Including Diode Patents (Class 438/328)
  • Patent number: 7638387
    Abstract: A mask read-only memory (ROM) includes a dielectric layer formed on a substrate and a plurality of first conductive lines formed on the dielectric layer. A plurality of diodes are formed in the first conductive lines, and a plurality of final vias are formed for a first set of the diodes each representing a first type of memory cell, with no final via being formed for a second set of diodes each representing a second type of memory cell. Each of a plurality of second conductive lines is formed over a column of the diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kyu Lee, Hee-Seog Jeon, Jeong-Uk Han, Young-Ho Kim, Myung-Jo Chun
  • Patent number: 7618850
    Abstract: A method of making a nonvolatile memory device includes fabricating a diode in a low resistivity, programmed state without an electrical programming step. The memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell is constituted by the diode and electrically conductive electrodes contacting the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Tanmay Kumar, S. Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 7615502
    Abstract: A method to laser anneal a silicon stack (or a silicon-rich alloy) including a heavily doped region buried beneath an undoped or lightly doped region is disclosed. By F selecting laser energy at a wavelength that tends to be transmitted by crystalline silicon and absorbed by amorphous silicon, crystallization progresses through the silicon layers in a manner that minimizes or prevents diffusion of dopants upward from the doped region to the undoped or lightly doped region. In preferred embodiments, the laser energy is pulsed, and a thermally conductive structure beneath the heavily doped layer dissipates heat, helping to control the anneal and limit dopant diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sandisk 3D LLC
    Inventor: Shuo Gu
  • Patent number: 7615439
    Abstract: Forming a metal-insulator diode and carbon memory element in a single damascene process is disclosed. A trench having a bottom and a sidewall is formed in an insulator. A first diode electrode is formed in the trench during a single damascene process. A first insulating region comprising a first insulating material is formed in the trench during the single damascene process. A second insulating region comprising a second insulating material is formed in the trench during the single damascene process. A second diode electrode is formed in the trench during the single damascene process. The first insulating region and the second insulating region reside between the first diode electrode and the second diode electrode to form a metal-insulator-insulator-metal (MIIM) diode. A region of carbon is formed in the trench during the single damascene process. At least a portion of the carbon is electrically in series with the MIIM diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: April Dawn Schricker, Deepak C. Sekar, Andy Fu, Mark Clark
  • Publication number: 20090261897
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a filtering circuit implemented with a distributed inductor-and-capacitor (LC) network that includes metal oxide effect (MOS) trenches opened in a semiconductor substrate filled with dielectric material for functioning as capacitors for the distributed LC network. The electronic circuit further includes a transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit integrated with the filtering circuit that functions as a low pass filter wherein the TVS circuit includes a bipolar transistor triggered by a diode disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The distributed LC network further includes metal coils to function as inductors disposed on a top surface of the semiconductor electrically contacting the MOS trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Madhur Bobde
  • Publication number: 20090224354
    Abstract: A junction barrier Schottky diode is provided as having submicron channel width between implant regions by way of a process including the use of spacer technology. On-state resistance is lowered by providing the implant regions in a channel layer having increased dopant concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrei Konstantinov, Christopher Harris, Jan-Olov Svederg
  • Patent number: 7582499
    Abstract: A photo sensor has an insulator layer for covering a diode stack, and the insulator layer is made of photoresist to reduce a side leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Prime View International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Wang, Wei-Chou Lan, Lee-Tyng Chen
  • Patent number: 7579232
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a pillar shaped semiconductor device surrounded by an insulating layer such that a contact hole in the insulating layer exposes an upper surface of the semiconductor device. The method also includes forming a shadow mask layer over the insulating layer such that a portion of the shadow mask layer overhangs a portion of the contact hole, forming a conductive layer such that a first portion of the conductive layer is located on the upper surface of the semiconductor device exposed in the contact hole and a second portion of the conductive layer is located over the shadow mask layer, and removing the shadow mask layer and the second portion of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Er-Xuan Ping, Randhir Thakur, Klaus Scheugraf
  • Patent number: 7560355
    Abstract: A method is provided of making a semiconductor wafer for a semiconductor junction diode device having a target forward voltage drop and a target reverse breakdown voltage. The method begins by doping a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type through the back surface with a first dopant of the first conductivity type in an amount sufficient to form a semiconductor junction diode device having a target forward voltage drop. Next, the substrate is doped through the front surface with a second dopant of the first conductivity type in an amount sufficient to form the semiconductor junction diode device such that it has a target reverse breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Vishay General Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Lung-Ching Kao, Pu-Ju Kung
  • Patent number: 7528017
    Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Kovio, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Subramanian, Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 7521329
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting diode having a textured structure and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting diode are provided. The method includes forming a first semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming a textured structured first semiconductor layer by penetrating a material of a material layer into the first semiconductor layer after the material layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer and is annealed; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-seop Kwak, Jeong-wook Lee
  • Patent number: 7507620
    Abstract: A vertical diode of low capacitance formed in a front surface of a semiconductor substrate, including a first area protruding from the substrate surface including at least one doped semiconductor layer of a conductivity type opposite to that of the substrate, the upper surface of the semiconductor layer supporting a first welding ball. The diode includes a second area including on the substrate a thick conductive track supporting at least two second welding balls, said first and second welding balls defining a plane parallel to the substrate plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Collard, Patrick Poveda
  • Publication number: 20090045457
    Abstract: A transient-voltage suppressing (TVS) device disposed on a semiconductor substrate including a low-side steering diode, a high-side steering diode integrated with a main Zener diode for suppressing a transient voltage. The low-side steering diode and the high-side steering diode integrated with the Zener diode are disposed in the semiconductor substrate and each constituting a vertical PN junction as vertical diodes in the semiconductor substrate whereby reducing a lateral area occupied by the TVS device. In an exemplary embodiment, the high-side steering diode and the Zener diode are vertically overlapped with each other for further reducing lateral areas occupied by the TVS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Madhur Bobde
  • Patent number: 7491584
    Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device in high voltage and the relevant manufacturing method is disclosed. The mentioned ESD protection device is disposed to bridge a ground and an input connected with an inner circuit to be protected. In which, the ESD protection device for high voltage comprises at least one PNP transistor and at least one diode connected in parallel, and an ESD discharging path is formed thereby. The PNP transistor is formed with an adjacent heavily doped P-type semiconductor zone (P+), lightly doped N-type semiconductor zone (N?), and a P-type semiconductor substrate. The diode is formed with an adjacent lightly doped N-type semiconductor zone and a light doped P-type semiconductor zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Ding-Jeng Yu, Tao Cheng, Chao-Chih Chiu
  • Publication number: 20090029518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a Schottky barrier diode, which comprises the steps of laminating an N? type epitaxial layer having a thickness of 2 to 4 ?m, on an N+ type substrate layer, to form a semiconductor substrate; forming a P+ type guard ring at a given position of epitaxial layer, from the side of a top surface of the semiconductor substrate; dividing a portion of the epitaxial layer surrounded by the guard ring, into a plurality of unit regions each having one side length of 0.1 to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Toko, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadaaki Souma
  • Patent number: 7476593
    Abstract: In one embodiment, semiconductor device 10 comprises a diode which uses isolation regions (34, 16, and 13) and a plurality of dopant concentrations (30, 20, 24, and 26) which may be used to limit the parasitic current that is injected into the semiconductor substrate (12). Various biases on the isolation regions (34, 16, and 13) may be used to affect the behavior of semiconductor device (10). In addition, a conductive layer (28) may be formed overlying the junction between anode (42) and cathode (40). This conductive layer (28) may decrease the electric field in selected regions in order to increase the maximum voltage that may be applied to cathode (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronghua Zhu, Amitava Bose, Vishnu K. Khemka, Vijay Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 7468296
    Abstract: In fabricating an electronic structure, a substrate is provided, and a first barrier layer is provided on the substrate. A germanium thin film diode is provided on the first barrier layer, and a second barrier layer is provided on the germanium thin film diode. A memory device is provided over and connected to the second barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: Spansion LLC, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
    Inventors: Ercan Adem, Matthew Buynoski, Robert Chiu, Bryan Choo, Calvin Gabriel, Joong Jeon, David Matsumoto, Jeffrey Shields, Bhanwar Singh, Winny Stockwell, Wen Yu
  • Patent number: 7449389
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor including defining a first component region and a second component region in a semiconductor body is provided. A first epitaxial layer is formed through the first component region. A second epitaxial layer is formed over the first epitaxial layer, including configuring the physical dimensions of a first active zone of the first component region independent of a second active zone of the second component region via the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer. In one embodiment, the first component is a radio-frequency transistor and the second component is a varactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Meister, Herbert Schäfer, Josef Böck, Rudolf Lachner
  • Patent number: 7446010
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a metal/semiconductor/metal (MSM) back-to-back Schottky diode from a silicon (Si) semiconductor. The method deposits a Si semiconductor layer between a bottom electrode and a top electrode, and forms a MSM diode having a threshold voltage, breakdown voltage, and on/off current ratio. The method is able to modify the threshold voltage, breakdown voltage, and on/off current ratio of the MSM diode in response to controlling the Si semiconductor layer thickness. Generally, both the threshold and breakdown voltage are increased in response to increasing the Si thickness. With respect to the on/off current ratio, there is an optimal thickness. The method is able to form an amorphous Si (a-Si) and polycrystalline Si (polySi) semiconductor layer using either chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or DC sputtering. The Si semiconductor can be doped with a Group V donor material, which decreases the threshold voltage and increases the breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, David R. Evans
  • Patent number: 7442602
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices are provided having a vertical diode therein. The devices include an integrated circuit substrate and an insulating layer on the integrated circuit substrate. A contact hole penetrates the insulating layer. A vertical diode is in a lower region of the contact hole and a bottom electrode in the contact hole has a bottom surface on a top surface of the vertical diode. The bottom electrode is self-aligned with the vertical diode. A top surface area of the bottom electrode is less than a horizontal section area of the contact hole. Methods of forming the integrated circuit devices and phase change memory cells are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun Park, Jae-Hee Oh, Se-Ho Lee, Won-Cheol Jeong
  • Patent number: 7419868
    Abstract: A gated diode nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a diode structure with an additional gate terminal. Various embodiments may include or exclude a diffusion barrier structure between the diode nodes. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien Fan Ou, Wen Jer Tsai, Erh-Kun Lai, Hsuan Ling Kao
  • Publication number: 20080203534
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection clamp (61) for I/O terminals (22, 23) of integrated circuits (ICs) (24) comprises an NPN bipolar transistor (25) coupled to an integrated Zener diode (30). Variations in the break-down current-voltage characteristics (311, 312, 313, 314) of multiple prior art ESD clamps (31) in different parts of the same IC chip is avoided by forming the anode (301) of the Zener (30) in the shape of a base-coupled P+ annular ring (75) surrounded by a spaced-apart N+ annular collector ring (70) for the cathode (302) of the Zener (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Hongzhong Xu, Chai Ean Gill, James D. Whitfield, Jinman Yang
  • Patent number: 7410860
    Abstract: Apparatus and Methods for the self-alignment of separated regions in a lateral MOSFET of an integrate circuit. In one embodiment, a method comprising, forming a relatively thin dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate. Forming a first region of relatively thick material having a predetermined lateral length on the surface of the substrate adjacent the relatively thin dielectric layer. Implanting dopants to form a top gate using a first edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the top gate. Implanting dopants to form a drain contact using a second edge of the first region as a mask to define a first edge of the drain contact, wherein the distance between the top gate and drain contact is defined by the lateral length of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Beasom
  • Publication number: 20080124883
    Abstract: A structure comprises a single wafer with a first subcollector formed in a first region having a first thickness and a second subcollector formed in a second region having a second thickness, different from the first thickness. A method is also contemplated which includes providing a substrate including a first layer and forming a first doped region in the first layer. The method further includes forming a second layer on the first layer and forming a second doped region in the second layer. The second doped region is formed at a different depth than the first doped region. The method also includes forming a first reachthrough in the first layer and forming a second reachthrough in second layer to link the first reachthrough to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION,
    Inventors: Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Alvin J. Joseph, Seong-dong Kim, Louis D. Laozerotti, Xuefeng Liu, Robert M. Rassel
  • Publication number: 20080093671
    Abstract: In order to protect a semiconductor component against overvoltages, the steps which are used for production of bipolar transistors and CMOS structures in the semiconductor component are used for integrated parallel production of a zener diode. This has a first and a second n-doped zone, which extend between the surface of a semiconductor substrate and an n-doped buried region. The first n-doped zone is oppositely doped with p-doping in an area adjacent to the surface, and represents a p-doped region. A first contact is provided to the p-doped region, and a contact is on the other hand provided to the second n-doped zone, with the two contents forming the two connections of the zener diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Hubert Enichlmair
  • Publication number: 20080096360
    Abstract: A method is provided of making a semiconductor wafer for a semiconductor junction diode device having a target forward voltage drop and a target reverse breakdown voltage. The method begins by doping a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type through the back surface with a first dopant of the first conductivity type in an amount sufficient to form a semiconductor junction diode device having a target forward voltage drop. Next, the substrate is doped through the front surface with a second dopant of the first conductivity type in an amount sufficient to form the semiconductor junction diode device such that it has a target reverse breakdown voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Lung-Ching Kao, Pu-Ju Kung
  • Patent number: 7344952
    Abstract: A process is described for wavelength conversion of LED light using phosphors. LED dies are tested for correlated color temperature (CCT), and binned according to their color emission. The LEDs in a single bin are mounted on a single submount to form an array of LEDs. Various thin sheets of a flexible encapsulant (e.g., silicone) infused with one or more phosphors are preformed, where each sheet has different color conversion properties. An appropriate sheet is placed over an array of LED mounted on a submount, and the LEDs are energized. The resulting light is measured for CCT. If the CCT is acceptable, the phosphor sheet is permanently laminated onto the LEDs and submount. The lamination encapsulates each LED to protect the LEDs from contaminants and damage. The LEDs in the array of LEDs on the submount are separated. By selecting a different phosphor sheet for each bin of LEDs, the resulting CCT is very uniform across all bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Philips Lumileds Lighting Company, LLC
    Inventor: Haryanto Chandra
  • Patent number: 7338848
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes providing a silicon-on-insulator substrate including a buried oxide layer situated over a bulk silicon substrate and a silicon layer situated over the buried oxide layer. A trench is formed in the silicon layer and the buried oxide layer, where the trench exposes a portion of the bulk silicon substrate, and where the trench is situated adjacent to an optical region of said silicon-on-insulator substrate. According to this exemplary embodiment, an epitaxial layer is formed on the exposed portion of the bulk silicon substrate in the trench. The epitaxial layer and the bulk silicon substrate form a bulk silicon electronic region of the silicon-on-insulator substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventor: Paul H Kempf
  • Patent number: 7339254
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a structure includes a silicon-on-insulator substrate including a buried oxide layer situated over a bulk silicon substrate and a silicon layer situated over the buried oxide layer. The structure further includes a trench formed in the silicon layer and the buried oxide layer, where the trench has a bottom surface and a first and a second sidewall, and where the trench is situated adjacent to an optical region of the silicon-on-insulator substrate. According to this exemplary embodiment, the structure further includes an epitaxial layer situated in the trench and situated on the bulk silicon substrate, where the epitaxial layer and the bulk silicon substrate form a bulk silicon electronic region of the silicon-on-insulator substrate. The structure further includes a base of a bipolar transistor situated on the epitaxial layer, where the base can be silicon-germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventor: Paul H. Kempf
  • Publication number: 20070287276
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an unguarded Schottky barrier diode. The diode includes a cathode that has a recessed region and a dielectric interface surface that laterally extends around a perimeter of the recessed region. The diode further includes an anode that conforms to the recessed region. A dielectric layer extends over the dielectric interface surface of the cathode and further extends over a portion of the anode near the perimeter. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Vladimir Frank Drobny
  • Patent number: 7282430
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for melt-based patterning for electronic devices. It employs and provides processes and apparatus for fabricating an electronic device having a pattern formed on a surface by a deposition material. Further, the invention a process for fabricating semiconductors, organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), field-effect transistors, and in particular high-resolution patterning for RGB displays. A process for fabricating an organic electronic device includes the steps of heating and applying a pressure to the deposition material to form a melt, and depositing the melted deposition material on the surface with a phase-change printing technique or a spray technique. The melted deposition material solidifies on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Siegfried F. Karg, Heike E. Riel, Walter H. Riess
  • Patent number: 7279390
    Abstract: A Schottky diode capable of sustaining a breakdown voltage of greater than about 250 volts and a method for its manufacture. An epitaxial layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate has a thickness of at least about 15 micrometers and an impurity concentration ranging from about 1×1014 atoms per cubic centimeter to about 1×1015 atoms per cubic centimeter. A guard ring extends from about 3 micrometers to about 15 micrometers into the epitaxial layer. A dielectric material is formed over the epitaxial layer and a portion of the dielectric material is removed to expose a portion of the guard ring and a portion of the epitaxial layer within the guard ring. An electrically conductive material is formed over the exposed portion of the epitaxial layer and an electrically conductive material is formed in contact with a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Duskin, Blanca Estela Kruse
  • Patent number: 7271070
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing integrable semiconductor components, especially transistors or logic gates, using a p-doped semiconductor substrate. First of all, a mask is applied to the semiconductor substrate in order to define a window that is delimited by a peripheral edge. An n-doped trough is then produced in the semiconductor substrate by means of ion implantation using an energy that is sufficient for ensuring that a p-doped inner area remains on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The edge area of the n-doped trough extends as far as the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The other n-doped and/or p-doped areas that make up the structure of the transistor or logic gate are then inserted into the p-doped inner area of the semiconductor substrate. The inventive method is advantageous in that it no longer comprises expensive epitaxy and insulation processes. In an n-doped semiconductor substrate, all of the implanted ions are replaced by the complementary species; i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Hartmut Grutzediek, Joachim Scheerer
  • Publication number: 20070196993
    Abstract: A Schottky diode includes a substrate, a channel layer formed on the substrate and made of nitride-based compound semiconductor, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode which constitute an end portion of the current path of the semiconductor element, and a dummy electrode electrically connected to the substrate. The anode electrode is formed to have a Schottky barrier junction with the channel layer. The cathode layer is formed to have a low-resistance contact with the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Shinichi Iwakami, Osamu Machida, Masataka Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 7244646
    Abstract: A CMOS imager with two adjacent pixel active area regions without the presence of an intervening trench isolation region that typically separates two adjacent pixels and their associated photodiodes is provided. The shared active area region isolates the two adjacent photodiodes and provides good substrate to surface pinned layer contact without the presence of n? type dopant ions and due to the presence of p-type dopant ions. As a result, the size of the imager can be reduced and the photodiodes of the two adjacent pixels have increased capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Inna Patrick, Vladimir Berezin
  • Patent number: 7192826
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which the capacitive element of MIMC structure has a low parasitic capacity. A process for fabrication of said semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a capacitive element of MIMC structure, a PN photodiode, and a vertical NPN bipolar transistor which are mounted together on the same semiconductor substrate. The lower wiring layer connected to the TiN lower electrode layer of the capacitive element of MIMC structure is formed on the insulating film and the first interlayer insulating film. Between this insulating film and the p-type semiconductor substrate is the p?-type low-concentration semiconductor layer whose impurity concentration is lower than that of the p-type semiconductor substrate. This construction suppresses the parasitic capacity of the capacitive element of the MIMC structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ejiri, Shigeru Kanematsu
  • Patent number: 7189610
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a diode is formed with anodes on two surfaces of a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John David Moran, Blanca Estela Kruse, Jose Rogelio Moreno
  • Patent number: 7186611
    Abstract: A high-density Germanium (Ge)-on-Insulator (GOI) photodiode array and corresponding fabrication method are provided. The method includes: forming an array of pixel driver nMOST devices, each device having a gate connected to a row line in a first orientation, a first source/drain (S/D) region, and a second S/D region connected to Vdd; forming a P-I-N Ge diode for each pixel as follows: forming a n+ region; forming an intrinsic Ge region overlying the n+ region; forming a p+ junction in the intrinsic Ge; and, isolating the P-I-N Ge diodes; and, forming an Indium Tin oxide (ITO) column in a second orientation, about orthogonal to the first orientation, overlying the P-I-N Ge diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Jong-Jan Lee, Jer-Shen Maa, Douglas J. Tweet
  • Patent number: 7170103
    Abstract: A method of making a vertical diode is provided, the vertical diode having associated therewith a diode opening extending through an insulation layer and contacting an active region on a silicon wafer. A titanium silicide layer covers the interior surface of the diode opening and contacts the active region. The diode opening is initially filled with an amorphous silicon plug that is doped during deposition and subsequently recrystallized to form large grain polysilicon. The silicon plug has a top portion that is heavily doped with a first type dopant and a bottom portion that is lightly doped with a second type dopant. The top portion is bounded by the bottom portion so as not to contact the titanium silicide layer. For one embodiment of the vertical diode, a programmable resistor contacts the top portion of the silicon plug and a metal line contacts the programmable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Tyler A. Lowrey, Trung Tri Doan, Raymond A. Turi, Graham R. Wolstenholme
  • Patent number: 7132729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device formed with a diode array together with bipolar transistors, which is capable of preventing the occurrence of crystal defects developed in cross patterns in deep trench regions and improving device yields, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device includes a LOCOS oxide film which isolates a plurality of diodes in an X direction, and deep trenches which isolate the plurality of diodes in a Y direction. The depth of each of the deep trenches is deeper than a high density layer embedded below a collector layer of each bipolar transistor. A shallow trench may be used as an alternative to the LOCOS oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 7122418
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic electroluminescent device. A substrate comprising an organic electroluminescent unit thereon is provided. A passivation layer is formed on the substrate to cover the organic electroluminescent layer. An ion beam is provided to perform a surface treatment on the passivation layer. A plastic layer is formed on the passivation layer. The steps of forming the passivation layer, providing the ion beam and forming the plastic layer are repeated at least once to enhance device reliability. In addition, a solid passivation layer is formed by the steps of forming the passivation layer, providing the ion beam and forming the plastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Hung Su, Yi-Chang Tsao
  • Patent number: 7071062
    Abstract: An integrated device comprising a MOS transistor and a Schottky diode which are formed on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type is shown. The device comprises a plurality of body region stripes of a second conductivity type which are adjacent and parallel to each other, a first metal layer placed over said substrate and a second metal layer placed under said substrate. The device comprises a plurality of elementary structures parallel to each other each one of which comprises first zones provided with a silicon oxide layer placed over a portion of the substrate which is comprised between two adjacent body region stripes, a polysilicon layer superimposed to the silicon oxide layer, a dielectric layer placed over and around the polysilicon layer. Some body region stripes comprise source regions of the first conductivity type which are placed adjacent to the first zones of the elementary structures to form elementary cells of said MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Saggio, Ferruccio Frisina
  • Patent number: 7008815
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a self-aligned guard ring of a photo diode. The method includes defining a photo diode region on a semiconductor substrate and an isolation matter surrounding the photo diode region, forming a photo sensor in the photo diode region, covering a first mask on the photo sensor, forming a spacer around the first mask, covering a second mask on an edge of the isolation matter, and utilizing the first mask, the second mask, and the spacer to form a self-aligned guard ring surrounding the photo sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jhy-Jyi Sze, Ming-Yi Wang, Junbo Chen
  • Patent number: 6939771
    Abstract: A process for forming at least one interface region between two regions of semiconductor material. At least one region of dielectric material comprising nitrogen is formed in the vicinity of at least a portion of a boundary between the two regions of semiconductor material, thereby controlling electrical resistance at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arne W. Ballantine, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Jeffrey Gilbert, Joseph R. Greco, Glenn R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6927089
    Abstract: A CMOS imager having multiple graded doped regions formed below respective pixel sensor cells is disclosed. A deep retrograde p-well is formed under a red pixel sensor cell of a semiconductor substrate to increase the red response. A shallow p-well is formed under the blue pixel sensor cell to decrease the red and green responses, while a shallow retrograde p-well is formed below the green pixel sensor cell to increase the green response and decrease the red response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6924191
    Abstract: A method for fabricating features on a substrate having reduced dimensions. The features are formed by defining a first mask on regions of the substrate. The first mask is defined using lithographic techniques. A second mask is then conformably formed on one or more sidewalls of the first mask. The features are formed on the substrate by removing the first mask and then etching the substrate using the second mask as an etch mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Thorsten B. Lill, David S. L. Mui, Christopher Dennis Bencher
  • Patent number: 6900093
    Abstract: A process for fabricating Zener diodes that does not require the use of photomasks. An oxide layer is grown on a silicon substrate which is doped with an N-type dopant. The substrate is subsequently implanted with a P-type dopant, forming a PN junction. The substrate is then metallized for connecting the Zener diode to other circuit components. Advantageously, the substrate may be scribed after processing, before processing, or anytime during processing. Back-to-back Zener diodes formed in this manner are used as shunt circuits across individual lamp sockets in series-wired Christmas light strings to maintain current flow to each of the lamps of the light string when one or multiple lamps fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: JLJ, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Janning
  • Patent number: 6894318
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diode 200 that includes a substrate 215 doped with a first type dopant and a double implanted guard ring 245 located within the substrate and doped with a second type dopant opposite the first type dopant and having a first doped profile region 245a and a second doped profile region 245b. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing this diode and an integrated circuit that utilizes this diode 200 within a CMOS and bipolar transistor integrated circuit 600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ming-Yeh Chuang, William C. Loftin, Scott K. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6888226
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a base layer of a first conductivity type, a first layer of the first conductivity type arranged on the base layer and having a dopant concentration that is lower than a dopant concentration of the base layer, and a second layer of a second conductivity type being operative with the first layer in order to form a transition between the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type. A course of a dopant profile at the transition between the base layer and the first layer is set such that in an ESD case a space charge region shifted to the transition between the base layer and the first layer reaches into the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus Diefenbeck, Christian Herzum, Jakob Huber, Karlheinz Müller
  • Publication number: 20040262696
    Abstract: An emitter switching configuration having at least one bipolar transistor and a MOS transistor having a common conduction terminal and a Zener diode inserted between a control terminal of the bipolar transistor and the common conduction terminal. A monolithic structure is also provided that is effective in implementing the emitter switching configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventor: Cesare Ronsisvalle