed in the non-pixel area and connected to the second photoelectric conversion element, a metal wire formed at least in the non-pixel area, a first cap layer formed on the metal wire to prevent diffusion of metal contained in the metal wire, and a dummy via wire formed in the non-pixel area and penetrating the first cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Koike
  • Patent number: 9040331
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a diode comprises a substrate, a dielectric material including an opening that exposes a portion of the substrate, the opening having an aspect ratio of at least 1, a bottom diode material including a lower region disposed at least partly in the opening and an upper region extending above the opening, the bottom diode material comprising a semiconductor material that is lattice mismatched to the substrate, a top diode material proximate the upper region of the bottom diode material, and an active diode region between the top and bottom diode materials, the active diode region including a surface extending away from the top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 9041132
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion portion, a charge holding portion, a floating diffusion, and a transfer portion. The pixel also includes a beneath-holding-portion isolation layer and a pixel isolation layer. An end portion on a photoelectric conversion portion side of the pixel isolation layer is away from the photoelectric conversion portion compared to an end portion on a photoelectric conversion portion side of the beneath-holding-portion isolation layer, and an N-type semiconductor region constituting part of the photoelectric conversion portion is disposed under at least part of the beneath-holding-portion isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Kobayashi, Yuichiro Yamashita, Yusuke Onuki
  • Patent number: 9041136
    Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided an avalanche photodiode comprising a first semiconductor layer that absorbs photons of a first wavelength range and having a first energy bandgap; a second semiconductor layer that absorbs photons of a second wavelength range and having a second energy bandgap, the second energy bandgap being different from the first energy bandgap; and a control layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, the control layer having a third energy bandgap engineered to suppress carriers created from dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventor: Ching Kean Chia
  • Patent number: 9040428
    Abstract: Hemispheres and spheres are formed and employed for a plurality of applications. Hemispheres are employed to form a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes peaks of pillars which have a base attached to the lower surface. The peaks have a density defined at the upper surface by an array of hemispherical metal structures that act as a mask during an etch to remove substrate material down to the lower surface during formation of the pillars. The pillars are dense and uniform and include a microscale average diameter. The spheres are formed as independent metal spheres or nanoparticles for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Augustin J. Hong, Woo-Shik Jung, Jeehwan Kim, Jae-Woong Nahum, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 9040982
    Abstract: An electrical device with light-responsive layers is disclosed. One or more electrically conducting stripes, each insulated from each other, are deposited on a smooth surface of a substrate. Then metal oxide layers, separated by a composite diffusion layer, are deposited. On top of the topmost metal oxide layer another set of elongated conductive strips are disposed in contact with the topmost metal oxide layer such that junctions are formed wherever the top and bottom conducting stripes cross. The resulting device is light responsive only when a certain sign of bias voltage is applied and may be used as a photodetector. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the device is that this device may be formed without the use of conventional patterning, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventor: Fred J. Cadieu
  • Publication number: 20150137294
    Abstract: Image sensor package structure and method are provided. The method includes: providing first substrate having upper surface on which image sensing areas and pads are formed; providing second substrate having through holes; forming tape film on upper surface of second substrate to seal each through hole; contacting lower surface of second substrate with upper surface of first substrate to make image sensing areas in through holes; removing portions of tape film and second substrate, wherein remained tape film and second substrate form cavities including sidewalls made of second substrate and caps sealing sidewalls and made of tape film, and remained second substrate also covers pads; removing portions of remained second substrate to expose pads; slicing first substrate to form single image sensor chips including image sensing areas and pads; and electrically connecting pads with circuits on third substrate through wires. Pollution or damage to image sensing areas may be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: China Wafer Level CSP Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiqi Wang, Qiong Yu, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9035407
    Abstract: Provided is a receiver module, including: a semiconductor light receiving element including an electrode; and a sub-mount including: an electrical wiring joined to the electrode with solder; and a trap region arranged around a joining surface of the electrical wiring, the trap region retaining solder by solder wetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Oclaro Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamada, Takashi Toyonaka
  • Patent number: 9034678
    Abstract: A BioMEMS microelectromechanical apparatus and for fabricating the same is disclosed. A substrate is provided with at least one signal conduit formed on the substrate. A sacrificial layer of sacrificial material may be deposited on the signal conduit and optionally patterned to remove sacrificial material from outside the packaging covered area. A bonding layer may be deposited on at least a portion of the signal conduit and on the sacrificial layer when included. The bonding layer may be planarized and patterned to form one or more cap bonding pads and define a packaging covered area. A cap may be bonded on the cap bonding pad to define a capped area and so that the signal conduit extends from outside the capped area to inside the capped area. Additionally, a test material such as a fluid may be provided within the capped area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen Timothy Chang, Yi-Shao Liu, Ching-Ray Chen, Chun-Ren Cheng
  • Patent number: 9035410
    Abstract: An avalanche photodiode detector is provided. The avalanche photodiode detector comprises an absorber region having an absorption layer for receiving incident photons and generating charged carriers; and a multiplier region having a multiplication layer; wherein the multiplier region is on a mesa structure separate from the absorber region and is coupled to the absorber region by a bridge for transferring charged carriers between the absorber region and multiplier region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ping Yuan, Joseph C. Boisvert, Dmitri D. Krut, Rengarajan Sudharsanan
  • Patent number: 9035405
    Abstract: An active matrix image sensing panel includes a substrate and an image sensing pixel. The image sensing pixel is disposed on the substrate and includes a data line, a first thin film transistor (TFT) device and a second TFT device. The first TFT device includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a first gate electrode. The second electrode is coupled to the data line through a first via. The second TFT device includes a third electrode, a fourth electrode and a second gate electrode. The fourth electrode is electrically connected to the data line through a second via. The second electrode and the fourth electrode are connected with each other and overlap the data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: INNOCOM TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD, INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Wu
  • Publication number: 20150129923
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical-semiconductor device, including forming a plurality of first and second electrically conductive members that are disposed separately from each other on a support substrate; providing a base member formed from a light blocking resin between the first and second electrically conductive members; mounting an optical-semiconductor element on the first and/or second electrically conductive member; covering the optical-semiconductor element by a sealing member formed from a translucent resin; and obtaining individual optical-semiconductor devices after removing the support substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato FUJITOMO, Hiroto TAMAKI, Shinji NISHIJIMA, Yuichiro TANDA, Tomohide MIKI
  • Publication number: 20150130009
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device having a photoelectric conversion element having a high sensitivity, causing less blooming, and capable of providing a highly reliable image. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a first p type epitaxial layer, a second p type epitaxial layer, and a first photoelectric conversion element. The first p type epitaxial layer is formed over the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second p type epitaxial layer is formed so as to cover the upper surface of the first p type epitaxial layer. The first photoelectric conversion element is formed in the second p type epitaxial layer. The first and second p type epitaxial layers are each made of silicon and the first p type epitaxial layer has a p type impurity concentration higher than that of the second p type epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Katsumi EIKYU, Atsushi SAKAI, Hiroyuki ARIE
  • Patent number: 9029908
    Abstract: A photonic device comprises a substrate and a dielectric material including two or more openings that expose a portion of the substrate, the two or more openings each having an aspect ratio of at least 1. A bottom diode material comprising a compound semiconductor material that is lattice mismatched to the substrate occupies the two or more openings and is coalesced above the two or more openings to form the bottom diode region. The device further includes a top diode material and an active diode region between the top and bottom diode materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 9029968
    Abstract: An optical sensor element is mounted in a package which includes a glass substrate having a cavity, and a glass lid substrate bonded to the other substrate to close the cavity. The glass substrate with the cavity has metalized wiring patterns on front and rear surfaces thereof, and a through hole filled with metal to form a through-electrode interconnecting the wiring patterns on the front and rear surfaces. A metalized wiring pattern on the rear surface of the glass lid substrate is electrically connected to the wiring pattern on the front surface of the other substrate with an adhesive containing conductive particles. The glass lid substrate is made either of glass having a filter function or glass having a light shielding property with an opening therethrough filled with glass having a filter function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Tsukagoshi, Hitoshi Kamamori, Sadao Oku, Hiroyuki Fujita, Keiichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9030189
    Abstract: Photo-field-effect transistor devices and associated methods are disclosed in which a photogate, consisting of a quantum dot sensitizing layer, transfers photoelectrons to a semiconductor channel across a charge-separating (type-II) heterointerface, producing a sustained primary and secondary flow of carriers between source and drain electrodes. The light-absorbing photogate thus modulates the flow of current along the channel, forming a photo-field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Hartley Sargent
  • Patent number: 9024363
    Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a charge holding portion, a part of an element isolation region contacting with a semiconductor region constituting the charge holding portion extends from a reference surface including the light receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion element into a semiconductor substrate at a level equal to or deeper than the depth of the semiconductor region in comparison with the semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9024242
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device which is configured not to require transfer of signal charges between pixels performs TDI. An output control section 5 sequentially assigns a pixel signal output processing period to each pixel array group 10 in the order of the vertical direction at an interval of one horizontal processing period H obtained by dividing one frame period T into three. The one frame period T is a period when each pixel array 100 is moved in the vertical direction. An adder 50 sums up a pixel signal held in a signal holding portion 41_X, and a pixel signals held in a signal holding portion 41_R, 41_G, 41_B corresponding to the pixel signal under the control of the output control section 5, and outputs the summation result to an A/D converter 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9024400
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element, which is provided with a substrate, a first electrode film having first and second conductive films provided on the substrate, a metal compound film covering the first electrode film, a semiconductor film connected with the metal compound film, a second electrode film connected with the semiconductor film, and an insulating film covering and surrounding the substrate, the first electrode film, the semiconductor film, and the metal compound film, the method including: forming the first conductive film to be connected with the substrate and the second conductive film to be connected with the first electrode film; forming the second conductive film in a predetermined shape using wet etching after the forming of the first and second conductive films, and forming the metal compound film which covers the first electrode film after the forming of the metal compound film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Miyata, Yasunori Hattori
  • Publication number: 20150115290
    Abstract: The invention disclosure relates to a manufacturing method comprising the formation of elemental LED or photovoltaic structures on a first substrate, each comprising at least one p-type layer, an active zone and an n-type layer, formation of a first planar metal layer on the elemental structures, provision of a transfer substrate comprising a second planar metal layer, assembly of the elemental structures with the transfer substrate by bonding of the first and second metal layers by molecular adhesion at room temperature, and removal of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Pascal Guenard
  • Patent number: 9018722
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid-state image pickup device that includes a pixel portion and a peripheral circuit portion, includes: forming a first insulating film in the pixel portion and the peripheral circuit portion, forming a second insulating film above the first insulating film, etching the second insulating film in photoelectric conversion elements, forming a metal film on the etched second insulating film in the photoelectric conversion elements and on the second insulating film in the peripheral circuit portion, and removing the metal film in the peripheral circuit portion and forming light-shielding films from the metal film in the photoelectric conversion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouhei Hashimoto, Masatsugu Itahashi
  • Patent number: 9018723
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an infrared sensor that includes a plurality of pairs of support structures positioned on the substrate, each pair including a first support structure adjacent to a second support structure. The sensor includes plurality of pixels, where each pixel is associated with one of the pairs of support structures. Each pixel includes a first infrared reflector layer on the substrate between the first and the second support structures, a membrane formed on the first and second support structures, a thermally conductive resistive layer on the membrane and positioned above the first infrared reflector layer, a second infrared reflector layer on the resistive layer, and an infrared absorption layer on the second infrared reflector layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Ravi Shankar, Tien Choy Loh
  • Publication number: 20150108595
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device. In a pixel array section in the solid-state imaging device, a vertical signal line is provided right under power supply wiring apart from a floating diffusion region in order to reduce load capacitance of the vertical signal line. Furthermore, the power supply wiring is wired to make a cover rate of each vertical signal line with respect to the power supply wiring nearly uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress variation of load capacitance of the vertical signal line for each pixel. It becomes possible to suppress deviation in a black level, variation of charge transfer, and variation of settling. It becomes possible to obtain an image with higher quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Yusuke Uesaka, Atsuhiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9012960
    Abstract: A photo detector comprising a first doped impurity region (adapted to receive a first voltage) disposed in or on a substrate; a body region, juxtaposed the first doped impurity region; a gate (adapted to receive a second voltage) spaced from a first portion of the body region; a light absorbing region, juxtaposed a second portion of the body region, includes a material which, in response to light incident thereon, generates carrier pairs including a first and second type carriers; a contact region (adapted to receive a third voltage) juxtaposed the light absorbing region; wherein, in response to incident light, the gate attracts first type carriers of the carrier pairs to the first portion of the body region which causes second carriers from the first doped impurity region to flow to the contact region, and the contact region attracts second type carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Actlight, S.A.
    Inventor: Serguei Okhonin