Including High Voltage Or High Power Devices Isolated From Low Voltage Or Low Power Devices In The Same Integrated Circuit Patents (Class 257/500)
  • Patent number: 7557444
    Abstract: A via structure is disclosed for use in a multi-layered semiconductor device, for forming electrical contacts between prescribed layers of the vertically aligned structures. The via structures include a plurality of adjacent frame shaped hole structures which extend between the prescribed layers of the device, and which are filled with metal to form frame shaped vias. The width of each of the sides of the frame is chosen to be equal to an integer multiple of half of the minimum pitch of the semiconductor processing, with the distance between adjacent frame shaped via structures being approximately equal to an integer multiple of half of the minimum pitch of the semiconductor processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Achim Gratz, Jakob Kriz, Woong-Jae Chung
  • Publication number: 20090166797
    Abstract: Provided is a high-voltage integrated circuit device including a high-voltage resistant diode. The device includes a low-voltage circuit region having a plurality of semiconductor devices, which operate with respect to a ground voltage, a high-voltage circuit region having a plurality of semiconductor devices, which operate with respect to a voltage that varies from the ground voltage to a high voltage, a junction termination and a first isolation region electrically isolating the low-voltage circuit region from the high-voltage circuit region, a high-voltage resistant diode formed between the low-voltage circuit region and the high-voltage circuit region, and a second isolation region surrounding the high-voltage resistant diode and electrically isolating the high-voltage resistant diode from the low-voltage circuit region and the high-voltage circuit region. Therefore, a leakage current of the high-voltage resistant diode can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Fairchild Korea Simiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Iyong Kim, Chang-ki Jeon
  • Patent number: 7545018
    Abstract: A high voltage operating field effect transistor has a substrate, a source region and a drain region which are spaced apart from each other in a surface of the substrate, a semiconductor channel formation region disposed in the surface of the substrate between the source region and the drain region, a gate region disposed above the channel formation region, and a gate insulating film region disposed between the channel formation region and the gate region. At least one of a signal electric potential and a signal current is supplied to the source region, and a bias electric potential having an absolute value equal to or larger than a first constant electric potential which changes according to an increase or decrease in a drain electric potential is supplied to the gate region. One end of a rectifying device is connected to the gate region, and a second constant electric potential is supplied to the other end of the rectifying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignees: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Hisashi Hasegawa, Yoshifumi Yoshida, Jun Osanai
  • Publication number: 20090140372
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an array having at least one first region and at least one second region. The at least one first region includes at least one first device oriented in a first direction. The at least one second region includes at least one second device oriented in a second direction. The second direction is different than the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Uwe Hodel, Andreas Martin, Wolfgang Heinrigs
  • Publication number: 20090140373
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an LCD driver IC. The method includes forming a plurality of gate patterns on a semiconductor substrate by sequentially forming a plurality of gate insulating films and gate electrodes; sequentially depositing a plurality of spacer material layers covering the gate electrodes; forming spacers on the side walls of the gate electrodes by performing an etchback process on the plurality of spacer material layers such that the lowermost spacer material layer remains on the semiconductor substrate; and controlling the thickness of the lowermost spacer material layer (or removing the lowermost spacer material layer) by etching the lowermost spacer material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Chung Kyung JUNG
  • Patent number: 7541652
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a noise sensitive circuit, and a first low impedance guard ring. The substrate includes a well-doped blocking ring that at least partially surrounds the noise sensitive circuit. The noise sensitive circuit is fabricated on the substrate. The first low impedance guard ring is fabricated on the substrate to at least partially surround the well-doped blocking ring, wherein the first low impedance guard ring is operably coupled to a first circuit ground, wherein impedance of the first low impedance guard ring is substantially less than impedance of the well-doped blocking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: XILINX, Inc.
    Inventor: Firas N. Abughazaleh
  • Patent number: 7542317
    Abstract: The power conversion apparatus uses the semiconductor device. Said semiconductor device includes a first group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between a first potential and a third potential, a second group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between a second potential and the third potential, and a third group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between the first potential and the third potential. The second group is disposed between the first group and third group. Thereby, a low-loss semiconductor device having both inductance reducibility and heat generation balancing capability and also an electric power conversion apparatus using the same is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Azuma, Toshiaki Morita, Hiroshi Hozoji, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Toshiya Satoh, Osamu Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7539962
    Abstract: There is provided a method of correcting pattern data for a semiconductor device, including acquiring pattern data for a lower layer, pattern data for an upper layer, and pattern data for a connecting layer containing connecting patterns to connect patterns contained in the lower layer and patterns contained in the upper layer, grouping patterns contained in the lower layer, the upper layer, and the connecting layer into a plurality of groups in which patterns in the same group are to be set at the same electric potential, acquiring a first distance between one edge of one connecting pattern contained in one group and an edge of a pattern contained in another group, and moving the one edge in a direction in which a size of the one connecting pattern increases, based on the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Suigen Kyoh
  • Patent number: 7538408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a surface layer on the side of a first principal surface of a p-semiconductor substrate, a high side n-isolation-diffused region and a low side n-isolation-diffused region formed apart from each other by a distance that is shorter than the diffusion length of electrons in the p-semiconductor substrate. In a region between the high side n-isolation-diffused region and the low side n-isolation-diffused region, a p-region is formed which has a higher impurity concentration than the p-semiconductor substrate. A first electrode in contact with the p-region and a second electrode in contact with a second principal surface of the p-semiconductor substrate are brought to be at the ground potential. This, at switching of a low side IGBT, makes a charging or discharging current flowing from the high side n-isolation-diffused region flow toward the back surface of the substrate to be taken out from the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7531871
    Abstract: A semiconductor element of this invention includes a drift layer of a first conductivity type formed on a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, a well layer of a second conductivity type selectively formed in the surface of the drift layer, a source layer of the first conductivity type selectively formed in the surface of the well layer, a trench formed to reach at least the inside of the drift layer from the surface of the source layer through the well layer, a buried electrode formed in the trench through a first insulating film, and a control electrode formed on the drift layer, the well layer, and the source layer through a second insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ichiro Omura, Wataru Saito, Tsuneo Ogura, Hiromichi Ohashi, Yoshihiko Saito, Kenichi Tokano
  • Patent number: 7525172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type in which at least a first element-forming region and a second element-forming region are formed. Wells are formed in respective ones of the element-forming regions of the semiconductor substrate, and the well of at least one element-forming region is of the first conductivity type. A guard ring of a second conductivity type is formed between the wells of the first and second element-forming regions, and a region of the first conductivity type having an impurity concentration lower than that of the well of the one element-forming region is formed between the guard ring and the well of the one element-forming region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7521771
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate having first and second device regions. A first trench is formed in the first region and a second trench is formed in the second region. The first trench and the second trench have different widths and different depths. The first trench and the second trench define device isolation regions and active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Keon Choi
  • Patent number: 7521697
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device and an equipment for fabricating the semiconductor device are described. According to the method and the equipment, a semiconductor substrate is irradiated with a particle beam through an opening formed in a thin film portion of a stencil mask having the thin film portion and a supporting portion supporting the thin film portion. The method and the equipment are controlled so that the supporting portion of the stencil mask can be irradiated with the fringe of the particle beam. As a result, the method and the equipment provide suppressing deterioration such as deformation or breakage of the stencil mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibata, Kyoichi Suguro
  • Patent number: 7518209
    Abstract: Provided is a high-voltage integrated circuit device including a high-voltage resistant diode. The device includes a low-voltage circuit region having a plurality of semiconductor devices, which operate with respect to a ground voltage, a high-voltage circuit region having a plurality of semiconductor devices, which operate with respect to a voltage that varies from the ground voltage to a high voltage, a junction termination and a first isolation region electrically isolating the low-voltage circuit region from the high-voltage circuit region, a high-voltage resistant diode formed between the low-voltage circuit region and the high-voltage circuit region, and a second isolation region surrounding the high-voltage resistant diode and electrically isolating the high-voltage resistant diode from the low-voltage circuit region and the high-voltage circuit region. Therefore, a leakage current of the high-voltage resistant diode can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor, Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-lyong Kim, Chang-ki Jeon
  • Publication number: 20090090990
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a gate dielectric. This method, without limitation, includes subjecting a silicon substrate to a first plasma nitridation process to incorporate a nitrogen region therein. This method further includes growing a dielectric material layer over the nitrogen region using a nitrogen containing oxidizer gas, and subjecting the dielectric material layer to a second plasma nitridation process, thereby forming a nitrided dielectric material layer over the nitrogen region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Texas Instruments, Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Manoj Mehrotra
  • Patent number: 7514761
    Abstract: A triple operation voltage device including a first type substrate, a high voltage (HV) first type well, a second type well, a low voltage (LV) device well, and a middle voltage (MV) device well is provided. The HV first type well is disposed inside the first type substrate. The second type well is disposed inside the first type substrate to separate the HV first type well from the first type substrate. The LV device well and the MV device well are separately disposed inside the HV first type well by the separation of the HV first type well. The triple operation voltage device assists in reducing the space between the LV device well and the MV device well and improving the integration of integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Himax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tz-Ian Hung, Ming-Cheng Chiu, Chan-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 7508048
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device having multi-gate insulation layers and semiconductor devices fabricated thereby are provided. The method includes forming a pad insulation layer and an initial high voltage gate insulation layer on a first region and a second region of a semiconductor substrate respectively. The initial high voltage gate insulation layer is formed to be thicker than the pad insulation layer. A first isolation layer that penetrates the pad insulation layer and is buried in the semiconductor substrate is formed to define a first active region in the first region, and a second isolation layer that penetrates the initial high voltage gate insulation layer and is buried in the semiconductor substrate is formed to define a second active region in the second region. The pad insulation layer is then removed to expose the first active region. A low voltage gate insulation layer is formed on the exposed first active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Woong Kang, Hong-Soo Kim, Jung-Dal Choi, Kyu-Charn Park, Seong-Soon Cho, Yong-Sik Yim, Sung-Nam Chang
  • Patent number: 7504690
    Abstract: A vertical insulated gate field effect power transistor (3) has a plurality of parallel transistor cells (TC3) with a peripheral gate structure (G31, G2) at the boundary between each two transistor cells (TC3). The gate structure (G31, G32) comprises first (G31) and second (G32) gates isolated from each other so as to be independently operable. The first gate (G31) is a trench-gate (21, 22), and the second gate (G32) has at least an insulated planar gate portion (13, 14). Simultaneous operation of the first (G31) and second (G32) gates forms a conduction channel (23c, 23b) between source (16) and drain (12) regions of the device (3). The device (3) has on-state resistance approaching that of a trench-gate device, better switching performance than a DMOS device, and a better safe operating area than a trench-gate device. The device (3) may be a high side power transistor is series with a low side power transistor (6) in a circuit arrangement (50) (FIG. 14) for supplying a regulated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Brendan P. Kelly, Steven T. Peake, Raymond J. Grover
  • Patent number: 7498653
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for isolating a first circuit and a second circuit of various operating voltages includes a first isolation ring surrounding the first and second circuits on a semiconductor substrate. A buried layer continuously extending underneath the first and second circuits is formed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the buried layer interfaces with the first isolation ring for isolating the first and second circuits from a backside bias of the semiconductor substrate. An ion enhanced isolation layer is interposed between the buried layer and well regions on which devices of the first and second circuits are formed, wherein the ion enhanced isolation layer is doped with impurities of a polarity type different from that of the buried layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Liu, Jun Xiu Liu, Chi-Hsuen Chang, Tzu-Chiang Sung, Chung-I Chen, Rann-Shyan Yeh
  • Patent number: 7489016
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a pair of trenches filled with a dielectric material. Dopant introduced into the mesa between the trenches is limited from diffusing laterally when the substrate is subjected to thermal processing. Therefore, semiconductor devices can be spaced more closely together on the substrate, and the packing density of the devices can be increased. Also trench constrained doped region diffuse faster and deeper than unconstrained diffusions, thereby reducing the time and temperature needed to complete a desired depth diffusion. The technique may be used for semiconductor devices such as bipolar transistors as well as isolation regions that electrically isolate the devices from each other. In one group of embodiments, a buried layer is formed at an interface between an epitaxial layer and a substrate, at a location generally below the dopant in the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignees: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc., Advanced Analogic Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Michael E. Cornell, Wai Tien Chan
  • Patent number: 7485954
    Abstract: A stacked dual MOSFET package is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Sanjay Havanur
  • Patent number: 7480883
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) design, method and program product for reducing IC design power consumption. The IC is organized in circuit rows. Circuit rows may include a low voltage island powered by a low voltage (Vddl) supply and a high voltage island powered by a high voltage (Vddh) supply. Circuit elements including cells, latches and macros are placed with high or low voltage islands to minimize IC power while maintaining overall performance. Level converters may be placed with high voltage circuit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Correale, Jr., David S. Kung, Douglass T. Lamb, Zhigang Pan, Ruchir Puri, David Wallach
  • Patent number: 7476933
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming an apparatus comprises forming a plurality of deep trenches and a plurality of shallow trenches in a first region of a substrate. At least one of the shallow trenches is positioned between two deep trenches. The plurality of shallow trenches and the plurality of deep trenches are parallel to each other. The method further comprises depositing a layer of conductive material over the first region and a second region of the substrate. The method further comprises etching the layer of conductive material to define a plurality of lines separated by a plurality of gaps over the first region of the substrate, and a plurality of active device elements over the second region of the substrate. The method further comprises masking the second region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Werner Juengling
  • Publication number: 20090008740
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate; a dummy pattern extending in one direction on the semiconductor substrate; a junction region electrically connecting the dummy pattern to the semiconductor substrate; and a voltage applying unit that is configured to apply a bias voltage to the dummy pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Bong-Hyun Lee, Jung-Yun Choi
  • Patent number: 7471146
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising an integrated circuit, wherein a first portion of the integrated circuit is placed on a top tier substrate and a second portion of the integrated circuit is placed on a bottom tier substrate stacked adjacent the top tier substrate and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the integrated circuit are interconnected; and printed spiral arms stacked vertically on both the top and bottom surface of the top tier substrate thereby creating high Q inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Paratek Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: William Macropoulos, Greg Mendolia, James G. Oakes, Izz Khayo
  • Publication number: 20080308895
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof are provided. A dual gate oxide layer is formed by thermal oxidation after carrying out a prescribed pre-processing on an STI edge, which results in a high quality oxide layer by thermal oxidation and a uniformly maintained gate oxide layer thickness of a high voltage device area. The present invention includes a semiconductor substrate divided into an active area and an inactive area, the active area including a high voltage device area and a low voltage device area; a device isolation layer on the inactive area of the semiconductor substrate; and a gate oxide layer on the high voltage device area of the semiconductor substrate, the gate oxide layer having a uniform thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Chang Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 7465986
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a plurality of trenches formed within a semiconductor body, each trench including one or more electrodes formed therein. In particular, according to embodiments of the invention, the plurality of trenches of a semiconductor device may include one or more gate electrodes, may include one or more gate electrodes or one or more source electrodes, or may include a combination of both gate and source electrodes formed therein. The trenches and electrodes may have varying depths within the semiconductor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Dev Alok Girdhar, Ling Ma, Steven T. Peake, David Paul Jones
  • Publication number: 20080258253
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit arrangement for safety-critical applications, such as for regulating and controlling tasks in an electronic brake system for motor vehicles. The arrangement includes several electronic, cooperating functional groups (25, 25?), with electric lines (30) provided to interconnect the functional groups (25, 25?). The functional groups consist of a first type and a second type, with the functional groups of the first type having at least the functional group redundant microprocessor system (1) or the functional group input/output devices (19). The functional groups of the second type have at least the functional groups actuator drivers (11, 15, 24, 35) and safety circuits (5, 5?, 7, 7?). The functional groups of the first type and the second type are grouped on a joint chip or chip support member (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fey, Michael Zydek
  • Patent number: 7439134
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device having non-volatile memory cell transistors and transistors of another type is provided. In the method, a substrate is provided having an NVM region, a high voltage (HV) region, and a low voltage (LV) region. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the HV and LV regions. A tunnel oxide layer is formed over the substrate in the NVM region and the gate dielectric in the HV and LV regions. A first polysilicon layer is formed over the tunnel dielectric layer and gate dielectric layer. The first polysilicon layer is patterned to form NVM floating gates. An ONO layer is formed over the first polysilicon layer. A single etch removal step is used to form gates for the HV transistors from the first polysilicon layer while removing the first polysilicon layer from the LV region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Erwin J. Prinz, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Patent number: 7436043
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes multiple low voltage N-well (LVNW) areas biased at different potentials and isolated from a substrate by a common N+ buried layer (NBL) and at least one high voltage N-well (HVNW) area. The LVNW areas are coupled to the common, subjacent NBL through a common P+ buried layer (PBL). The method for forming the substrate usable in a semiconductor device includes forming the NBL in a designated low voltage area of a negatively biased P-type semiconductor substrate, forming the PBL in a section of the NBL area by implanting P-type impurity ions such as indium into the PBL, and growing a P-type epitaxial layer over the PBL using conditions that cause the P-type impurity ions to diffuse into the P-type epitaxial layer such that the PBL extends into the NBL. Low-voltage P-well areas are also formed in the P-type epitaxial layer and contact the PBL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tzu-Chiang Sung, Chih Po Huang, Rann Shyan Yeh, Jun Xiu Liu, Chi-Hsuen Chang, Chung-I Chen
  • Publication number: 20080237777
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer includes at least a partially manufactured high voltage transistor covered by a high-voltage low voltage decoupling layer and at least a partially manufactured low voltage transistor with the high-voltage low-voltage decoupling layer etched off for further performance of a low-voltage manufacturing process thereon. The high-voltage low-voltage decoupling layer comprising a high temperature oxide (HTO) oxide layer of about 30-150 Angstroms and a low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: YongZhong Hu, Sung-Shan Tai
  • Publication number: 20080211053
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a superjunction semiconductor device includes an active region and a termination region surrounding the active region. A central vertical axis of a boundary column of a second conductivity type material defines the boundary between the active region and the termination region. The active and termination regions include columns of first and second conductivity type material alternately arranged along a horizontal direction in a semiconductor region having top and bottom surfaces. At least one of the columns of the first conductivity type material in the termination region has a different width than a width of the columns of the first conductivity type material in the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-gil Lee, Jin-young Jung, Ho-cheol Jang
  • Patent number: 7417296
    Abstract: A dielectric isolation type semiconductor device can achieve high dielectric resistance while preventing the dielectric strength thereof from being limited depending on the thickness of a dielectric layer and the thickness of a first semiconductor layer. A drift N? region is bonded to a semiconductor substrate through a buried oxide film to from a high withstand-voltage device in the drift N? region. A first field plate is formed on the drift N? region in the vicinity of a drain electrode. A first high silicon concentration region composed of a buried N+ region is formed in a porous oxide film region forming a part of the buried oxide film at a location right under the drain electrode. The drain electrode and the first field plate are electrically connected to the first high silicon concentration region through a drain N? well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7405460
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a configuration in which more than three kinds of wells are formed with small level differences. One kind of well from among the more than three kinds of wells has a surface level higher than other kinds of wells from among the more than three kinds of wells. The one kind of well is formed adjacent to and self-aligned to at least one kind of well from among the other kinds of wells. The other kinds of wells are different in one of a conductivity type, an impurity concentration and a junction depth, and include at least two kinds of wells having the same surface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Yoshida, Naohiro Ueda, Masato Kijima
  • Patent number: 7402884
    Abstract: An integrated circuit laminate with a metal substrate for use with high performance mixed signal integrated circuit applications. The metal substrate provides substantially improved crosstalk isolation, enhanced heat sinking and an easy access to a true low impedance ground. In one embodiment, the metal layer has regions with insulation filled channels or voids and a layer of insulator such as unoxidized porous silicon disposed between the metal substrate and a silicon integrated circuit layer. The laminate also has a plurality of metal walls or trenches mounted to the metal substrate and transacting the silicon and insulation layers thereby isolating noise sensitive elements from noise producing elements on the chip. In another embodiment, the laminate is mounted to a flexible base to limit the flexion of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Ya-Hong Xie
  • Patent number: 7400013
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method includes forming first, second, and third shallow trench isolation regions in a substrate, wherein the second shallow trench isolation region is situated between the first and the third shallow trench isolation regions. The second shallow trench isolation region is removed to form a transistor channel trench. A substantially U-shaped gate is formed in the transistor channel trench. According to another embodiment, a transistor includes a substrate, and first and second shallow trench isolation regions in the substrate. A substantially U-shaped gate is formed in the substrate between said first and second shallow trench isolation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Junichi Ariyoshi
  • Publication number: 20080157259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system comprising a semiconductor device, a method of controlling the semiconductor device in the system, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device in the system. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region located in a semiconductor layer formed on an isolating layer; an ONO film on the semiconductor region; bit lines on either side of the semiconductor region, which are located in the semiconductor layer, and are in contact with the isolating layer; a device isolating region on two different sides of the semiconductor region from the sides on which the bit lines are located, the device isolating region being in contact with the isolating layer; and a first voltage applying unit that is coupled to the semiconductor region. In this semiconductor device, the semiconductor region is surrounded by the bit lines and the device isolating region, and is electrically isolated from other semiconductor regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Yukio Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7385274
    Abstract: An improved high-voltage process is disclosed. In order to improve the performance in terms of breakdown voltage and to maintain the integrity of the STI structures, the thick gate oxide layer of the high-voltage device area is not etched back before a high-dosage ion doping process. One photo mask is therefore omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Fang Lee, Wei-Lun Hsu, Yu-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 7382015
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which is intended to prevent data destruction by movements of electric charges between floating gates and thereby improve the reliability, includes element isolation/insulation films buried into a silicon substrate to isolate stripe-shaped element-forming regions. Formed on the substrate are a floating gate via a first gate insulating film and further a control gate via a second gate insulating film. Source and drain diffusion layers are formed in self-alignment with control gates. The second gate insulating film on the floating gate is divided and separated together with the floating gate by slits above the element isolation/insulation films into discrete portions of individual memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadashi Iguchi, Yoshiaki Himeno, Hiroaki Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 7375399
    Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor memory device having a logic block and a memory block on the same chip. In the memory device, unit memory cells each include at least two transistors, one of which is a write transistor for storing an electric charge into and releasing it from an electric charge storage node, and the other is a read transistor whose conductance in a channel region provided between a source and drain of the read transistor is modulated dependently on the amount of electric charge stored into or released from the electric charge storage node by the write transistor. The read transistor has a gate-insulating film thicker than that of a transistor provided in the logic block, and uses the same diffusion layer structure as that of the logic block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ishii, Toshiyuki Mine, Toshiaki Sano, Norifumi Kameshiro
  • Patent number: 7368799
    Abstract: The semiconductor apparatus is disclosed that includes a partial SOI substrate including an oxide film; a lateral first MOSFET section having a planar gate structure and formed in the portion of the partial SOI substrate where there is an oxide film; a vertical second MOSFET section having a trench gate structure and formed in the portion of the partial SOI substrate where there is no oxide film, the second MOSFET section being adjacent to the first MOSFET section. The first MOSFET section includes a first p-type base region on the oxide film. The second MOSFET section includes a second n+-type drain region, a second n-type drift region on the second n+-type drain region, and a second p-type base region in the surface portion of the second n-type drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuji Nagaoka
  • Publication number: 20080093700
    Abstract: A method for operating a semiconductor device is described, the semiconductor device including a high-voltage device and a control circuit coupled to each other on a single chip and the high-voltage device including a source, a drain and a gate. This method applies a drain voltage of about 20V or higher to the drain while the gate and the source are floated, such that the high-voltage device self-turns on to produce a current from the drain to the source charging up the source and forming a source voltage. The source voltage serves as a power source of the control circuit, and the control circuit is driven when the source voltage is higher than the threshold voltage thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chih-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20080093701
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device isolation layer on a semiconductor substrate defining an active region in the semiconductor substrate, a low voltage well of a first conductivity type in the active region of the semiconductor substrate, a high voltage impurity region of a second conductivity type in the active region of the semiconductor substrate, the high voltage impurity region positioned in an upper portion of the low voltage well, a high concentration impurity region of the second conductivity type within the high voltage impurity region and spaced apart from the device isolation layer, and a floating impurity region of the first conductivity type between the device isolation layer and the high concentration impurity region, the floating impurity region being a portion of an upper surface of the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Tea-Kwang Yu, Kong-Sam Jang, Kwang-Tae Kim, Ji-Hoon Park, Eun-Mi Hong
  • Patent number: 7355256
    Abstract: A semiconductor device 1 according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate 5, a first transistor 10 which is formed on the semiconductor substrate 5 and includes a first gate electrode portion 16 constituted by a first gate insulating film 24 and a first gate electrode 26 having a first gate length L1 which are stacked, and a second transistor 12 which is formed on the semiconductor substrate 5 and includes a second gate electrode portion 20 constituted by a second gate insulating film 32 and a second gate electrode 30 having a second gate length L2 smaller than the first gate length L1, the second gate insulating film 32 and the second gate electrode 30 being stacked, wherein the grain size of poly-silicon grains forming the first gate electrode 26 is greater than the grain size of poly-silicon grains forming the second gate electrode 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Togo, Eiji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7352047
    Abstract: A heterogeneous device comprises a substrate and a plurality of heterogeneous circuit devices defined in the substrate. In embodiments, a plurality of heterogeneous circuit devices are integrated by successively masking and ion implanting the substrate. The heterogeneous device may further comprise at least one microelectromechanical system-based element and/or at least one photodiode. In embodiments, the heterogeneous circuit devices comprise at least one CMOS transistor and at least one DMOS transistor. In embodiments, the substrate comprises a layer of silicon or a layer of p-type silicon. In other embodiments, the substrate comprises a silicon-on-insulator wafer comprising a single-crystal-silicon layer or a single-crystal-P-silicon layer, a substrate and an insulator layer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jingkuang Chen, Yi Su
  • Publication number: 20080073745
    Abstract: A high-voltage semiconductor structure includes a high-voltage well region overlying a substrate, an isolation region extending from a top surface of the high-voltage well region into the high-voltage well region, a low-voltage well region having at least a portion underlying and adjoining the isolation region wherein the low-voltage well region is inside of and of a same conductivity type as the high-voltage well region, a gate dielectric on the high-voltage well region, a gate electrode on the gate dielectric, and a source/drain region of the same conductivity type as the high-voltage well region, wherein the source/drain region is spaced apart from a channel region by the isolation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Chien-Shao Tang, Tsung-Yi Huang, David Ho, Zhe-Yi Wang, Yu-Chang Jong
  • Patent number: 7345524
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a functional circuit module operating at a voltage range between a first voltage level and a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level. A power supply switch module, coupled between the functional circuit module and one or more power supplies, is controlled by one or more controlling biases of voltage levels outside the voltage range between the first and second voltage levels for more fully turning on and off the power supply switch module than biases that are within the range between the first and second voltage levels do.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Hon-Suo Wei
  • Publication number: 20080061396
    Abstract: A stacked dual MOSFET package is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Sanjay Havanur
  • Publication number: 20080036027
    Abstract: The high voltage integrated circuit is disclosed. The high voltage integrated circuit comprises a low voltage control circuit, a floating circuit, a P substrate, a deep N well disposed in the substrate and a plurality of P wells disposed in the P substrate. The P wells and deep N well serve as the isolation structures. The low voltage control circuit is located outside the deep N well and the floating circuit is located inside the deep N well. The deep N well forms a high voltage junction barrier for isolating the control circuit from the floating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
    Inventors: Chiu-Chih Chiang, Chih-Feng Huang, Ta-yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7327007
    Abstract: A technique is provided which allows easy achievement of a semiconductor device with desired breakdown voltage. In a high-potential island region defined by a p impurity region, an n+ impurity region is formed in an n? semiconductor layer, and first field plates and second field plates are formed in multiple layers above the n? semiconductor layer between the n+ impurity region and the p impurity region. The second field plates in the upper layer are located above spaces between the first field plates in the lower layer, over which an interconnect line passes. One of the second field plates which is closest to the p impurity region has a cut portion under the interconnect line, and an electrode is spaced between the first field plates located under the cut portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimizu